The term ‘Hindu philosophy’ is vague. This stands for a custom of Indian philosophical thinking. Yet, scholars could interpret it as designating a specific philosophical doctrine shared by every Hindu thinker. People generally use the term loosely in this philosophical or doctrinal sense, but this usage creates confusion.
There is no single, comprehensive definition of philosophy shared by Hindus that shows their different views connected with Hindu religious movements like Buddhism and Jainism.
However, historians of Indian philosophy generally know the compound ‘Hindu philosophy’ as referring to the collection of philosophical views. It shares a textual relation to specific core Hindu religious texts.
Hinduism is a unique concept that is not just a single religion but a combination of many customs and philosophies. Hindus revere many different gods and minor deities, honor a range of symbols, and respect multiple holy books.
Celebrate a variety of rituals, holidays, and customs. The development of the caste system in India was impacted by Hindu concepts and shaped throughout history by political and religious movements.
Generally, there are four major sects of Hinduism: Shaivism, Vaishnava, Shaktism, and Smarta, as well as several smaller sects with their own religious practices.
Hinduism Beliefs, Symbols
A few basic Hindu concepts involve:
- Hinduism adopts multiple religious ideas. Because of this, it’s sometimes called a ‘way of life’ and a ‘family of religions’ as objects to a single, organized religion.
- Multiple forms of Hinduism are henotheistic, which means they worship a single god, called ‘Brahman.’ Still identified other gods and goddesses. Followers thought there were many ways to connect with their god.
- Hindus considered the doctrines of samsara (the regular cycle of life, death, and reincarnation) and karma (the universal rule of cause and effect).
- One of the significant thoughts of Hinduism is ‘atman’ or the belief in the soul. The philosophy states that living creatures have a soul, and they’re all part of the supreme soul. The way to attain ‘moksha’ or ‘salvation’ that concludes the cycle of rebirth is to become part of the definitive soul.
- One basic principle of religion is the concept that people’s actions and thoughts directly describe their current life and future lives.
- Hindus aim to attain dharma, a way of life that places a strong emphasis on morality and good behavior.
- Hindus regard the cow as a sacred animal and honor all living things.
- For Hindus, food plays a significant role in life. Many are vegetarians, and the majority abstain from eating beef and pork.
- Other Indian religions, such as Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism, are strongly associated with Hinduism.
In Hinduism, two important symbols are Om and the Swastika. The word Swastika means ‘good fortune’ or ‘being happy’ in Sanskrit. The Om symbol is made of three Sanskrit letters and shows three sounds (a, u, and m). Its combination is thought to be a sacred sound. The Om ‘ॐ’ sign is generally found at family shrines and in Hindu temples.
Origin of Hinduism
In the Indus Valley, many scholars thought Hinduism started somewhere between 2300 B.C and 1500 B.C near modern-day Pakistan. But few Hindus argue that their belief is beyond time and has always been present.
Hinduism does not have a founder, unlike other religions but is apart from fusion of various faiths. Around 1500 B.C., the Indo-Aryan community migrated to the Indus Valley, and their language and culture mixed with that of the indigenous people living in the region. There is some debate over who affects whom more during such times.
The time when the Vedas were created became known as the ‘Vedic period’ and lasted from around 1500 B.C. Customs like sacrifices and chanting were basic in the Vedic times. The epic, puranic, and classic periods took place between 500 B.C. and A.D. 500. Hindus started to highlight the worship of lords, mainly Vishnu, Shiva, and Devi.
The theory of dharma was announced in new texts, and other beliefs like Buddhism and Jainism were shared quickly.
Hinduism Holy Books
Hindus appreciate many sacred writings as opposed to one holy book. The primary sacred texts, called Vedas, were written around 1500 B.C. The composition of verses and hymns was created in Sanskrit and achieves the revelations received by ancient saints and sages.
The Vedas are comprised of:
- The Rig Veda
- The Samaveda
- Yajurveda
- Atharvaveda
Hindus have faith in the Vedas transcend time and do not have a starting or an end. The Upanishads, Bhagwat Geeta, 18 Puranas, Mahabharat, and Ramayana are even considered important texts in Hinduism.
The Five Tensile Strands
Around the sweep of Indian religious history, at least five elements have given cover to the Hindu religious custom: doctrine, practice, society, story, and devotion. Such elements follow a typical Hindu analogy and are known as relating to another strand in a comprehensive braid.
Likewise, every strand is created out of a history of conversations, descriptions, and challenges. Thus, in search of what makes the custom cohere, it’s sometimes better to find a central point of tension than to need clear consent on Hindu thought and rituals.
Doctrine
One of the five strands in Hinduism is doctrine, explained in a vast textual tradition associated with the Veda (knowledge). The oldest core of Hindu practices and organized through the centuries mainly by members of the learned Brahmana class. Many characteristics and problems arise: relationships between the divine and the world.
The disparity comes between the world-preserving ideal of dharma and moksha. And third tension between individual density, karma, and others is bonded to family, society, and divinities connected with such concepts.
Practice
Practice is the second thread that runs through Hinduism. Actually, a lot of Hindus would rank this top. India’s vast diversity connects different locations, social classes, and eras of Hindu culture through a common grammar of ritual behavior. While people still practice some aspects of Vedic rituals today, making them a unifying force, the worship of icons or pictures (murti, Pratima, or archa) shows even greater similarities.
Society
The third strand is society to organize Hindu life. Early travelers from Greece and China, followed by Persian scholars and scientist al-Biruni in the early 11th century, encountered India’s highly stratified social structure. This rigid hierarchy, now known as the caste system, overwhelmed them.
Story
Another strand that draws Hindus into a single group of discourse is narrative. For at least two millennia, people in every corner of the world – and now well beyond – have replied to stories of divine play and of engagement between god and humans.
The major stories concern the Hindu pantheon: Krishna and his lovers Radha, Ram, and Maa, Shiva and Parvati, and the great goddess Durga, or Devi, as a slayer of the buffalo demon Mahishasura.
Devotion
A fifth thread that unifies the Hindu experience over time is bhakti, which means “sharing” or “devotion.” It is a vast legacy of a loving God that is particularly connected to the writings and life of Indian vernacular poet-saints.
Hindu Gods
Hindus revere multiple deities along with Brahman, whom they consider the supreme God force present in everything. A few of the most important deities include:
- Brahma: creator of the world and all living things
- Vishnu: the god who preserves and protects the universe
- Shiva: the god who destroys the universe to recreate it
- Devi: the goddess who battles to restore dharma
- Krishna: the lord of compassion, tenderness, and love.
- Lakshmi: the goddess of wealth and purity
- Saraswati: the goddess of learning
Places of Worship
Worshipping deities in Hinduism, called ‘puja’, generally takes place in the temple. Followers of Hinduism can travel to the temple at any time they worship. Hindus can honor the lord at home, and many have a special shrine dedicated to specific gods and goddesses.
The offering to God is an important part of Hindu worship. It’s a common ritual to present gifts, like flowers or oils, to a god or goddess. Plus, many Hindus take pilgrimages to temples and other auspicious places.
Conclusion
Hindu philosophers have differing opinions on a wide range of significant philosophical topics. For example, Hindu thinkers disagree about whether God is a person. They have not all reached a consensus on fundamental axiological issues like the morality of the Vedas or the character and extent of their epistemic validity.
While Patañjali, the Yoga philosopher, emphasizes always avoiding violence, others support the importance of Vedic-recommended acts, such as animal sacrifices. Similarly, Rāmānuja and other Hindu scholars maintain that the Vedic substance is infallible. Others, like Śaṅkara, believe that it constitutes provisional responsibilities, provided that the individual is not sincere about liberation.
Frequently Asked Questions
One of the core beliefs involves a faith in the supreme god or deity called Brahman, who has many conversations. Plus, multiple Hindus thought they were caught in samsara, a cycle of birth and rebirth, and could search for liberation from the cycle by attaining their dharma.
The term Hinduism can be explained as the collection of religion, culture, and philosophy of sacred India. It is identified by a belief in reincarnation along with a supreme god or entity called Brahman who has several incarnations as a variety of deities.
Shiva is considered ‘The destroyer of the world’ and one of the largest denominations of Hinduism. He is known as the supreme deity.
In Indian religious history, the five elements have given cover to the hindu religious custom: doctrine, practice, society, story, and devotion.
Lord Krishna is the god of compassion, tenderness, and love.