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Hinduism is one of the oldest known religions in the world, and is referred to by Hindus as Sanatama Dharma, meaning "eternal religion". It is not known exactly when Hinduism formed, but historians estimate around 1500BC. Hinduism grew from the Vedic tradition (Vedism/Vedic Brahmanism, now called Ancient Hinduism) of the Indus Valley Civilization (3300–1300 BC). Along with Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley Civilisation was one of three early civilizations of the Old World. It extended from what is now north-east Afghanistan to Pakistan and north-west India. Map of Ancient civilisations Indus Valley Civilisation: Scriptures Hinduism is focused on the Vedas (ancient Vedic scriptures, meaning “knowledge/to know”, which are believed to have been revealed directly by the Supreme Being and past down by word of mouth). They were first written down in Sanskrit, an Indian language. The Vedas are broken down into 4 collections – Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda. Most of these are hymns/songs with verses called mantra, which are still used in contemporary Hindu prayer today. Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism also refer to Vedic scriptures, but do not place as much importance on them as Hinduism. Examples of Vedic scriptures • ‘Even the Heaven and the Earth bow down before him, before his very breath the mountains tremble.’ • ‘Then was not non-existent nor existent: there was no realm of air, no sky beyond it. What covered in, and where? and what gave shelter? Was water there, unfathomed depth of water? Death was not then, nor was there aught immortal: no sign was there, the day's and night's divider. That One Thing, breathless, breathed by its own nature: apart from it was nothing whatsoever. Darkness there was: at first concealed in darkness this All was indiscriminated chaos. All that existed then was void and form less: by the great power of Warmth was born that Unit.’ • ‘Do not be led by others – awaken your own mind, amass your own experience, and decide or yourself your own path.’ The Upanishads are also important scriptures used in Hinduism. They are philosophical texts which form the theoretical basis of Hinduism. They are considered by Hindus to contain sruti (revealed truths) concerning the nature of Brahman (ultimate reality) and describe the character and form of moksha (human salvation). Gods Hinduism is sometimes referred to as henotheistic (ie. involving devotion to a single god while accepting the existence of others). Hindus believe mainly in a Supreme Spirit, called Brahman, from whom everything came and to whom everything will return. There are also various manifestations of that supreme being: Brahman – the creator Brahman is the all-pervasive Supreme Being who is both immanent (existing) and transcendent (outside the real of human experience), both Creator and Absolute Reality. Vishnu – the preserver Vishnu is the one who supports, sustains and governs the universe, and originates and develops all elements within. Can be manifested as the well-known god, Krishna. Shiva – the destroyer Shiva is also known as the transformer, and is regarded as the patron god of yoga and arts. Hindu Beliefs • Hindus believe that there is a unity underlying the entire creation. Your atman (soul), that defines you as an individual, is a part of a larger Atman/Brahman/ultimate reality. • Everything is related to and interdependent on one another. ‘Brahman’ is the ultimate and allpervading reality: the inner essence of all things. (Einstein worked for decades on the Unified Theory, an aspect of Brahman). • Hindus believe that all life is sacred, to be loved and revered, and therefore practice ahimsa, “non-violence”. • Hindus believe that the universe undergoes Samsara (endless cycles of creation, preservation and dissolution). All souls are reincarnated until liberation from this cycle is attained. • Hindus believe in karma, the law of cause and effect by which each individual creates his own destiny by his thoughts, words and deeds. It is karma that keeps souls trapped in samsara. • The purpose of life – that is, the ultimate goal – is to achieve moksha (freedom from samsara and release into the ultimate reality, like water droplets returning to the ocean). Hindus believe that no particular religion teaches the only way to salvation above all others, but that all genuine religious paths are facets of ‘God's’ Pure Love and Light, deserving tolerance and understanding. Hindu Practices • True reflection of the Hindu faith is expressed in personal discipline, good conduct, purification, pilgrimage, self-inquiry and meditation. • Daily worship, festivals and holy days, religious duty, pilgrimage and participation in sacraments are also observed. Two main rituals were important in ancient Vedas: 1) Soma – a hotar (priest) would pour the juice of a special plant (unknown), drinking it and pouring it over the alter as a way to communicate with the gods. 2) Fire ritual – animals were offered on the alter to Agni, a fire god, so that they would be blessed by the gods. Hinduism in Modern Society • Today some families still have a small household fire to honour Agni. • Ancient wedding ceremonies and the practice of ceremonially cremating the dead are still common Hindu practices. • Temple worship and offerings still feature in religious life. The Indian flag uses Hindu symbolism. The top saffron colour represents courage and sacrifice; white represents truth, peace and purity; and green represents prosperity. The spinning wheel (charka) represents the continuous, forward motion of Hinduism. Hinduism is the world's third largest religion after Christianity and Islam. Just as Hinduism derived from ancient Vedic beliefs, other religions have also been formed from Hinduism. Like other religions, modern Hinduism is split into different denominations. The main four are Saivism, Shaktism, Vaishnavism and Smartism. Suhag Shukla tells us what it means to be Hindu in today's world: http://www.patheos.com/Library/Hinduism.html Check out this website and others to explore Hinduism further: http://www.himalayanacademy.com/