Why is Hinduism the only widespread polytheist religion?

Question

I'm speaking of a global scale. It's the third most popular religion in terms of people practicing it. What's the secret to Hinduism's success over the millennia? Is it dying down?

Answer 1

it only goes to show that Hinduism is doing wat its suppsed to do. It had to stand strong through centuries and centuries. It has done it. oflate, many misunderstood concepts of hinduism are highlighted as blind beliefs. all that has to be done, is to research the real reasons behind those practices which we think r not reasonable. once his is done, dying down is as good as impossible!!

Answer 2

First let's correct one thing. Hinduism isn't polytheistic. It's monotheistic...or at best, monistic theistic (monistic with a theist approach applied on top)...depending on the specific Hindu denomination one refers to (Vaishnavas are strictly monotheistic...as are Shaktas...Saivites are more monistic theistic as are Smartas...and so on).

Now that that's cleared up we can move on to the other questions.

"What's the secret to Hinduism success over the millennia?"

Perhaps it's the core teaching in Hinduism that is summed up in the Rig Veda which says "There is only one God, though humanity calls it by many names." Thus stating the belief that there is only one God, but that the many different religions, names, etc are just humanity's way of responding to it. The example I have often been told by Hindu swamis and read in many books written by scholars who were told the same thing is the example of an elephant and the five blind men. The story goes that there are five blind men who live in a village. Each of them goes out for a walk in the nearby forest. Along the way an elephant crosses their path. Having never come across such a creature, they explore it to go back and tell the village. Thus the first man reaches out and touches the trunk, the second it's flapping ears, the third its tusk, the fourth its tail, and the fifth it's body. And each of them comes back to the village to report their experience. So which one is right about the elephant? Whose experience was the right experience? And that's the point, you see. God is so big, so vast, so infinite that each of us touches only a small part of the Infinite Whole that is God. This leads to the realization that there is no one way to worship God, no one name, no one form, no one anything. If you want to call God Ganesh or Allah or Jesus...then by all means do so. Afterall we're talking about God here and God is beyond all names (and paradoxically is all names).

Or perhaps it could be Hinduism's approach to spirituality in religion all together. There is no central authority. The Vedas are the sacred texts and if you accept the teachings of the Vedas, then you're a Hindu....and of course just because you interpret the Vedas differently that another doesn't mean you're somehow less of a Hindu. You're just touching a different part of the elephant. Hinduism stresses self exploration. It's believed that the Truth is universally inherent within our inner self and that if we'd just take the time to look deep within we'd discover the same truths that the ancient rishis all the way up to the modern swamis have discovered. In Hinduism you do not just accept what you are told....you are told that you must experience it for yourself and determine if you believe it or not. Thus there is no "believe this or else be punished" attitude in Hinduism.


"Is it dying down?"

Actually, no. In fact it's growing. Not only are native born Hindus still giving birth and raising their children as Hindus, but there are many others who are continually entering into Hinduism. Whether they call themself Hindu or not is up to them...some do, some don't. And as far as Hindus are concerned that's okay either way. Hindu swamis often say that they aren't here to convert anyone to Hinduism, because Hinduism doesn't stress the need for converting anyone (if the way you worship God is good enough for God then it's good enough for a Hindu, too, so why bother converting anyone), instead they say they simply offer spiritual advice, lessons, and teachings and if a person gets anything from that that helps them along their spiritual journey, then that's great...if not, then so be it because that's okay, too, since afterall it's God, not the swami, that is the greatest guide in our spirituality.

I don't use the term convert to say that I am a Hindu. I adopted Hinduism after studying and learning about it for some time. And I know countless others from various backgrounds (Asian, African, European, Middle Eastern, etc) who have done the same. And it is said that our numbers in Hinduism are growing, too. And it is nothing new. There have been peoples from the various parts of the world who have embraced Hinduism for a long time. Surprisingly Hinduism has no formal conversion process...but then again most see it as more of an adoption of practices and philosophy more than a conversion process. Thus in some Hindu sects/groups a person may be asked to go through a formal process....usually a naming ceremony and accepting a Hindu name....and in others a person is not asked at all. It's been that way for a long time and it's that way today, too.

Hope my answer helps. Great questions!!

Peace be with you.

Answer 3

Primo, Hinduism isn't really a polytheistic Religion. The basic tenet of Hinduism is "Deivehah nirguna, nirakara." Which translates as God is beyond physical and intellectual percetion!?

Just one God, no Gender!

Secundo, however, it's not the original form of Hinduism, but it's mutant varieties that have gained popularity due to Organizations like the ISKON!

Terrio, Hinduism is not so much a "Religion" as it's a way of Life. It doesn't have the codified Faith, nor the Congregation of the other Faiths. You choose when you wish to do what, there.

Quarto et finalmente, Many ascpects of Hinduism such as non-violence and vegetarianism are growing among the Westerners as are the thinking of Karma and Yoga and Meditation, while the remaining rituals are being ignored.

But,then, that's what Hinduism is all about!

Cheers!

Simon Templar

Answer 4

The secret to the success of Hinduism is a billion and a half Hindu's on the planet. India is on pace to soon pass China as the most populous country in the world, and most of them are Hindu. It is anything but "dying down".

Answer 5

of course not....its not dying down

in hinduism we think of many gods, like rama, krishna.
they were sent onto earth by only 1 god 'om'.
god is only 1, but we see him in many forms.
the history and description of all gods can easily be seen in all hindu epics and stories.

feel free 2 contact me

Answer 6

because all the other polytheist religions died out. christianity is kinda a polytheist religion if you ask me (I am christian myself) with the whole trinity thing.

Answer 7

because India has a massive population

Answer 8

it's not