Friday, April 23, 2010

10. Applying Seven Dimensions to Hinduism


(1) Hinduism is known for their rich mythology with their stories of Brahma,Shakti, Ganesha, Shiva, and countless other gods and goddesses who are actuallyconsidered to be all the “same god or divine energy, nameless and without form.”

(2) Hindus practice a multiple array of rituals which include bowing while pressing palms together, then uttering the words “namaste”, which translatesfrom Sanskrit for “I bow to you.” This greeting represents respect for each other and to the divine as well. Although Hindu women now where bindis (reddots on the forehead) as a fashion statement, they were originally intended to focus in on the chakra (energy point) during meditation and also for good luck.

(3) Hindus practice yoga to improve their meditation and to help with their path to a richer spiritual life. They may practice Bhakti Yoga (the path of loveand devotion), Karma Yoga (the path of right action), Ja Yoga (the pathof meditation), and Na Yoga (the path of mystical understanding).The ultimate experience in Hinduism is finding the “absolute truth within your being.” To find the absolute truth, one must be reborn and their souls must “transmigrate” to reach Moksha, or salvation.

(4) The most important and oldest doctrine to the Hindu belief is that of the four Vedas, written in the ancient Sanskrit language. These four sacred texts are divided into the Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda. They contain holy hymns and ritual practices from ancient India. These doctrines focus on how the individual’s soul (Atman) can reach the ultimate truth (Brahman) through focused meditation and karma.

(5) Hindus practice dharma, or “individual ethics, duties and obligations”with their moral actions or ethics and believe in karma Since Hindus believe in the cycle of Samsara (rebirth), ahisma (non-violence) and how Karma affects your next life, they do not eat cows because they believe they are sacred and are more useful alive than dead. Hindus also believe in reaching Moksha, or salvation.

(6) Socially, Hinduism has nearly 1 billion members and is the third largest religion in the entire world.Its teachings have highly influenced other religions such as Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism as well as revolutionary peace figures such as Martin Luther King Jr.

(7) As for the material forms, Hindus have idolized statues of their deitiesof the Brahman, including that of Shiva, Shakti and Vishnu. Hindus also use prayer beads during meditation.

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