Good Example Of Hinduism In Contemporary Society Essay

Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion in the world with close to a billion followers. Unlike other religious factions, Hinduism is seen as an all-inclusive group a point clearly outlined by the thousands of Indian religious groups that are affiliated to it. Apart from its constituent groups, Hinduisms’ tolerance can be witnessed from the lack of a singular theological system, deity or holy text for that matter (Religious Tolerance). Hinduism stresses that all religions are but facets of a whole-a singular truth.
One of the fundamental beliefs of Hinduism is that life-mans and the universe in general-consists of a continuous circle of alternating stages of “creation, preservation and dissolution” (Himalayan Academy). The contribution of Hindu religious beliefs and practices spans all spheres imaginable. It includes medicine, the use of holistic medicine commonly referred to as Ayurveda; Arts (design temples and sculpturing of deities) and even mathematics (concept of zero).
The most widespread of these Hindu practices is that of meditation and Yoga. Yoga, physical, mental and spiritual exercise, aims at cleansing the mind, body and soul of the person engaging in it. This practice has become world-renown and can be seen as the life-blood of the spa and fitness industry of the 21st century. Steve Jobs, one of the world’s leading innovators, has been noted to be an ardent practitioner of yoga. This practice has been noted as being at the fore in enabling him attain self-realization (Yoga Journal).
Astronomy has been one of the fields of science close to the hearts of many Hindus. Their wish to understand the heavens have been recorded as among the pioneering works that detail the existence of the solar system and bring to the fore understanding of how it operates. The fact of the sun being the center of the solar system has been recorded in Sanskrit texts as early as 500A.D. (Hindu American Foundation). Other aspects enshrined in Hindu scriptures are aspects of the 365 day calendar.