Hinduism

Hinduism refers to a religion and way of life that originated in ancient India. Many consider Hinduism to be the world’s oldest religion, and it remains one of the largest today, with over a billion followers around the globe. The birth of Hinduism cannot be traced to a particular individual, time period, or even one specific location; instead, what we know today as Hinduism is a fusion of many ancient belief systems and practices that synthesized over several thousand years. There are, however, common beliefs shared by most Hindus.

Early Hindu teachings outlined the existence of individual souls, called atmans, and the supreme world’s soul, Brahman. This is named after the Hindu creator god, Brahma. The goal for all Hindus is to achieve union with Brahman - this is called moksha. However, this is not a simple quest and may take more than a lifetime. Accordingly, Hinduism preaches reincarnation, or the process of a soul being continuously reborn until moksha can be reached. Reincarnation is sometimes called samsara by Hindus.

A soul may be reborn, but it carries with it karma, or the intent, deeds, and consequences of its former life. One’s karma dictates the circumstances of one's next life - elements like wealth, caste, and health. This encourages individuals to exercise goodness in order to reap the benefits in their next life and come closer to moksha. This also ties into a core Hindu tenant of nonviolence, called ahimsa. Other religious and moral expectations for Hindus are referred to as dharma.

True to its inception, Hinduism has continued to evolve over the centuries. The concept of Brahman has been thought to represent Brahma or a trilogy of gods: Brahma (creation), Vishnu (protection), and Shiva (destruction). These gods often take on multiple other roles and identities. Eventually, the idea of a mother goddess, known as Devi, rose in importance and overshadowed Brahma. Some Hindus worship one deity, some worship many, and others worship none. Hinduism is therefore unique among religions in that it exists as polytheistic, monotheistic, and even atheistic.

In terms of Indian society, Hinduism has had a considerable influence. Most significantly, the caste system reinforced Hindu beliefs of karma. Those born into higher castes were thought to have earned good karma in their previous lives and were that much closer to moksha. On the other hand, women and those born into the lowest classes must have committed bad deeds. As time went on, the caste system would increase in rigidity. Beginning in the medieval period and lasting well into modern history, one’s caste dictated almost every aspect of their life, from what they could wear and eat to who they could interact with.