Its beliefs must be based on observation, logic and experience. It is a mystical religion, leading the devotee to personally experience the truth within, finally reaching the pinnacle of consciousness where man and god are one. Book on hinduism, hindu religious beliefs and practices. For many hindus, religion is a matter of practice rather than of beliefs. Dharma is the religious duty of people to follow the principals of the cosmic order, including the rules that guide the morality of all human beings. Hinduism does not condemn those who deny god as the creator and ruler of the world, who do not accept the existence of an eternal soul and the state of moksha or state of liberation. These tomes cover the basics and are suitable for beginners. I am trying to understand the core doctrine or beliefs that most hinduism would. Hinduism, the worlds oldest religion, has no beginningit precedes recorded history. The primary sacred texts, known as the vedas, were. There are several hindu creation stories found in the hindu scriptures. Shivendra kumar sinha this book provides wideranging information on hindu religion, in a simplified and easytoread form. There is no central ancient text that succinctly sums up the religions basic tenets, no single leader that hindus can call the founder of their faith.
Today, with about 900 million followers, hinduism is. The basic scriptures of hinduism, which are collectively referred to as shastras, are essentially a collection of spiritual laws discovered by different saints and sages at different points in its long history. Today, the united states is home to approximately one million hindus. According to the bbc, the chandogya upanishad, a sacred hindu text, describes creation as the breaking of an egg. Hinduism is practised by more than 80% of indias population. Hindus believe that an enlightened master, or satguru, is essential to know the transcendent absolute, as are personal discipline, good conduct, purification, pilgrimage, selfinquiry, meditation and surrender in god. These postvedic texts contain a complete discussion of the history. The vedas are the most ancient of the popular scriptures. One story tells of the universe being created from the sound aum. Initially it was an outsiders term, building on centuries. This book provides wideranging information on hindu religion, in a simplified and easytoread form. Please consider support hhh this summer for more world history vids for the kiddies.
Hinduism provided the belief structure for all other south asian religions that followed such as buddhism, sikhism, and jainism. This book is a basic introduction to hinduism, its history, teachings, practices and institutions, presented as accessibly as if it were in a magazine or newspaper. The kindle ebook, published through kdp, is available at amazon if you already purchased the first edition, titled devotional hinduism. It introduces some debates within contemporary scholarship. Hindus can choose to be polytheistic, pantheistic, panentheistic, pandeistic, henotheistic, monotheistic, monistic, agnostic, atheistic or humanist. Of all the basic books on hinduism, this rather thin volume of 160 pages is the most balanced introduction to the religion. What are vedas,upanishads,vedanta,gita,sutras,mahabharta,ramayana,advaita,etc. A few texts are shared resources across these traditions and broadly considered as hindu scriptures. Covers the basics this book describes hinduism and its basic practices. Selected lists of books on hinduism, hindu scriptures, tradition, astrology, methods of worship, way of life, symbolism, mythology, sects, and more. Hindu texts are manuscripts and historical literature related to any of the diverse traditions within hinduism. A beginners guide beginners guides and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. After looking at the basis of the hindu understanding of the world, we discover the world of the hindu gods. Two types of sacred writings comprise the hindu scriptures.
Hinduism is the religion of the majority of people in india and nepal. What is hinduism from how to become a hindu from basics of hinduism by gauri maheshwari. Oprah winfrey network is the first and only network named for, and inspired by, a single iconic leader. Basics of hinduism simplified and objective manner by dr. If you know the answer to this question, please register to join our limited beta program and. For this reason, its sometimes referred to as a way of life or a family of religions, as opposed to a. Hinduism is the worlds oldest religion, according to many scholars, with roots and customs dating back more than 4,000 years. The bhagavad gita, which together with the upanishads and the brahma sutras makes the prasthyanatraya, occupies a preeminent position among the holy triad. Hinduism as both a global religion and a form of nationalism are discussed.
The basic beliefs of a religion are those that form the thoughts, feelings, actions and the entire attitude of its followers towards the world around them and their fellow men. However, the puranas are supposed to be complied by muni vyasa. The puranas are holy books of hinduism that date back to gupta empire in ancient india. Introduction to hindusim belief oprah winfrey network. Emphasis is given to the tantric traditions, which have been so influential. Hinduism does not render the upholders of such views unfit to be recognised as pious and honourable members of the hindu religious society. Of all the basic books on hinduism, this rather thin volume of 160 pages is the.
Many grammar mistakes probably due to interpretation. The basics of hinduism useful for people who dont really know where to start. Also, author has given details about important hindu religious books, hindu festivals and a study about. Hinduism a brief overview of the development of hinduism. Hinduism is prevalent in india and is based on the vedas, which are four sacred texts. It explains the concepts and beliefs interwoven in the texture of hinduism, such as dharma duty, karma action, and moksha salvation as well as aspects of universal soul, one god and use of symbolism in hinduism. Hinduism does not just have one sacred book but several scriptures. It also exists among significant populations outside of the sub continent and has over 900 million adherents worldwide. These texts are glorious tales of the hindu trinity brahma, vishnu and maheshwar shiva.
Just as judaism provided the structure for christianity and islam. Where the vedas gave a foundation for the direction of hinduism. Hindu beliefs hindu gods the hindus have four gods brahman, brahma, vishnu, and shiva. The religion of hinduism originated in northern india, near the river indus, about 4000 years ago and is the worlds oldest existing religion. Today, hindu communities are to be found in almost every country on earth. If youve heard of this ancient religion and are looking for a reference that explains the intricacies of the. Hinduism includes a diversity of ideas on spirituality and traditions, but has no ecclesiastical order, no unquestionable religious authorities, no governing body, no prophets nor any binding holy book. Oprah winfreys heart and creative instincts inform the brand and the magnetism of the. I want to say that this book is a good guide to the world of hindu philosophy for beginners like me. This book gives clearly written explanations of the basic ideas and practices of. It did spark my curiosity enough to push me into furthering my knowledge on a beautiful culture. Information on hinduism for kids primary homework help. Hinduism is the worlds third most popular religion, with around 750 million followers. Books on hindu prayers and mantras find here a list of selected books on on hindu mantras, the mantra tradition, sacred hymns and chants, aum, the power of sound vibrations, healing mantras, mantras for peace, abundance and spiritual growth.
The term hinduism became familiar as a designator of religious ideas and practices distinctive to india with the publication of books such as hinduism 1877 by sir monier monierwilliams, the notable oxford scholar and author of an influential sanskrit dictionary. Hindus value many sacred writings as opposed to one holy book. This is hinduism learn the basics learn the basics about hindu beliefs, gods and rituals this book contains an easily accessible overview of the hindu religion, with a focus on those coming from the western religions and cultures. Most books available on hinduism in bookshops in the west today are written by non. It explains the concepts and beliefs interwoven in the texture of hinduism, such as dharma duty, karma.
So my advice to you that first you gain some knowledge about astronomy related to astrologers. Beliefs about sacred mattersgod, soul and cosmosare essential to ones approach to life. Your handson guide to one of the worlds major religions the dominant religion of india, hinduism refers to a wide variety of religious traditions and philosophies that have developed over thousands of years. This is my first detailed introduction to hinduism. Guided by the founder, satguru sivaya subramuniyaswami, the magazines editors, who are initiated monks of the kauais hindu monastery, collaborated with holy men and women and experts around the world in creating graphically rich guides to virtually. Since 1979 the international magazine hinduism today has been producing a treasury of educational features on all aspects of sanatana dharma. A comprehensive survey of the hindu tradition, the book deals with the history of hinduism, the sacred writings, the hindu worldview, and the specifics of the major branches of hinduism. Creating impressions for god 2008, there is no need to buy the new edition. Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world, with about 1 billion followers worldwide, most of whom live in india.
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