what makes up the hindu religion?

Answer 1

Way more than I have time to tell you about.

Answer 2

Hindu's

Answer 3

It is hard to pin down Hinduism beliefs because they are so many and so varied, often contradicting one another.

Hinduism is a vast and profound religion. It worships one Supreme Reality (called by many names) and teaches that all souls ultimately realize Truth. There is no eternal hell, no damnation. It accepts all genuine spiritual paths-from pure monism ("God alone exists") to theistic dualism ("When shall I know His Grace?"). Each soul is free to find his own way, whether by devotion, austerity, meditation (yoga) or selfless service. Stress is placed on temple worship, scripture and the Guru/disciple tradition. Festivals, pilgrimage, chanting of holy hymns and home worship are dynamic practices. Love, non-violence, good conduct and the law of dharma define the Hindu path. Hinduism explains that the soul reincarnates until all karmas are resolved and God Realization is attained. The magnificent holy temples, the peaceful piety of the Hindu home, the subtle metaphysics and the science of yoga all play their part. Hinduism is a mystical religion, leading the devotee to personally experience the Truth within, finally reaching the pinnacle of consciousness where man & God we one.

That is acceptable to the Hindus, since they believe that all paths lead to God and all practices are okay if the devotee is sincere.

Hindus do not believe that "god" is separate from creation. they see everything in this universe as part of the divine force.

hence one of the most important teachings of the "upanishads"(Hindu texts) is the statment that

"you are it"
this means that we are part of the divine. yet we humans are thought to be caught up in a huge universal illusion(maya( the "maya" in Hinduism is VERY similar to the "matrix" in the movie "the matrix")

When humans , through yoga; pierce the veil of illusion that surrounds them they realize that they are all part of the divine force that pervades the entire universe. It is like the air inside a balloon and the air outside it are the same but kept apart by the thin rubber membrane of the balloon's skin. when we take a pin and break the balloon; the air inside mixes with the one outside and they become one. (they were one before too, but the ignorance that thought "they are separate" kept them apart).

Hindus believe in evolution of not only the body but of the soul as well. hence they believe in reincarnation

Most Hindus try to avoid eating meat because they do not want to harm animals which too, are considered equals to humans because they too have a soul inside them.

WHAT DO HINDUS BELIEVE?

1. Hindus believe in a one, all-pervasive Supreme Being.

2. Hindus believe that all souls are evolving toward union with God and will ultimately find Moksha, spiritual knowledge and liberation from the cycle of rebirth. Not a single soul will be eternally deprived of this attainment.

3. Hindus believe in karma-the law of cause and effect by which each individual molds its own future through thoughts, words and deeds.

4. Hindus believe in reincarnation, that the soul has not merely one birth on the earth but many through which it matures and evolves until all karmas are resolved.

5. Hindus believe in the guidance offered by enlightened masters and mystics, and that the awakened Sat Guru can lead the soul to God-Realization, revealing its true and divine nature.

6. Hindus believe that all life is sacred, to be loved and revered, and therefore practice ahimsa, non-violence.

7. Hindus believe that "Truth is one, paths are many." Thus, no particular religion teaches the only way to salvation, but all genuine religious expressions are facets of God's Pure Light, deserving tolerance and understanding.

8. Hindus believe that divine beings exist in unseen worlds and that temple worship, rituals and sacraments create a harmony or communication with the Gods and devas.

9. Hindus believe in cremation of the body upon death.

10. Hindus believe in the importance of personal purification, devotional practices, sadhana, meditation & self-inquiry as expressed in their distinctive Sampradaya (living tradition).


Hinduism has no founder or center of authority. It does not set down "rules and regulations" and call those who stray as "heretics/infidels".

It has no central texts nor practices that are universal to all Hindus. Hinduism is a focal point; a coming together of people from vastly different backgrounds to be part of one overarching idea.

Hinduism is a prime example of "unity in Diversity"

Answer 4

A f*ckload of gods and a bunch of brown people.

Answer 5

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism

Answer 6

Karma, Reincarnation, and... Swastika