A Basic Look at Hinduism, the Oldest Religion in the World

Namaste:   "I worship the divine within you."

Reuters reported this weekend on a ritual   in a remote village Barada in Jharkhand, where tribals pierced their bodies with iron hooks and hung above 90 feet above the ground.   The annual ritual is to thank the Hindu god Shiva for granting their wishes.

This ritual may be typical in rural Indian, but it is just one of many subsets of mainstream Hinduism.

As part of its Diversity Series: Religions, Culture and Communities, the Chicago Police Department created a short but informative video about Hinduism, the oldest practiced religion in the world.   Chicago is home to more than 80,000 people of the Hindu faith, most of whom are immigrants of India who came in the 1960s.

Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world, trailing Christianity and Islam.   Its sacred texts include the Bhagavad-Gita, Upanishads, and Rig Veda.

Good will, tolerance and harmony are fundamental principles of this religion.   The film highlights the main beliefs of Hinduism:

• There is one supreme God, with different gods in cabinets.   Some Hindus view this supreme God as a female, others male.
• Hindus believe in reincarnation and karma.
• Hindus respect of all religions, with each beings a path to God.
• Hindus honor their gods in temples, which are open every day.   Many have temple areas in their homes.
• Hindus go to their temples to see god, not to listen to a sermon.
• Hindu priests are the only ones allowed to touch statues in the temple.   Photos of deities are not allowed.
• At temple, visitors take off their shoes to keep the place clean.

Cleanliness of mind and body are important to Hindus.   The right hand is used for handling food or sacred objects.   Speaking of food, most Hindus are vegetarians.   They do not smoke cigarettes.

The Swastika was used by Hindus long before it became a Nazi symbol.   It is found on many Hindu articles of faith and means, "Let goodness prevail."   Found on many articles of faith.

The video focuses on information that police should know, but also presents a nice overview of the ancient religion, Hinduism.

A Short Introduction to Hinduism and Hindu Culture.

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3 Responses to “A Basic Look at Hinduism, the Oldest Religion in the World”

1. st_hart says:

   May 16, 2009 at 9:23 am

   nice and informative post. I personally think that reincarnation is the most logic explanation of our life, death, and destination.
2. Surplus says:

   May 17, 2009 at 1:44 am

   Hindu is the only religion who do not believe in war and negative things.

   They want to live simple life with purity. This religion is the perfect example of purity.
3. folk art says:

   May 19, 2009 at 7:10 am

   nice post !
   I think that all depends on the basic universal rules, its not important how do you call your God but if you follow simple and vital rules like love, honesty (with oneself especially) etc. you are then a godd God's child, any God