There are several ways in which religion could affect the lives of its’ followers. Hinduism and Buddhism are both good examples of religions that prove this theory. Despite their similarities and differences in beliefs, both religions hold in common the impaction of religion upon their believers’ lives. Hinduism is a belief system that originated in India. Hindus believe in reincarnation, or the rebirth of the soul.
This religion believes in the art of reincarnation, which is being reborn into another creature. Hindus believe in multiple gods, but the most important one is Brahma, the Hindu God of creation. They also believe in karma, a law of cause and effect by which an individual creates their own destiny by their actions. According to Document 7, Hinduism is constructed by a caste system that is also followed in India. The system divides Hindus into hierarchical groups based on their karma and duties.
Religion and Philosophy Collection, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&sw=w&u=ko_k12hs_d71&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA130047610&asid=b32ed7e0f51af43dc7e6fb2823603de1. In this article, Christopher Key Chapple summarized the main components of Hinduism and what matters most to them based on their religious beliefs. Hinduism is much different than our religion however, the author grabbed the main points about Hinduism and its ecology to give a better understanding for me, the reader. This article touches on the dynamic, multicultural society of Hinduism.
Now, it is your turn to open people eyes by sharing the information you learn. Throughout the essay, I realized that no religion is perfect. No religion is the “true” religion. Everyone have his or her own view of life. Therefore, they will choose the way that is right for them.
Karma is the Universal law endeavoring to protect the loving harmony of the Universe. According to Karma, you reap what you sow. There is no escape from this reality or from universal laws. One golden rule of Karma is that before you exit a life subject to Karma, you must reap what you have sown in the land. Until you have repaid all your Karmic obligations, you cannot ascend to the higher dimensions, which are ungoverned by Karma.
Christians, however, knowing the impossibility of such a state, strive to live their lives in a manner pleasing to God. Considering these statements, the Hindu principle of reincarnation entirely contradicts the Christian principle of salvation through faith. Reincarnation in and of itself consists of a principle based entirely upon the “impersonal law of karma” (Tennent). Karmic force does not recognize the existence of “mercy, forgiveness, and grace”, the quintessential foundations of Christianity (Tennent). The concepts of “mercy, forgiveness, and grace” exist as vital pillars in every community and culture, past and present (Tennent).
Hinduism is a “conglomeration of religious, philosophical, and cultural ideas and practices,” (About Religion, 2015). Thus, Hinduism has various sects, lacking unification of systems and beliefs. For this discussion, a broad context of the faith’s answers to the worldview questions will be addressed. First of all, Brahman is the ultimate reality, and it began to exist from non-existence, an unconscious emanation from the divine; Brahman is the cause of all physical and moral realms in the universe and although many gods exist in Hinduism, they all are below the one true deity above all else, (CAFNepal, 2011).
In reality, Hindus still believe in Brahman, one Supreme Being. Hinduism affects ones entire life and being. Hinduism is both monotheistic and polytheistic in my opinion. Since there are so many different components of Hinduism I don’t think it could be classified under these 2 categories. I find
This allows for diverse religious practices and beliefs that are specifically catered to individual followers’ spiritual needs. It is up to an individual to choose the deities to worship, having specific devotional practices, rituals, and ceremonies dedicated to them. The polytheistic nature of this religion promotes a multifaceted nature of the divine; believing that different deities can promote guidance, protection, and blessing in a follower’s life. The belief in multiple gods and goddesses shows a principal concept of Hinduism, interconnectedness. This is acknowledging that all beings, and elements are interconnected and work with a greater cosmic order.
There are some similarities with my beliefs and Hinduism. For instance, their idea of Brahman as the one true God is similar to my belief that Christ is the one true God. The Vedas of Hinduism received by ancient saints are comparable to the ten commandments received by Moses. The Hinduism ideas of souls (atman) being immortal, neither created or destroyed are similar to my belief; however, I believe that my soul and body were created by God, I do believe that it will live on while my body does not. Hindus believe that everyone should strive to reach dharma, or "right way", this is comparable to my foundation and what I strive for daily; I attempt to do what is right and fulfill my responsibilities every day.
Although each culture has unique ideas that they live by, karma is one that seems to be shared by many. The Japanese and Mongolian myths, for example, both contain situations where those who do harm to others eventually have bad things happen to them. In the Japanese myth “The Tongue-cut Sparrow,” the idea of karma comes up against the wife of the old man whose actions are described as “cross-patch” (“Tongue-cut” 1). From the bad things that the wife endures in this myth, we learn that the Japanese believe in karma, and that one should treat others as they would treat themselves or face the consequences of their actions. We see this when the wife of the old man is scared with “a number of horrible and frightful demons” because of how she lived her life and how she treated others (“Tongue-cut”2).
In the video Hinduism:330 Million Gods many topics were brought up that added to my interest of Hinduism. Topics included talks with different local people about their faith, the Ganges river, and different rituals done in the religion. The narrator adds a different perspective since he comes from a different religious background. The documentary not only taught me more about Hinduism, but always expanded my knowledge of it.
Hinduism was the first to start here in India. According to Document A, Hindu people believed in many gods and they believed in the process of reincarnation. There was also a caste system in Hinduism. This system separated the people into groups where they had different jobs. Also they believed in karma and dharma.
The Oxford English Dictionary, defines karma as “(in Buddhism and Hinduism) The sum of a person's actions in one of his successive states of existence, regarded as determining his fate in the next; hence, necessary fate or destiny, following as effect from cause”. Chapple argues that “this definition of karma as fate or destiny denotes something additional to the meaning of the word karma in Sanskrit” which he claims “is no more than action”. (Chapple, 1986, p. 2) Chapple’s argument is corroborated by the Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad, “How a man turns out depends on how he acts and how he conducts himself”.
Ferguson, D. (2010). Exploring the spirituality of the world religions. London: Continuum. The book reveals the spirituality of world religions with the description of values and practices, which give a deep understanding of the cultural context of every nationality.
