An Introduction to Hinduism

Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world, if not the oldest dating back many thousands of years. The original name of Hinduism is Sanãtana Dharma, or "The eternal principle”. The word sanatana implies that it always existed and will always exist; as such its principles are beyond any religion, race, colour or creed. Unlike other religions, the Hindu Dharma did not originate from a single person, a single book, or at a single point in time. The foundations of this religion were laid by ancient rishis (sages), who taught their disciples the eternal principles of life they had discovered through their meditations.

It is thought that these principles were passed down from one person to another by word of mouth and that it was much later that the Hindu philosophy and scriptures were formally written down. The rishis did not claim authorship of these spiritual principles. Although some names are mentioned in scriptures, nobody knows exactly who these people were or when they lived. Thus Hindu Dharma is essentially a religion of principles rather than being centred around particular persons. Although there is no hard and fast line between one period and the next, the evolution of Hinduism may be divided into three periods: the ancient (6500 BCE-1000 AD), the medieval (1000-1800 AD), and the modern (1800 AD to present).

Date Activity

6500 BCE Composition of the early Rig Vedic hymns (according to David

Frawley, a Vedic scholar from the US). Current archeological evidence

shows that Shiva worship existed in the Indus Valley Civilization in

approximately 6000 BCE.1

5000 BCE Beginning of the Indus Valley Civilization of Harappa and Mohenjo-

daro, that climaxed in 3700 BCE and ended in 1500 BCE due to natural

causes.

4700 BCE Period of Lord Rãma and sage Vãlmiki.

3150 BCE The Mahãbhãrata war took place in 3150 BCE and the Bhagavad Gîtã

was recorded during this war.

The Vãyu Purãna (a Hindu scripture) states that Lord Krishna entered

into mahãsamãdhi (yogi's conscious exit from the body) 36 years after

the war and Kaliyuga began on his mahãsamãdhi.

2609 BCE Period of Sage Vishvãmitra, in whose reign a majority of the Vedic

hymns were composed. The Yajur and Atharva Vedas were composed

around 2400 BCE.

2393 BCE King Bhãrata, an ancient king and sage (the 44th in the Purãnic list of

kings and sages) was born. The original name of India is Bhãrat, after

the name of this ancient king.

- 1450 End of narration of the Vedic Samhitãs.

500 BCE to

200 CE

The Bhagavad Gîtã was formally compiled into a book between BCE

500-200. Nyãya, Sãnkhya, and Brahma Sûtras were recorded, which

later gave birth to six popular schools of Hindu philosophy. Buddhism

and Jainism also developed during this period.

200 to 750

CE

Final versions of Purãnas, Tantras, and other sectarian literature were

developed.

750 to1000

CE

Development of six popular schools of religious thought, establishment

of Shankara’s Advaita Vedãnta, and decline of Buddhism are the main

landmarks of this period.

1000 CE to-

date

1802 CE

This period saw the rise of devotional movements led by Rãmãnuja,

Ramãnanda, Tukarãm, Guru Nãnak, Surdãs, Chaitanya, Mirãbai, Tulsî

Dãs, and many other saints.

The birth of the Swaminarayan hindu religion.

The Essence of Hinduism:

Hindu dharma is the world’s oldest living dharma (religious philosophy and way of life). Hindu dharma in excess of 8500 years old. It is tolerant, resilient and peace-loving. The roots of Hindu dharma lie in the Indian subcontinent, in the Indus (Sindhu) valley which had 300 advanced settlements as early as 5000 BCE. Hindu dharma has no founder, the word Sanatana implies that it always existed. Hindu dharma accepts different modes of worship.

•The sacred sound OM : The first sound of creation, underlying energy of the universe •Parbrahm : The Supreme God is with form, can be both impersonal and personal, transcendent and imminent. The supreme reality becomes manifest in various aspects and forms, and is known by various names. There are various ways by which individuals, in accordance with their temperament can realise God. •Aksharbrahm : Also known as Brahm, Akshar or Akshardham, the divine abode of the Supreme God. •Atma (Soul): Essence of all living things and beings is atma, infinite and eternal, unchanging and indivisible. True nature of the individual is the atma, which is one with the underlying reality of the Universe. •Karma : Belief in the doctrine of the consequence of our actions (karma) resulting in good fortune or sufferings and death and rebirth.

The Essence of Hinduism con’t:

•Reincarnation: The transmigration of the soul (atma) through life and death until it realises itself as atma and joins with the Supreme God thereby achieving kalyan or moksha (liberation or emancipation). •Incarnation : Whenever righteousness declines and unrighteousness rises, God incarnates himself on earth to restore righteousness. •Guru-shisya union: To attain God by surrender to a God-realised saint •Bhakti Yog: Surrender to God through selfless devotion •Ahinsa : Non Violence , non-injury and non-killing . Respect for life.

•Unity of Existence : All things and beings are the manifestation of one Supreme Being. When the mind transcends through spiritual experience, the Universal spirit is seen as the sole essence of the universe. •Dharma : Righteousness and good moral and ethical practices in accordance with the scriptures. Includes all duties -- individual, social and religious. •Gnan : Attainment of God through supreme spiritual knowledge •Vairagya : Attainment of God through non-attachment and non-attraction to the material world, which is deemed to be temporary and full of miseries. •Humanism : Equality of all human beings, regardless of caste, colour and creed. Respect and reverence for womanhood. •Maya : God’s energy in the creation of the universe. Ignorance viewed as cause of bondage. •Swastik : Symbol of blessings and wellbeing to all.

In addition to these, Hinduism teaches values such as faithfulness, the importance of performing your duty especially to your family, the value of having a spiritual aim in life and the value of sacrifice for others. To many people Hinduism is the epitome of spirituality that gives true happiness and peace. These attributes have been recognised by scholars in the West: “In religion India is the only millionaire... The One land that all men desire to see, and having seen once, by even a glimpse, would not give that glimpse far all the shows of all the rest of the globe combine.” MARK TWAIN (American Author) “It is already becoming clear that a chapter which had a Western beginning will have to have an Indian ending if it is not to end in the self-destruction of the human race... At this supremely dangerous moment in history, the only way of salvation for mankind is the Indian way.” Dr ARNOLD TOYNEE (British Historian).

Welcome to HINDUISM

“See God in all Serve all as God” Param Pujya Pappaji