Hinduism: Understanding the Religion

Written by: Kelly L. Hunter


Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world with approximately 837 million followers. Hinduism is the dominant religion in the regions of India, Nepal, and among the Tamils in Sri Lanka. (Robinson, B.A. 2007). Researchers have said that Hinduism is the oldest organized religion in the world still being practiced today. “Hinduism differs from Christianity and other Western religions in that it does not have a single founder, a specific theological system, a single system of morality, or a central religious organization. It consists of “thousands of different religious groups that have evolved in India since 1500 BCE.” (Robinson, B.A., 2007).
Hinduism is most commonly viewed in the western world as a polytheistic religion, which means that an individual worships many deities or gods and goddesses. It has been said that this is not completely accurate in it’s conclusion. Others say that Hinduism is a monotheistic religion because it is said that Hindu’s worship only one superior God or being. This is considered to be the pantheistic principle of Brahman which means that “all reality is a unity”. This also means that the entire universe is seen as one divine entity who is simultaneously at one with the universe and who transcends it as well. (Robinson, B.A., 2007). Then there are those who view Hinduism as a trinitarian religion; which simply means that Brahman is simultaneously viewed as a triad who is one God made up of three people. “Brahman is the Creator who continues to create new realities. Vishnu, (Krishna) is the Preserver, who preserves all creations. Whenever dharma, (eternal order, righteousness, religion, law, and duty) is threatened, Vishnu travels from heaven to earth in one of ten incarnations. Shiva is the Destroyer, who is said to be erotic, compassionate, and destructive.” (Robinson, B.A., 2007).
Most forms of Hinduism are considered to be henotheistic religions; which means that they recognize a single deity, and view other Gods and Goddesses as manifestations or aspects of that supreme God. (Robinson, B.A., 2007). According to Robinson, “Henotheistic and polytheistic religions have traditionally been among the world’s most religiously tolerant faiths.” Robinson goes on to say that “until recently, a Hindu nationalistic political party controlled the government of India. Robinson also states that “The linkage of religion, the national government, and nationalism led to a degeneration of the separation of church and state in India.” (Robinson, B.A., 2007). According to Robinson, this has led to the decrease of religious tolerance throughout India.
The Hindu religion is vital to the region of India for many reasons. One reason being the level of poverty and malnutrition of the people in India. Hinduism is a religion that believes in self-sufficiency and the protection of cows. The people who practice the Hindu religion are vegetarians, partly because they needed a way to feed their families without using up their limited resources to breed cattle for food purposes. According to the book of Divine Nature: A Spiritual Perspective on the Environmental Crisis, “Killing animals for food, fur, leather, and cosmetics is one of the most environmentally destructive practices taking place on the earth today.” (Cremo, M. 1995). In this book the author goes on to say that “The Krsna consciousness movement’s policies of protecting animals, especially cows, and broadly promoting a spiritual vegetarian diet could--if widely adopted—relieve many environmental problems. (Cremo, M. 1995). “”Our farm projects are an extremely important part of our movement. We must become self-sufficient by growing our own grains and producing our own milk. There will be no question of poverty. They should be developed as an ideal society dependent on natural products, not industry.” (Cremo, M. 1995).
“The main goal for the nivritti, (those who renounce the world), is moska
(liberation from samsara). This is considered to be the main goal for mankind.” (Robinson, B.A. 2007). I suppose that people who practice any religion seek some form of liberation in their lives. Those of Hindu faith seek liberation for the purpose of superior enlightenment. In to become liberated from cycles of rebirth and to merge with the Universal Spirit, Brahman, one must worship God or gods, do good works, and live correctly according to the dharma (based on one’s caste or phase of life), go on pilgrimages to the holy places in India, and learn through meditation (yoga), and, with the help of a master (guru), the truth of one’s true nature with the Universal Spirit. (Smith, H. 1991). Liberation is the opportunity to leave physical life behind and enter into a state of blissfulness and spiritual enlightenment.


Reference(s)

Cremo, M. A. & Goswami, M. Divine Nature: A Spiritual Perspective on the Environmental Crisis. The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, International. (1995).

Robinson, B.A. Hinduism: The World’s Third Largest Religion. Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. (2007). http://www.religioustolerance.org/hinduism.htm

Smith, H. The World’s Religions: A Completely Revised and Updated Edition of The Religions of Man. Harper-Collins Publishers. (1991).