Aims and Beliefs of the Hindu

Hinduism: Beliefs and Practices

Introduction

Hinduism is the oldest of all living religions. It is also known by the names Sanatana-Dharma and Vaidika-Dharma. The meaning of Sanatana-Dharma is eternal religion. Vaidika-Dharma means the religion of the Vedas. The Vedas are the fundamental scriptures of Hinduism.

Discussion

Hindu Rituals, Practices and Beliefs

In Hinduism, the purpose of rites and rituals is to overcome weaknesses and develop strength. Hindus practice a variety of rituals and practices. Each ritual and practice has its own importance and influence. Some of the rituals and spiritual practices include meditation, japa i.e. repetition of the Lord's name, Sandhyopasana, and paaraayana i.e. reading of the scriptures.

Another common ritual in Hinduism is to prostrate before elders including parents and teachers. In Hinduism, it is also a ritual to offer food to the Lord. After this, Hindus partake of it as prasaada i.e. a holy gift from the Lord.

Doctrine of Reincarnation

The doctrine of reincarnation in Hinduism is also known as metempsychosis or metensomatosis. According to the doctrine of reincarnation, the soul takes on a body for a definite purpose. Hindus believe that their souls get a different body in different births.

Notions of Karma, Samsara and Moshka

In Hinduism, any action either physical or mental is Karma. According to Karma, virtuous deeds result in fruitful results while evil deeds bear evil results. According to the notion of Samsara in Hinduism, human beings are trapped in an endless cycle of life, death, and rebirth. This perpetual entails that all actions performed by human beings result in appropriate consequences. The notion of Moshka involves the realization of the complete non-difference of the human soul from God.

Karma is the law of cause and effect, which determines the rebirth of the soul. Hindus believe that one lifetime is not enough to work out a person's destiny. The soul transmigrates into different bodies. The new rebirths are determined by a person's karma. This law maintains that a person's position in life is according to how good they were in the previous life. Karma is a moral or behavioural law and works because people are aware of their actions in a moral sense. They know the difference between right and wrong, good and bad.

A person's present condition, status, and happiness are directly related to the previous life. If a person had lived a morally and spiritually good life, then the soul would be reborn into a better life. A bad life would lead to a worse rebirth. This indicates that human beings are wholly responsible for their present condition and future. No god fixes the future for humans; the law of karma is automatic.

Relatives of deceased Hindus try to scatter their ashes on the River Ganges in India. This is thought of as a sacred river and it is said that the holy waters can remove bad karma and help the soul attain moksha.

Samsara

Hindus believe that each individual has a soul (atman). The soul is the real self and cannot ...