Assignment: Hinduism Paper

Assignment: Hinduism Paper
Chris Gonzalez
University of Phoenix Online Assignment: Hinduism Paper
This paper will explain what makes the Hinduism religion. It will also explain what cultural and societal influences have made Hinduism vital to where it was originated. I will also explain the answers for the desire for liberation from earthly existence.
Hinduism religion
Hinduism is an old religion that has no founder or known time frame when it was created. Hinduism comes from the word “India” that also serves religious coulters and ideas that has developed in India for more than a thousand years. The Hindu society worships one or more gods that are called “Deities”; they also believe in reincarnation and enjoy mediation. Hinduism is also known to have a celebration for almost everything. “The Hindu's have always known the way of thinking of freedom of action, for the reason that they had a perfect religion, a religion on which one aspect of God was described as human, and their various Diva’s are nothing but various characteristics of human nature, each of them are adored and worshipped. In this way not only God, but the whole human nature in all its aspects was adorned and worshipped. Sanatana Dharma which also means eternal religion is an alternative label that is preferred today for Hinduism. Sanatana reflects the belief that these ways have always existed, while Dharma includes duty, natural law, social welfare, ethics, health, and transcendental realization.”
(http://www.bookrags.com/essay-2006/4/16/222326/033)

Cultural and societal influences in Hinduism
The cultural and societal influence that has made Hinduism important and vital to the region that has been rumored to have started over a thousand years ago. “These beliefs were brought forth experientially by various methods of spiritual discipline. People who practice the Hindu religion try to spread their religion by teaching their children or others about Hinduism. This helps keep the religion strong. There are many sacred teachings that thought Hinduism; the earliest is called Samhitas which were hymns of praise in the worship of deities”. People have often joked about Hindus having a party for almost every day of the year. “Exactly how many Hindu festivals are celebrated is not known, but one scholar of Hinduism has listed more than a thousand different Hindu festivals”. {1}

As in most ancient religions, many of the Hindu holidays are based on the cycle of nature. They mark the change of seasons, celebrate the harvest, and encourage fertility of the land. Others are dedicated to a particular deity, such as Shiva or Ganesh. Still other popular holidays commemorate events in the lives of Rama or Krishna. In addition to the major Hindu festivals that are celebrated throughout India, many regional festivals are also held in honor of various deities.

In general, Hindu festivals "are intended to purify, avert malicious influences, renew society, bridge over critical moments, and stimulate or resuscitate the vital powers of nature." They include a wide variety of rituals, including worship, prayer, processions, magical acts, music, dancing, and lovemaking, eating, drinking, and feeding the poor”. {2}
(http://www.religionfacts.com/hinduism/holidays.htm#1 published: 1/23/05 updated: 2/14/05)
Liberation from earthly existence
Hinduism is mostly freedom of the soul, which has a definition that you need freedom earthly presents. Human are always seeking the pleasant and avoiding the unpleasant. Earthly existence is also the desire to be God, because that is who we truly are.
The desires are for liberation of the soul; when one see that earthly existence is a circle of never ending. Hindus also believe that life isn’t real or just a mirage reason being everything around them is changing and therefore not real. With Meditation this lets the mind leave the body and finds the meaning of god. With training and practice one will break the chains of desire and reach enlightenment, but again this can take several lifetimes.

Conclusion
My research about Hinduism has showed it’s a very popular religion that does bring spiritual freedom and happiness to whom practice’s this religion. It also shows that just like most religions they celebrate in many different forms. They also worship more than one deity as well. Even though Hinduism is very strong in the Unites States, its still a good religion to practice and also has the same values as Christianity does as well, they both cherish and respect life to its fullest. References
["festivals." John Bowker, ed., Oxford Concise Dictionary of World Religions (Oxford UP, 2000), p. 193. {1}
"Hinduism." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Premium Service. 2005 <http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?tocId=59796>. {2} http://www.religionfacts.com/hinduism/holidays.htm#1 published: 1/23/05 updated: 2/14/05
http://www.bookrags.com/essay-2006/4/16/222326/033