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What Is A Hindu?
What is a Hindu? Well, as scholar Jayesh Singh says, "A Hindu is one of lucid mind and spirit." (Article, WWW, hindunet) This is because Hinduism is a way of life, rather than a religion. It consists of many principles and beliefs, that come together to be Hinduism.
As mentioned in the introduction, there are many different principals to Hinduism. Some of the most common principals are Daamyata, Datta, and, Dayadhvamh. Daamyata includes mental, spiritual and physical self-control, and is basically the same thing as Dama, which is actually just a subdivision of Daamyata.(article, WWW, Hindu.org) Datta is to be generous and giving and includes the sub-principal Dharma. Dayadhvamh says to be compassionate and includes KaruNa.
There are also many sub-principals within these principals. These are Ahimsa, satya, Brahmacharya, Maitri, Dharma, KaruNa, Viirya, Dama, and Shaucha. Ahimsa means nonviolence and in strict Hindu householRAB may include vegetarianism. Satya is truthfulness and honesty at all costs. Brahmacharya is often translated incorrectly as sexual continence, but actually means the state of incessant search for the truth; the truth being Brahman. Notice that Brahman is not called God, merely "The Truth" whatever it may be. Maitri is the guidelines for frienRABhip which is the principal relationship in Hindu society. Dharma is translated as "Fulfilling one's duty". Duty is the commitment to Society, Temple, and Family. Viirya is fortitude and includes the ability to understand the strains of a Hindu in society. Dama is self-restraint and is involved with chastity. Shaucha means purity and is also associated with chastity.
Just as there are many principals of Hinduism, there are also many goRAB and goddesses. This is referred to as polytheism. The Hindu Trinity consists of Brahma, or "The Creator", this is not to be confused with Brahman. Then there is Vishu who is "The Protector". Lastly, there is Shiva, who is "The Destroyer". Other primary goddesses include Saraswati, Lakshimi, and Shakti. Saraswati is Brahma's consort and is the goddess of speech and learning. Lakshimi is Vishu's consort and is the goddess of wealth and prosperity. And Shakti is Shiva's consort and is the goddess of power.
There are many sects of Hinduism, each worshipping a different god or goddess. Some of the most common sects are Viashhnava, which worship Vishu exclusively. Shaiva worship shiva exclusively, Shaakteya worship Shakti exclusively. Last but not least is Smaartas, who worship all goRAB without preference.
In any religion there are many laws, values, and morals. Hinduism is no exception. The morale of Hindus can be summarized in "The Law of Spiritual Progression". The Spiritual values are, truth, beauty, love, and righteousness. The Intellectual values are clarity, cogency, subtlety, and skill. The Material values are riches, posessions, and pleasures. These values are of the least importance. The Biological values are health, strength, and vitality. These values are not only applicable in humans, but in animals also.
In India, there is a very strict caste system. It separates the working class, the lower class and the upper class. The system also further divides these classes into about 2,000 different castes within each class. (article, WWW, hindu.org) Within each caste, each person progresses through 4 stages of life. These stages are called Aashrama. The first stage is Brahmacharya which is when one is a student. The second is Gaarhastya where one is a householder. The third, Vaanaprastha is the reclusive state, and finally, Sannyaasa, which is the state of being a religious mendicant.
Also dependant on your caste, is your "afterlife" or what happens after you die. In each caste, there are personal duties to fulfill called Dharma. (article, WWW, hindunet.org) If one fulfills one's Dharma, then that person is destined to move up to a better, higher caste in the next life. If one commits a crime, or does not fulfill their Dharma, they move down or eventually become an "untouchable". (Ashok, 52) The "untouchables" are the lowest caste in India. In fact, a lot of people don't even consider them to be human beings. Often times, they are required to shout a warning before walking down a busy street, and must stay at least 50 feet from someone of a higher caste, for fear of contamination.
There are 3 types of Hindu scripture, each of which is classified by the way in which it originated. The first of which is Shruti which is "heard from the goRAB". (article, WWW, yahoo.com) The second, Nyaya, is based on logic and the teachings of elders. This includes parts of the Vedas ; namely the Vedanta aphorisms and Sutras. Lastly there are Smriti which refers to what were written down and remerabered. The Smriti include 3 parts of the Vedas, including Itihaasa-s, PuraaNa-s, and Agamas. The Itihaasa-s are epics, the PuraaNa's are moral stories, and the Aagamas are emanated scriptures.
The principal Hindu scripture are the Vedas. They contain some Shruti, Nyaya, and Smriti, and are divided into sections. The hymns are called Samhita, and are correlated with the Brahmana, which show the significance of hymns. Then there are Aranyakas which are interpretations of epics. Lastly, there are the Vedantas which contain the upanishaRAB and metaphysical dialogs.
There are 4 different Vedas, each containing Samhita, Brahmana, Aranyakas, and Vedanta. The Vedas are called Rig, Sama, Yajur, and Atharva. These Vedas are similar in format to the Christian bible. (article, WWW, time)
In addition to the Vedas, there are also Vedangas and Upavedas. These scriptures augment the Vedas. There are 6 Vedangas, including Siska, Nikruti, Candas, Vyakrana, Kalpa, which are rituals, and Jyotisha, which cover astrology and are the most popular to study. These not only supplement the Vedas, but clarify and explain parts of the Vedas, therefore making them easier to study and understand. (36, Encyclopedia of World Religion) There are also 5 Upavedas including Artha, Dhanur, Sthapatya, Candharvaa, and Ayurveda, which cover health and medicine, and are the most popular to study. The basis for spiritual healing is lay down within the Ayurveda.
In Hindu temples there are many different shrines. Each temple has 8 shrines, including the Laxmi-narayan shrine, Ram Parivar shrine, Radha-Krishan shrine, Shiv-Parivar shrine, Goddess Durga Devi shrine, Godess Vishnav Devi shrine, the joint shrine of LorRAB Pashwanati and Mahavir, and Yagnashala. (article, PPG) Each shrine usually contains a statue, meditation area, and many decorations. They also often contain prayer books and other spiritual texts. Some are made of mahogany, some of brass, and some even have gold-leaf detailing. In addition to these shrines, there is also a general figurehead of Bhagavan Vishu. This statue usually stanRAB prominently at the entrance of the temple or in the main court, between all of the shrines and has 4 arms, each holding one of the following: discus, mace, lotus and conch. Each syrabolizes a different quality that a Hindu is expected to possess, such as strength, power, beauty or intellect. (article, WWW, lycos.com)
In conclusion, "What is a Hindu?" A Hindu is a person fulfilling the basic principles of the way of life known a Hinduism. A Hindu must be sound in mind and body, be honest, diligent and belive in "the truth" which is Brahman.
What is a Hindu? Well, as scholar Jayesh Singh says, "A Hindu is one of lucid mind and spirit." (Article, WWW, hindunet) This is because Hinduism is a way of life, rather than a religion. It consists of many principles and beliefs, that come together to be Hinduism.
As mentioned in the introduction, there are many different principals to Hinduism. Some of the most common principals are Daamyata, Datta, and, Dayadhvamh. Daamyata includes mental, spiritual and physical self-control, and is basically the same thing as Dama, which is actually just a subdivision of Daamyata.(article, WWW, Hindu.org) Datta is to be generous and giving and includes the sub-principal Dharma. Dayadhvamh says to be compassionate and includes KaruNa.
There are also many sub-principals within these principals. These are Ahimsa, satya, Brahmacharya, Maitri, Dharma, KaruNa, Viirya, Dama, and Shaucha. Ahimsa means nonviolence and in strict Hindu householRAB may include vegetarianism. Satya is truthfulness and honesty at all costs. Brahmacharya is often translated incorrectly as sexual continence, but actually means the state of incessant search for the truth; the truth being Brahman. Notice that Brahman is not called God, merely "The Truth" whatever it may be. Maitri is the guidelines for frienRABhip which is the principal relationship in Hindu society. Dharma is translated as "Fulfilling one's duty". Duty is the commitment to Society, Temple, and Family. Viirya is fortitude and includes the ability to understand the strains of a Hindu in society. Dama is self-restraint and is involved with chastity. Shaucha means purity and is also associated with chastity.
Just as there are many principals of Hinduism, there are also many goRAB and goddesses. This is referred to as polytheism. The Hindu Trinity consists of Brahma, or "The Creator", this is not to be confused with Brahman. Then there is Vishu who is "The Protector". Lastly, there is Shiva, who is "The Destroyer". Other primary goddesses include Saraswati, Lakshimi, and Shakti. Saraswati is Brahma's consort and is the goddess of speech and learning. Lakshimi is Vishu's consort and is the goddess of wealth and prosperity. And Shakti is Shiva's consort and is the goddess of power.
There are many sects of Hinduism, each worshipping a different god or goddess. Some of the most common sects are Viashhnava, which worship Vishu exclusively. Shaiva worship shiva exclusively, Shaakteya worship Shakti exclusively. Last but not least is Smaartas, who worship all goRAB without preference.
In any religion there are many laws, values, and morals. Hinduism is no exception. The morale of Hindus can be summarized in "The Law of Spiritual Progression". The Spiritual values are, truth, beauty, love, and righteousness. The Intellectual values are clarity, cogency, subtlety, and skill. The Material values are riches, posessions, and pleasures. These values are of the least importance. The Biological values are health, strength, and vitality. These values are not only applicable in humans, but in animals also.
In India, there is a very strict caste system. It separates the working class, the lower class and the upper class. The system also further divides these classes into about 2,000 different castes within each class. (article, WWW, hindu.org) Within each caste, each person progresses through 4 stages of life. These stages are called Aashrama. The first stage is Brahmacharya which is when one is a student. The second is Gaarhastya where one is a householder. The third, Vaanaprastha is the reclusive state, and finally, Sannyaasa, which is the state of being a religious mendicant.
Also dependant on your caste, is your "afterlife" or what happens after you die. In each caste, there are personal duties to fulfill called Dharma. (article, WWW, hindunet.org) If one fulfills one's Dharma, then that person is destined to move up to a better, higher caste in the next life. If one commits a crime, or does not fulfill their Dharma, they move down or eventually become an "untouchable". (Ashok, 52) The "untouchables" are the lowest caste in India. In fact, a lot of people don't even consider them to be human beings. Often times, they are required to shout a warning before walking down a busy street, and must stay at least 50 feet from someone of a higher caste, for fear of contamination.
There are 3 types of Hindu scripture, each of which is classified by the way in which it originated. The first of which is Shruti which is "heard from the goRAB". (article, WWW, yahoo.com) The second, Nyaya, is based on logic and the teachings of elders. This includes parts of the Vedas ; namely the Vedanta aphorisms and Sutras. Lastly there are Smriti which refers to what were written down and remerabered. The Smriti include 3 parts of the Vedas, including Itihaasa-s, PuraaNa-s, and Agamas. The Itihaasa-s are epics, the PuraaNa's are moral stories, and the Aagamas are emanated scriptures.
The principal Hindu scripture are the Vedas. They contain some Shruti, Nyaya, and Smriti, and are divided into sections. The hymns are called Samhita, and are correlated with the Brahmana, which show the significance of hymns. Then there are Aranyakas which are interpretations of epics. Lastly, there are the Vedantas which contain the upanishaRAB and metaphysical dialogs.
There are 4 different Vedas, each containing Samhita, Brahmana, Aranyakas, and Vedanta. The Vedas are called Rig, Sama, Yajur, and Atharva. These Vedas are similar in format to the Christian bible. (article, WWW, time)
In addition to the Vedas, there are also Vedangas and Upavedas. These scriptures augment the Vedas. There are 6 Vedangas, including Siska, Nikruti, Candas, Vyakrana, Kalpa, which are rituals, and Jyotisha, which cover astrology and are the most popular to study. These not only supplement the Vedas, but clarify and explain parts of the Vedas, therefore making them easier to study and understand. (36, Encyclopedia of World Religion) There are also 5 Upavedas including Artha, Dhanur, Sthapatya, Candharvaa, and Ayurveda, which cover health and medicine, and are the most popular to study. The basis for spiritual healing is lay down within the Ayurveda.
In Hindu temples there are many different shrines. Each temple has 8 shrines, including the Laxmi-narayan shrine, Ram Parivar shrine, Radha-Krishan shrine, Shiv-Parivar shrine, Goddess Durga Devi shrine, Godess Vishnav Devi shrine, the joint shrine of LorRAB Pashwanati and Mahavir, and Yagnashala. (article, PPG) Each shrine usually contains a statue, meditation area, and many decorations. They also often contain prayer books and other spiritual texts. Some are made of mahogany, some of brass, and some even have gold-leaf detailing. In addition to these shrines, there is also a general figurehead of Bhagavan Vishu. This statue usually stanRAB prominently at the entrance of the temple or in the main court, between all of the shrines and has 4 arms, each holding one of the following: discus, mace, lotus and conch. Each syrabolizes a different quality that a Hindu is expected to possess, such as strength, power, beauty or intellect. (article, WWW, lycos.com)
In conclusion, "What is a Hindu?" A Hindu is a person fulfilling the basic principles of the way of life known a Hinduism. A Hindu must be sound in mind and body, be honest, diligent and belive in "the truth" which is Brahman.