Hindu

Running head: HINDU RELIGION

Hindu Religion

Stephanie Fisher

University of Phoenix

World Religious Traditions

Rel/133

Alex Monti

January 28, 2010

Hindu Religion

The Hindu religion has traced as early as 1500BCE. The Hindu religion consists of many intricate details based upon Gods, Goddesses, rituals, symbols, and, of course, the history and traditions of the Hindu religion that has been passed down from generation to generation.

History

Hinduism is sometimes regarded as the world’s oldest organized religion. Hinduism is the third largest religion, after Christianity and Islam. “Most forms of Hinduism are henotheistic religions. They recognize a single deity, and view other Gods and Goddesses as manifestations or aspects of that supreme God. Henotheistic and polytheistic religions have traditionally been among the world's most religiously tolerant faiths” (Ontario Consultants of Religious Tolerance, 2009). The stories of Hinduism are quite intriguing and detailed. Hindus belief spreads deeper than onto one Vishnu, but believes in many Gods and Goddesses as portions of the one Supreme Being Vishnu. “The Hindu mind is averse to assigning an unalterable or rigidly fixed form or name to the deity. Hence it is that in Hinduism we have innumerable god- forms and countless divine names.” (Fisher, 2003) So for a Hindu to deny any of the possible God or Goddesses, would mean denial for the Supreme Being, Vishnu. This leads us to the symbols and meanings within those symbols in the Hindu religion.

Symbols

The stories that have been taught from generation to generation allow lessons of Hindu religions beliefs to be learned. All the stories include one generalized idea, which Vishnu allowed Gods or Goddesses to assist or protect the followers of the Hindu religion. One story of Hunuman, a God in monkey form, who saved Sita from Ravana’s abduction “symbolizes power, faith, and devotion to overcome our human frailties.” (Fisher, 2003)Within the same...