Religion from a Hinduism Perspective
Religion in many areas and aspects is probably a topic as commonly discussed as weather is, on a global scale. Regardless of where a person may live, the culture they are in will discuss it and ultimately be influenced by it. Within these cultures are families with their own religious history, which very well might be the main contributor of religious continuity. "For it is evident that in some ninety-nine per cent of cases the religion which an individual professes and to which he or she adheres depends upon the accidents of birth." A person born in India, who has parents that are Hindu, along with a large majority of the population, is more than likely to become or remain a Hindu. That can be similar in a matter of many different situations, be it through Buddhism, Christianity, and so on, but likely most prevalent in Hinduism. People have a history of following their parents and societies ideals.
Within the wide dimensions of religion there are specific and important aspects for each individual who chooses their own institution and tradition. Those individuals are influenced by many factors that fall within their surrounding life. Along with family there are other influences which can include friends, culture, society, fads, spouses, etc. But what is probably the most significant other than family, is the common desire or acceptance of trying to understand the ultimate questions (or mysteries) of life.
Like many great questions there includes a complexity to answering the essence of the question. The question "what is religion?" is by no means easy to decipher. It can take on meaning and significance differently for each individual. He, who proclaims a faith, defines rel...
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...ved in Hinduism for a number of reasons; outside influences such as society may be the contributing factor to why a person becomes immersed in religion. Hinduism permeates in everything in India, and therefore it is almost impossible to not be influenced by it. Religion is life in India.
"If we look a little more closely at the religious situation in India, we discover that Hinduism and Indian culture (including its caste system) are almost one and the same. Hinduism is a comprehensive religion in the sense that there is really nothing that the Hindu does of a cultural nature-whether brushing one's teeth, preparing food, encountering people in the street, or any other act-that does not have religious significance and some kind of religious prescription wrapped around it. 'Hinduism is a culture and a religion at the same time….religion and life are synonymous.'"
The Question of Origin: Hinduism believes everything has been in existence and is a part of numerous gods. In (Foundation of Indian Psychology Vol.2 Pg.116) the text Hinduism is a treasury of spiritual laws discovered by different people in different times of life. Over the centuries the Hindus beliefs are not literally interpreted by the scriptures and there ethics are derived from them.
Other than a religion, Hinduism is a way of life through philosophy that is mostly concerned with spirituality and enlightenment. The impracticality of the Hindu religion comes from the Vedas. Vedas are the oldest scriptures in the Hindu religion that are considered to be a straight ...
Hinduism was the first major religion to develop in South Asia. Along with it, came a strict caste system and clear social hierarchy. Hinduism stressed the importance of karma and people purifying their lives over many reincarnations to achieve holy perfection. Later on, Buddhism developed in India and incorporated many of the same cultural and religious practices. One key change was the looseness of the religion in regards to social status, as it did not see a person 's place in the caste system as a factor in achieving the afterlife. In response to a decline in Hinduism, especially among the poorer classes, Hinduism became more accepting of these classes and also developed alternate paths of devotion. In summation, South Asian religion has taken on a trend of
There are many religions that are practiced around the world, especially in Asia where there are eight different religions being practiced. In the country of India, Buddhism and Hinduism are the main religions that are practiced today. Buddhism and Hinduism were both founded in Asia, but they were founded by two different people and practiced in two different ways and languages. Buddhism is a living tradition that is passed down from teacher to student as a set of instruction and techniques for sanity and brilliance in the inner self and the world. Hinduism is more based on the thoughts and attitude about one’s everyday life, and reflects in his actions.
The fact is that no matter where you turn, religion is a major part of culture and influences everyone on some level. While I don’t agree on any particular religion, it is important about learning what types there are in the world.
Scoot M. Myers conducted a research beginning in 1980 about the procedures of religiosity inheritance in families. He interviewed 471 parents in 1980 and their adult offspring in 1992 addressed the effects of childhood, parental, and family influences on the religiosity of adult offspring, factors that conditioned the ability of parents to transmit their religiosity, and how recent experiences of adult offspring modify earlier family influences on religiosity. According to the results, there were three variables that influence the impact of religion on adult offspring. Within these three variables were parental religiosity, quality of the family relationship, and traditional family structure. Many studies found the research on the effect of parents’ religiosity on the religiosity of their offspring to have inconsistent results. Researchers have found that parental influence is a high impact for church attendance in adolescence but as their child ages, the impact decreases. Studies have also found that parental influence on religion heavily depends on the religion in which the parent practices. The accumulation of religious capital during childhood is heavily depended upon for transmission of parent’s religion to their offspring as well. Lastly, the events, experiences, and traditions within the family is a major factor that contributes to the influence of religion on adult offspring.
...oes not hide the actual discrimination that is present in every single aspect of the Hinduism lifestyle. I’m sure that this is fine with some of those that are in the higher caste of Hindu society since the effect this bias has is not a detriment for them. However, I am also sure that there are many born into the lower classes that realize they have more to offer to society than their religion tells them they do. These examples show that, although the multiplicity of Hinduism may reflect the recognition that people are different, it does so in a discriminatory and biased manner.
It is proven it is because of there genes. But then nurture plays a part in this too because they were raised by different family’s they learned different things and one could of learned one thing and the other could have learned another thing from there family’s but then they did learn what the other has learned. In a study of 1990 it is found that genetics account for 50 percent of the religiosity among each population.
Religion plays an enormous role in the history of mankind. Wars have been fought over it, lives have been surrounded by it, and it has directly or indirectly shaped the lives of many individuals. Culture and religion play a large role in developing each other. People’s religion is decided by their culture. The prominence or the lack of religion will develop someone’s religious identity have play a core role in determining what that person believes.
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definition of religion is as follows: “the belief in a god or in a group of gods, an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods, or an interest, a belief, or an activity that is very important to a person or group” (Merriam-Webster.) My personal definition of religion is that it is a set of beliefs and practices that generally pertain the worship of one or more than one spiritual beings or representations of a spiritual power. Religion can be personal belief or an organization or group of people who have similar beliefs and values. There are many different types of religions in the world and have been since the history of mankind.
Religion is the one element of life that has connected the races and societies of the world for hundreds of years. It has given meaning to lives that may seem otherwise hopeless. Religion has provided for a universal language and culture among those who believe in a higher power. The spirit or being receiving the worship and praise may not be the same, but the practices are usually similar and serve the same purpose--to give direction, insight, courage, and a divine connection.
The definition of religion is the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods(Merriam-Webster). After this semester I have come to realize that religion is a much more advanced, complicated, and personal definition. Religion can’t be defined in one word or one term because there is a lot that religion entails. There really is no concrete answer of what religion is and the definition varies among different groups of people and individuals.
Today, Hinduism stands as India’s primary religion. In fact, India houses 90% of the world’s Hindi population and 79.8% of India’s population follows the Hindu religion, according to the 2011 census. It is thought by some to be the oldest religion in the world and the “eternal law” (Fowler). This culture is truly one as defined by Edward Taylor: “A complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, law, morals, customs, and any other capability and habit acquired by man as a member of society.” In order to have somewhat of an understanding about what the Hindu religion entails, one must study the Hindu conception of God, its basic concepts and key beliefs, as well as symbolism.
Essentially it is hard to define Hinduism as a religion or a philosophy. It contains so many cultures, philosophical systems that make itself complicated. Besides it has so many Gods and Goddess. We can convey that this state is the reflection of complex society in Indian, people from different races, geographic areas. Whereas it would be seen as a complication, there is a constant ritual with the spiritual of Hinduism.
Religion is a form of practicing spirituality, it is a way to connect or communicate with their supreme being. It also influences individuals to perceive life, nature, ethics, or themselves in a different form, that way is my perspective of what religion is. Throughout this semester, we have learned about the major religions and other religions that are not so common. I have also gained more knowledge about not just the religion that I practice, Catholicism, but about other religions, beside own. By learning more about other religions and understanding the way they perceive society, nature, and how they function, it has changed the way I perceive religion.