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Category: Spirituality
Date Submitted: 06/19/2009 07:02 PM
Karema James
Hinduism Paper
June 8, 2009
Axia College of University of Phoenix
"Hinduism is a term is derived from a name applied by foreigners to the people living in
the region of the Indus River and was introduced in the nineteenth century under colonial
British." Hinduism is also known as Sanatana Dharma. "Sanatana means "eternal" or "ageless"
reflects the belief that these ways have always existed." (Fisher, 2005, p.69) "Dharma, translates
as "religion," encompasses duty, natural law, social welfare, ethics, health, and transcendental
realization." (Fisher, 2005, p.69)
Hinduism followers believe in the Supreme Being and many other Supreme Deities. Rig
Veda is the oldest of the known Vedic scriptures which praises and implores the blessing of the
devas. "The major devas include Indra (the god of thunder and bringer of the welcome rains),
Agni (god of fire), Soma (the sacred drink), and Ushas (the god of dawn)." (Fisher, 2005) The
devas represent and unseen reality as which include opaque earth gods and transparent deities.
Hindus believe that once one discovers the inner self and the source, the self merges into a
translucent source and experiences peace and bliss. Hindus also believe in reincarnations.
Reincarnation is something to be believed as once a person dies, the soul moves on to a new
body. Reincarnation does not only happen in something of the human sense, a persons soul can
be brought back in any living thing.
Hinduism followers also believe in karma. "Karma means action and the consequences of
action." (Fisher, 2006,) They believe that a man becomes pure by doing pure deeds. If a person
does bad deeds it will reflect on his or her reincarnated life. By doing good deeds the person
achieves liberation from space, time and matter through immortal absolution. There are three
major deities that are worshiped by Hindus; Sakatas, who worship a Mother Goddess; Savivites
who worship the god Silva; and...