American Hindu
Posted by Hettel Pettel on Mar 11, 2012
The Hindu , or sanātanadharma ( Sanskrit Devanagari : सनातनधर्म – “Eternal Law”) 1 , is one of the oldest religions still practiced in the world 2 . It originated in the Indus civilization ( Sindhou ), the first manifestation of Indian culture emerged around the III th millennium BC. J. C- 3 .
With nearly a billion followers, Hinduism is currently the third most widespread religion in the world after Christianity and Islam .
The Hindu practice comes from a very old oral tradition. The special feature of Hinduism is to have neither prophets nor dogmas central 4 . However, Hindus believe in the authority of the Veda , which, according to tradition, were revealed by Brahma to men through the “vision” of Rishis .
Hinduism is presented as a set of philosophical concepts from a tradition going back to the early history of India.
This religion has assimilated the beliefs and philosophies come from the many invasions and conquests that took place on the Indian subcontinent. 
Therefore, Hinduism has evolved over time, cults phallic or mother goddesses , present in the Harappan religion , to form triadic , through the Vedic Aryan , polytheistic and aniconic , and Brahmanism ; nevertheless This way to segment the history of Hinduism has its limits (the historical sources are low), and relative: in fact, Hindus do not accept it, and see their religion as a set of beliefs, rites and wisdom that come from an immemorial past, – pulling together religious unity by the fact that the first value – highest value that underlies all other – must be the ahimsa 5 , there is no of civilization Hindu if the first values of that civilization does not remain ahimsa 6 .
Beyond syncretism theological Hinduism before the Islamic invasion of European colonialism and submitted that the India of their authority 7 , was a vector for all sciences: the law , the policy , the architecture , the astrology , the philosophy , the medicine , etc.., like other knowledge which shared the religious substratum.
Hindu , or Hindu , is the name Persian designating the Indus , first met in the ancient Persian word corresponding to Vedic Sanskrit Sindhu , – Indus 8 . The Rig Veda mentions the land of the Indo-Aryans as Sapta Sindhu (the land of seven rivers in northwestern South Asia, one of them being the Indus). This corresponds to Hapta Həndu in the Avesta ( Vendidad or Videvdad 1.18) – the sacred scripture of Zoroastrianism . The term was used by men living west of the Indus, to name the people who lived in the Indian subcontinent, from, or beyond the “Sindhu 9 “. In Islam , the term found in the texts Arab – Al-Hind – also refers to the land of the people living on the territory of India modern 10 .
The Persian term (old Persian: Hindūk , Persian: Hindu ) entered with the Islamic invasions, officially the Sultanate of Delhi and appears both in South India and Kashmiri texts from 1323 AD. AD 11 , then, more commonly, under British colonial rule. Accordingly, the term ” Hindu “does not come from peoples ‘Hindus’ themselves, although he eventually adopted and assimilated by the” Hindu “. Since the end of the xviii th century , the word was used as a general term for most religious traditions, spiritual and philosophical sub-continent, apart from the religions of Indian origin as distinct Sikh , the Buddhist , or the Jainism . Thus, according to this view, a Hindu is one who respects the philosophy outlined in the Vedas (Veda the word can be translated as knowledge ), and accept its authority.
The term Hindu was introduced in the Western world through the language of English 12 . In France, until the xix th century , we used the term brachmanisme , or “religion of the Brahmins 13 . ”
Hinduism or Sanatana Dharma (“Eternal socio-cosmic order”) is more of a cultural foundation, a way of life or thought, as an organized religion. What we call “Hinduism” today is the attempt to bring together disparate beliefs from the ancient pantheon of Vedic eclipsed by the popularity of Shiva , of Vishnu or Krishna 14 .
Hinduism is also known as Aryan religion ( Arya Dharma ), which means noble religion . We also find the term vaidika Dharma (Vedic religion).
Definition of Hinduism by the Supreme Court of India
In 1966 , the Supreme Court of India has defined the framework of the Hindu faith 15 as follows:
respectful acceptance of the Vedas as the highest authority on matters religious and philosophical and respectful acceptance of the Vedas by Hindu thinkers and philosophers as the sole basis of Hindu philosophy,
the spirit of tolerance and good will to understand and appreciate the view of the opponent, based on the revelation that the truth has several appearances,
acceptance of the six systems of Hindu philosophy and rhythm of the world that experiences periods of creation, preservation and destruction, periods, or Yugas , succession without end,
acceptance of belief in rebirth and pre-existence of beings,
the recognition that the means or ways to salvation ( moksha ) are multiple,
the fact that despite the number of gods to worship, can be a Hindu and not believe that we should worship idols,
unlike other religions or beliefs, the Hindu religion is not tied to a defined set of philosophical concepts.
History of Hinduism
Main articles: History of Hinduism and the various phases of Hinduism .
The civilization of the Indus valley, dating from the Bronze Age, has elements similar to those of Hinduism, such as bathing, phallic symbols compared to Shiva lingam and the Swastika 16 . A seal discovered at the site of Mohenjo-daro is sometimes regarded as a representation of a proto- Shiva , but this interpretation is not recognized by the scientific community 17 . In general, the exact nature of the relationship between the religion of the civilization of the Indus Valley and Hinduism remain conjectural.
It was during the Vedic period, the Iron Age, between 1500 and 800 BC, the four Vedas which are the founding texts of Hinduism are made. [ref. required] . The main rituals of the Vedic concern yajña , Vedic sacrifice in honor of the deva . Several deities of Rig-Veda were then taken over and revised by Hinduism.
1000 to 600 BC, the portion on the mantras is completed and Brahmanism was flourishing. But texts like the Satapatha Brahmana come to address the rigid ritualism and elitism of that time to promote the mystical approach. It was also during this period that the Buddha . [ref. required]
In the Middle Ages, Hinduism, through theism , found a new lease. Hinduism as we know it today is primarily derived from this new trend that has benefited from the decline of Buddhism in iv th century and v th century .
The xx th century , Hinduism is spreading outside India and especially in the West. Vivekananda made a first presentation in 1893 at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago.
The sacred scriptures
The sacred scriptures of ancient India can be classified roughly into three categories.
the Vedas, the ancient writings of the Vedic religion which modern Hinduism drift. The Vedas are considered the oldest religious scriptures of the world.
the post-Vedic Hindu scriptures.
all the writings of dissident movements such as Buddhism and Jainism . These were largely reactions against the Vedas, but they have borrowed heavily to the first two, in terms of education and general outlook on life.
The Sruti: Vedas
Passage in Sanskrit of the Rig-Veda
It is widely believed that the Vedas are the oldest religious texts in the world. The Vedas are considered Shrouti (revealed) by Hindus. They say they are revealed by the Brahman to the wise / seer ( rishi ), while they were in deep meditation. The ideas expressed in the Vedas were, first, transmitted orally from father to son and from teacher to disciple. Subsequently, these ideas circulating for a long time, have been codified and compiled by a sage called Vyaça (literally, the compiler , although the name may have designated a group of people personified for purposes of the tradition). Based on internal and external clues, researchers have suggested various dates for the origin of the Veda, extending approximately from 5000 BC. BC to 1500 BC. AD 18 .
In the traditional Hindu view, the Vedas are not personal and without beginning or end, which means that the truths described in the Vedas are eternal and they are not creations of the human mind, how they differ from teachings of Buddhism and Jainism .
There are four Vedas: the Rig-Veda , the Yajur-Veda , the Sama-Veda and the Atharva-Veda later. The Rigveda contains mantras to invoke the devas for the rites of fire-sacrifice, the Sama-Veda, the song , with musical notations, the Yajur-Veda is the real instructions for the sacrifices, and the Atharva Veda includes charms and semi-philosophical magic (sic) – spells against enemies, sorcerers, diseases and errors during the ritual sacrifice. Each is divided into four sections:
the Samhita : mantras and hymns;
the Brahmana : liturgical texts and ritual [ ref. desired]
the Aranyaka : Section theological [ ref. desired]
the Upanishad : Section speculative. [ ref. desired]
The Vedas consist of mystical texts and allegories. Many schools like those from the Advaita Vedanta encourage their students to interpret the Vedas philosophically and metaphorically, but not too literally. The sound of Vedic mantras (and Sanskrit itself) is considered a “cleansing” by many Hindus, this implies rigor in pronunciation. The oral tradition of the Vedas rigorous transmission allowed it to be preserved in time.
The Vedic religion, which we think after the invasion Aryan , especially in its Archaic period, was different from Hinduism today in many ways: in particular the reference to women as religious authority (with existence of women rishis ), (Sanskrit, rsi: wise); Vedism was aniconic (the idolatry was however a practice indigenous Dravidians, practicing animal worship , the worship of trees and rivers – see Harappan religion , Ganges and sacred cow ) and a markedly different pantheon, with Indra as “king of the gods”, and little mention of the trinity rear of Brahma , Vishnu and Shiva (which are, subsequently, became the chief gods)). The Aryans were performed sacrifices called yajña lamps, with the singing of Vedic mantras, but they built no temples, idols or icons (again: unlike the indigenous Dravidians). The animals were probably also killed in some larger Yajnas, as reported by Jain and Buddhist texts.
Smriti: The post-Vedic Hindu scriptures
Passage of the Mahabharata
The Vedas are referred to as the Shruti ( what is revealed ). The more recent books are called Smriti ( what is recalled or memory / tradition ). While the literature shruti is written in Sanskrit Vedic texts smriti are in classical Sanskrit (easier), and for some, Prakrit , or common language. Puisqu’accessible all, literature smriti has gained great popularity in all strata of Indian society, right from the start. Even today, most of the Hindu world is more familiar with the smriti literature with shruti reserved (belatedly) to the dominant caste of Brahmins. The smriti thus corresponds to the popular literature, and, as such, it is theoretically less difficult than the shruti (the shruti back to the dawn of India that is to say in the Vedic period, is Today, because of its language and its vocabulary, subject to interpretation). The smriti (collection of 36 texts according Paithina) is popular for the shruti , throughout history the gods and heroes, she taught on Indian thought. The scriptures revealed or authoritative Shrutis on mythological writings or Smritis also regardless of the subject. Most of the books Smirti refer to sacred scriptures of the Vedas, their goal is to decode the messages of the Aboriginal and teach people. This second literature is not as far less valuable, it is actually very rich and offers highly sophisticated philosophical dialogues.
Literature smriti includes:
the Itihasas : epics like the Ramayana , the Mahābhārata (with his party, the Bhagavad-Gita ).
the Puranas or mythological texts centered on a particular aspect of the divine. They are 18 in number for the main, these are the most popular writings of India: Hinduism today owes them much.
the Agamas (s ), theological treatises in number 28, which are complemented by Upâgama (Agamas minor) and
the Darshanas , philosophical texts.
The Dharmashâstra (s) (or books of law) are also part of smriti . Occasionally, legislators appear large (eg Manu , Parasara and Yajnawalkya) that codify the existing laws and eliminate outdated rules to ensure that the Hindu way of life remains in the spirit while in Vedic agreement with the present time. But since the Hindu religion has no dogma, the Smriti texts are not necessarily followed by most Hindus. In fact, some people say that the British popularized the Manu Smriti, to impose a uniform code of law for Hindus.
Hindu philosophy described in the epics and Puranas focuses primarily on that of the doctrine of the avatar (incarnation, or part, of a god in human beings). The two main avatars of Vishnu that appear in the epics are Rama , the hero of the Ramayana , and Krishna , the protagonist in the Mahabharata . Unlike the deva of the Samhita Vedic and the abstract concept of Brahman from the Upanishads (which describe the Divine as omnipresent impersonal and formless), the avatars of these epics are human intermediaries between the Supreme Being and mortals that provide an idea of the divine more modern and accessible. God is described as personal and close to its creation (in the Bhagavata Purana , Krishna is a shepherd, his flock was created).
This doctrine has had a great impact on Hindu religious life, because it shows that God was manifested in a form that could be appreciated by even the most modest of men. Rama and Krishna are for thousands of years of manifestations of the divine, loved and worshiped Hindu. The concept of Brahman of the Upanishads is definitely the pinnacle of Indian religious thought, but the concept of avatars has certainly had more influence on the Hindu way. Hindus attach greater importance to ethics and metaphorical meanings conveyed by these texts, as the mythology literally.
Deities and cosmogony
Pediment of the Temple of Saint Pierre Narassigua Péroumal Reunion Monday, May 24, 2010. Part of the Hindu cosmogony is represented.
The Hindu cosmogony teaches that the principle of all life, of all progress, all energy, is the differences, the contrasts 7 .
The Hindu cosmogony is the Hindu theory of creation of the universe and its image.
It is characterized by a constant recourse to number 7 19 .
The world was created egg-shaped (the “egg of Brahma”). The top half of the cosmic egg is divided into seven areas: the first three, earth, air and sky, together form the Triloka (“three worlds”) and are topped by four celestial regions constituting the abode of the gods 19 .
Half bottom of the cosmic egg includes seven infernal regions (Patala), which form the floors and are inhabited by demons and snakes 19 .
Below the cosmic egg is the primeval ocean, formed by seven other areas infernal 19 .
The Earth is divided into seven continents surrounded by seven seas 19 .
Brahman
The God of the Vedas , in the sense pantheistic or panentheistic the term, is the Brahman 20 (pronounced / brəh mən /), which is the Ultimate Reality, the Absolute or Universal Soul ( Paramatman ), the A 21 .
“You are the woman. You are the man. You’re the bee blue and green butterfly with red eyes. Lightning is your son. Thou art the seasons and the seas. You are the All, thou art the omnipresent all that is born of thee. ”
- Upanishad 3 .
Brahman is the indescribable, the neutral, the inexhaustible, the omniscient , the omnipresent , the original, infinite existence, the Absolute, transcendent and immanent (see panentheism ), the eternal , the Being , and the ultimate principle who is without beginning and without end, – in the universe around 21 . Brahman (which should not be confused with the deity Brahma or the name of Hindu priests, the Brahmins ) is seen as the Cosmic Soul 21 .
This Absolute, that Hindus also referred as the name of tat in Sanskrit (“This”) is by its very nature impossible to represent 21 . The Absolute is sometimes expressed: Tat Twam Asi (तत्त्वमसि: That thou art), or “All this is Brahman “Scripture says 21 , sometimes unmanifest “the Brahman is Truth, the world is illusion, “say also Scriptures 21 .
“It moves and it does not move, it is far and it’s close. He is within everything and it is outside of everything. ”
- Isa Upanishad 22 .
It is sometimes referred to a higher Brahman , the Parabrahman 21 . The Brahman may indeed be considered without personal attributes, formless ( Brahman Nirgouna ), in a totally abstract, or attributes, with form, through the multitude of deities ( Brahma Sagouna ) 21 .
Trimurti
Main article: Trimurti .
The nature of Brahman does not prevent it to occur in the form of a personal god 21 . Hinduism, according to the religious currents, gives various names to personal god. A general name is, however, that of Ishvara (lit., “the Supreme Lord”), especially philosophical term, because in worship and everyday life, it does little to address one members of the Trimurti ( Shiva and Vishnu , and, more rarely, Brahma (as the latter, creating living creatures, leads the samsara , the cycle of reincarnation that we should abandon, “opposed” to Moksha , the release) 21 .
The major personal gods are those of the Trimurti . These are Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, which correspond respectively to the creative, conservative and destructive of the transcendent Absolute (Brahman) 21 . They represent three inseparable aspects of the structure of the Universe 21 .
In personal manifestations (deities) of the impersonal God (Brahman), Hinduism is a religion polytheistic 21 , 23 and, as such, that religion has a variety and diversity (the number is sometimes considered symbolic 24 ) 330 million deities.
“If we continue in the Many insisted the One, is to return with the blessing and revelation of the One in the Many confirming. ”
- Shri Aurobindo 25 .
The Hindu can worship the Brahman as a deity of his choice, without rejecting the existence of other deities, considering Ganesh , for example, as the incarnation of the Supreme Brahman (this will be a Hindu ganapatya , and Shiva ): in this case, Hinduism is a henotheism . Nevertheless, according to the aphorism of Brahmanoûtchîntamam :
“He who loves God as different from him, thinking:” it is another. I am another, “this man does not know the Brahman : he is like an animal for the Gods 26 . ”
In Hinduism, there is no conflict between polytheism and monotheism: religion, philosophy and the theories that accompany them are just ways that attempt to describe the ( Brahman ) beyond which there nothing more, and how to blend in him.
Since Dumezil which highlighted the triadic function in Indo-European civilizations, a parallel between the formal trimurti and Trinity Christian can be established (which does not induce a theological reconciliation between Christian and Hindu traditions): indeed in India it represents the Deity as threefold, we call this principle the trimurti in the Hindu pantheon: Brahma , Vishnu and Shiva are three aspects of the divine. Symbolically denotes Brahma the creator, Vishnu is the preserver and Shiva is the destroyer in the cycle of existence. This triple Nature neared the statement of European medieval spiritus , anima , corpus 27 .
Hinduism is a religion whose deities are different now, considered the different forms of the same divine expression underpinned by an ultimate reality. The question about the exact nature of the latter (immanent or transcendent, personal or impersonal) depends on the different currents. According to Ananda Coomaraswamy , the worship of the powers of nature in Hinduism should be understood in the sense of “natura naturans is deus”, ” said Powers are the names of the divine acts 28 . ” Since the Chandogya Upanisad 29 , this philosophy of divine unity has become very important in the sacred literature. The mantra Tat Twam Asi (तत्त्वमसि: That Thou Art) celebrates the unity of creation with its creator, be it personal or impersonal. This complexity of Hinduism is reflected in the relatively few popular practice, the people being kept out of the sacred books still reserved for the elite. An episode of Srimad Bhagavatam30 highlights this reality: the god Krishna , avatar of Vishnu , to the inhabitants of Vrindavan to abandon the worship of Indra to his, since Krishna himself as the supreme God whom Indra is only a fragment.
Major and minor gods
Main article: Deities of Sanatana Dharma and Avatar (Hinduism) .
The various incarnations (avatar) of the Trimurti ( Krishna is an avatar of Vishnu ) are major deities. The minor gods are creations or procreation of major deities. Ganesh , a deity that is significant in Hinduism, is related to Shiva as reproduction or creation myths developed according to its subject.
The devas
Statue of the deity Lajjagauri ; it is called Lajjagauri (“shy goddess”), because of his face shaped flower , which symbolizes the impersonality 31 , (or immanence). The female body: the Nature and legs spread: childbirth is achieved phenomenal World (Indian women give birth squatting), the ability to fertilize a domesticated Nature (Land Goddess).
The Hindu religion believes in the existence of celestial entities called Devas (or devas ).
The female deva is devi (or Devi ). The question of the nature of these deities can be analyzed according to these three points:
The philosophy of Advaita Vedanta , and some passages of the Bhagavad Gita 32 , the Upanishads and Vedas ; all devas are the mundane events in a form of the supreme Lord ( Ishvara ). The devotee develops anthropomorphic forms of God in his mind to worship him. The Rig Veda says: ekam sat vipra bahudha vadanti – “The True God is One, though sages addressed to him by many names.” This view is what strictly considers the sect of Smarta . [ ref . desired]
According to the philosophies of the Nyaya , the Vaisheshika , of yoga , to some of Shruti and some thoughts Saivite and Vaishnavites , the demigods are subordinate to these celestial beings Supreme Lord ( Ishvara ), but are above humans. [ ref . desired]
The philosophy of the Mimamsa , all devas and quotes are the rulers of the forces of nature and Ishvara does not exist [ ref. desired] . To ensure that a desire to be realized, humans must appeal to one or more of these devas and should worship them with strictly codified rituals.
The oldest Vedic texts identify 33 devas. Subsequently, exponential numbers (up to 330 million) were created, but always keeping in mind that the Brahman is omnipresent 33 . Specifically, the Hindu scriptures and most Shaivite thoughts and Vaishnavites consider the deva as a combination of the first two points of view, for example, Krishna is considered as Ishvara and all its subordinate gods, and simultaneously, all other gods are seen as the social events of Krishna . But the third theory is not mentioned in Scripture. [ ref. desired]
Whatever the nature of the devas (also called devatas ), they are an integral part of Hindu culture. The 33 devas include Vedic Indra , Agni , Soma , Varuna , Mitra , Rudra , Prajapati , Vishnu , Aryaman and Ashvins ; the quote was important Sarasvati , Usha and Prithvi . Indra is the king of the gods (Vishnu, a Vaishnavite , is the God of gods).
Although Hindu mythology refers to several classes of demonic beings (the rakshasa , the Daityas , the Danavas the Pishachas or non-gods, asuras ), opposed to the celestial spirits (called devas ), Gandarvas , Vidyadharas , she believes not the concept of evil . ” The oppositions, dualities, polarities, which places great emphasis on Hinduism, are not constituted by independent entities, fixed, immutable and contradictory to characters such as the popular Christianity represents God and the Devil 34 . “This means that the evil in the world is not attributed to a higher power but human ignorance and therefore as a possible consequence of free will 35 and Nature. Indian mythology does not oppose the Good against the Evil : the battles are those classes of beings against others, an idea against another, where the noblest emerge victorious.
Found among the devas, the Lopakalas (the deities of Vedic recycled in the pantheon of Sanatana Dharma), the Navagrahas (the nine planets in Indian astrology ).
The mystic syllable OM
Main article: Om .
The Omkara (or Aum )
Om (or Aum) is a sacred symbols of Hinduism. This is the primordial sound that emerges from the chaos before creation, it is the source of existence.
It is sometimes used as a prefix and suffix to mantras and any Hindu prayer. It represents the contraction of the three states of matter: Sattva , Tamas and Raja , and represents the universe.
Writing “Om” is the contraction of Aum, “m” is the resonance and ‘o’, the original vibration 36 .
Ôm language Tamil
The sound Ôm (or Aum) is filled with a profound symbolic message: it is considered primitive divine vibration of the Universe representing all existence, all surrounding nature in a Ultimate Truth 3 .
Thus, the sound, produced a prolonged, result from the combination of three sounds AUM (the triad of the unit), means “what has been, is and will be,” and has, for those engaged meditation, a force both magical and religious 3 . An Upanishad says:
“As all the leaves are clustered on a threaded rod that passes through them, and every word blends into the sound OM. The sound Om is all this universe 3 . ”
Schools and currents
Philosophical elaborations, as the source of what we now call “Hinduism”, were transmitted orally for centuries and began to be transcribed in the first half of the I st millennium BC. AD The religious and cultural system called Hinduism has developed in the Indian subcontinent and is rarely out of its borders 37 .
The six major philosophical and theological systems
Main article: Indian Philosophy .
Hinduism has developed Astika ancient or orthodox schools (because accepting the authority of the Vedas ) of philosophy, or shadarshana . These systems, or “visions” ( darshana ) of classical Hinduism are six in number, each of them is the result of a long development which reflects a broad literature 37 :
Sankhya , one of the oldest is the system of thought based on a dualism between spirit ( Purusa ) and nature ( Prakriti ), which was originally detached from theological speculations.
Purva Mimamsa- (also called Mimansa or Karma Mimamsa ), system revolved around the clarification of the Veda.
Uttara Mimamsa (more commonly called the Advaita Vedanta ), system centered on the metaphysical and the mystical nature of the Upanishads.
Yoga , a system based on personal practice (posture, breathing and meditation) to attain liberation, deliverance (मोक्ष, moksa).
Vaishesika , the system proposed the atomic theory for the first time.
Nyaya , the system logic of India (the 16 criteria of “valid reasoning”), and last of the Hindu philosophies.
The nastika or non-Orthodox schools – which are not discussed in this paper – are Jainism , the Buddhism and chârvâka , the atheism ancient Indian classical refuting the existence of the soul or atman .
Schools and currents theistic
Some common view Hinduism as a religion henotheistic or even panentheistic . The various deities and avatars worshiped by Hindus are considered different forms of the One, the supreme god, or Brahman , which alone forms adopted are accessible to man (care should be taken not to confuse Brahman , the supreme being and the ultimate source of all divine energy, and Brahma , the creator of the world).
This way to the supreme knowledge Orthodox ( inanamarga ), advocated by the six Hindu schools, remains the privilege of an elite intellectual restricted, the believer People often mixing all these currents of thought. However, three main currents theistic Hinduism to stand out in a relatively important in all segments of the population: Vaishnavism , the Shaivism and Shaktism 37 . Within these streams, many schools have developed, which differ mainly in their interpretation of the relationship between Supreme Being, individual consciousness and world, as well as esoteric concepts that derive 37 . The Vedic texts ( Vedas , Upanishads , etc..) provide a baseline for the three currents, even though each of them complements the writings ( Purana -s, Gita -s, etc.). their own 37 . These writings are not mutually exclusive, because Hinduism allows the coexistence of different paths to salvation (Moksha) 37 . Thus the choice of a current does not imply the rejection of the other 37 .
The Brahman , who is the new form of the Vedic religion (see Vedic ), is divided into branches, which were subdivided into sects:
The Vaishnavism and Vaishnava that relates to the worship of God as Vishnu or one of its avatars. The sacred books are the Bhagavata Purana – often called Shrimad-Bhagavatam – and the Bhagavad Gita .
On Shaivism or shaivisme that relates to the worship of Shiva , whose legend is reported in the Shiva Purana 38 . The deity Rudra of the Vedas is identified with Shiva.
The Shaktism , is divided into two or three branches according to the classifications and relates to the achievement of shakti , the ‘act of consciousness “often associated with a form of Devi , the mother goddess (like Kali , Durga , etc. . – the Shaktism is related to Tantra : one and the other is, somehow, the extreme development of Hinduism 37 ).
Each of these religions is practiced with the same means of philosophical or yoga , it is their methods differ. These names should not be considered “churches” because there is no central dogma in Hinduism, and individual beliefs are still met. Moreover, a significant majority of modern Hindus can not be considered as belonging to a specific name.
According to a rough estimate, the Vaishnavas are approximately a Hindu majority to date, believing that Vishnu personalizes Brahman, the worshiping often through, among others, two avatars – or earthly incarnations – of Vishnu , Rama and Krishna . Non-Hindus are Vaishnava Shaiva most often (especially in the southern part of India), who consider Shiva or his son as the representative of Brahman, the rest equates Shakti the Brahman, Ishvari or the goddess Kali / Durga . But often, the believer has in his Hindu representations of several of these forms of God ( Ishvara ).
Buddha in Hinduism
Buddha is revered by Hindus as an avatar of Vishnu .
Main article: Buddha in Hinduism .
In Hinduism, Buddha is considered an avatar of Vishnu . In the texts pouraniques , it is the twenty-fourth twenty-five avatars, prefiguring a forthcoming final incarnation 39 . A number of Hindu traditions 40 speaks of the Buddha as the most recent of ten principal avatars, known as the Daçavatar (Ten Incarnations of God).
Beliefs, rituals and common practices
The four goals of life [ change ]
Main article: Purushartha .
Alongside the four periods of Hindu life, Hinduism believes that there are four goals to the existence or pouroushârtha . Human desires are natural, each of these goals is to improve the knowledge of man, since by the senses and its participation in the world, he discovers the principles. However, the Hindu must be careful not to be charmed, under penalty of wandering in the endless cycle of samsara .
Kamadeva , the god of love and desire (Kama)
Kama or desire, especially desire and pleasure in love. In mythology, the god of love, kama is the source of creation. The Kama Sutra 41 describe the means to exalt the senses and fulfilling married life. The man and woman come together and recreate the divine unity. The pleasure is to be directed for the purpose of knowledge and should not become a lifestyle that would lead to perform immoral acts or adharmiques (contrary to the Dharma, see below).
Artha or material prosperity: The man must participate in society by creating wealth and relationships that are the fruit of his labor. He must be careful not to be fooled by the charm of a life of ease, but will derive an education. Period Grihastha is conducive to the development of this goal.
Dharma or duty: The Dharma should direct all four periods of Hindu life. The assignment allows man to continue his life on track, in accordance with law and morality which are transcribed in the Dharma-sutra or the Manu-Samhita says Laws of Manu 42 .
Moksha or the issue: During the last two periods of the life of the Hindu, this research moksha , liberation from the cycle of reincarnation. But it is mainly the purpose of life of the Hindu which can be achieved by various means, such as Batki Yoga (see Indian philosophy ). According to Hindu tradition, the man who missed the issue must complete a cycle of 8.4 million rebirths in other conditions that the human condition before accessing it again 43 . Nevertheless, we must not forget that Hinduism through Bhakti (devotion), even an animal can reach Deliverance through his devotion to a deity, in contrast to Buddhism , in Jainism or Sikhism , Indian religions that consider he must be born human to access the moksha 44 . The conquest of this absolute freedom is the goal of all philosophies and all the Indian mystical techniques 14 .
These worms Kalîdâça perfectly summarize this thought:
” As children, they attach themselves to the study, young people, seeking pleasure; old, practicing asceticism, and it is in yoga they complete their existence. ”
- ( Raghuvamça 45 )
The four stages of life [ change ]
The spiritual life of a Hindu is traditionally divided into four phases or Ashrama 46 . These four stages are closely linked to the four goals of life, each of these stages to achieve these goals best. This rigor gives access to a full spiritual life.
The brahmacharya is the period of life education. It consists of a comprehensive study of sacred texts, primarily Vedas . This stage is for children and students, chastity and continence are the main virtues. The guru or spiritual master is considered as the representative of the deity, the student owes obedience and respect.
The Gârhastya corresponds to the needs to follow an active lifestyle and fashionable: it is that of the father in the prime of life whose aim is to have children and must be enriched for the survival of his family.
The Vânaprasthya is the stage which corresponds to a life of retreat from the attachments of material life and family. Once the material goals made, watching leaves his home to obtain salvation.
The Samnyâsa is the last stage of life that achieves moksha , spiritual liberation 47 .
Today, these observances are no longer followed rigorously. The philosophy of bhatki which is the worship of gods tended to supplant that tradition.
Brahmanic society – The four varnas
Young Brahmin Shaivite
“The four varnas rigorously assumed their responsibilities. The Brahmins followed scrupulously the rules of life recommended by the scriptures: they were full of faith, gentleness and good manners, scholarly connoisseurs of the Vedas and their six branches 48 . The Kshatriyas , warriors, practiced in the virtues of courage, loyalty and determination: they were attached to the code of honor of their varna. The Vaishyas , merchants, craftsmen and farmers, filled with honesty and dedication the duties of their profession, without thinking of illicit gains. The shoûdras served with joy the other varnas, and they were highly respected for their zeal by the Brahmins , the Kshatriyas and Vaishyas . ”
- Valmiki, The Ramayana 49 .
After the arrival of the Aryans , a nomadic people of Indo-European, the priests of the Indus asserted their supremacy by introducing the caste system [ref. necessary] , based on a division of society into four varnas (“colors”) or group classes. Hindu society has traditionally been divided from the four major classes, based on the place that man has in the Vedic ritual and occupation 50 :
the Brahmins : priests, the cleric teacher;
the Kshatriyas : warriors, kings and administrators;
the Vaishyas : farmers, merchants and artisans;
the Shudras : servants.
These classes are called varna and the system was called Varna Vyavastha . The system of varna is an integral part of Hinduism, and it is strictly sanctioned by the scriptures, the Veda 50 . The texts of the Smriti (including the Laws of Manu ) drew up the rules of that system. Previously, the system was only based on occupation, place in the Vedic ritual and character, and there have always been examples where people have changed their profession freely and are freely inter-married.
Later, this system was fixed to the birth. Thus, with the evolution of several sub-castes (with a class of untouchables outside the Varna Vyavastha), the system has evolved to the caste system as we know it today. With modernization, the differences are blurring of caste in modern India, but tensions remain and prejudices persist, especially towards the Dalits .
The caste system based on birth, which exists in modern India, did not exist in ancient Vedic Hinduism. A famous hymn of the Veda says:
” I am a poet, my father is a doctor, my mother’s work is to grind the wheat … ”
- ( Rig-Veda 51 9,112,3 )
The varna system is explained theologically: India, considering that the company is also organized according to the balance of dharma . This organization allows the harmonization of human relationships and to define acts upon them. It sake of balance has a legal writers, because it responds to the symbolism of Gounas , or qualities / flavors. The three Gounas , match three colors (black, red and white) that are each associated with a varna . Originally, the Hindu is not born in a varna: it fits into the latter depending on the role it is to play and responsibilities that will be returned. Many mythological texts denounce the usurpation under some Brahman of characters who, under cover of birth, enjoyed a prestigious status without fulfilling their duties. But, as the invasions of the British colonial rule was tightened in favor of the ruling castes, locking shoûdras in a status-dominated society.
” There is no entity, or on earth or in heaven among the gods, which is not subject to the play of these three qualities ( gunas ) born of nature. The works of Brahmins, Kshatriyas and, of Vaishyas and shoûdras differ depending on the qualities ( gunas ) born of their own inner nature. ”
- ( Bhagavad-Gita , XVIII, II, 40 and 41)
Hindu belief holds that this system is “natural 52 “(see Hatha Yoga Collection Vol. 11: Life in the city 53 ), we find it in the animal kingdom ( ants , bees and mammals living in herds) and family organization (respect and authority of parents and ancestors), as in society. From the Hindu point of view, this system would be scalable and would fit with the company.
There would thus be a distinction between the system as it is expressed in the text and its current application. Aurobindo wrote: ” The words of the Gita refers to the old system chaturvarna , as it existed or is supposed to have existed in its ideal purity – it was never anything but a perfect, a general standard, followed by more or less closely in practice? ” 54
You can be dismissed from his caste, but for this, the faults of the individual must be relatively serious. In India, we recognize five major sins or mahâpataka , the most serious being the murder of a Brahmin (or brahmahatyâ ), but alcohol consumption, theft, adultery with the wife of his guru and the protection of criminals are also severely punished. Lose his caste can be painful for a Hindu, since living in a close-knit community offers a number of benefits and protections.
Ahimsa (non violence), vegetarian diet and the sacred cow
Hindu prayer facing two cows
Ahimsa is a concept that recommends the non-violence and respect for all life, human and animal, vegetable and even (see the Bishnoi ). Ahimsa is often translated by non-violence. In fact, the term means, in its exact meaning, non-nuisance with respect to all living beings, or respect for life in all its forms. In a positive direction, or active, ahimsa stands for compassion and generosity. The root Sanskrit is hims (“harm”) with the private “a”. Ahimsa is based on Vedic injunction:
“माहिंस्यात सर्व् – भुतानि, mâhimsyât sarva-bhoutâni ( that will harm any living being ) 55 ”
But the term ahimsa appears for the first time since the Upanishads and the Raja-Yoga is the first of five yamas , or eternal vows, restrictions required of yoga .
In this regard, Bishma said in the Mahabharata :
” The meat of animals is as the flesh of our own son 56 ”
Belief in reincarnation is central to Buddhism and Jainism in Hinduism: we were, we are and we will (maybe) all of the animals during our countless lives.
The Ahimsa is the philosophical notion of Hinduism (and also of Buddhism or Jainism ) which introduces vegetarianism as the standard in food. By some estimates, 85% of the Hindu population 57 following a vegetarian diet (no meat, fish or eggs, fertilized eggs are considered non-vegetarian foods in India 58 ): especially in the Orthodox communities of South India, in some northern states like Gujarat or South to Karnataka (where the influence of Jains is significant). This diet is based mainly on a dairy-based food and green products. Some even avoid the onion and garlic , is regarded as having properties rajas , that is to say, “passionate”. In traditional India, a Brahmin was nothing without his cow, because it gave him an offering to the gods most appreciated. The svadharma (the Dharma personnel) includes vegetarianism Brahmins, the Brahmin being called to lead a life completely pure 59 . Hinduism promotes vegetarianism 60 . Consumption of meat, fish (and fertilized egg) is not promoted, – only tolerated, tolerated within the ranks that Hinduism has assigned as the Vedas: less, not respectful of ahimsa and impure compared to a vegetarian diet 61 .
Here, Haridwar : the alcohol and non-vegetarian food (meat, fish, eggs) are completely prohibited in the holy city of Hinduism (as in almost all the holy cities of India).
Some Brahmins are not only vegetarian but vegan, that is to say they do not consume any animal products (milk, etc..).
In general, the Upanishads, already (from the sixth century BC.), point out that animals and humans are brothers, since all their host by the atman , and therefore are sanctuaries of Brahman (“Absolute”, the highest concept of God, in Hinduism). It is precisely because all living beings are the shrine of Brahman there is no temple in India of Brahman, as there are temples of Vishnu or Shiva 62 .
Main article: Holy cow .
One can see that in most of Hindu holy cities, there is a ban on all non-vegetarian food and all alcohol, and a legal prohibition exists even on the slaughter of cows in almost all Indian states . The leather of a cow died of natural causes, however, is acceptable.
Most Hindus see the cow as the best representative of the benevolence of all animals – the animal since it is most valued for its milk, it is revered as a mother. The cow is the symbol of power of the Brahmin and the Ahimsa 63 .
The cycle of life [ change ]
Ganesh
The Hindu believes in life after death and before birth, the body is merely a temporary shell material 64 . The acclaimed guru Yajnavalkya (630-583 BC.) taught that when he died, every man underwent a dissolution, the body returned to earth , the blood in the water , the breath to wind , the view the sun and the intellect to the moon , but the “Shares unpaid” (those that have been produced without reaping the consequences) came together to incarnate again in one being . In this way, the notion, found in the Upanishads , the migration of souls (or jiva is the Atman – which is purely immaterial – in or with the organic body) and their revival, joined to that of karma (literally, the “action”) 3 .
Karma was originally the only ritual act 3 , 61 , but subsequently considered engine of samsara, it is identified in any action automatically determining not only the rebirth after death, but also the forms of this future existence and condition that the individual will experience in her new life 3 .
In other words, man becomes what he is doing three : good deeds of a previous existence improve the living conditions of future life, while the bad things worse 3 .
So each individual determines there by the law of his own maturation acts destiny in life to come, the ” theater “of his fruit renewed (there is no question of reward or punishment, as n ‘ one there to reward or punish) 3 .
Moreover, in this succession of terrestrial existences, the Atman remains the essence invariably specific to the individual, despite the total transformation of being, thus representing the continuity of the self in the migration of souls, “by which we are identical to each other and identical to the powers of the universe 3 “.
To break this perpetual cycle, the Hindu should live so that his karma is neither negative nor positive. The yoga taught him the way to achieve this result, the Hindu has the flexibility to choose the method that suits him best according to the schools of Indian philosophy in order to attain liberation or moksha of the soul. He can choose between a variety of ways such as devotion or bhakti , action or karma , or by knowledge ( jnana ) and meditation ( Raja ). Today, the majority of Hindus, living in a materialistic age or kaliyuga , chose the path of bhakti yoga or devotion adapted to his time.
Rituals
The Puja , the ritual offering that punctuates the lives of Hindus and whose songs resonate anywhere at any time of day and night
Main article: Rituals (Hinduism) .
The ritualistic behaviors are integrated into the daily lives of Hindus, the dawn to sunset sun ; never spheres of sacred and profane are really separate 65 : it is the individual or the family , not the community , which carries religious activity 65 .
Adherence to the most famous is that of the Brahmins that they make three tributes to the three joints ( Samdhya ) of day 65 . They open with rites of purification by means of ashes , of water , or products of the cow , then continue with recitations of mantras (formulas that become instruments of thought and meditation) and invocations to the sun ( Surya ) 65 . Other daily duties: the oblation to fire and, as evidenced by the Mahabharata , the cult to the manes (souls of dead ancestors), derived from the Vedic 65 .
The temples
Diagram of a temple of Konarak
Hindu temples ( mandir in Hindi , koyil in Tamil ) have inherited the rituals and traditions rich, ancient, and occupied a special place in Hindu society. They are usually dedicated to a deity primary, called the tutelary deity, and other subordinate deities associated with the main deity. However, some temples are dedicated to multiple deities. [ ref. desired] Most major temples are constructed by the agama shastras, and many are sites of pilgrimage. For many Hindus, the four Shankaracharyas , officials responsible for religious advice religious 47 (the abbots of the monasteries of Badrinath , Puri , Sringeri and Dwarka – four of the centers of the holiest pilgrimage – and sometimes fifth, that of Kanchi ) are regarded by Hindus as the four highest Patriarchs . The temple is a place for darshan (the vision of being-divine), for the puja (ritual), meditation, among other religious activities. The puja or worship, often used with a murti (statue or icon in which the divine presence is invoked) along with the song or prayer in the form of mantras. The veneration of murtis is made every day in a temple. This form of worship Icon and temple, called the puja , is part of bhakti . Most Hindu houses also have a section on an altar, for daily worship deities with icons and a place for religious meditation.
Update on the Swastika
The swastika 66 is a sign beneficial 67 , of ancient origin, it is found in many cultures and symbolizes the revolution of the sun and cosmic forces. Turned clockwise, it is beneficial and represents the day; facing left, it is harmful and represents the night and the goddess Kali , it is then called sauvastika 68 . Composition in four branches is the very symbol of the four goals of life, the four Vedas and periods of life 69 . With four branches that converge to one point, the bindu , it also symbolizes the number 5 with 5 elements whose bindu represents the ether, the source of creation.
Main article: swastika .
Social dimension
The right
Main article: Laws of Manu .
Main article: Hindu Law .
Dance
Dancer of Bharata Natyam .
True art ritual, the dance was born in Indian classical temples 70 .
Several centuries before the Christian era, the great shrines use the talents of young dancers 70 .
Artists sacred , they are attached to the temple, named after devadaçi (“slave of God”), and participate in the ceremonies of offerings and worship 70 .
When, later, the dance is practiced at the courts of princes, it will retain this religious inspiration 70 .
India has experienced two major classical forms of dance.
The Bharata Natyam is the oldest form, closely connected with religious ceremonies. For this simple art, delicate and generally slow pace, the dancer is alone on stage 70 .
More dramatically, the Kathakali finds its themes in the major episodes of Ramayana and Mahabharata . Each dancer wears a sumptuous costume and heavy makeup to match her character: the gods are generally painted green, the devils in red or black 70 .
The environment
The environment in Hinduism is very important. Sanatana-dharma refers to the design of an eternal essence of the cosmos, the quality that binds all human beings, animals and plants around the world and possibly the source of all existence 71 , 72 . This perspective means that in India, religious and philosophical level, the environment can not be ignored, or despised, but has its place in the world Hindu .
Main article: Bishnoi .
The Bishnoi (or Vishnoï ) are members of a community created by the guru Jambeshwar Bhagavan , commonly called Jambaji ( 1451 -?), mainly present in the state of Rajasthan , mainly in areas of Jodhpur and Bikaner , and a lesser extent in the neighboring state of Haryana in India .
Bishnois The following twenty to nine principles laid down by their guru and are characterized by their vegetarianism , their strict observance of all life forms (non-violence, ahimsa ), their protection of animals and trees, their adoption of a particular dress 73 . They are often defined as having a strong sense ecologically . The Bishnoi live peacefully in remote villages far from population centers, and are about seven million in India . These are the few Hindus to bury their dead, because we have to cut wood for the cremation .
The parties
Main article: Festivals (Hinduism) .
The Kumbhamelâ which gathers every time millions of pilgrims
The festivals in Hinduism play a visible and undeniable in practice the Hindu religion. Except holidays the most popular, such as Holi , the birth of Krishna or Divali , the festival of lights, which are celebrated throughout India , most celebrations are important especially local 37 .
Usually, the course of the festival is centered around a large ornate chariot bearing the images of deities of the temple, and is pulled through the town or the whole region 37 .
One of the most famous festivals is the one being held at Puri (in Orissa ) in honor of Krishna – Vishnu representing on this occasion the figures Jaqannatha (“lord of the world”), his brother Balarama and his sister Subhadra 37 .
Also exemplary Janmashtami , “eighth birthday” celebration of the nativity of Krishna in the month of August . A doll representing Krishna baby is placed in a manger, around which the family sleep much the night reciting the prayers and songs . The fasting is often observed during the ceremony 6 .
Worldwide [ change ]
A sadhu in Kathmandu , in Nepal
Since the xix th century , a diaspora Indian was formed. Thus, there is now significant Hindu minorities in the following countries: Bangladesh (15 million), the Indonesia (more than 5 million), Sri Lanka (2.5 million), Myanmar (2.1 million), the United States (1.7 million), Malaysia (1.5 million), the South Africa (1.2 million), Pakistan (1.3 million), the UK (1.2 million ), the Canada (0.7 million), Fiji (0.5 million), Trinidad and Tobago (0.5 million), Guyana (0.4 million), the Netherlands (0.4 million), Suriname (0.2 million), France (0.15 million) [ref. required] .
Some states such as the Pakistan , the Bangladesh , and Sri Lanka are home to a large minority Hindu this is due to the fact that these three states as a part of India before partition in 1947. In Bangladesh the number of Hindu is estimated at more than 15 million, in Pakistan the number of Hindu and estimated at 7,000,000, and finally to Sri Lanka the number of Hindus is estimated at 2.5 million.
The South-East Asia has been largely converted to Hinduism from the iii th century . He left many monuments, as the temple city of Angkor Wat in Cambodia and the temples of the island of Java in Indonesia , as well as the popular epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana . The influence in the dance is less obvious. The Indonesian island of Bali and is marked by a strong Hindu influence, with elements of Buddhist and especially animists , the syncretism is easier in these cultures. The Javanese culture is still strongly impregnated with Indian elements, and there are still enclaves of Hinduism in Java. The Thailand and Indonesia have national coat of arms as Garuda , the vehicle of Vishnu , which is found also in the name of the national airline, Garuda Indonesia .
Since the xix th century , a diaspora Indian was formed. Thus, there is now significant Hindu minorities in the following countries: the Indonesia (more than 5 million), Myanmar (2.1 million), the United States (1.7 million), Malaysia (1.5 million), the South Africa (1.2 million), the UK (1.2 million), Canada (0.7 million), Fiji (0.5 million), Trinidad and Tobago (0.5 million), Guyana (0.4 million), the Netherlands (0.4 million), Suriname (0.2 million), France (0.15 million) [ref. required] .
Western eyes
Mircea Eliade , Romanian historian of religions, proposed to divide the tradition into four basic concepts and solidarity in order to purify the complexity of Hinduism: it is the karma , the maya , the nirvana and yoga 14 .
the law of universal causality, which joins the man with the cosmos and condemns him to transmigrate indefinitely: it is the law of karma ;
the mysterious process that creates and sustains the cosmos, and thereby makes possible the “eternal return” of existence: the maya , cosmic illusion, supported by the man while he is blinded by ignorance ( avidya ), the confusion related to attachment and desire that prevents him to discern his true nature;
absolute reality “located” beyond the illusion woven by Karma ; pure Being, the Absolute, the Neutral by whatever name it designates, or: the Self ( atman ), Brahman , the unconditioned, transcendent, immortal, indestructible, Nirvana, etc..;
Finally, means of promoting the revelation of Being, the appropriate techniques to achieve deliverance ( moksha , mukti ): the sum of means is sometimes referred to as yoga (union).
Controversies
The sati (“virtuous” faithful unto death), the symbol of total dedication to the woman to her husband, who is the widow to ascend the pyre of the deceased and burned to death. Practice late in India (VI th century AD) limited to the caste of Kshatriyas , absent in the Atharva-Veda , which displays the rites of the funeral (it is in fact no prescription), it originates from the interpretation of one of the legends in which the goddess Sati, so devoted to her husband, she is ready to jump into the flames to defend the honor that it has lost arguing with his brother grandfather. Prohibited in British India , the sati has created a distrust of Hinduism 37 .
Hinduism is criticized since the XIX th century by the West – at the time offering its colonization of the world as “civilizing” – for some social traditions deemed regressive, backward-looking, ultimately incomprehensible to its culture, critical that the we need to know nuance knowingly without altering the stringency 74 .
Here are typical examples:
The dowry that parents need to ensure the bride, illegal under the Indian constitution 75 , also practiced by all other religious non-Indian Hindu (Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain …) 76 and domestic violence that derived from this custom 77 . We must remember that, according to Hindu tradition, the dowry was personal property of the young woman, inherited from his own family, she brought with her into the house of her husband 78 . In its late, it has betrayed its original form to become the “price” that the family of the girl must pay for the boy 78 . It is misleading to equate the dot, as it exists in its degenerate form, a practice inherent in the cultural substrate that represents Hinduism, especially as in many non-Hindus – developing their economic also – it also takes place 79 .
The marriage between minors 80 , which is not shocking to an Indian point of view that a family parent , rather common in the West 81 .
The prevention of widows to remarry 82 , in perspective, since, for example, it is always possible for women of culture shakta , India enjoys a very high regard, to remarry after a mourning period 3 .
The suicide of the widow on the funeral pyre of her husband or Sati 83 , unknown to Hindu scriptures and also practiced as a ritual solution, a religious response to an inextricable situation related to the impurity 84 .
The practice of sacrifice humans 85 , 86 , 87 , who, in Hinduism, has value only if the victim is human volunteer , giving his own life – supreme offering – on the altar of the universe (symbolizing the universe considered as a ritual, a sacrifice, Tchinnamastâ 88 , goddess holding in one hand she has decapitated his head and drinks the blood spurting from his neck, is associated with the virtue of courage of those who self -sacrifice ritual) 89 .
The caste system socio-professional , whose excesses were also condemned by the reformers, philosophers and Hindu sages as Basava from the xii th century 90 , 91 . The caste system can still be seen as a way to generate a direct democracy controlled by federations of groups on a human scale (the Panchayats , representatives of different social and occupational castes): it is therefore not surprising that the Indians remain attached, all they can idealize through religion 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 .
From the perspective of the three Abrahamic religions , Hinduism is criticized as being polytheistic idolatry and respect. Indeed, the cult of moûrti (visible form of God) is idolatry (which can take a negative connotation in religions such as Judaism , the Christianity or Islam ). During the ceremony ( puja ), the Hindu believes that the gods use these forms to spread their power and blessing to the faithful ( darshan ) 96 .
Hinduism is also seen in the West as a religion in which gods and goddesses, mythology, have a strongly sexual 97 violence and marked by 98 , 99 . Hindus do not condemn these interpretations as to the Hindu philosophy of violence and sexuality are unalterable components of the empirical world, for the sensible world: according to them, it is not only a misunderstanding of the real meaning of forms and symbolism of the Hindu pantheon, but criticism in the context of evangelization and perceived as a disinformation to obscure the value and contributions of their religion 100 .
Another criticism is that called Hindutva “being Hindu.” Many Indian communities have become, because of Western influence, Puritans and fundamentalists, which is contrary to the true spirit of the Hindu tradition 89 . Thus, the xx th century, the emerging Indian patriotism began promoting Hinduism in opposition to the Raj British but also to Islam , in the following Indian independence, during territorial disputes with Pakistan . The “Supreme Court of India” has yet legislated on “blur the meaning” to give under: Hindu and Hinduism hindoutva by not limiting not only the sphere of religion as not to exclude the ideas of culture and common heritage India. A “mosque”, symbol of repression and intransigence of the Mughals for Hindus in Ayodhya , received on 23 December 1949, the statue of Rama who was placed under the central dome of the mosque, and, before the crowds flocked, Hindu worship settled there. The structure that was destroyed December 6, 1992 no longer worked as a mosque for decades, but as a Hindu temple for 42 years 101 . According to tradition, and some historians and specialists 102 , Rama was born on this site. Mir Baki , the Mughal who managed the place, had built the Babri Mosque after this place, is destroying this temple Vaishnavite in honor of Ram the grounds of idolatry ( shirk ).
Hindu Identity Lecture Series (Part 4 Hindu University of America)
Posted by Hettel Pettel on May 17, 2012
Interesting Lecture on Hindu Identity (occurred Wednesday June 1, 2011 ) This is part 4.
Duration : 0:20:38
US parliamentarian voiced for 49 Million Missing Hindus from Bangladesh
Posted by Hettel Pettel on May 17, 2012
http://hinduexistence.wordpress.com/category/attack-upon-hindu-temple-by-muslims/ Rep. Robert Dold voiced in US Parliament about the intimidating persecution and atrocities over Hindus in Bangladesh, Christians in Iraq and Bahais in Iran. Rep. Robert Dold has been convinced so far by Dr. Sachi Ghosh Dastidar of HINDU AMERICAN FOUNDATION & Dr. Richard Benkin of FORCEFIELD about the fatal consequences of Non-Muslim minorities in Muslim States.
In this report, Charges against Islam :: Murder, Rape, Kidnapping, Temple Destruction, Physical Intimidation, Violation of Peace against Non Muslims.
Duration : 0:1:17