History acknowledges Hinduism as one of the oldest surviving world religion without an identifiable founder. This religion is known to be practiced by millions of people across the world though the majorities are in the sub Sahara of India. The paper is an attempt to explore some of the basic religious phenomena of Hinduism. Among many issues that I am exploring in this paper, I am interested to journey through the Historical background of this religion. As we go on the paper explains the social structure, sacred Literature, teaching as well as beliefs of this religion. At the end, the paper is surveying fundamental observances and practices of Hinduism.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF HINDUISM
Hinduism seems to be a religion that gave its birth after different traditions, cultures, and beliefs from different ethnical groups of people mingled. The history of Hinduism began with the migrating waves of Aryans people into India during the second millennium Bc 1 The religion that the Aryans brought with them mingled with the religion of the native people, and culture that developed between them became classical Hinduism. It was this group called Aryan that invaded the area of Indus valley and then extended their influence all over India. No doubt that the inhabitants were inspired by these invaders. The term Hindu is a corrupted term sindhu, the Sanskrit name of Indus River. The Persians, who found it difficult to pronounce an initial s, called it Hindu. From Persian the corrupted word has been used across the world2. The off-shorts of Hinduism are Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism.
Despite being an ancient religion, Hinduism is still having a great impact in the lives of people today. Historical Hinduism is a religion of many gods. It eventually grew through the combination of philosophical views of that focused on the idea that every human kind is part of the whole like cells in a body. Though history credits this religion as an ancient one, research shows that it is only a recent import to the west. However, it continues to be viable force in the lives of millions. Its temples, gods’ festivals continue to fulfill the need of the lives today.
HINDU SOCIAL STRUCTURE
History acknowledges Hinduism as a distinct and unique religion than any other religion that ever existed. The outstanding feature of Hinduism is its system of social stratification that is called Varna literally color. Scholars and other Historians has been debating that the system has no historical counterpart in terms of persistence of continuity. However on the other hand, other scholars has an idea about the origin of this system as Nigosiah wrote. Some maintain that the caste system developed out of multiracial nature of India society, although it is not clear whether that development predated or postdated the arrival of the Aryans 3 Consequently there are four major classes that build up the social structure of Hinduism.
The Brahmana or Brahmin.
The name Brahmin is derived from their god by the name Brahman. It is believed and widely repeated that he is a Great creator of the universe. No wonder this social group was the first high rank hold the central place of power in Hindu society. The Brahmins were priest, the spiritual and intellectual leaders of the society. They devolted their time studying, teaching, performing sacrifices and officiating at religious services.4
The Kshatriyas
This was a special social group, which is responsible in issues relating to protection and administration. Rulers, warriors as well as nobles impregnated the group. The group is also responsible in promoting the material warfare of the society.
The Vaisya
As we go down the ladder of social groups in Hinduism religion, Vaisya is a group that is impregnated with people like farmers, merchants as well as traders. This group is the one that drives the economic train of the society.
Sudras
The Sudras are the group of people who are very effective in the production process. This social group is bombarded with laborers and servants5. A lot of historians recognize that all the above-mentioned groups depended on this group for manual labour and services
The Chandalas or untouchables.
The group emerged as the last group in the society whose status in the areas of social, material is so low that they are not qualified to fall in any other class. That is one of the reasons why they are excluded from communal rituals. In some parts of India, Chandalas are forbidden access to certain public roads and bazaars. They are not allowed entrance to certain temple and permitted to draw water from public wells. Gandhi who stood as one of the most outstanding Hindu leader of modern era referred to the untouchables as hajiran-“children of God.5
The philosophical criterion for classification of these social groups is determined by birth. Each individual’s birth into a particular social group is determined by the past karma-actions of the person. It is very prerequisite that each class is responsible in appointing its own rulers and established its own customs and values.
HINDU SACRED LITERATURE
Shruti.
The word shruti means hearing, and implies to group of writings that represent eternal, sacred knowledge. They revealed to the group of people called the Seers or Rishis and transmitted orally for the other generations by the Brahmins.6 It is believed that this scripture included other writings known as Vedas which means knowledge or sacred. Under this collection thousands of hyms, prayers, praise of group of deities, magical spells, verses were all preserved. The Brahmans are the voluminous body of writing that describe the details for ritual observations and scarifies. The other collection of writing that was included in this sacred volume is called Upanishads. Tradition acknowledges this collection as the one contains with the basic philosophical framework of Hindu religion. Some scholars contented that the Upanishad is the back born of the religion. Upanishad assume that there is only one reality imperial god-being called Brahman7
Smriti
This is one of the two classes of Hindu scriptures. Smriti means memory and it identifies writings that represent tradition, knowledge remembered and transmitted from generation to generation8 Just like Shruti this writing includes also other special collection of related items. Code of Manu is one major writing collected in this volume. This I s apiece of traditional Indians literature which was produced during the classical era. History buy the idea that probably the ethical code of Manu was compiled sometimes back before the century. It is believed that in Hindu world this writing is accepted as the most complete expression of Hindu sacred law as Miller a Historian put: It is a statement of all the moral and ethical ideals. It contains the prohibitions that one would except against murder, theft, and sexual immorality9.
HINDU BELIEFS AND TEACHINGS
In order to understand the Hindu views of life I give contend the fact that it is an essential to grasp the foundation presuppositions which Hindu as religion believe and teach. History recognizes the fact that central belief of Hinduism is incorporate around three concepts: Absolute Reality, Rebirth and Liberation. But it is very prerequisite to note that Hinduism as religion worship many gods.
Absolute Reality.
Generally, Hindu philosophers often speak and teach Absolute, that is universal spirit, or god called Brahman. Hindu believes that the world is really Brahman, in other ways all matter and especially biological and human life are only temporally manifestations coming from universe10. This might be one of the reason why in their teaching no line of difference between the creator and the creation. Hinduism believe all things include people are essentially “God” but the ignorance is the key factor of this truth. It is noted that life according to Hindu religion is all about searching Absolute Reality.
To achieve this goal Hinduism theology clearly states that a person has to renounce the world as Norman writes; A Hindu has to give up family and all physical comforts, undertake pilgrimages to sacred rivers live alone in dense jungles11. What is so special with the Hindu philosophy is that there is no distinction between belief in all- embracing, omnipotent God and worship of variety of gods and goddesses in the Hindu pantheon. Just to mention a few some of the deities are Varuna: the sky god who maintains cosmic order and protect moral action. Rudra: the god of violence, disease and death. Agni, god of fire. The list of gods and goddesses goes on and on.
Reincarnation/Samsara
This is the second basic teaching of Hinduism. This idea of rebirth into new birth has be consistently taught and clustered in Hinduism theology through centuries and centures. The doctrine says that all forms of life are somehow reborn after death. In Hinduism world, the popular term as counterfeit to reincarnation or rebirth is Karma, which means action or work. Philosophy states that reincarnation into either good or bad life is the result of the accrued past Karma or action. Scholars have echoed that incarnation is beginning less in most cases endless. It is neither a process of purification nor cycle of progress but perpetual sequence of rebirth in one form or another. For instance if a person has lived bad life, he can be reborn as a person who pays for his previous sins (Karma) by experiencing suffering and poverty.
Liberation
Liberation or self-salvation as other scholars write is credited as a single profound goal of Hinduism. Their most concern is for the soul to be separated form the body. The soul is eternal and therefore shares the very essence of reality. The souls is not involved in any sin done by the body. The body is the prison house of the soul.12 . Hindus believe that good and evil are related to the degree of attachment of the soul to the individual self. In this case salvation is thought of in terms of relationship of the soul to the absolute reality or to God. Liberation from the circles of rebirth is what really means salvation to Hinduism.
The process of liberation, release from bondage of ignorance and to complete union with Brahman is done specifically through three paths, which are called Margas. The first one is called path of duties. Karma Marga. This path represents the methodology fulfillment of rites ceremonies and social obligations including sacrificing to the duties.13 Nigosian. (P37)
The second path is called the path of knowledge. Jnana Marga. Those who are intellectually mature prescribe this path. The idea behind is to enable the aspirant to attain ultimate bliss through perception and realization of the sole reality of Brahman. Scholars say that to reach the ultimate realization requires long preparation and self-discipline. The third path is called Bhakti Marga, path of devotion. This path has been considered as the one, which help Hindu to raise heights of spiritual elevation. The most notable elements within this path of elevation are the surrender of self to deity of divine being, private acts of devotions and temple worship.
The final verse of the Hindu sacred text says in connection to path of devotion. Abandoning every duty, come to me alone for refuge; I will release thee from all sin, sorrow not (Bhagavad-Gita- XVII. 62, 65)14
HINDU OBSERVANCES AND PRACTICES
World Religious scholars pointed out that Hindu religion inclusively emphasize on performances of numerous rituals that had to be observed in every day of the life stage of a Hindu. Ritual purification is one of the emphasized rituals that play a great part in Hindu religion. Only those who practice cleanliness are qualified to witness Abraham15. Other observable ritual includes, meditation, Every Hindu makes fire offering daily to gods and ancestors, animal and poor. Tending sacred household fire, recitation of texts, visiting holy places, pilgrimages, participating all the festivals and other minor rituals.
CONCLUSION
In general Hinduism is believed to be a religion that is very broad and wide. However, despite all that is good and noble in Hinduism, it fails to offer real hope especially in the battle against the evil powers. All the social structures, teachings, practices, and other observances don’t change the spiritual life positively as compares to Christianity. Ultimately there is no redemption in Hinduism because there is no recognition of Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. However regardless these religious phenomena differences that cut across Hinduism and Christianity, Hinduism today is one of the outstanding religion in the world.
Reference:
Hopfe, Lewis M. Religions of the World, Macmillan Publishing company, New York 1987
Jayaran V. (2009) Hinduism and Belief in One God. Retrieved on 13th May 2009 from htpp// www.hinduwebsite.com
Miller, M.Stephen. Misguiding Lights, Beacon Hill Press of Kansas city, Missouri 1991.
Melissa S. L. (2008) Basic Beliefs of Hinduism. Retrieved on 10th June 2009 from http// www.religion.hinduism. Com
Mugambi. J.N comparative Study of Religious, Interface printers Ltd, Nairobi Kenya 1993
Nigosian S.A. World Religions, A Historical Approach. Macmillan Press Ltd 2002.
Norman, J.Anderson,.The worlds Religions. WM B. Eardmans publishing C./ Grand Rapids Michigan 1975.
Smart, Nianian. The Religious Experience of Mankind 2nd ed. Charles Scribe Library of Congress, USA 1969.
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