Introduction
Hinduism is an ancient religion that has been in practice for thousands of years and is still practised throughout many countries in the world today. It is considered one of the oldest living religions in the world and has its own unique customs, beliefs and practices.
There has been some debate as to whether Hinduism is a universalizing or ethnic religion. In this article, the term ‘universalizing’ is used to refer to religions that are practiced by people of different cultures, nationalities and ethnicities, whereas the term ‘ethnic’ is used to refer to religions that are practiced by people of a certain ethnic group.
This article will discuss the idea of Hinduism being a universalizing or ethnic religion, by looking at evidence from Hindu texts and beliefs, as well as some expert opinions.
Hinduism as a Universalizing Religion
Proponents of Hinduism as a universalizing religion argue that the sacred texts and religious beliefs of Hinduism pertain to all people. They point to the various gods and goddesses represented in Hinduism, and how they are not limited to those of a certain ethnicity, but are open to all.
These proponents point out that being a Hindu does not require any particular ethnicity, and instead can be practiced by anyone from any culture or religion.
Furthermore, Hinduism does not have set rules for conversion, meaning that anyone can identify as Hindu regardless of which country or culture they come from. Hinduism also does not adhere to one single book, such as the Bible or Koran, with all its rules, but instead teaches of many different texts, such as the Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads and more.
Hinduism as an Ethnic Religion
Those who argue that Hinduism is an ethnic religion point to the fact that Hinduism is primarily practiced in India and other countries in South Asia. They argue that while Hinduism may be practiced by people from different cultures and religions, the majority of Hindus are South Asian and Indian in origin, and thus it has an ethnic element.
Evidence from a survey conducted in 2018 by the Pew Research Center supports this argument, showing that 84% of those who self-identify as Hindus reside in South Asia. Furthermore, Hindus do follow certain traditions that are unique to their culture, such as the practice of caste and the concept of reincarnation.
Experts who focus on Hinduism also argue that the term ‘Hinduism’ itself is itself an ethnic term. According to them, the term ‘Hindu’ was initially used by outsiders to refer to the people living in the region around the Indus River, which is now known as India.
Perspectives from Experts and Data
Experts on Hinduism have different views on the nature of Hinduism. According to some, while Hinduism may contain universalizing elements, it is ultimately an ethnic religion due to its origins and geographical focus.
On the other hand, other experts argue that Hinduism is a universalizing religion, with elements such as allowing for open worship of all gods, allowing for the concept of karma, and placing emphasis on the idea of a single Universal God, causes it to be inclusive and open to people of all cultures and religions.
Data from the 2010 census of India shows that the majority of those practising Hinduism, 93.4%, lived in India and states that Hinduism is India’s most practice religion.
Analysis
The debate as to whether Hinduism is a universalizing or ethnic religion is still ongoing. While both primary evidence and expert opinion support both points of view, it is clear that Hinduism is more widely practiced in India, and therefore it is likely an ethnic religion.
Furthermore, while Hinduism may allow for the practice of different gods and beliefs, the fact that it is largely centered around South Asia and Indian culture causes it to be associated with ethnicity. Therefore, it can be concluded that Hinduism is largely an ethnic religion.
Caste System
One of the main factors in determining whether Hinduism is a universalizing or ethnic religion is looking at the caste system. The caste system is an ancient system that has been in Indian society for thousands of years, and it is still used today.
The caste system is based on rigid social divisions and assigns individuals to a certain hierarchy based on their birth. This system is used to limit social mobility, as individuals are not allowed to marry or mix with members of other castes. This has caused the caste system to be criticised as oppressive and exclusive, weakening the argument that Hinduism is a universalizing religion.
While there is some effort to challenge and reform the traditional caste system, it remains an integral part of Hinduism and is another factor in determining its status as a universalizing or ethnic religion.
Scriptures
The Scriptures of Hinduism is another aspect that should be looked at to determine whether it is a universalizing or ethnic religion. Hinduism does not have a single holy book like other faiths, such as the Bible or Koran, but instead follows various scriptures and traditions. Many of these scriptures are very old, going back centuries, and contain teachings and stories specific to Hinduism as a religion.
The teachings of Hinduism are often seen as some of the most foundational aspects of its belief system. Thus, the fact that Hinduism’s scriptures are based largely around Indian culture, in contrast with other religions with global breadth, reinforces the idea that Hinduism may be primarily ethnic in nature.
Role of Hinduism in India
Overall, Hinduism is deeply embedded into Indian culture, and thus it is difficult to definitively label it as a universalizing or ethnic religion. While Hinduism may appear to have universal values on one hand, due to its openness to different gods and beliefs, its origins and geographical focus ties it to India and its culture.
In India, Hinduism is deeply intertwined into everyday life, with many of its festivals and celebrations widely celebrated by the whole country. This further cements its status as an ethnicity religion due to its close association with Indian culture.
Furthermore, Hinduism also has a long history of being used to oppress certain ethnic groups in India, thereby lending further support to the argument that it is an ethnic religion.
