One of the oldest religions in the world is Hinduism. The religion originated in India around 3000 BC. Originating from old traditions, this movement can be seen as a religious way of life. There is a lot of freedom to experience faith according to your own insight. Some worship many gods and others honor only a few gods. People believe in rebirth. In this faith there is room for people who have a different faith. Non-violence, tolerance and steadfastness are concepts that fit this religion.
- Origin of Hinduism
- Main currents in this faith
- The caste system
- Hindu and daily life around the world
- Diwali
- Meeting between east and west
Origin of Hinduism
Hinduism originated in India and is one of the oldest religions in the world. Around 3000 years BC, a people lived on the Sindu River in the Indus Valley who later got the name Hindu. They worked in agriculture. They call their religion Santana Dharme. Hinduism is not a faith that has a founder but it is a way of life. There is also no textbook. However, there are sacred texts, hymns, sayings and prayers that we call Vedas. These original writings are 1500 years old. Four collections form the core of the Veda. The oldest is the Rigveda. People believe in a connection between man and the universe. The creator is Brahma. There is a trinity where:
- Brahma is the creator
- Vishnu is the protector
- Shiva is the god who can make evil disappear
Also important Gods are: Rama and Ganesha.
Main currents in this faith
Four main movements can be distinguished, namely:
- Vaishnavism. This is a monotheistic movement that mainly worships Vishnu.
- Shaivism. In this movement, Shiva is venerated.
- Shaktism. Sakti or the Holy Mother is venerated here.
- Smartism. The members are liberal and try to nourish their faith through meditation.
Mixed forms are still possible within the above-mentioned movements. One can worship both Vishnu and Shiva. In India, about 80% of the population is Hindu. One is Hindu by birth . We find Hindus everywhere in the world. Especially in Southeast Asia, India, Nepal, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Bali, a large part of the population is Hindu. But there are also Hindu communities in the Western world. The Hara Chrisna movement emerged from Vaishnavism in 1966.
Brahma
Brahma is the creator. He is the head of the Trimurti trinity. Brahma is usually depicted with multiple limbs to show different qualities. One also sees images of Brahma where he has four faces. These symbolize the four directions. He is the god of wisdom. His wife is Sawaswati.
Vishnu
Vishnu is the protector and is depicted on an eagle (the Garuda). Vishnu’s wife is also important. Her name is Laksmi and she is the goddess of prosperity and happiness. Images of Vishnu often have four arms and carry a trumpet shell, a lotus flower, a discus and a club. Especially important as a god in Vaishnavism.
Shiva
Shiva is seen as the destroyer of evil in the universe. Often depicted dancing. It is a God who promotes well-being. In Bali, Shiva and Vishnu are worshiped as the same god.
Rama
Rama is also an important God. This god represents courage and many know the story of the Ramayana in which Rama is the hero through the victory over King Ravana. He is actually seen as the ideal human being.
Ganesha
A special God is Ganesha. This is depicted with an elephant’s head and the vehicle being driven is a mouse or a rat. It is the God of wisdom and knowledge. If people have an important change in their living conditions, for example due to a move, they will turn to Ganesha. This God is often also depicted at intersections on the road to help the traveler make the right choice.
The caste system
The Hindu faith has a caste system. People are born into a certain caste and in the past it was almost impossible to get into a higher caste. This is changing somewhat. The four cabinets are:
- Brahmins the priests
- Kshatriya the soldiers and nobles
- Vaishyas the merchants and traders
- Sudras are the servants.
In addition, there are people who do not belong to any caste. They often do the cleaning or other dirty work. These are called the untouchables. Especially for this group it is practically impossible to move into a higher caste. Marriages are often arranged by parents and parents-in-law within one particular caste. Traditions are strongly adhered to, especially in rural areas. This can lead to problems within families. The position of the young woman is subordinate.
Hindu and daily life around the world
Hindus are not required to visit temples or pray daily. It is left to the individual how he or she wants to practice her faith.
Reincarnation
People believe in reincarnation. If one lives well, one will obtain a better life in a later life. The sum of actions and consequences is called karma. The goal is salvation. Then your soul will merge with Brahma. Many Hindus are vegetarian. People do not want to kill and therefore do not want to kill animals. If they are not vegetarian, they will not eat beef because the cow is considered a sacred animal. Although there are no holy books, people do read from scriptures and these are written in Sanskrit. For Hindus, family ties are very important. At the end of life the body is burned. For Hindus, the end of life is not something to be feared because there is faith in a new future with rebirth. In Nepal, when Hindus feel death is approaching, they go to a place where they will be cremated. For anyone who has ever visited India, a trip on the Ganges is an unforgettable experience. Here the bodies are burned on the banks and the ashes are scattered in the river. But people also bathe in this river and sacrifice. Especially at sunrise, one is completely impressed by the life that goes on here.
Diwali
The Hindu faith has many holidays. The annual calendar covers 12 months. In terms of celebration, the Diwali festival can perhaps be compared to our Christmas festival. It is a festival of light. People first clean their houses, dress nicely and then place small Diwali lights everywhere. Small bowls of oil. This will be followed by plenty of fireworks. The festival heralds the beginning of the new year for Hindus. In addition to this festival, there are countless other festivals that are celebrated exuberantly by Hindus.
Meeting between east and west
India was colonized by the British in the second half of the nineteenth century. A new philosophy emerged that led to a reconsideration of traditional thinking. An example of this is Mohandas Mahatma Gandhi. He tried to translate Hinduism into his own time. Gandhi fought for the freedom of his country in a non-violent and tenacious manner. In this context it is also known that Vivekananda had Hinduism placed on the World Parliament of Religions. This was an international ecumenical congress held in Chicago in 1893. Vivekananda wanted each religion to absorb the spirit of the other while retaining its own identity. He became widely known in the Western world by writing books about yoga and giving lectures. This is called Vedanta philosophy. Thus, the Hara Chrisna movement emerged from Vaishnavism in 1966.
In this article it is not possible to describe this comprehensive faith with its many divisions and different religious experiences. It only wants to provide a first step so that people become curious themselves and continue reading and researching.