OPPapers.com

Hinduism

Hinduism
Religions of the World

Hinduism is considered to be the oldest religion in the world dating back to what is believed to be prehistoric times. It is practiced by many people throughout the world. It has become the world’s third largest religion coming in behind Christianity and Islam. It claims 837 million followers (Religious Tolerance, 2008). It is the major religion of India, practiced by more than 80% of the population (infoplease, 2005). It is also dominant in Nepal, and in the Tamils in Sri Lanka (Religious Tolerance, 2008). Unlike many other organized religions Hinduism has no founder. Hinduism is simply the religion of the people of India, which has gradually developed over four thousand years. The origins and authors of its sacred texts are largely unknown (ReligionFacts, 2008).

No single creed or doctrine binds Hindus together. The religion of Hinduism welcomes and incorporates a variety of outside influences. Hinduism is not a religion in the normal sense. It is a set of traditions and beliefs that have evolved over a long period of time. There are many different factions of Hinduism but they all have a high regard for the ancient scriptures called Vedas. There are four Vedic Books they are: the Rig-Veda, the Yajur-Veda, the Sama-Veda and the Atharva-Veda. . The Vedas discusses multiple gods, the universe, and creation. The dates of these works are unknown. Present-day Hindus rarely refer to these texts but do honor them. The Vedas are thought to transcend human time and are thus as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago (Fisher, M.P., 2005). Other sacred texts in Hinduism are Upanishads, and Bhagavat Gita.

The core of Hinduism is the belief in Brahman, the underlying universal life force that encompasses and embodies existence. According to Hindu scriptures, one's ignorance of the true nature of the self (atman) as one with Brahman is what traps one in the cycle of endless death and...