Since Hinduisim lacks a uniting belief system, what makes up the Hindu religion?

Question

Explain the desire for liberation from earthly existence.

Answer 1

Hinduism most definitely has a uniting belief system. You will note that Hindus do not discriminate any Gods; they may hold devotion to a particular one based on familial obligations or tradition, but there is undoubtedly a unified system. And that is of Karma & Dharma.

Dharma is the duty that you have to fulfill in life through your placement. Karma states that you will reap what you sow. And the desire for liberation from earthly existence is achieved through the combination of the two aforementioned methods.

Life & death has a cycle. The cycle is wrought with earthly pleasures & pain. Your intention is to be free from materialistic desires because they are temporary. Only the soul is eternal. So by meditating, fulfilling your duties, and by eventually ridding yourself of your karma; you are free to exist as soul and be one with the universe as opposed to continuing the cycle of birth & death.

Answer 2

Hinduism (Sanskrit: Sanātana Dharma सनातन धर्म "eternal law"[1] ) is a religion that originated on the Indian subcontinent. With its foundations in the Vedic civilization, it has no known founder,[2][3] being itself a conglomerate of diverse beliefs and traditions. It is considered the world's "oldest extant religion,"[4] and has approximately a billion adherents, of whom about 890 million live in India,[5] placing it as the world's third largest religion after Christianity and Islam. Other countries with large Hindu populations include Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Hinduism provides a vast body of scriptures. Divided as revealed and remembered and developed over millennia, these scriptures expound on a broad of range of theology, philosophy and mythology, providing spiritual insights and guidance on the practice of dharma (religious living). Among such texts, Hindus revere the Vedas and the Upanishads and consider these as being among the foremost in authority, importance and antiquity. Other major scriptures include the Tantras and the sectarian Agamas, the Purāṇas and the epic Mahābhārata and Rāmāyaṇa. The Bhagavad Gītā, a treatise excerpted from the Mahābhārata, is widely considered a summary of the spiritual teachings of the Vedas.

Answer 3

That is two different questions and the first one is based on inaccurate knowledge. Monotheism is one way of thinking and experiencing the devine, having multiple deities is another. Millions of people have no problem with that concept! Your question sounds presumptuous and a bit condescending! Besides, Shiva and the Goddess head this group of dieties and my impression is that it is a very comprehensive belief system. Is your sense of unity dictatorial. If so I can't help you.

There is a fundamental understanding that the spirit is capable of personal evolution through experiences of reincarnation. That evolution may one day reach its highest manifestation beyond earthly existence and suffering. The Celts believed this also prior to Christianity.

Freedom from the sufferings of earth bound beings. Like arriving in Christianities idea of heaven. That is not so hard to grasp is it?

Peace and understanding.

Answer 4

It's a desire for liberation from being overshadowed by experience. This actually gives fuller experiences of the world, not lesser. And Hinduism does have a unifying belief structure, with a hierarchy of teachings depending on where the aspirant is. It only appears disjointed when looked at from only one level.