Hindus

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Contents

[edit] Understanding Hindus

J.N. Manokaran

  • Hinduism is an enigma to both Hindus and Non-Hindus, scholars and lay people, and Westerners and Easterners. It defies all logics of definition, classification and categorization. Where do we start? Which direction to take? Can we understand from historical perspective? Can we do a scientific study? Can we do a philosophical analysis? Any way we have to begin somewhere.
  • Gayatri Mantra is one of the popular prayer of many Hindus that addresses God to guide them from darkness to light.

[edit] Origin of Hinduism

Hinduism is called as “Sanatana Dharma” that means eternal religion. So the Hindus claim that the religion is as old as humanity, there is no founder, or founding date. This is the old name of this religion. But the name Hindu is a word that was derived from Indus meaning people living beyond Indu river. Hindu is a modern term.

Vivekanada could be considered as the pioneer or father of modern renewal of Hinduism at the global scale. He spoke in the World Parliament of Religions in 1893 and introduced the Vedic Hinduism as a modern, tolerant and world religion.

[edit] Trinity of Hinduism

The trinity of Hinduism is: Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva. Brahma is the creator, while Vishnu is the protector or keeper while Shiva is the destroyer.

[edit] Basic Doctrines of Hinduism:

Brahma is the universal soul. All souls are part of the great soul. Ultimately all souls would dissolve into the universal soul. There is no individual identity for any person. So nothing exists apart from Brahman.

Human problem is not SIN but ignorance. The ignorance of the true nature of oneself results in the endless cycle of the birth and rebirth.

Law of karma that there is not forgiveness and every person has to pay penalty for his or her sins.

Reincarnation is the corollary of the law of karma that man has to go through several births as atonement and ultimately mingle with the universal soul.

There are eight steps for nirvana: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharna, Dyana, and Samadhi.

These are the various schools of philosophy in Hinduism: Samkhya System, Yoga System, Mimamsa system, Vaisheshika system, Nyaya system and Vedanta system

[edit] Classification of Hinduism:

1. Philosophical Hindusim They believe in the authority of Vedas, Upanishads and other Scriptures. They try to live according to scriptures. They are in pursuit of ultimate reality. They are also termed as Vedic Hinduism, Classic Hinduism or Brahmanical Hinduism.

There are three popular schools of thought:

2. Religious Hinduism: Believes in Puranas (Epics), Believes in Mahabharatha, Ramayana and Bhagavad Gita Believes in avatars. The number of avatars are ten where as nine has appeared the last one is expected. Epics are considered as revelation from God. They offer liberty to choose their own ishta devata or personal god or goddess.

Salvation may be attained in one of three ways:

3. Popular Hinduism Popular Hinduism is different from Philosophical Hinduism. It has been influenced by ancestral tradition, animal worship, magic, exorcism, etc. The popular Hindus believe that the particular god will protect them, bless them, and make them prosperous. A majority of Hindus belong to this group. Their beliefs are experience based and scripture based. There are numerous gods and goddess. A majority of the backward castes would fall into this category.

4. Guruism and Mystic Hinduism Gurus with mystical experience draw many people. They are charismatic personalities offering relief from worldly problems. Gurus’ claim that they are sensational and are associated with avathars or they themselves are avatars. Some claim to perform miracles. One example is: Satya Sai Baba

5. Secular Hinduism: Like nominal Chrisitans, these people are nominal Hindus. They are indifferent to religious practices but continue to follow some customs or rituals for the sake of family members. Religious customs may be motivated by materialistic tendencies. Example: Kerala and West Bengal Communists

6. Hindu Sects: Saivism, the ardent devotees of Siva, Supreme god for many Hindus, specially in South India. The god is represented by an idol or a linga. Example: Lingayats

Vaishnavism: Devotees of Vishnu believe in avataras. Appeared on earth in human and animal form.

Many avataras

  • Ram in Ramayana
  • Krishna in Bhagvat Gita

These sects have remained within Hinduism. Some sects became separate religion like Sikhism, Buddhism and Jainism.

7. Animistic and folk beliefs People influenced by animism, spiritism, occult and animal worship follow a lower form of Hinduism. Fear of the unknown exercises its instinctive dread over followers’ minds. This is very much in tribal belts.

[edit] Distribution of Hindus in countries

[edit] Dalits

  • The rising demands by Dalits for their constitutional rights and a share in the land and wealth of the country, and by tribals for protection of their ancestral lands are often met by obstruction, intimidation and repression.

[edit] Tribals in India

[edit] Christinity and Hinduism, the challenges

  • Hinduism is the world’s third largest religious system. At its widest, a Hindu is one who lives in or identifies with India and its culture. As a religion, it is a pluralistic network of religious beliefs and systems ranging from the philosophical (self-realization), to Vedic (rituals and good works) to village Hinduism (idolatry, occultism, animism). It absorbs elements of any religion it encounters, and is widely perceived as a religion of tolerance and peace. Its global influence is significant through such movements as Hare Krishna, New Age, etc. Many concepts of Hinduism have become part of 21st century post-modern culture — yoga, gurus, karma, reincarnation and transcendental meditation.
  • How can we pray?
Hinduism has emotional appeal, yet in their search after fulfilment and purpose Hindus still long for a true communion with the Creator that only Jesus can give. Pray that Christians may so demonstrate true spirituality and the life of Christ indwelling that many will find their desires met in Him.
The Hindu caste system is a major unresolved issue. Constitutional equality and the legal banning of discrimination together with affirmative action favouring the underprivileged in education and government jobs have only partly addressed the problems.

[edit] Church planting among Hindus

[edit] Organizations working specifically amongst unreached peoples - Hindus

[edit] Resources for ministry among Hindus

[edit] Persecution in the Hindu context

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