Hinduism is one of the oldest living religions in the world, with an unbroken tradition stretching all the way back to the Indus Valley, or Harappa, civilization five thousand years ago. Its impact on the history of India and its present-day identity is monumental, with the faith pervading every aspect of culture and society. But what is the story of how Hinduism started?
Hinduism evolved over time and no single event marks its origin. However, it is believed that the basic tenets of this faith arose out of the philosophical and spiritual exploration of the ancient sages in India. Scholarly opinion suggests that Hinduism as we know it today crystallized as a religion around the 7th century BCE. According to the Rigveda, an ancient Indian religious scripture, the Vedic religion was brought to the Indus Valley by a royal priestly lineage from the Steppes of Central Asia.
The Vedic religion evolved through subsequent generations, flourishing in the form of Brahmanism in the 2nd millennium B.C. This was further refined and developed into the philosophical systems of Hinduism that we are familiar with today. Over the millennia, it was further molded and influenced by the teachings of a succession of great scholars and spiritual teachers, such as Adi Shankara, Ramanuja and Vallabha Acharya. Their groundbreaking work gave way to an array of religious practices, scriptures and philosophies that form the core of this belief system.
In its essence, Hinduism is based on the core idea of Dharma, or an individual’s moral and religious duty. This quest to discover and practice Dharma represents the core tenet of the ancient Vedic religion and is believed to be the foundation of Hinduism. Dharma encourages individuals to think, analyze and explore the meaning of life while emphasizing the need to seek the highest truth.
The Upanishads, a collection of ancient Indian texts written in Sanskrit, are said to be the philosophical basis of Hinduism, expounding upon the importance of Dharma. Scholars believe that the Upanishads were written between the 8th and 4th centuries B.C., although some believe they may have been composed much earlier. An important concept found in the Upanishads is Brahman, or the universal energy or consciousness that binds the entire universe together.
Modern Hinduism encompasses an incredible variety of practices and beliefs. It is an incredibly diverse faith, with individuals engaging in spiritual pursuits from meditation to sacred pilgrimages. Yet it can be argued that the fundamental idea of Dharma still forms the basis of Hinduism, with the Upanishads providing the philosophical basis for this faith. This indicates that despite its immense size and diversity, Hinduism is ultimately tied together by its core messages of tolerance and harmony between individuals, communities and the environment.
The Influence of India’s Neighbors
The development of Hinduism was not solely an ‘internal affair’. Throughout India’s long history, there have been many exchanges with neighboring cultures. With Alexander the Great’s brief invasion of Northwestern India in 326 BCE, the influence of Greek and Middle Eastern culture had an impact on Indian thought. Later, Islam’s introduction to the Indian subcontinent from the 7th to 12th century CE played a substantial role in Hinduism’s evolution.
This is especially true for the devotional aspects of Hinduism which were likely adopted from Sufism and other monotheistic devotional practices. Furthermore, Buddhism has had a significant impact on Hinduism and vice versa. This can be seen in the Bhakti tradition of Hinduism, which used Buddhist elements such as meditation and mindfulness to explore Dharma. Other aspects such as temples, icons, images and symbolism all contain traces of Buddhist influences. Vedic texts also hint at an exchange of ideas and spiritual aspects with ancient Iranian culture.
Overall, while Hinduism’s origination was an ‘internal affair’, the development of this faith has been far from isolated from external influence. Across time, India’s interaction with other cultures, especially its neighbors, has helped to shape what Hinduism is today.
Relationship With Other Religions
Hinduism is known for its astonishingly diverse beliefs, rituals and practices. Among other religions, it’s not unusual for there to be mutual respect for each other and for individuals to practice both faiths in harmony. ‘We can all listen to the same music, we can all read the same books, but it’s our own interpretations of them that make them relevant to each other’, explains one Hindu scholar.
Hinduism is unique in that most of its scriptures focus on how to understand and live the sacred mission of Dharma, thus the essential message of this faith is the same regardless of the particular path that an individual chooses.
Hinduism advocates tolerance and respect for all other faiths, even those which contradict its own beliefs on a fundamental level. This is essentially rooted in the concept of Dharma, as it encourages individuals to explore different ways of religious practice and understand how this fits into their personal paths.
One example of this commitment to tolerance is the celebration of Dasara. This is an important celebration that marks the victory of good over evil in which Hindus pay homage to both Hindu and foreign gods and goddesses. This practice reflects the central truth of the Hindu faith, that there is One Supreme Being, regardless of what the individual chooses to call it.
Interaction With Other Communities
Hinduism is an incredibly diverse faith system, and various Hindu communities have developed strong ties with other religious groups from across the world. For example, Hinduism has interacted extensively with Christianity and Buddhism over the past few centuries. In some areas, Hindus and Buddhists have come together to form a unique kind of ‘syncretic’ religious practice.
This is especially true in South and South East Asia, where the Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain religious traditions have coexisted peacefully and harmoniously. The states of Assam and Sikkim in India, as well as Thailand and Cambodia in South East Asia, are some of the most prominent examples of cultural exchange between different religious practices. This is indicative of the fact that, contrary to popular belief, Hindus are not necessarily isolationists.
Much like other major religions, the impact of Hinduism has extended beyond the confines of India. A great example of this is the spread of the Bhakti movement to the Caribbean, where indentured laborers from India established their own form of Hinduism called ‘Sanātan Dharma’. This movement has since spread to various parts of the world, including parts of the United States.
Misconceptions About Hinduism
Hinduism has often been misunderstood and misrepresented in popular discourse, leading to widespread misconceptions about the faith. One of the most prevalent misconceptions is that Hinduism is a polytheistic religion. This is an inaccurate assessment of the faith, as Hindus believe in a single, all-encompassing Supreme Being, while venerating other deities.
A second misconception is that the caste system is integral to the Hindu faith. In reality, caste is an ancient social construct that has little to do with Hindu beliefs. The notion of ‘karma’ is also widely misunderstood and much of the confusion arises from exaggerated descriptions depicting it as a fixed fate that one is doomed to. In reality, karma is a dynamic positivity-reinforcing system that encourages individuals to do good.
Thirdly, some believe Hinduism is static and unchanging. On the contrary, Hinduism is a living religious tradition that has evolved and adapted over millennia in response to external influences. As new ideas and practices come in, the faith continues to shape its understanding of the world. This stems from the core Hindu belief that the search for truth is never-ending and that knowledge is constantly growing.
Modern Practices of Hinduism
Hinduism is today one of the largest and most widely practiced religions in the world. Millions of people across the globe practice this faith, each in their own unique way. Over the centuries, various scholars have established various sects, each with their own liturgy and interpretative approach. This has resulted in several main sects or traditions, of which the main ones are Vaishnavism, Shaivism and Shaktism.
Perhaps the most striking thing about Hinduism is the range of practices it encompasses. From meditation to sacred pilgrimages, Hindus practice a variety of rituals and spiritual paths that have both a religious and cultural significance. In addition, Hinduism is a culture that permeates almost every aspect of life, with stories and symbols woven into literature, art and music.
Prayer and puja (rituals of worship) also form part of everyday Hindu practice. Hindu temples and monasteries are found throughout India, and many people visit these sacred sites to offer their prayers. Pilgrimages are also an important aspect of Hindu practice, with millions of people making the journey to sacred spots across the country each year.
Conclusion
Hinduism is an ancient faith with a living tradition and a diverse set of practices. This originates from its core beliefs in Dharma, Brahman and the divine power of love and truth. Over the millennia, it has been tempered and influenced by its interaction with other cultures and faiths. Today, Hinduism is an incredibly diverse religion, with millions of adherents across the world.
