Hinduism [Sanātana Dharma - "the eternal law"] - The Basics

How much do you know about Hinduism?
Hinduism is formed from diverse traditions and has no single founder.Among its direct roots is the historical Vedic religion of Iron Age India and, as such, Hinduism is often referred to as the oldest living religion in the world.

The concept of God is complex in Hinduism.

Most Hindus believe that the ātman (spirt/soul) is eternal. According to some theologies of Hinduism, this Atman is ultimately indistinct from Brahman, the supreme spirit.

 The goal of life, according to the Advaita school, is to realize that one's ātman is identical to Brahman. The Upanishads state that whomever becomes completely aware of the ātman as the innermost core of one's own self realizes an identity with Brahman and reaches moksha.

In Bhaagawada Gita, for example, God is the sole repository of Gunas (attributes) also, as

His hands and feet are everywhere, He looks everywhere and all around, His eyes, ears and face point to all directions, and all the three worlds are surrounded by these.

The Sāṁkhyapravacana Sūtra of Samkhya argues that the existence of God (Ishvara) cannot be proven and hence can't be admitted to exist. Samkhya argue that an unchanging God cannot be the source of an ever-changing world. It says God was a necessary metaphysical assumption demanded by circumstances. Mimamsa considers the Gods named in the Vedas have no existence seperate from the mantras that speak the names. To that regard, the power of the mantras is seen as the Gods' power.

The Hindu scriptures refer to celestial entities called Devas, "the shining ones", which may be translated into English as "gods". The devas are an integral part of Hindu culture and are depicted in art, architecture. They're however, often distinguished from Ishvara, a supreme personal god, which many Hindus worshiping Ishvara in one of its particular manifestations (ostensibly separate deities) as their iṣṭa devatā. The choice is a matter of individual preference and family traditions.

Hindu epics depict several episodes of God's decent to Earth in a corporeal form to restore dharma to society and guide humans to moksha. Such an incarnation is called an avatar. The most prominent avatars are of Vishnu and include Rama (the protagonist in Ramayana) and Krishna.

Karma - action, work, or deed; "moral law of cause and effect"; binds together the notions of free will and destiny.

According to the Upanishads an individual developes sanskaras (impressions) from actions, whether physical or mental. The linga sharira, a body more subtle than the physical one but less subtle than the soul, retains impressions, carrying them over into the next life. Thus, the concept of a universal and never-failing karma relates to reincarnation as well as to one's personality, family, and characteristics.

Samsara - cycle of action, reaction, death, birth, and rebirth.
Samsara provides ephemeral pleasures, which lead people to desire rebirth so as to enjoy the pleasures of a perishable body. However, escaping the world of samsara through moksha is believed to ensure lasting happiness and peace. It is thought that after several reincarnations, an atman eventually seeks unity with the cosmic spirit.

The final goal of life, is comprehended in various different ways: as the realization of one's union with God; as the realization of one's infinite relationship with God; realization of the unity of all existence; perfect unselfishness and knowledge of the Self; as the attainment of complete perfect mental peace; and as detachment from worldly desires. Such realization liberates one from samsara and ends the cycle of rebirth.

 Due to belief in the indestructibility of the soul, death is deemed insignificant.

The precise conceptualization of moksha differs among the various Hindu schools of thought. For example, Advaita Vedanta holds that after reaching moksha, an atman no longer identifies itself with an individual but instead as an identical with Brahman. The followers of Dvaita  schools identify themselves as part of Brahman, and after attaining moksha expect to spend eternity in a loka (heaven), in the company of Ishvara in the form of choice.

Prominent themes in Hindu beliefs include (but are not limited to):

• Dharma (ethics/duties),
•  Samsāra (The continuing cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth),
•  Karma (action and subsequent reaction),
• Moksha (liberation from samsara),
•  Yogas (paths or practices)

^{Important Documents and Texts of Hinduism}

• The Vedas are the foremost in authority and importance
• Upanishads
• Puranas
• Mahābhārata
• Rāmāyaṇa.
• Bhagavad Gītā (combines Vedanta, Yoga, and some Samkhya philosophy into its discussion of good conduct and life)

More information on Hinduism will be posted at a later time.