Hindu Religious Traditions Essay -- essays research papers

Hindu Religious TraditionsMost people in the world derive their religious whimseys and traditions from their parents and peer influences. From a religious point of view, There are galore(postnominal) definitions for the term religion in common usage. Broadly defined, in order to include the greatest number of belief systems Religion 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 difficult to mark off the practices as a religion. This paper will expound upon the Hindu traditions, taking 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 corporal world with the gods and goddesses of their culture (Windows Team, 2000, Mythology). The Hindu culture is no different with the association of several gods and goddesses ac knowledged 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. Belief in one god without denying the existence of others (Yahooligans bring up, 2000). This way of worship is what makes Hinduism complex and hard to understand.In addition, what makes Hinduism horizontal more complex, is that fact that it is also viewed as a monotheistic religion, because it recognizes only one supreme God the panentheistic principle 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 visualise as a triad - - one God with three persons (Robinson, 1995)Brahma the Creator who is continuing to create new realitiesVishnu, (Krishna) the Preserver, who preser ves these new creations. Whenever Dharma (eternal order, righteousness, religion, law, and duty) is threatened, Vishnu travels from heaven to realm 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 Website on the WorldWide Web 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). to the highest degree specific religions, faith groups, ethical systems, etc.Retrieved May 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 theUnivers e Database on the World Wide Web http//www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link%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 English Language, 4th ed. Retrieved June 13, 2005 from Houghton Mifflin Company on the World Wide Web http//yahooligans.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entries/13/h0151300.html