| BDM |
Posted
on 15-Apr-02 09:23 PM
Hinduism isn't very easy to define. Due to Semitization of Hinduism, Hindus have been compelled to define it. Some say Hinduism is a way of life. The way you lead your life defines you as a Hindu. So, this means that even an atheist can be a Hindu. How, u might ask? If a person believes in Dharma, Karma, and reincarnation, but doesn't believe in god/God, he's still a Hindu. By this definition, it follows that Hinduism isn't a religious term, but a cultural one.
Second definition of Hinduism is that it is a polytheistic religion, which means that one has freedom to choose his god. For example, your dad's special god might be Ganesha, but yours might be Kali. 3 main sects of Hinduism:
1. Shaivism
2. Vaishnavism and
3. Shaktism
Some also include Tantrism, but frankly speaking, I don't see much difference between Shaivism, Shaktism and Tantrism. The mark on the forehead can tell u the whether the Yogi is a believer of Shiva or Vishna.
In India, Hindutvadis have been trying to make Vaishnavism as the mainstream sect. Nepalis are basically Shaivites/Tantricists, Pashupati being the main temple.
The third definition of Hinduism is that it is monotheistic. According to this belief, all gods are manifestations of the Brahman(God with capital G). It's worth noting that two things that never die, the Brahman, and the Soul(Atman). Soul lives forever; it only changes form, depending on your past deeds. So, u better behave properly or u might be born as an ant!
Now about the caste system. Some say it's not part of the religion, and that it's part of the society. Well, I don't really buy that. The caste system is linked with your past deeds. If you are morally corrupt/depraved, then it means that your next life will be of lower lvl than your present one. A dalit is in a lower level of spirituality than, say, a Brahmin, for instance.
What's the ultimate goal of Hindus? To reach Moksha, or Nirvana, as Buddhists call it. There are different ways by which different sects try to reach enlightenment. For example, the Tantricist might practice Kamasutra. Ejaculation is supposed to be bad; so a tantricist always tries to prevent ejaculation when having sex. This is how he builds up the energy to obtain enlightenment. Others say that to reach enlightenment, u have to go through hundreds and thousands of reincarnations. Buddha for instant, in his past life was born as a golden deer, monkey, etc, etc. Generally speaking, Buddhism and Hinduism are built on the same premise.
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