Hindu Religious Traditions Essay -- essays research papers

Hindu phantasmal TraditionsMost people in the world derive their religious beliefs and traditions from their parents and peer influences. From a religious come in of view, There are many definitions for the term religion in putting surface usage. Broadly defined, in order to include the greatest number of belief systems morality is any specific system of belief about deity, often involving rituals, a code of ethics, and a philosophy of life (Robinson, 1996). However, in examining Hinduism, it is punishing to dog the practices as a religion. This paper will expound upon the Hindu traditions, victorious into account the characteristics of sacred elements, their meaning, and significance. Hindu TraditionsFor thousands of years people have associated objects in the sky, the Earth, and aspects of their physical world with the gods and goddesses of their culture (Windows Team, 2000, Mythology). The Hindu culture is no several(predicate) with the association of several gods and godd esses acknowledged through their traditional worship. Worshipping the many gods and goddesses makes Hinduism difficult to comprehend the many elements of the tradition. The worship of many gods and goddesses is rooted in henotheism. touch in one god without denying the existence of others (Yahooligans Reference, 2000). This way of worship is what makes Hinduism Gordian and hard to understand.In addition, what makes Hinduism even more complex, is that fact that it is also viewed as a monotheistic religion, because it recognizes only one supreme God the panentheistic article of faith of Brahman that all reality is a unity. The entire universe is seen as one divine entity who is simultaneously at one with the universe and who transcends it as well. Still others view Hinduism as Trinitarian because Brahman is simultaneously visualized as a triad - - one God with three persons (Robinson, 1995)Brahma the Creator who is inveterate to create new realitiesVishnu, (Krishna) the Preserver, who preserves these new creations. Whenever Dharma (eternal order, righteousness, religion, law, and duty) is threatened, Vishnu travels from heaven to earth in one of ten incarnationsShiva, the Destroyer, is at times compassionate, erotic, and destructive.Sacred ElementsThus, it is understandable, based on the various gods worshipped in Hinduism that one must look at th... ... largest religion. Retrieved June 13, 2005 from Religious Tolerance sack upsite on the WorldWide meshwork http//www.religioustolerance.org/hinduism.htmRobinson, B.A. (1995). Hinduism A general introduction. Retrieved June 13, 2005from Religious Tolerance Website on the World Wide Web http//www.religioustolerance.org/hinduism2.htmRobinson, B.A. (1996). About specific religions, faith groups, ethical systems, etc.Retrieved whitethorn 31, 2005 from Religious Tolerance Website on the WorldWide Web http//www.religioustolerance.org/var_rel.htmWindows Team (2000). Mythology. Retrieved May 31, 2005 from Windows to theUniverse Database on the World Wide Web http//www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/ cerebrate%3D/mythology/mythology.html%26edu%3DmidWindows Team (2000). Surya. Retrieved June 13, 2005 from Windows to theUniverse Database on the World Wide Webhttp//www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/mythology/surya_sun.htmlYahooligans Reference (2000). The American Heritage Dictionary of the side of meat Language, 4th ed. Retrieved June 13, 2005 from Houghton Mifflin Company on the World Wide Web http//yahooligans.yahoo.com/ credit/dictionary/entries/13/h0151300.html