With over 1 billion followers worldwide Hinduism is one of the major religions in the world. If you go by the number of followers, it is the third-largest religion. With a rich and diverse history spanning over 3500 years, Hinduism is one of the major world religions and cultural traditions that originated in ancient India. Hinduism is a polytheistic religion meaning, at its core, it recognizes and accepts the existence of multiple gods and goddesses, each with their own unique attributes and power. Most scholars say Hinduism started in the Indus Valley between 2300 B.C and 1500 B.C. Believers of Hinduism maintain that their faith is timeless and has always existed. It is a universal order or the way of life by which followers abide. They follow the key tenets of Hinduism religiously.
Hinduism is a fusion of various beliefs comprising various systems of philosophy, belief, and ritual. Starting in northern India, now modern-day Indus Valley, Hinduism developed over many centuries from a variety of sources including sacred texts, philosophical movements, cultural and spiritual traditions, and its teachings and practices. Along with this, Hinduism was also shaped by social and historical factors as well. Indus Valley civilization is mostly considered the precursor of the Hindu religion or Hinduism. It flourished between 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE and had a complex social structure and sophisticated architecture. There you find evidence of ritualistic practices and symbols too.
The most important phase in the development of the Hindu religion of Hinduism as a Universal religion or a way of life can be credited to the Vedic period that began around 1500 BCE. It marks the beginning of the development of Hinduism as it is known today. The four Vedas, also known as Sruti or Shruti, meaning “that which is heard” are a storehouse of knowledge and are the four sacred Hindu ancient Indian texts. These are the oldest Hindu scriptures and were composed during this period. It contains hymns, mantras, and rituals along with texts on topics such as reality, spirituality, Atman(soul), Brahamaan (universe), and more.
Over time, Hinduism developed and expanded with the recensions of the four Vedas to include a wide range of beliefs, practices, and traditions. The Upanishads composed between 800 BCE and 400 BCE offered spiritual, and philosophical interpretations of the Vedas and provided guidance on the path to spiritual liberation. The Upanishads are the latest or the most recent parts of the Vedas. Some of the most important deities in Hinduism include Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. These represent forces of creation, preservation, and destruction, respectively. One of the unique traits of Hinduism is the elaborate pantheon of deities along with rich mythology, vibrant traditions, and a wide range of spiritual and philosophical teachings.
Key Tenets of Hinduism
Given how complex Hinduism is, there are plenty of beliefs and practices and many different schools of thought. But here are the top 5 core tenets of Hinduism
- Karma – In Hinduism, there is a belief that your actions have consequences. Your current actions influence the consequences that impact your present and future lives.
- Dharma – It refers to the duties and responsibilities that are expected of each and every person according to their role, social status, and stage of life.
- Reincarnation- The Atman(soul) never dies; it simply changes the body from one life to another and is one of the core tenets of Hinduism. It emphasizes the basis of reincarnation which is done as per your Karma and Dharma.
- Spiritual liberation – Also known as Moksha, the ultimate goal of Hinduism is to attain moksha, the liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
- Multiple paths – To attain moksha, there are multiple ways. It means that there are multiple ways and paths to attain moksha.
Apart from this, the presence and guidance of the right guru are equally emphasized. The role of the guru is crucial as a guru can guide the students on their spiritual path and help them to attain spiritual realization.
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