Hinduism

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Hinduism

Hinduism is a very complicated religion from an outsiders prospective. When I think about it I never have really given any thought to what Hinduism is, so what is this religion, what do they believe in, what are the social and cultural influences and what is the desire for liberation from earthly existence?

The Hindus lack a uniting belief system then what is the system they use. Hinduism is just as much a social class as it is a religion. They use what is called a Caste system which is a hereditary social class among Hindus; stratified according to ritual purity (Dictionary) each caste has its own rules for living. There are know to be four basic caste or social classes the first is a Brahman a member is of the highest, or priestly, class among the Hindus. Next is the Kshatriyas or warrior known for upholding justice and social harmony. The third is Vaisyas or merchants, and farmers, and last but not least is the Shudras or the workers, there is also one more group outside this system known as the untouchables. Now one does not get to choose their caste its the one they are born in to (beliefs).

Now that we have covered the social classes what are the main point of the belief system, well they have several principals that almost all Hindus believe in The three-in-one god known as "Brahman," which is composed of: Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the Preserver), and Shiva (the Destroyer). The Caste System. Karma. The law that good begets good, and bad begets bad. Every action, thought, or decision one makes has consequences – good or bad – that will return to each person in the present life, or in one yet to come. Reincarnation. ls also known as "transmigration of souls," or "samsara." This is a journey on the "circle of life," where each person experiences as series of physical births, deaths, and rebirths. With good karma, a person can be reborn into a higher caste, or even to godhood. Bad karma can relegate one to a lower caste, or even to life as an animal in their next life. Nirvana. This is the goal of the Hindu. Nirvana is the release of the soul from the seemingly endless cycle of rebirths (Beliefs). These five central beliefs are what makes up the Hindu religion.

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