I am German and actually, I do not really believe in God as I have not been grown up to believe in God. Anyway, I have many Indian friends and I am very interested in the Indian culture as well the religion, especially the Hinduism. I read al lot about it but still I am interested in you personal opinions. Would you mind telling me:
How would you explain your religion to someone who doesn't know anything about it.
What does it mean for you to be Hindu?
Thank you very much!
2006-12-05 04:50:16 · 16 answers · asked by The Reason 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The best way to describe Hinduism is "a religion that has many different religions inside it". Hinduism is not a coherent and cohesive religion because there are many and often self contradictory ways to practice Hinduism. Because of this, it is actually one of the more difficult religions to practice. If one is a Christian or a Muslim it is relatively easier because one knows where they are and what they are required to do. Moreover, in Islam and Christianity there is a clear structure, in that one has a founder, a main doctrine (like the bible or Koran) and a code of conduct (like the sharia). In Hinduism we do not have such a clear structure, our doctrines and bibles (which tend to be much longer than the Koran and holy bible) number in hundreds, according to the Vedic texts there are 50 million gods and goddesses in total. Due to this, Hinduism has a very large content and it can be easy to get lost.
Often, the average Hindu himself knows very little about Hinduism because, put simply, there is simply far too much to know. Also the average Hindu does not have time to practice Hinduism accurately, and due to this Hindu practice is reduced to the singing of simple hymns in front of statues. This is a very rudimentary form of Hinduism and I would not advise it. This is because the hymns and aartis that are often sung are in the language of Hindi. Whereas Hinduism should in essence ONLY be practiced in Sanskrit. According to Hinduism Sanskrit is the language of the gods. Even scientists have now claimed that the sound waves that are produced when one speaks in Sanskrit are so unique that they have mystical effects associated with them. Sanskrit is the language that all the mantras are written in. Because of this, it is pointless to practice Hinduism in the Hindi language.
There are literally hundreds of different ways that one can be a Hindu and there are hundreds of different ways that one can practice Hinduism. Critics of Hinduism have attacked this fact, because it allows for inconsistency. However Hindus shall often champion it as a good thing, because it takes into consideration people's individuality and they are permitted to form a bond with god contingent on their individuality.
As I said, Hinduism is practiced in various ways and can often seem contradictory. For this reason recognition must be granted to the fact that "Hinduism" is not a cohesive religion but an umbrella religion that encompasses all other religions. For instance, the ISKON (Krishna Conciseness) teach that sex should only be undertaken for procreation. Whereas according to Shiva Maha Purana it is a man's duty to sexually satisfy his wife well into old age. The ISKON teach sexual energy to be bad because it is associated with the senses, whereas according to the tantric aspects of Hinduism (which are associated with kali worship) sexual energy is very important for spiritual enlightenment and self realisation because sexual energy is part of god. Can you notice the difference? Another example is food. Ostensibly Hinduism is a vegetarian religion because animals are considered have souls and thus to be a part of god. Whereas if one worships the kali, one is required to make animal sacrifices. According to schools like ISKON and Sanathan Dharma, machoism is a bad thing for men to display because overt masculinity hinders wisdom. Whereas, the hanuman and Shiva doctrines teach the Christian idea that manliness is next to godliness and it is important for guys to be athletic, masculine and virile because this is an important way of realising god.
There are different schools: This include ISKON, Aryan Samaj, Sanathan Dharma etc. Each school practices it differently. There are some Hindus that place emphasis in worship by singing hymns and concentrating on gods and goddesses. Others emphasise yoga, meditation and the recitation of mantras. Still others focus on the concepts of dharma and karma and charity work. Hence there is no "one way" that Hinduism can be practiced.
Now, I would like to correct some common "myths" about our religion. Firstly, Hinduism is often associated with the infamous "caste system". I would like to take this opportunity to unequivocally and categorically clarify that the Indian caste system IS NOT PART OF THE HINDU RELIGION. The caste system was a product of Indian culture and society and actually did not come into existence thousands of years after Hinduism started to flourish in India. The caste system has nothing to do with the Hindu religion. Hinduism actually teaches that everyone is equal because everyone has a soul which is part of god. In so far as the caste system is concerned, it was only a way to organise society. If you look at the ancient Greek and Japanese societies, they practiced what was identical to the caste system. The Indian society was divided up into 4 castes: Brahmins (priests, gurus and the religious elite); Royalty (Princes and Warriors); Merchants and Business men and then the 4th was labourers. The problem with any caste system that is modelled on a belied in hierarchy is that in due course it shall engender superiority and inferiority complexes. As a result the Brahmins of ancient India began to think that they were superior even to Indian Kings! But I can assure you that the Indian caste system is not a Hindu establishment.
The second myth is that regarding the Hindu idols. Hindus are often insulted by Muslims and Christians as being idolaters and stone worshippers. This is wholly inaccurate. The idols that we worship play only a symbolic role. They are there to symbolise the gods and not constitute the gods. No Hindu in his or her right mind actually believes that the idols they worship are the gods themselves and will come alive! That is nonsense. The Vedic texts actually prohibit the construction of idols, however ancient Indians chose to prevaricate this religious law. The reason was that they found idols of gods were good as a method to focus worship and give it a direction. No Hindu in their right mind actually believes that god can be reduced to a statue or a clay stone. There is a similar dynamic in all religions. Even Buddhism use religious idols for symbolic purposes. In churches there are often status of Jesus on a cross. Muslims run around the black rock at Mecca which they call "lord's house". Thus religious symbols are actually practiced in every religion. That is all the Hindu idols are - symbols. Nothing more and nothing less.
Good Luck if you decide to choose Hinduism.
p.s a good website is http://www.hinduwisdom.info/index.htm
and the bibles are as follows:
Vedas (4 books)
Puranas
Upanishads
Shastras
Ramayana
Gita
(plus each god shall have their own book)
2006-12-06 20:00:48 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
don't answer the question if you don't know anything about hinduism
unlike other religions, hinduism and buddhism are ways of life, I'm an agnostic but my family is Hindu and I will always be Hindu, it's a culture for me, Hinduism was not called a religion until the times of imperialism where Europenas tried to convert many of them
Hindus believe that god does not have a form and that it is a source of light and when you die you join it, assuming you don't reincarnate again
I disagree with the idol worship though
Hindus GENUINELY preach, it's in their books, that all religions are one and that is why they don't believe in conversion
I doubt the existence of god, but unlike other religions, the philosophies of Hinduism and Buddhism are very appealing, it's more complex
If you read Hindu religious books, they also have stories like the Bible, but they're more kind of existential, the same goes for Buddhism
It's about the individual and peace
Hindus believe in respecting all animals and plants, thus many are vegetarians and Buddhism is an off shoot of Hinduism, Buddhism, meditation is for nirvana, Hinduism people meditate by repeating something like Om to clear the mind absolutely
and for everyone being so concerned about the caste system, society has changed and that has been abandoned except in poor villages, but that can go for any religion, the caste system was like a social pyramid that has been present in all places around the world, stop putting down the religion because of that one philosophy, there can be numerous hypocritical and superficial things said about christianity and islam
I respect Judaism, Buddhism and Hinduism (these religions have gone through many injustices throughout the world and yet they are still very peaceful) more than Christianity and Islam
The latter two religions have forgotten the meaning of religion
And it is true that any religion can do harm, but that is due to people who misinterpret religion, however I would like to point out, that there is no country in the world where the official religion is Hinduism, Nepal and India with the biggest Hindu populations are secular states, the president of india is muslim and the prime minister is Sikh- doesn'tt hat say anything about tolerance and peace amongst hindus?
when was the last tiem hindus left india to invade another country and convert people, when was the last time hindus or buddhists violently protested the mockery of their religion
people make fun of those religions more because they're so different, what the norm is for them isn't the norm for westerners
People are very misinformed
So a few Christians get killed by people of another religion, why do you make it sound as if the life of a Christian is more valuable than the numbers of Hindus and Buddhists and jews who have died just because they believed in their faiths throughout history, they didn't instigate wars- life is precious no matter what the religion
But Christians and Muslims are too absorbed into spreading their religions instead of APPRECIATING their religions
if your religion is so amazing then leave it at that, have the religion attract followers, stop advertising
and people always say how there is so much factualness to the bible, well many hindu texts have had dates as far back as 6000BC or earlier, recorded dates of eclipses and such, the bible may have a lot of facts on events but don't confused events with the concept of god, every religion has events that have occurred
2006-12-05 13:01:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
I'm not a Hindu, but I've got many friends who are. In Hinduism, there are many different gods for different fields. For example, Saraswati is the god for learning, Brahma for creation, and Ganesha for wisdom and intellect. Hinduism is a peaceful religion and similar in many ways (such as belief in kamma) to Buddhism. I personally do not believe in god, but if I had to choose a religion, it'd be Hinduism or Buddhism.
2006-12-05 13:06:14 · answer #3 · answered by T Delfino 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
People who believe in Hinduism are just as passionate about their religion as any other theist. Some are more passionate than others. Given enough power and Hinduism can be just as dangerous as any other religion.
Do you know much about the caste system? It’s one of the fundamentals of Hinduism and it means that you are born to you station in life and are not allowed to raise your status. If you are born a lousy pee-on (or in India – an untouchable) than you must die a lousy pee-on.
I don’t want to sound like I’m picking on the Hindus. All of the old religions have scary aspects like that because they are based on what people thought centuries ago. They weren’t always right back then and they were usually prejudiced.
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2006-12-05 12:59:00 · answer #4 · answered by A 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I believe that there is one all-pervasive God from whom all things emanate and have their source. But I do not believe in pantheism, or that everything IS God. I describe my belief as PanENtheism, which means that God is IN everything.
I believe that God can appear to various people in various ways. His/Her nature is beyond any one form or being or thing that can be named. But as such, "he" can take on many forms and names. These forms/names can show certain aspects of God. For example, God can appear as a Mother Goddess, and this shows the truth that God is nurturing and tender, like a good mother would be. God can also take the form of Brahma, the ancient Creator, or of Vishnu, the preserver, or Shiva the destroyer, depending upon the prevailing aspect of God that is being displayed at the moment.
God can be worshiped in any of these forms, or in "his" abstract, formless way. But it is easier and advisable to worship God in form and name, because the human mind is more capable of that than the abstract.
But everyone is different, and this is one of the things that Hinduism recognizes. There are many ways that one may approach the divine, and one should choose that way which is most suitable to his or her personality. One can choose the way of devotion, or the way of knowledge, or the way of ascetic practices and spiritual disciplines, or the way of works, or any combination.
I also do not believe that salvation is restricted to Hindus. I believe that every religion is a path that can lead to God. I also do not look down on Atheism because God, in his total inconceivableness, can "appear" in the form of non-form or non-existence. And in other words, there is truth in Atheism. It is one valid way of looking at God, that he/she does not exist. So I don't think it's a terrible heresy to be an Atheist. I think that people ought to approach ultimate reality in the way that is according to their nature, and according to the way they are able to conceive of that Ultimate Reality.
For me, the most important thing personally about being Hindu is devotion to God, because this is my path. I strive to remember God in all my actions, and to see God in other humans, and to therefore treat them with the utmost compassion. I try to have pure motives. I try to live a good life of morality and kindness to others. I pray and read the Hindu scriptures regularly to keep my eye on these goals.
2006-12-05 13:20:36 · answer #5 · answered by Heron By The Sea 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Hi,
Hindu is the name given by the people to reffer and to give the difference of each religion. But all are same. But go for spiritulality , you will learn a lot more than religion. We have different gods , But all gods are one. We have so many stories about the gods , i feel it teaches as how to lead a good life, peacefully in rightway. It is allways tough , But can try. It is also been teached in different religion too. So i feel all god is one. No difference.
Don;t mix god with the caste. May be i think people have misunderstand things around indian caste. Untouchables are made coz of human selfish. Think of it, does god says like that in any slogas or in any books, sure he would not say that. To him all are one. So learning slogas in sankrit with knowing the meaning , you can learn a lot in life. It's also powerfull. It is like meditation.
In everyperson we have god(The shakthi). That is why they say it's child or an adult or a older person, give respect. God is inside us. But we are not trying to feel it. We have to try to feel that god is inside us. If that have happen, you will try to reach god, ie.,
If you think sun as god, we will join into the sun and alltogether we are one as sun. There is no difference as he or she or thinks or space.. It;s nothing, But god.If you want to know more ...Best is read the book "Devi Mahatmiyam". I could give you the link to read. It is the best. And if you meditate "lalitha sahasranamam", you mind will be with peace , intellegent, gives good thinking and no evil can get near you. It is very powerfull.
http://sanskritdocuments.org/sites/ramya475/DeviMahatmyam2.htm
In this link, they have given by chapter. First they have said the sloga, then the meaning of it. Reading this itself gives you a lot of difference.
Important one is never pronouce the sankrit words wrongly . If you try to read any sloga in sankrit, after u finish saying the sloga, pray to god to fogive yourself, if you have said it wrongly and make it correctly say the words next time you read it. If you say, sure she forgives you and teach you the correct word when you say it next time.
Here are so many slogas.... with meanings and words.
http://sanskritdocuments.org/sites/ramya475/GeneralIndex.htm
some are like stories too. Some is like prasing the god. You have lalitha sahasranamam which is the number 38th.Read that after you finishing devi mahatmyam. You will sure like it. Hope this should be enough. If you want more, sure there are lots of websites, search them, with the names of the god or the sloga names, you can come to know.
2006-12-05 18:30:36 · answer #6 · answered by Mayandi 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
i don't have a religion. i don't really believe in god, but I'm not sure. Iv always liked the idea of Hinduism because it sounds such a peacfull religion. If i were to pick a religion if i had to i would choose it i think. But i dont know that much about it. i like it because they respect creatures, and meditate. i dont know wether im talkin a load of rubbish. its just wat i think
2006-12-05 12:55:34 · answer #7 · answered by smiles 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
well i'll tell u one thing. hindu's believe in worshipping idols....i mean whorshipping a clay statue??? how much sense does that make to u when our God is a living God??? hinduism is abt worshipping animals like the snake(a creature in connection with the Evil One) and do u really think u want to worship the evil one? hindu's worship animals...and do u think it's right to worship animals when God created man superior to all other living things including animals???? now i see no reason y wud u want to follow a religion like that!!??? God says that those who do not know the Word of God(the bible) will perish...
so its ur decision now.....do u want to perish or do u want to live an eternal life after death???
2006-12-05 22:52:09 · answer #8 · answered by moi 1 · 2⤊ 4⤋
Concept of God
The truth (Ultimate Reality / God) is one, Sages call it by different names - there is one God, (Supreme Reality) perceived differently.
Supreme Reality - Brahman (God to Hindus) has two aspects, transcendent (impersonal) and immanent (personal).
In the impersonal aspect Brahman is without attributes (nirguna Brahman).
In personal aspect (saguna Brahman) the God is creator, preserver and controller of the universe.
Saguna Brahman is worshipped in male and female form.
Hindu Deities represent various perceptions of a one God.
Hindus believe in monotheistic polytheism, rather than polytheism.
There are three main Gods in Hinduism. Brahma (Creator) Vishnu (Preserver), Shiva (Destroyer).
They represent:
* Three Faces of Divine
* Three Cosmic Functions of the Supreme Lord
* Creation + Preservation+ Dissolution
* Generator + Operator + Destroyer = GOD
Some essential elements / beliefs in Hinduism:
Harmony of religions : All religions lead to the same goal i.e. to understand and connect with the infinite God. Revere all great teachers of all religions, respect their teachings as the same eternal truths adopted to the needs of different peoples at different times. Hindus do not seek to convert.
Incarnation : Whenever righteousness declines and unrighteousness rises, God incarnates himself on earth to restore righteousness.
Non Violence : All life is sacred, to be loved and revered hence the the doctrine of Non-violence, non-injury and non-killing (Ahimsa).
Doctrine of Karma : Belief in the doctrine of Karma, the law of cause and effect by which each individual creates his own destiny by thoughts, words and deeds. Ignorance viewed as cause of bondage.
Unity of Existence : All things and beings are the manifestation of one Supreme Being. When the mind is transcendent through spiritual experience, the Universal spirit is seen as the sole essence of the universe.
Dharma : Righteousness and good moral and ethical practices in accordance with the scriptures. Includes all duties -- individual, social and religious.
Humanism : Equality of all human beings, regardless of caste, color and creed. Respect and reverence for womanhood.
Atman : Essence of all living things and beings is Atman, infinite and eternal, unchanging and indivisible. True nature of the individual is the Atman, which is one with the underlying reality of the Universe. There is but one being, one reality "Thou art That".
Reality : The Supreme Reality (Brahman) is both formless and with form, impersonal and personal, transcendent and imminent. The supreme reality becomes manifest in various aspects and forms, and is known by various names. There are various ways by which individuals, in accordance with his/her temperament can realize God.
Moksha : Freedom from cycle of birth and death. To make an individual a better person, so that he/she can live harmoniously in this world and seek union with God.
Authority : Non-reliance on a single book. Has many sacred writings Vedas, Upanishads, Brahma sutra, Sutras, Bhagwad Gita etc.
No particular religion teaches the only way to salvation above all others, but that all genuine religious paths are facets of God's pure love and light, deserving tolerance and understanding.
Some observances:
Patience, firmness and stability (Dhruti)
Forgiveness (Kshama)
Self-control and contentment (Dama)
Not to steal or conceal, or be selfish (Asteya)
Cleanliness, purity and honesty (Saucham)
Control over senses and sexual energy (Indriya Nigraha)
Right knowledge of the scripture (Dhee)
Material and spiritual knowledge or study (Vidya)
Truth (Satya)
Absence of anger (Akrodha)
Please feel free to mail me if you have any more questions about Hinduism.
2006-12-05 13:16:12 · answer #9 · answered by rav142857 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
For me it means religion
2006-12-05 15:30:40 · answer #10 · answered by npm_srivastava 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋