Introduction
Hinduism is one of the most prime and indigenous religion of the Hindus. It stands as one of the oldest and distinctive religious traditions owing to the fact that its origins are not founded on prophetic ways compared to religions such as Christianity, Islam and Buddhism (Flood 23). In addition, the distinctiveness of Hinduism is based on the fact that its teachings of a particular prophet or any dogmas that were preached by a given people, implying that it is a religion that is free from devotion. This essay attempts to analyze the religion of Hinduism by putting into consideration the characteristics that are common to all religious traditions.
Hinduism embraces the aspect of sacrifices as a form of thanksgiving through the Yagna, which is beseeched by priests who are qualified, as a form of worship whereby the offerings are made to the various goddesses in a prearranged and methodical manner. The priests usually serve to assist the worshipper to achieve some certain desired life outcomes, which may be the welfare of the individual, the society as a whole or a particular group of people. Yagna can take various forms with the simplest being the lighting of a sacred fire, after which offerings are poured to the sacred fire. Sacrifices are in the form of selected food substances and animals that are selected by the qualified priests. The fundament belief of Hinduism is that the religion believes in the value of sacrifice and the aspect of merit, which are attained after the undertaking of charity works in order to reduce suffering during the afterlife (Knott 89).
The second aspect of Hinduism is that it is entails various rituals, which are conducted depending on the objective such as, worship and thanksgiving among many other reasons. A significant characteristic of Hinduism religion is the distinction between purity and pollution. An important aspect of Hinduism is that the practitioner of the rituals must neutralize his impurities before undertaking any form of ritualistic practices. Just like many religions, purification in Hinduism is often done using water. Some of the forms of rituals practiced in Hinduism include meditation, the chanting of mantras, reciting scripts from religious scriptures, and so many others (Senker 120).
Beliefs also form an integral element of Hinduism. Beliefs can be defined as particular concepts that the members of a religious group uphold to foster their well being and a sensitivity of security. With respect to Hinduism, its practitioners hold the view that it evolved organically by use of intrinsic innovation and incorporation of external traditions into the Hindu way of life. The outcome of this is that the religion spread its wings into the entire sub continent of India. An important belief in Hinduism is that it guarantees total freedom of worship. According to Hinduism, the world is perceived as a single family that adores the single truth; as a result, Hinduism embraces all other forms of beliefs, and ignores other religious beliefs that attempt to divide the one identity (Narayanan 89). Some of the most common beliefs in Hinduism include the Dharma, which specifies the ethics and duties; the Karma, which specifies the actions and their respective reactions; the Yogas, which identifies various paths and many more beliefs.
Ethical codes are another integral characteristic of Hinduism, whereby the religion principally focuses on ethical discipline at various levels. Ethical codes are the fundamental building blocks of the various religious philosophies of the Hindu religion. According to Hinduism, ethics helps a religious practitioner in the progress of religious path. For example, the Moshka presupposes that any individual who upholds a religious life achieves freedom (Knott 100).
Hinduism also offers explanation for various supernatural and natural phenomenons that the religion holds on to. For instance, a fundamental explanation for its existence bases on the concept of organic evolution and the spread into the sub continent of India, which resulted to the embracement of religious diversity (Flood 58). Basing on the fact that Hinduism is based on the concept of total freedom of worship; the religion provides an explanation for almost all the religious aspects and the being of their deity’s.
Spirituality is also an important aspect of Hinduism, as evident by their religious beliefs regarding the distinction between the physical life and after life. Hinduism approach to after life is based on the perception that peace during after life is achieved by undertaking good deeds in the physical life. Hinduism teachings have a clear distinction of the relationship that exists between the physical world and the human soul, owing to the fact that the development of the afterlife is determined by the deeds that a person undertakes in the physical world (Senker 74).
With respect to the explanation of the purpose of human existence in Hinduism, the objectives of human life are divided into four fundamental stages, which are Dharma, which a stage of righteousness; Artha, which is a stage of wealth and livelihood; Kama, which is a stage of sensual pleasure; and Moksa, which is a stage of liberation and freedom. The goal of life in Hinduism is usually determined by the paths outlined in the Yoga. A mythical perspective towards Hinduism is also an important characteristic in the religion. Hinduism has its own creation story, just like other religions (Narayanan 89).
Conclusion
Despite the vast differences with other religions in terms of the characteristics that are common to all religions, an important aspect of Hinduism is its concept of total freedom of religion, in the sense that it embraces all other religious forms that encourage unity in divinity and dismisses religious beliefs that are out to seek division in the cause of divinity.
Works cited
Flood, Gavin. An introduction to Hinduism. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1996.
Knott, Kim. Hinduism: a very short introduction. Oxford : University Press, 2000.
Narayanan, Vasudha. Hinduism. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, , 2009.
Senker, Cath. Hinduism: Signs, Symbols, and Stories. New York : The Rosen Publishing Group,
2009.
