Table of Contents |
Hinduism is often considered one of the oldest living religions (approximately 4,000 years old). The word Hindu itself can be traced back thousands of years to the Sanskrit word shindu, which refers to the river system in northwest India.
Sanskrit is the ancient language of Hindu, and it is no longer spoken. The sacred texts of Hinduism are collectively known as the Veda, and they were written in Sanskrit.
The other sacred texts or scriptures in Hinduism are known as the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads, among others. These scriptures are categorized according to the formal role they play as revealed texts or as what is remembered. The Sanskrit terms for these are sruti, which means revealed or, literally, “what is heard,” and smriti, meaning “recollected” or “remembered.”
The foundational sruti text is the Veda, a Sanskrit word that means “knowledge.” It contains four primary scriptures. The major part of the Veda is the Upanishads, which are also called “end of the Vedas,” or the Vedanta.
While many Hindus might be somewhat familiar with these formal, theoretical, philosophical texts, almost all Hindus have ready access to the smriti. These texts include many popular stories and long epic poems. The most well known are the Mahabharata, which contains the Bhagavad Gita, and the story of Ramayana. All of these contain many volumes and explore all religious and spiritual questions under the sun, and then some.
Hindu art is a major element of these stories.
The scriptures and stories, which are often acted out during celebrations, help guide one along the way of the Dharma. This is a Sanskrit term that refers to the natural law and order that sustains all being. As a way of being in the world, it means duty, morality, and virtue.
A central element of Hinduism is a belief in the law of Karma, or action, which governs the cycle of birth, life, and death. It’s a cycle that’s called Samsara in Sanskrit, and the hope is to break free of this perpetual reincarnation. Ultimate release from this cycle of suffering and reincarnation is called Moksha.
In Hinduism, there is no one transcendent god who is worshipped. Instead, there is a supreme transcendent power who is often, usually, identified as Brahman. There are many manifestations of this universal force, many gods, more personal, which have particular purposes in Hindu life.
A Hindu is guided by his or her understanding and worship of the gods, all believed to be different personalities and manifestations of one universal essence, the divine and supreme Brahman consciousness.
Accordingly, there are four divisions within Hinduism.
Source: THIS TUTORIAL WAS AUTHORED BY TED FAIRCHILD FOR SOPHIA LEARNING. Please see our Terms of Use.
