Hinduism Research Paper

The world Hindu is derived from an ancient Sanskrit term meaning “dwellers of the Indus River” referring to the location of India’s earliest known civilization. Hinduism is currently ranked as the third largest religion after Christianity and Islam. It includes about fifty million Hindus worldwide with the majority of them dwelling in India. In order to understand the followers of the religion, one must first realize that Hinduism is more than just a religion; it is a way of life. Hinduism suggests a commitment or respect for an ideal way of life known as Dharma. In principle, Hinduism incorporates all forms of belief and worship without requiring the selection or elimination of any. The metaphysical architecture of the Hindu temple emblematically

Hindus believe that only god exists and nothing else. Hindus are aware that God can take many divine forms to guide and bless them and that only a purified and concentrated mind can see God. Furthermore, the guru discussed that creation arises from consciousness and the entire world has risen and exists because of The Hindu Trinity: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. The formless God ultimately manifests as the dissolving power of the universe. God can also be represented and worshipped in many different forms; one can worship God as a father (Vishnu or Shiva), a mother (Lakshmi or Saraswati), or one can worship God by adoring saints and sages. Hindus understand that God comes in many forms, and therefore, that all religions should be respected and praised. In addition, the guru believed that the four Vedas provide a sense of guidance into the practicing Hindus life. The Vedas educate Hindus about self –realization, methods of meditation, and different ways of worship. Hindu scriptures also teach the four different yoga’s to be one with God and living a life of fulfillment. The Vedas also teaches Hindus that a human is not merely just a body and mind but also an infinite soul. The soul will ultimately pass from body to body until it reaches moksha or liberation. The karmic laws are a gift from God that are designed to lead a Hindu to moksha. Karma states that an individual’s present condition is a result of his or her past actions and that individual’s future mental state will depend on his or her past and present actions. Karma underlines that a practicing Hindu is the creator of his or her destiny. Finally, the guru emphasized that a Hindu should believe in dharma; a life of personal discipline, service, humility, and devotion to God.