An Essay on Hinduism

Dr. Sriram’s Lecture

This related event is on the Lecture Dr. Sriram gave after hours at the Niceville Campus

on the second day in February. Much of what Dr. Sriram covered was covered in the class

lectures but there were many different things that I learned from her. This lecture was

enlightening to say the least as just being in the presence of what was brought into class made

quite an impression. Her outfit, the small shrines, the incense, and the pictures of the gods

brought about a new idea of what Indian culture is really like in it’s intricacies and simplicity.

As stated in our classroom lectures, Dr. Sriram also stated that Hinduism is a way of life

and not so much as a religion. One can only be born into this �religion’ so to say, not converted

into it, but for those not of Indian descent the basics of this religion can be applied into ones

own religion. All religions are said to be true by Hinduism, they are all just different pathways to

the same place. So one does not need to feel coerced into being a Hindu just to apply some of

their beliefs and teachings, one only needs to adapt what they have learned to their own

religion.

The basic idea of a supreme being is broken up into three different sub entities. These

sub entities are: Vishnu who maintains the universe, Brahma who is the creator of the universe,

and Shiva who is to be the destroyer of the universe. All three of these gods have their own

direct importance to an aspect of prayer that the Hindu may dedicate their devotion too. These

gods have their own aspects as well that may be seen of importance for worship or even for a

sign for the devout.

The caste system, as stated by Dr. Sriram, was dictated as being not who was superior

but of a profession. These professions include Brahmans, shatrias, vishas, and shudras. The

Brahmans were the scholars who were meant to educate the people of the world. The shatrias

were the warriors who were meant to do battle for those who could not. The vishas were the

businessmen who created order with businesses to keep trade