You are on page 1of 5

Amber Guerra Period. 6 World History Nov.30.2012 Page 1 Hinduism I. What does the religion say about God?

Is there one, or many, or none. In general Hinduism considers God not just as the Supreme All-powerful Gigantic One, Who commands the humanity to tread the way He/She/It says, but also a personal God Whom the individual can worship out of love and not necessarily out of fear ! The fear brings one only upto certain point and beyond that it repels, but love takes through to the point. Devotion or bhakti as often referred to is a very key concept in Hinduism, even for the philosophically inclined ones. While the shashtras - be it vedas, Agamas, puranas - describe the Glory of God, one finds abundance of stotras that praise the God in love. It said that Hinduism worship a number of God's but today they primarily worship Siva and Vishnu. Siva represents both the destructive and creative forces of the universe. Vishnu is considered the preserver of the universe. For Hindus God, as is, is beyond any attributes of form, color, shapes ... That is, God does not have any specific form or name. In this state God is referred to as nirguna brahman (attributeless god). However God takes forms as perceived by humans and this perceived form is called saguNa brahman (god with (good) attributes). These forms could range from calm to fierce to yogic (1). Each form has its significance. For example when one is depressed and sees the form of God Strong and Powerful, the seeker feels the moral boost that God would definitely be the support for the right thing. Similarly when in an auspicious ceremony would like the God to be the calm provider of boons. In a spiritually elevated state, the choice would be the yogic form of God. The forms provide a basis for the Hindu worshipper to easily pursue the otherwise incomprehensible Supreme. So Hinduism supports both form as well as formless worship of the God. Whether one worships in saguNa or nirguNa way, it is ultimately the same God. II. What about Heaven? Hindu has a choice of which 'world' they want to go to each world is heaven but each is run by one of the tridevs which are the main three of the Hindu religion . There are three worlds (Loks), Brahmalok, Vishnulock and Shivlok. Hinduism do believe in heaven

but they only believe in the three stages of heaven, the highest, middle, and the lowest. And some say that there isnt really a heaven because when they die they just believe in that youll come back and turn in something than human. III. What is the ultimate goal? Are humans supposed to go to heaven, experience nirvana, or just die? The ultimate goal of Hinduism is called moksha, meaning salvation from samsara. This can only be achieved by abandoning all earthly desires and becoming one with the universal soul. Salvation from the cycle of reincarnation means that a person will no longer have to endure the repeated pain and suffering of earthly existence. Hindus believe that after death the soul leaves the body and is reborn in another person, animal, vegetable, or mineral. They believe that human beings have souls. These souls are "immortal and imperishable." Thus a person's soul is in an everlasting cycle of life and death. They believe that you can only break this cycle when you achieve enlightenment. Many factors effect what happens to you after death. These include the choices you have made in life, your state of mind at the time of your death, the cause of your death, and your funeral preparations. A person's soul can go to a lower, middle, or higher world. As you would expect, the lower world is for evildoers and is thus painful to endure, the middle world for the average person, and the higher world for righteous people, and thus is pleasurable. However, the soul's stay at any level is only temporary, is its experience there is said to teach a lesson. Hindus believe that your soul will come back as either an animal or human which very much depends on the life you had before. If you are bad and mean you are likely to come back as a spider or poor human but if you are friendly and kind you are likely to come back as something beautiful e.g. butterfly. The ultimate goal for those who follow Sanatana Dharma is to attain moksha, that is to be freed from the cycle or births in this world. The soul of someone who attains moksha will join Brahman, or they might choose to be born again to guide people. IV. How do the followers of this religion worship or show their devotion? This is often a normal part of daily life designed to meet daily needs e.g. requests for good health. It may also precede important events. Before new buildings are opened or new enterprises begun puja (ritual worship) is usually made to Ganesha (the elephant god) the bringer of prosperity and the clearer of obstacles. Places of worship Hindu Temples (Mandhirs), which are dedicated to different gods, are the focus of religious

life. There is neither however any strong tradition of communal worship nor any obligation to worship in a Temple. There are simple shrines in streets and villages and most Hindu homes have their own where they undertake Puja at home, they will make offerings to their chosen god in the morning and the evening as a minimum. The shrine may be no more than a corner of a room, with a picture or statue of one or more gods. There is no obligation on a Hindu to go on pilgrimage, but many do. There are many places sacred to Hindus. These cover mountains, rivers and towns. Many Hindus try to bathe in the River Ganges, as it is said to wash away sins. Seven cities are considered particularly holy. These are known as tirthas. They are centurys of pilgrimage. They include Ayodha, the birthplace of Rama, and Varanasi. They are looked upon as good places to die plus to be cremated as they are believed to link the world of earthly suffering to the divine plane. Forms of worship Any Hindu can worship but a priest normally carries out the more important acts. Worship may take several forms such as meditation, performing yoga (exercises aimed at controlling mind and body), reading holy texts or use of prayer beads Alternatively Puja may be performed. This must comply with forms laid down in holy texts (e.g. the Shastras and Agamas). Usually it involves an offering to the image of a god. It usually commences with the purification of the shrine. This is done by singing hymns and mantras (sacred psalms or words or phrases designed to aid concentration. These include the "om " creation symbol. The god is then awoken by the use of cymbals or bells. Rituals, which follow those of daily or yearly life cycles, may then be carried out. These can include washing or dressing the image. Finally gifts of money food or flowers are given and silent prayers offered. If performed in a Temple the Priest will mark the worshipper's forehead with red paste (a tika) as a sign of blessing. At the end of the ceremony the food which has been offered to the god is given out to those attending, this is called Prasad (Holy food). In special cases worship may include a procession. Each Temple will have a special festival. Festivals can range from simple village affairs to those that draw millions. There are also ceremonies that mark important life events. It is not that Hindus worship their idol in vain. The idol is just a symbol, a form, with which the mind can be connected and concentrated upon. The ultimate reality is beyond the senses, beyond the known field of illusion or Maya. All human activity including the positive and negative aspect of it is part of this great illusion from which man has no escape till he gains true knowledge. But sometimes as recorded by human experience, the idols do respond and converse with man. If there is enough devotion in the heart of a devotee God responds to him with a direct response.

V. How should Christians evangelize to people of this religion? Sharing our belief that there is only one God that we believe in. Also share a testimony on how God saved your life. When evangelizing to them we need to share the gospel and tell them that we only worship one God. When it comes to evangelizing we need to be letting them know how great and mighty is the God we serve and that he is the healer to all things like pain, injuries etc.

VI. How was the world created? With its cyclical notion of time, Hinduism teaches that the material world is created not once but repeatedly, time and time again. Additionally, this universe is considered to be one of many, all enclosed "like innumerable bubbles floating in space." Within this universe, there are three main regions: the heavenly planets, the earthly realm and the lower worlds. Scripture goes into some detail as to the nature of these regions and their respective inhabitants. Hinduism is therefore not predominantly earth-centred, and puts much emphasis on other "planes of existence" various material abodes and the spiritual realm itself. This is reflected in Hindu stories and specifically through the concept of lila (divine pastime).These lilas take place in the spiritual world and are replicated at sacred locations on earth. Also Hindus believe the universe was created by the Brahman or Prajapati.Hinduism is therefore not predominantly earth-centred, and puts much emphasis on other "planes of existence" -- various material abodes and the spiritual realm itself. This is reflected in Hindu stories and specifically through the concept of lila (divine pastime). These lilas take place in the spiritual world and are replicated at sacred locations on earth. There is no one simple account of creation, and there are many detailed and inter-related stories. Central is the narration of the sacrifice of the primal being (purusha), found in the Rig Veda. On the metaphysical level, the universe is created from sound (vak). Sound corresponds to ether, the subtlest of the five material elements. According to such sankhya philosophy, the elements develop progressively from subtle to gross. The atman, more subtle than any matter, generates his own successive material bodies. This world and its creatures are here to facilitate the soul's self-centered desires, and ultimately to enable his return to the spiritual world. There are various different creation legends associated with the creation of the world in Hinduism. On the whole though, Hinduism is not as interested in the creation of the

world as western religion. Many Hindus believe that the world has always existed and is infinitely old. VII. What moral values are associated with this religion? Ahinsa (non-violence), forbearance, and believe in God and Godliness to be a food person. Closely associated with the doctrine of reincarnation is that of ahimsa or non injury to living things. This is the core moral value of Hinduism, the protection of all life (which is ultimately divine), and is the main reason why some Hindus are vegetarian. Also associated with reincarnation is the caste system. According to Hindu teaching, there are four basic castes or social classes (and thousands of sub-groups within the castes). Each has its own rules and obligations pertaining to nearly every facet of life. At the top are the Brahmins or priests. Second in rank are the Kshatriyas or warriors and rulers. Third are the Vaisyas or merchants and farmers. Below these are the Shudras or laboring class. Salvation is possible only for the top three castes, who are called the "twice born." Outside the caste system are the untouchables or outcastes. Though outlawed in India in the late 1940s, many in the countryside are still considered outcastes.

You might also like