Hinduism Paper

Hinduism

By:

University of Phoenix

December 22, 2007

Religions of the world

Hinduism Paper

The Hindu religion originated from the Vedic religion of ancient India. The Veda teachings have been around since before Christ and the first writings from the Vedas were found to be written in Sanskrit.

There are four religious orders (or Sampradayas) of the Hindu religion: Ramanuja, Nimanuja, Vishnu Shyam, and Madhva-Charya. There are also four types of salvations. Worshippers believe their souls or Jiva can be liberated from the beginning of birth and rebirth (reincarnation).

The following is an explanation of the four types of Salvations or Mukti:

• Salokya: When a devotee attains salvation in his/her Lord’s abode, it is called ‘Salokya’ salvation,

• Samipya: With excess of devotional worship, the devotee attains ‘Samipya’ salvation, i.e., the Jiva gets very close to the Lord,

• Sarupya: When a devotee exclusively meditates upon the personal form of the Lord, the Jiva attains ‘Sarupya’ salvation, i.e., the Jiva attains a spiritual form similar to that of Lord Vishnu, and

• Sayujya: With the excess of spiritual knowledge, the devotee attains Sayujya salvation.

The ultimate desire of the Hindu religion is to achieve liberation from earthly existence. Most of the Hindus, the highest goal is Moksha. Moksha is the release from Samsara or the circle of life. Hindus believe that until they achieve spiritual self realization they will continue to come back to the earth in one form or another (reincarnation) until their spiritual journey is completed and they achieve Moksha, the freedom and salvation from the circle of life. This is one of the ways it differs in a radical way from any other religions of the world.

There are three broad categories that Hindu scriptures mention of paths or approaches to the goal of self-realization and liberation.

• The path of knowledge is one (jnana marg)

• The path of...