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Hinduism HCA/270 Nicole P. Harrell-Lockhart July 7, 2013

Hinduism, major world religion originating on India subcontinent and comprising several and varied systems of
Philosophy, belief, and ritual. (Basham, L. 2013) Although the name Hinduism is relatively new , having been coined
By British writers in the first decades of the 19th century, it refers to a rich cumulative tradition of texts and
Practices, some of which date to the 2nd millennium BCE or possibly earlier. (Basham, l.2013) If the Indus valley
Civilization (3rd – 2nd millennium BCE) was the earliest source of these traditions, as scholars hold, then Hinduism is
The oldest living religion on Earth. (Bsahham, L. 2013) Its many sacred text in Sanskrit and vernacular languages
Served as a vehicle for spreading the religion to other parts of the world threw ritual and the visual and performing
Arts also played a significant role in its transmission. (Bsahham, L. 2013)

From about the 4th century CE, Hinduism had a dominant presence in Southeast Asia, one that would last for more
Than 1,000 years. (Basham, L. 2013) In the early 21st century , Hinduism had nearly one billion adherents worldwide
And was the religion about eighty percent of India’s population. (Basham, L. 2013) Despite its global presence ,
However, it is best understood through its many distinctive regional manifestations. (Basham, L. 2013)

One big societal element is that India is one of the last bastions of the ancient world’s culture. (About.com 2013)
Its Population practices scores of diverse religious traditions. (About.com 2013) Hinduism is actually an umbrella
Term referring to the people living on the other side of the Sindhu River. (About.com 2013) The actual name is the
“Sanatana Dharma” or Universal Truth or Way. (About.com 2013) One of the Hinduisms greatest strengths is it is
Able to unite the diverse beliefs and practices of its people in a way that is absolutely necessary for India to continue
As it historically has. (About. 2013) This is one reason why the government of India is so aggressive in its
Opposition to Christians and Muslims missionaries. (About.com 2013) Religions like Christianity or Islam demand
A degree of doctrinal uniformity that would not work well, for Indians because they destroy the historic traditions
And beliefs of those who come under their dogmas. (About.com 2013)

India’s incrediably rich traditions are their nation’s greatest riches. (About.com 2013) As evidence, consider the
Differences between modern India and Pakistan (formerly part of India, separated by Islam). (About.com 20`2)
India allows Muslims to live in peace, for the most part, while Pakistan makes it all but impossible for Hindus to live
There. (About.com 2013) Hinduism demand vegetarianism reflects an important reality. (About.com 2013) Ancient
Indians lifeblood was its cattle. (About.com 2013) This is still largely true today in the villages. (About.com 2013)
The bulls plow the fields so that food can be grown. (About.com 2013) Cows give milk, important ingredients in
Many Indians foods and a vital source of protein etc. (About.com2013) Cow dung is used for making cooking and
Heating fires as well as some Ayurveda medicines. (About.com 2006) “Ahimsa”, non- violence maintains s a civility
That otherwise would not exists considering the religious and political differences in the region. (About.com 2013)

The caste system (the “varnashram dharma”) is much maligned, but in its original form this system was very
Effective and made sure that Indians worked together in an organized fashion. (About.com 2013) The system
Eventually was abused and became a racist system (bramanas typically have the lightest sin color and mudhas or
Untouchable have the darkest, the others darken in color as one goes to the lower castes). (About.com 2013) In
Times past, this system was socially positive and enabled Indians to co-exist. (About.com 2013)

Hinduisms greatest strength remains its diversity and its ability to incorporate all belief systems. (About.com 2013)
Indeed, one can literally argue that Christianity, Islam and all other religious systems are part of the Sanatana
Dharma or Universal Way of Spiritual practice. (About.com 2013) India would be an utterly different place without
The Hindu dharma and it fits the region wonderfully. (About.com 2013)

Hindus only believe that the death on human being only extinguishes the bodily form of existence as the soul
Reincarnates in another life form. (jottedline.com2013) the exercise of Sanatana Dharma (the central theological
System) is to gain the favor of the powers of creation so that the soul finds happier and an elevated existence in its
Next life- episode. (jottedline.com 2013) A failure to live a virtuous life would demote the human soul to find the
Body of a lesser animal in its next life. (jotteline.com 2013) These reincarnations are not meant to go on in never
Ending cycles. (jottedline.com 2013) The purpose of a Hindus life is to aspire for the ultimate experience of
Absolute Reality, through the achievement of which shall be no more re-births and the soul merges into this ultimate
Reality. (jottedline.com 2013)This liberation from sensual realities to the absolute reality is known as Moksha.
(jottedline.com 2013)

A human being has it within his ability to attain Moksha by applying the principles suggested by the
Scriptures. (jottedline.com 2013) Whereas an animal, lacking in powers of higher cognition and control of the self
Cannot ever achieve Moksha. (jottedline.com 2013) This makes it imperative for a Hindu to utilize the precious
Occasion of human life toward reaching the ultimate goal. (jottedline.com 2013) It also explains why Hindus desire
Liberation from earthy existence. (jotteline.com 2013) Moksha is a core concept in Hinduism and all other
Philosophical discourses in the Vedas and Upanishads revolve around this core. (jottedline.com 2013)To attain
Moksha, a Hindu subject embraces principles such as Bhakti Yoga in his daily life. (jottedline.com 2013)
Applications of Bhakti Yoga is said to help the individual overcome hurdles and challenges (also known as Karma)
In his march toward enlightenment. (jottedline.com 2013)

Resources
Hinduism (copyrighted in 2013 Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc) Author: Llewellyn Basham
Retrieved From http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/266312/Hinduism Hindus/ Hinduism/ cultural and social influences Author: John of All Faith 2006
Retrieved From http://en.allexperts.com/q/Hindus-946/Hinduism-cultural-societal-influences.htm Explain the desire for liberation from earthy existence in Hinduism (jottedline.com2006)
Retrieved From:
http://jottedlines.com/philosophy/explain-the-desire-for-liberation-from-earthly-existence-in-hinduism/