Hinduism

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Please see response attached (also below), including one supporting article. I hope this helps and take care.

RESPONSE:

1. Considering that Hinduism lacks a uniting belief system, what makes up the Hindu religion?

? Interestingly, anyone can become a Hindu. When they are born, everyone is given a choice. The idea is that the path that the person chooses will determine the path in the next life and the person is not forced to worship any particular god or goddess. If your heart is pure, then you can consider yourself a Hindu.

? It is not based on what you believe but, rather, on what you are experiencing - inner peace, joy and freedom. The person must accept that some supernatural power is making us work. Indeed, God is known to have supernatural power. But yet if you think and worship that a tree is that supernatural power, certainly it is so. There are obviously many ways to worship, but yet all Hindus share certain common beliefs (e.g. liberation from the body, prayer, etc.).

? Like you mentioned, it is unlike other religions, as Hinduism is loosely organized. Hinduism is based on nature worship, with many gods and goddesses. There are Hindu priests (Brahmins), but no priest is ranked higher than another. Also, Hindus may worship in a variety of ways (give concrete example). No method is considered better than another. Some Hindus pray every day; while others hardly ever pray. Each person is free to worship in his or her own way. In other words, Hinduism offers a great deal of flexibility; they can choose to believe, which deities to worship, how to worship, where to worship. However they choose to worship, all Hindus share a common heritage that goes back centuries.

? Indeed, if we look deeply into the many-sided vision of Hinduism, we will discover that it has much wisdom to teach everyone. For example, Hinduism is built upon diversity and holds within itself an amazing, even bewildering, variety of teachers and teachings from what appears to be the most primitive forms, to the most abstract spiritual philosophies and yogic practices. One could actually say that there are more religions inside of Hinduism than outside of it; thus, often confusing to the outsider. http://hinduwebsite.com/hinduintrod1.htm

? Hinduism is an Asvaththa Tree - With a structured definition we may be able to capture the essential elements of Hinduism and satisfy our intellectual curiosity. But it is highly doubtful if that would justify the significance of a tradition that began in prehistoric times and eventually grew into a complex system of religious thought and beliefs, which we recognize today under the generic name of "Hinduism". And which has been ...