hindu qustions?

Question

what is the origin of hindu religion and why does it differ so much from the semitic faiths.

Answer 1

Hinduism originated in the indigenous beliefs of the peoples in the Indus Valley and was later codified in the Vedic scriptures. Hinduism is actually a grouping of religions and beliefs with some common roots.

For example, Krishna is considered to be an avatar of Vishnu, a God in Hinduism, by some hindus. However, Krishna is considered to be the Supreme Personality of Godhood from which all demigods emanate by Gaudiya Vaishnavas, a specific religious tradition within Hinduism. Krishna is the central figure in Vedic scriptures such as the Bhagavad Gita (part of the epic Mahabharata), and the Srimad Bhagavatam, also known as the Bhagavata Purnana (the Uddhava Gita is actually a section of the Srimad Bhagavatam).

There are common themes for many of the schools within Hinduism that can be found in the Vedic scriptures, and such works as the Bhagavad Gita. Remember yoga originated out of Hinduism. Most people only know the physical forms of yoga, called hatha, but those techniques area actually preparatory techniques for the higher practices of the spiritual types of yoga such as jnana, karma, and bhakti. You can practice a form of hatha but it helps to be grounded and centered in some sense in the higher forms of yoga or all you are doing is stretching. In the highest practices of yoga, they all lead to complete bhakti - surrender.

If you are interested in the yoga teachings of Lord Krishna, then one thing you may want to focus on to learn and practice in a more nonsectarian manner is the Uddhava Gita. The Uddhava Gita is a summation of the essence of the Bhagavad Gita (and the simplest and most direct practice of yoga), and so it is eminently suitable for nonsectarian, universal teaching which is the essence of Hinduism.

Here is a short summation of the Uddhava Gita which is found in the Srimad Bhagavatam (also known as Bhagavata Purana) 11.7:

EPILOGUE - LORD KRISHNA'S LAST SERMON

At the end of another long sermon comprising of more than one thousand verses, disciple Uddhava said: "O Lord Krishna, I think the pursuit of God as You narrated to Arjuna (in the Bhagavad Gita), and now to me, is very difficult indeed, for most people; because it entails control of unruly senses. Please tell me a short, simple, and easy way to God-realization." Lord Krishna upon Uddhava's request gave the essentials of Self-realization as follows:

· Do your duty, to the best of your ability, for Me without worrying about the outcome.

· Remember Me at all times. (Note that this is the point of chanting things like the mahamantra - Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Kare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare which is often chanted in kirtan or a variation of it. The whole point of kirtan and mantra is remembrance.)

· Perceive that God is within every living being. Mentally bow down to all beings and treat all beings equally.

· Perceive through the activities of mind, senses, breathing, and emotions that the power of God is within you at all times, and is constantly doing all the work using you as a mere instrument and a trustee.

Answer 2

At about three thousand year old, Hinduism is the oldest mainstream religion. It has no specific founder but evolved over many years from uncertain origins. Brahma, the creator is the principal God of Hinduism but there is a great array of lesser gods, Shiva and Vishnu being the most senior. I believe that Shiva's wife, Lakshmi is the most senior of the Goddesses. Other well known gods are Ganesha, the god of success who is depicted with the head of an elephant and Kali, the god of destruction who inspired the Thugees.
Hinduism is an easy going religion based on common sense beliefs that help maintain the cohesion of society. This compares very favourably with Christianity and Islam that were formulated as tools of oppression to be exercised by priests and clerics.

Apologies to Hindus if I have anything wrong.

Answer 3

Hindu is most natural religion evolved for more than 4000 years to be treated as a religion. Hinduism is the first religion in this world. Before Hinduism people did not know what can be a religion. In fact its more of a life style and cultural trends & traditions than a religion.

All natural incidents are different than a created one.
Except Hinduism all most all others are created by some person and therefore its different than the natural phenomenon.

Answer 4

They have many Gods
The word AUM, which is auspicious to them, alone has over 100 meanings. So I guess they have lots of Gods and Dieties.
AUM; is the symbol of the number 3

Answer 5

Word Hindu is derived from Sanskrit word Sindhu . The word "Hindu" is in medieval Persian "Hindo" representing the ancient Avestan hendava (Sanskrit, saindhava), a dweller on the Sindhu or Indus. Using the word "Hindu" for "Sindhu", they referred to the people who lived near or across the Sindhu river and they called land further to Sindhu river as "Hindostan" (Modern Persian: Hindustan) (Hindu + -stan)). The religion of the Indians (Hindus) later became known as "Hinduism" to outsiders, whereas Indians always called their religion Sanātana dharma (the eternal law), Vaidika dharma (law of the Vedas), Arya dharma (the noble religion), or Mānava dharma (the religion of mankind). Eventually the word "Hindu" came into common use among Hindus themselves, and was adopted into Greek as Indos and Indikos ("Indian"), into Latin as Indianus. and into Sanskrit, as Hindu, appearing in some early medieval texts

Hinduism has one of the most ethnically diverse bodies of adherents in the world. For some, it is hard to classify Hinduism as a religion because the framework, symbols, leaders and books of reference that make up a typical religion are not uniquely identified in the case of Hinduism. Most commonly it can be seen as a "way of life" which gives rise to many civilized forms of religions. Hinduism, its religious doctrines, traditions and observances are very typical and inextricably linked to the culture and demographics of India.

Large tribes and communities of indigenous origins, are also closely linked to the earliest synthesis and formation of Hindu civilization. Peoples of East Asian roots living in the states of north eastern India and Nepal were also a part of the earliest Hindu civilization. Immigration and settlement of peoples from Central Asia and peoples of Indo-Greek heritage have brought their own influence on Hindu society.

The deities of the Indus Valley Civilization bear resemblances to Hindu Gods such as Shiva. The Indus Valley Civilization is often taken to represent the historical continuum of Hinduism. The roots of Hinduism in southern India, and amongst tribal and indigenous communities is just as ancient and fundamentally contributive to the foundations of the religious and philosophical system.

Ancient Hindu kingdoms arose and spread the religion and traditions across South East Asia, particularly Thailand, Burma, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia and what is now central Vietnam. A form of Hinduism particularly different from Indian roots and traditions is practiced in Bali, Indonesia, where Hindus form 90% of the population. Indian migrants have taken Hinduism and Hindu culture to South Africa, Fiji, Mauritius and other countries in and around the Indian Ocean, and in the nations of the West Indies and the Caribbean.

Many New Age Movements have adopted variants of Hindu practices.

Answer 6

Its different because they worship a cow rather than a god.