The Importance of Hinduism

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Hinduism is currently the third largest religion in the world, behind Christianity and Islam, claiming close to one billion followers. Although the majority of Hindus live in India and southern Asia, the number of Hindus in America is slowly growing. The number of Hindus in America has increased from 227,000 in 1990 to 1.1 million in 2001 to 1.5 million in 2004. Even though this still a small percentage of the total population, it is important to recognize the growth of this religion, especially in America. A person from the West should attempt to learn about Hinduism not only because it is a rapidly growing religion, but to deter discrimination and stereotypes. I believe that a person from the West should learn about the history of Hinduism, the important scriptures and beliefs of the Hindu people, and about Hinduism today.

            Hinduism is the oldest of the world’s main religions. It is thought to have been started in India in the Indus Valley during the Bronze Age around 2000 B.C.E. Around 1700 B.C.E., the Indo Aryan tribes who were taller and lighter skinned invaded the Indus Valley with horses and more technologically advanced weapons. With them, they brought their own language, songs, and chants. The collection of songs and hymns is called the Vedas, which were recited or chanted during rituals. For a few hundred years, the Vedas were carried through the generations with oral traditions, but are now told through both oral and written tradition. The Vedas are some of the most important scriptures in Hinduism. Around 800 B.C.E., the Indo Aryans moved away from rituals and toward meditative philosophy. They became hermit-like and got rid of all earthly possessions. During the Iron Age in India, between the 10th and 6th centuries B.C.E., the Vedas were largely completed. Also during this time the rise of Buddhism occurred due to Gautama Buddha preaching about enlightenment. The next few centuries mainly saw the rise of Buddhism because the Indian emperor patronized Buddhism. During the 4th to 6th centuries the amount of followers of Hinduism increased because of the emergence of classical schools of Hindu philosophy. There was a substantial growth of Hinduism during the next few centuries in Southeastern Asia due to trading between the many countries. Up until modern time, Hinduism has been spreading throughout the rest of Asia, and slowly to the Western hemisphere.

            There are many traditions, scriptures, and beliefs that are held closely by Hindus. Some of the more important scriptures of the Hindus include the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita. The Vedas are the oldest scriptures of Hinduism written in Vedic Sanskrit. They are supposed to have been directly revealed, and thus are called “what is heard”. The Vedas contain hymns and formulas that are recited and chanted at Hindu prayers, religious functions and other auspicious occasions. The Upanishads are sacred philosophical commentaries of Hinduism. They are Hindu scriptures that constitute the core teachings of the philosophical traditions that are mainly concerned with the self-realization by which one understands the ultimate nature of reality, or the Brahman. The two main teachings of the Upanishads are that human nature is divine and the aim of human life is to realize that human nature is divine. “They contain much of mankind’s profoundest speculations on the mysteries of Existence, and have influenced much of the world’s highest thought”. “The Bhagavad Gita is just one small section of the Mahabharata which is an enormous epic … recounting the legendary feud between two branches of a royal family”. The Gita is the dialogue which occurred between the price Arjuna and the Blessed Lord Krishna in disguise.

            Other than scriptures, Hindus hold beliefs and ideas to be very important. The Hindu Scriptures refer to Devas, which may be translated into English as “gods”. The Devas are an important part of the Hindu culture and are often depicted in art, architecture, and through icons. Most Hindus believe that the soul, also known as the atman, is eternal. Hindus also believe in Karma, which is an action or deed and can be described as the “moral law of cause and effect”. Karma binds together the notions of free will and destiny. “According to the Upanishads an individual develops impressions from actions, whether physical or mental”. They also believe in the passing through from one life to another called samsara. One of the important ideas of Hindu tradition and culture is the use of visual images and icons. An important symbol is the linga which is an image for worship of the Hindu deity Sheva. A person from the West should learn the important beliefs and ideas of Hinduism is so that they will not say anything disrespect Hindus.

            The Vedas are mainly used during the offering of soma, which was a hallucinogenic drink made from extracting juices from the stalks of a certain plant, to the gods. These rituals were performed by the Brahmins, who are the priests and are in the highest class of the caste system. Although the use of the caste system in India has diminished in present day, it was very important in ancient India. The origin of the caste system is from Hinduism, but it has affected all of India. Below the Brahmins is the Kshatriyas, which includes the military and ruling order of the social system. Underneath them is the Vaisyas who are merchants and artisans. Finally, at the bottom of the caste system is the Sudras who are farmers, craftsmen, and laborers.

            A person from the West should realize that although Hinduism does not claim a large percentage of followers in the West, it is a rapidly growing religion. The first Hindu temple in America was built in 1976 and receives around 80,000 to 100,000 pilgrims each year. People need to realize the facts the facts behind Hinduism because many “misconceptions, stereotypes exist and are sometimes further perpetrated by otherwise responsible entities”. Since America is founded from immigration and based upon the idea of being diverse and being a “melting pot”, people need to learn about people from different cultures and religions.