Hinduism: Brahman, The Unknowable

Hinduism is the world’s oldest living faith. Alternately referred to as Sanatana Dharma, this means “ageless religion”. Hinduism is not a religion in the narrow sense of the word. It is a way of life connecting both the moral law and the law of one’s being. Hinduism pupils are taught to turn their attention inward and discover a transcendent reality from within. This reality is called Brahman, the Unknowable. The discovery of rishis was that one could find Brahman as atman or the subtle self or soul within one’s self (p. 78). The rishis also taught that when one dies the soul leaves the body and is reincarnated over and over in countless bodies. The ultimate goal for Hindus is liberation from rebirth and being able to merge with the Absolute Reality. Hindus believe in karma meaning what we do in this world can shape our futures. The ultimate goal of

Within the beliefs and traditions of Hinduism there is no violence. Hindu’s believe in a spirit of tolerance, and willingness to understand and appreciate others’ points of view, recognizing that the truth has more than one side (p. 116). There is no devotional tradition defined in Sanatana Dharma, but the Hindu’s have a way of life that they follow. Hindu’s have rituals that touch every part of their life from birth to death. There are sixteen rites in the ancient scriptures to sanctify and purify the journey through life (p. 97). There are also castes and social duties. People are born into a caste. Within that caste each person has specific duties, there is a specific profession, and the caste evens controls the social relationships of the people. This is all learned from the ancient scriptures. The scriptures or the Vedas were passed down from generation to generation until around 3102 BCE when Vishnu incarnates as Vyasa and writes them down. The Vedas contains the hymns and the rituals followed by the