Understanding Hinduism

Author: * NanChan Qin - 1 Post on this thread out of 38 Posts sitewide.
Date: Mar 5, 2005 - 08:51

Introduction

Generally people in the West, and I include myself, finds the understanding of Hinduism a daunting task. One of the reasons, I suppose is because it is a religion dedicated to many Gods (polytheistic), whereas the major religions in the West, namely Christianity, Islam and Judaism, are monotheistic. In this note I will endeavour to bring some clarity and more understanding of Hinduism. I have elected to use a question and answer style as it might be more conducive to understanding. It goes with out saying that should I be wrong with some (or all) of my contentions I will gladly listen (read?) about it and thus, hopefully, obtain a deeper understanding myself.

Does Hinduism have a founder?

No, Hinduism has no founder. In this regard it is unlike world religions such as Buddhism, Christianity and Islam.

Is the exact date of Hinduism’s origin known?

Although the roots of Hinduism were in the ancient Indian civilisation that flourished in the Indus River valley about 2500 – 1700 BCE, the exact date of its origin remains unknown. Modern Hindus today practice a religion that developed during the first thousand years of the Common Era.

What is the origin of Hinduism then?

To understand Hinduism one needs to know that in ancient India the divine or divinity was everywhere and abundant. Unlike the religions of Middle Eastern origin (Christianity, Islam and Judaism), Hindus do not believe that a vast unbridgeable divide exist between man and the Creator. Hindus believed that deities were present in each and every hillock or streamlet and even some insignificant trees. Each community would therefore have its own particular deity in accordance with the specific manifestation of the divine encountered in that particular village’s environment. I will attempt to elucidate it as follows: Village A, situated next to a river, would worship its guardian God of the river, whilst Village B, situated on or near a hill, would worship its guardian God of the hill. Unsurprisingly, Hinduism therefore has almost an unlimited multiversity in traditions, rituals, myths and symbols. To this day one will therefore find that Hindu belief and ritual can vary greatly between villages.

But that does not explain how Hinduism became a “universal” Indian religion?

As indicated earlier; Hinduism developed over many years and although it does not have a founder, it has many significant figures, like the writers of the Epics and founders of the important schools of thought. As Hindu people come to realise that there is a measure of similarity in the divinity of the various guardian Gods, though not necessarily the nature of these Gods, they searched for an explanation. Their answer was that the various Gods were actually the various incarnations of God. Although Hindus believe in a pantheon of Gods, they would nevertheless worship a specific incarnation of God.

Does Hindus then believes in a single almighty God?

Well, yes and no. Hinduism has theoretically only one God, Brahman, but in reality it is only theologians who give much attention to this view. Hindus in general choose to worship a specific manifestation of Brahman.

Who or what then is this Brahman?

Brahman is found at the apex of the hierarchy of the Hindu religion. Brahman is however not seen as a personal God, as one would find in the Scriptures of Christianity, Islam and Judaism, but rather as an impersonal or abstract God. Brahman is also known as “the Ultimate Reality.” The term Brahman should however not be confused with lesser manifestation of Brahman, namely Brahma (the Creator). In Sanskrit, the ancient language of India – in relation to modern Hindi very similar to the position held by the ancient languages Latin and Greek to some Western languages - there is a marked distinction between the term Brahman (“Ultimate Reality”) and Brahma. The former being the impersonal and takes grammatically NO gender form, whilst the latter is one of the manifestations of the Ultimate Reality and grammatically takes a male gender form.

The manifestations of Brahman or the Ultimate Reality are found in the Triad of Gods, which is called the Trimurti. In terms of learned Hindu theology the Trimurti consists of Brahma (the Creator), Shiva (the Destroyer) and Vishnu (the one who sustains). To understand the interrelationship between these three Gods, one need to understand the Hindu view that the universe or cosmos operates in a circular, as oppose to a linear, manner. In other words: the cosmos is created by Brahma, sustained by Vishnu and then destroyed by Shiva, only to be created once more by Brahma. This process continues in endless cycles. Therefore there is no beginning and there is no end. Thus unlike the view of the monotheistic religions that the universe was created, exists and would ultimately come to a Final End followed by a Judgment Day.

What Gods do Hindus then worship?

Brahma

Brahma receives very little worship and presently there exists very little temples dedicated to him. Although not widely worshipped, he is nevertheless deeply respected. As a symbol of his aloofness he is sometimes shown to ride a white swan.

Shiva

Shiva is portrayed in many ways. As an ascetic Shiva is shown, as semi-naked (wearing only a belt made from elephant hide), a body smeared with ashes and in perpetual meditation. Shiva symbolises the curbing of the body to free the soul. He also symbolises life and sometimes he is Nataraja dancing by displaying tremendous vitality. Shiva is often accompanied by his wife Parvati (daughter of the Mountain) and his white bull, Nandi. Shiva is also associated with Ganesha.

Vishnu

Vishnu, the Preserver, is the good and kind God, who is represented as a youth with a brilliant crown and sitting in a lotus flower. According to his devotees he was reborn in a number of incarnations or avatars, each time to save the world from a catastrophe. In works of art he is shown as dark blue in colour with four hands bearing his four symbols, the conch, the discus, the mace and the lotus. His beautiful wife, Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and happiness is often seen at his side in art. Vishnu’s most popular incarnations in which he is worshipped is Rama and Krishna. Buddha and by some even Jesus, is also included as one of his avatars. This is typical of Hindus to assimilate all faiths.

Other Gods

There are many other Gods in Hinduism. The better known are the Goddesses Shakti (protector of mothers and children); two further incarnations of Shiva’s wife, namely Durga (a warrior) and Kali (a terrifying goddess); the faithful ally of Rama, namely Hanuman (the monkey-headed God) and Brahma’s wife, Sarasvati, who is loved as the Goddess of music, art and learning.

Does Hindus believe in a ‘soul’?

Yes, Hindus believe in the soul. The concept is somewhat of a difficult one to grasp if one thinks about it from a monotheistic and individualistic point. Souls of humans are sparks of Atman or Divine Life as manifest in human life. The soul of an individual, the “self” (atman) and the all-pervading “Self” (Atman, Brahman, God) is all part of the Oness of Brahman-Atman. The individual souls are not eliminated and will eventually return to the Ultimate Reality or Brahma-Atman. To explain this somewhat confusing and contradictory statement differently, I will illustrate it as follows; it is a known scientific fact that energy can not be created nor be destroyed. In a similar manner Hindus believe that the soul is not created nor destroyed. As the body dies the soul gets reborn in another body. This is what is called “reincarnation”.

What is reincarnation?

Reincarnation is the cycle of rebirth. Humans have an imperfect knowledge of truth, and that prevents them from identifying with the Ultimate Reality. In this state of ignorance humans are unable to escape the cycle of rebirth, but eventually everyone becomes free from this cycle and then fuses with God. Souls can not be destroyed or be lost, remember the analogy with energy? The ignorant must however wander a longer distance.

What determine the next rebirth?

The law of karma (“deed” or “word”).

What is the ‘law of karma’?

The law of karma states that one’s deeds, words and thoughts have consequences in one’s future. That what you become in the future depends one what you do now. If you have done good deeds, one will be born into a better life; if you have done bad deeds, you will be born into a poorer life. This cycle of life, death and rebirth is called the ‘wheel of samsara”.

Is there any escape from the ‘wheel of samsara’?

The central goal of a Hindu is to identify with the all-pervading God (Brahma-Atman). To do this he or she must break free from the cycle of reincarnation and thus experience liberation (moksha). This is done by a deep realisation that there is a realm of being that is eternal and changeless. When an individual soul becomes one with the One Soul this realm is achieved and the ultimate spiritual goal is reached.

How does one go about to reach mokhsa?

A number of techniques have been recognised through the ages by Hindus as ways that will lead to spiritual release. The three principal paths (margas) that emerged are:
The Path of Action (karma-marga);
The Path of Knowledge (jnana-marga); and
The Path of Devotion (bhakti-marga).

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Halsey, WD; Friedman, E: Colliers Encyclopedia. Volume 12 Macmillan Educational Corporation. New York 1980.

Krüger, JS; Lubbe, GJA; Steyn, HC: The Human Search for Meaning: A multireligious introduction to the religions of humankind. Cape Town. Via Afrka. 2002

To Be Continued