Beliefs and Tenets That Comprise

¶ … beliefs and tenets that comprise the Hindu religion? What is the history of Hinduism? Are there some things about this faith that are not well-known? Those questions about the beliefs and the history of the religion will be reviewed in this paper.

Review of Relevant Literature

Subhamoy Das explains that Hinduism is the "oldest extant religion" with over a billion followers. That means Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world, although some would argue that Hinduism isn't really a religion but rather a philosophy. To that, Das asserts that Hinduism is actually a "conglomeration of religious, philosophical, and cultural ideas and practices" that had its genesis in India (Das, 2010, p. 1). In fact, over 80% of the Indian population practice Hinduism, Das explains.

The most well-known aspects of Hinduism are: a) the belief in reincarnation; b) the law of cause and effect; c) "one absolute being of multiple manifestations; d) "following the path of righteousness; and e) the desire for liberation from "the cycle of births and deaths" (Das, p. 1). Das explains that Hinduism cannot be "neatly slotted into any particular belief system" and that it is really more a way of living than a strictly regulated religion with dogma.

In fact, Hinduism is known for "Dharma," the law the governs all action. Culturally, Hinduism is said to have been responsible for creating Yoga, Vastu, Puja, Tantra, Vedanta, Karma, Ayurveda, and Vastu. The origins of Hinduism go back to perhaps 10,000 BC, Das writes (p. 1), and the first scriptures (called "The Rig Veda") was written even before 6,5000 BC. Those reviewing the Rig Veda will not find the word "Hindu" or "Hinduism" because "Hindu" was not brought into the faith until foreigners used "Hindu" to describe Indians in the north of the country that lived on the other side of the River Indus, Das explains.

Though there are not specific rituals and dogma in Hinduism, there are "basic tenets," according to the Das article in About.com. The tenets (a "conglomerate of diverse beliefs and traditions") include: Dharma (the list of ethical values and duties); Samsara (rebirth); Karma (right action); and Moksha (liberation from the cycle of Samsara).

On the subject of Moksha, according to an article by Melissa Lorentz of the Minnesota State University Moksha is the "highest goal of Hinduism" -- and that goal is liberation, or Moksha, from the "karmic cycle of death and rebirth." Moksha literally is translated from Sanskrit to mean "release" or "to let loose, let go" and it is likely that the idea of Moksha originated in India by people that were perhaps influenced by Buddhism and Nainism. The Moksha is the final, last release from one's worldly conception of self; it is also accompanied by the coming to grips of the fact of one's fundamental nature as a human.

How to attain Moksha is an interesting component of Hinduism. The four disciplines (or Yogas) that must be obtained prior to achieving Moksha. They are Karma Yoga (that is, working for the Supreme); Jnana Yoga (realizing the Supreme); Raja Yoga (meditating on the Supreme), and Bhakti Yoga (serving the Supreme in a loving devotional way). It is likely that in order to achieve this "release" from the tedium of one's worldly conception of one's self will only be achieved with the guidance of a Guru (or siddha) who provides inspiration but does not intervene on one's behalf.

The key scriptures in Hinduism are referred to as "Shastras" (a collection of spiritual guides and laws revealed by "saints and sages" along the historical route through which Hinduism traveled (Das, p. 1). The deities (gods and goddesses) that are associated with Hinduism number into the "thousands or even millions," Das explains (p. 2). These many deities all represent particular aspects of "Brahman," which is the supreme Absolute, Das goes on. Notwithstanding all those deities, the most powerful and visible of the deities is the "Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva -- creator, preserver and destroyer, respectively" (Das, p. 2). It is also known that Hindus worship trees, planets, animals and spirits.

As mentioned earlier, Hinduism is not worshipped with reference to one particular idea or tenet, hence it is a cultural faith more than a religious faith, according to philosopher Jeaneane Fowler. Hinduism, Fowler writes (quoted by Das), can "never be neatly slotted into any particular belief system" like theism, monotheism, monism, polytheism, pantheism or panentheism. However, all of these belief systems are indeed reflected in the many facets of Hinduism.

Uma Mysorekar writes in the Southern Medical Journal about medical practices and beliefs within Hinduism. For example, a detailed code of "medical ethics" was in place by 600 BC, and it urged practitioners to "lead a life dedicated to caring for the sick" and to "maintain patient confidentiality" (Mysorekar, 2006). If a doctor is doing this particular work to make profit and develop a good name, then he or she must "pray daily for all creatures," Mysorekar explains.