Background Information
Hinduism is a major religion practiced in India and Nepal, with followers all around the world. It is believed to be the oldest form of religion practiced, with a history of religious tradition that dates back to pre-historic times. It is based on multiple concepts, spiritual and philosophical teachings, doctrines, and a complex ritualistic worship system. It is difficult to define Hinduism in one definition, as it is evolved organically over centuries and its basic tenants are often interpreted differently by different religious sects and individuals. Despite the differences, Hinduism is a unified faith with a one-string connecting it’s many diverse practices.
Doctrines and Practice
Hinduism’s core doctrine revolves around humans reaching moksha, or liberation from the cycle of life and death. Hinduism is a polytheistic religion, where multiple forms of divinity is worshipped, and the core of practice involves devotional worship of multiple gods and goddesses as symbols of universal truths. It is not just about worshipping gods, but about understanding and cultivating one’s own inner energy, which comes from being in harmony with the natural world and understanding one’s own karma.
Practically, the beliefs of Hinduism are realized in multiple ways, both individually and collectively. Private devotion is done at home, but sometimes worship and prayers take place in temples. Hindus perform their own rituals and offerings, visit their deities’ shrines and temples, gather together for festivals and ceremonies, practice yoga, and more. They might even gather together to chant, meditate, and recite sacred scriptures in public.
Varied Beliefs and Ways of Living
There is a great deal of diversity and adaptive qualities within Hinduism, and different sects have different beliefs and practices. For example, some Hindu sects might believe that enlightenment and moksha are found by living a life of devotion, charity and rituals, while others might believe that it comes from personal introspection and meditation. Additionally, other sects may lean towards devotion to one particular deity, or focus heavily on spiritual teachers known as gurus. Ultimately, next to the same core beliefs, Hinduism embraces a diversity of beliefs and ways of living.
Caste System and Rites of Passage
Perhaps one of Hinduism’s more controversial legacies is the caste system, a social hierarchy that keeps members of ‘lower’ castes – such as those who take part in tedious manual labour or those born into a family of servitude – at a distance. While the caste system is less prominent today, it still can be found in everyday Indian society.
Likewise, Hindus may also partake in various rites of passage as they move through different stages such as birth, marriage, and death. Birth and naming ceremonies involve using mantras and offering prayers at temples, while marriage ceremonies may involve more elaborate rituals and first night ceremonies. Hindus may also observe offerings on the death anniversaries of their predecessors, which involve offering food and money at temples and even to the poor.
Modern Context
Modern Hinduism has adapted to many cultural influences, both local and global. Over the course of temple rituals, daily home practices, pilgrimages, and festivals, many Hindu Indians and converts engage in ongoing conversations about the religion and its religiously-inspired practices.
Hinduism is no longer confined to the geographic limits of India, and many Hindus have spread to other parts of the world. Hinduism encompasses a spectrum of beliefs, regularly changing and shifting in response to India’s local, national, and global culture. What connects these distinct practices and beliefs is a shared core philosophy which acknowledges the diverse expressions of the divine and seek a way to live in harmony with the universe.
Social and Political Relevance
As Hinduism continues to evolve and take on new forms influenced by social and political events, it also affects the wider culture in which it is embedded. Hinduism’s beliefs of interconnectedness, dharma, and karma are not just contained within the faith, but have other implications for our understanding of the world and its interconnectedness. Its rituals, pilgrimages, and festivals continue to serve as a way to connect with family and friends in meaningful ways.
Moreover, Hinduism also serves as an important site of cultural and political discourse. Many political and social movements, specifically within India, take place in the name of Hinduism, creating cultural movements and challenging orthodoxy. Many of which, too, spread abroad to countries with Hindu populations looking to take agency and control of their own lives and societal conditions.
Foundations of Hinduism
Hinduism’s scriptures and religions scriptures are an important source of ritual and practice. Primary scriptures in Hinduism include the ancient texts of the Vedas and Upanishads, as well as the Laws of Manu and other epics and texts. These holy texts of Hinduism carry profound universal truths, and often appear to contradict each other, reflecting the syncretic and occasionally contradictory nature of the faith.
The texts are considered by some to have a single fundamental truth: that the individual self and the universal truth (or Brahman) are one. Through meditation and self-reflection, Hindus strive to find this truth and reconcile these dual aspects of existence. This understanding of central truth is the basis of many teachings, practices, and rituals in Hinduism, providing insight into the rich spiritual and ethical path.
Future Prospects of Hinduism
Hinduism as a faith has changed organically, and will continue to change in the future. The increasing immigration of Indians and Nepalese people to other parts of the world provides opportunities for Hinduism to adapt and grow in a global context. Technology has allowed Hindus to study and explore the scriptures more closely, and mobile applications and social media are providing all kinds of new avenues of practice and religious understanding.
However, the religion may also face difficulties. Rapid modernization has changed India’s socio-political landscape and may pose a threat to the cultural and structural preservation of Hinduism’s rituals and practices. Additionally, with the spread of globalization and increasing contacts with other cultures, some aspects of Hinduism’s traditional cultural framework could be lost.
Forging New Forms of Hinduism
Today, Hindus are not only culturally preserving the traditional spiritual and moral practices of the faith that have been passed down for generations, but also forging new forms of Hinduism. For example, modern Hindus are integrating new philosophies and motivations into their faith by engaging in new types of spiritual practice, engaging in religious interfaith dialogue, and using technology to reinterpret and reimagine the religion in a contemporary setting.
Modern Hindus are continuing to adapt the faith to their ever-changing lived reality and are creating new ways to practice and understand the religious principals of Hinduism. Whether it’s through participating in interfaith activities, engaging in new forms of worship, or reinterpreting their religious texts through digital platforms, Hinduism will continue to stay at the forefront of religious and cultural evolution.
