Hinduism

Hinduism

REL 133

July 5, 2006

Hinduism

The elements of the Hindu sacrifices, start by the Vedic worship center. When communities gathers around the fire place, offering gifts to the fire god Agni. Fire sacrifice rituals were created controlled by Brahmins the priests. Specified verbal formulas, sacred chants, and sacred actions were to be used by the priests to invoke the breath behind all of existence. This universal breath was later called Brahman, the Absolute, and the Supreme Reality. There a verbal formula was called mantras; their sound was believed to evoke the reality they named. The language used was Sanskrit. It was considered a re-creation of the actual sound forms of objects, actions, and qualities, as heard by ancient sages in deep meditation. The fire rituals were held in the air, and done by the two rivers. Now the principle of Vidic sacrifice is based on the idea that generous offerings to a deity will be rewarded by some specific result. This movement toward giving has remained in the Indian way of life. A ritual fire offering is still the central to Hindu worship.

Hinduism is not a religion but a set of beliefs and traditions which have grown over years and years. Hinduism is a way of life to them, based upon a group of religious movements rise in the Indian culture over the years of time. It is not based upon a single scripture or the teachings of a single prophet. There is no set organization like Christianity to control its movements or progress.

Hinduism is free from the fetters of social and political world. It is under no man, but only God. A continuously growing religious tradition with inputs from many traditions and cultures from the length and breadth of India, in many ways, Hinduism is like an open directory project, with contributions from many selfless