Introduction

Unlike most other religions, Hinduism defies strict codification. The name means 'Indian' and includes widely varying practices and beliefs. An orthodox Hindu may be theist or atheist, ascetic or materialist. He would claim that his religion was genuinely inclusive of all beliefs. This very inclusiveness is witness to the fact that at its root lies the philosophy that we are a part of nature in which clearly good and evil co-exist, and perpetually struggle. God is a part of everything (both good and evil) and everything is a part of God. It is clear that this pantheistic thinking has had a powerful influence on psychology and philosophy, as well as the 'modern' New Age movement. It is increasingly expressed in modern films (eg: Dances with Wolves (great film, though - Ed)) and books.

Origins

• Indus Valley civilisation, N W India c.2500bc
• Aryan invasion of lush river valley c.500bc. Mixture of beliefs with indigenous population produced a variety of fertility cults
• A huge pantheon of gods/goddesses developed, all of which are representative of either nature or the impersonal and indefinable divinity or 'life force'

Scriptures

Broadly speaking, there are two main categories: the Sruti ('heard word'), also called Vedas, are the final authority and therefore the most important body of scripture; and the Smrti ('remembered word'), the secondary scriptures. The Vedas, from the word 'to know', are 'compendiums of knowledge', the human quest for the 'Ultimate Reality'. The truths therein are considered to be eternal, and not the creation of the human mind. They were traditionally passed down orally from teacher to disciple, and then codified by Vyasa ('compiler'). Dates suggested for origins range from 2500BC to 5000BC.

Beliefs

• No personal God. The gods and goddesses are only representations of an impersonal, even abstract force.
• Brahman is the 'life force'. He "dwells within all and outside all - unborn, pure, greater than the greatest, without breath, without mind."
• The three main gods who represent him/it are:
  Brahma - Creator
  Vishnu - Preserver
  Shiva - Destroyer
• Vishnu has had nine 'incarnations', when the world has been in trouble. These include Maksha - the fish, who warned of the flood, Buddha and Krishna and a tenth who is yet to come
• Some gods are amoral and worship of them is often expressed with sexual imagery. The orgiastic behaviour occasioned is not seen as immoral, but as life-affirming
• It is a common mistake of Westerners to assume that a Hindu, in worshipping an image is worshipping a personal deity. The 'beings' are always representative (eg: twelve arms = omnipotence) of 'the divine'

Reincarnation

• The goal of every human is to break out of the life cycle and be absolved into Brahman. This may take almost literally forever
• Through Karma (actions) we may progress upwards through various strata of existence into Brahman. Personality is only an illusion and will dissolve at that point. Bad Karma may lead us downwards: in the next life we may be handicapped, or an animal
• The Caste system is based on this idea. There are four levels, the highest is the priesthood, the lowest 'the untouchables'. Contact with the latter brings bad Karma. Although officially banned, one can still see the effects of it in places such as Calcutta

Worship and Morality

Four Yogas or ways of reaching Brahman are described:

• Inana Yoga knowledge, understanding the nature of the universe
• Bhakti Yoga love and devotion. Ecstatic worship and consciousness of the divine
• Karma Yoga actions done without regard for personal reward
• Raja Yoga the priesthood

Hindus should respect all life of which we are a part. Most are vegetarians (they often revere the cow, monkey or snake). We should strive to renounce material pleasures and personal self-interest. But we have many lives to do this in and practically most people are middle of the road - although in India there is often a spirit of humility to be found which many find attractive.

Views of Christ

• Very difficult to preach to because truth is not absolute
• Christ can be accepted as a devout and good man, possibly a 'god'