2. The religion that I enjoyed studying the most was Hinduism. It was a somewhat difficult
choice to make because I enjoyed learning about several. I found Hinduism fascinating and
historically rich. To have a religion that is both structured, tolerant, and open-ended has me
in disbelief. It is one of the oldest known religions and to me that speaks volumes to still be
around today, not only in the founded area, but all around the world. The fact that the
religion is tolerant of other beliefs is another factor as well as the deities in the religion that
coexist without power struggles. Followers can choose how worshipping best fits them, and
not how they best fit the faith.
Why Hinduism?
3. Hinduism Origin
Much like the Banyan tree has no apparent beginning or central trunk; Hinduism has no clear origin date or founder.
It is something some believe developed gradually as a culmination of “prehistoric” religions of the sub-Indian region and the
Vedic religion of the Indo-Aryan culture. Academically speaking Hinduism is referred to as Brahmanism prior to 300 BCE (The
Origins, 2016).
Researchers estimate that Hinduism is approximately 4,000 years old, it is one of the oldest known religions (The Origins,
2016). There are approximately one billion Hindu worshippers around the world, less than one percent of those live outside
Asia and the Pacific (The Origins, 2016).
4. Lord Shiva
(Dabera Jean-Pierre, 2015)
Brahma
Jarvis Dennis, 2015
Lord Vishnu
PHGCOM, 2013
The Trimurti
Although Brahma is considered “creator” he is lesser to Vishnu, and does not typically have a following, but is
considered part of the Trimurti “trinity” this is the archetypal explanation of god as three types(Trimurti, 2020).
They represent Brahma-creation, Vishnu-preservation, and Shiva-Destruction (Trimurti, 2020). This would be
known in the Christian religion as the Holy Trinity.
Though there are
many there is no
true consensus of
how many deities
the Hindu Religion
has.
Trayastrimsati
Koti translates
to 33 Gods in
Athawa Veda
(Trimurti, 2020)
5. Rituals
There are rituals that take place daily, as well as rituals at major milestones in a person’s life. I will be going over the major
milestone rituals.
1. Garba Aadhana – The purification of parents for conception of child.
2. Pumsavana – Purification of mother carrying child.
3. Simantonmayana – Protection for mother and baby in utero.
4. Jatakarma – Purification of newborn.
5. Namakarana – Ceremony for naming infant.
6. Nishkramana – When infant travels from its home for first time
7. Annaprashana – When infant is fed solid food for the first time.
8. Chaulam – When the infant’s hair is cut for the first time.
9. Karnavedhana – When infant’s ears are pierced for the first time. (Hindu Rituals, 2020)
6. Rituals Continued
10. Aksharaabhyasa/Vidyaramba – When a child begins their formal education outside the home.
11. Upanayana – When boys begin wearing the sacred cloth.
12. Vedaarambha – When studying Vedas and Upanishads begins.
13. Keshanta/Ritusuddhi – When boys shave for the first time.
14. Samnaavartana – When formal education has been completed (college graduation).
15. Vivaha – When marriage occurs.
16. Anthyeshti – When one dies, funeral.
These rituals can change based on the community where they are completed.
Hindu Rituals, 2020
7. The Afterlife
Hinduism makes no promise to the afterlife, only the release following the resolution of Karma.
Shradda funeral rites are considered one of the most important rituals done in Hinduism. They
believe that it is crucial that the preparation of the body as well as the family members, and
cremation of the body must be done very specifically. If it is not done correctly the deceased will be
stuck between this life and the next (Rites and Ceremonies, 2021)
8. Worship
Mandir or Temple is primarily where the Hindu worship. Shrines are in many homes in India
leaving the Mandir for momentous occasions of worship, or when the request for divinity is
requested, many times made by those who have completed a pilgrimage. Marriages are
conducted in temples and are very lavish affairs (Jones & Ryan, 2016)
Today worship is done primarily through the use of an icon in one’s home. Prior to use a
complex ritual must be performed, this is when the divinity is placed in the icon, usually an
image. Once this is completed the image is treated as divinity itself (Jones & Ryan, 2016).
9. Hinduism Today
There are approximately one billion Hindus around the world today. The majority of worshippers are in the Asian-
Pacific region, this is more than 99% (Hindus, 2019).
There are roughly 2,250,000 worshippers in North America as of 2010 (Hindus, 2019).
An astonishing 94% of Hindus reside in India. Next would be Nepal at 2% and then Bangladesh at 1% (Hindus, 2019).
Today Hindus are younger with the median age being 26 years, the Asian-Pacific holds the youngest population, sub-
Saharan Africa follows with a median age of 30 years, then Latin America and the Caribbean at 32 years. In North
America, Middle East, North Africa, and Europe the median age is 33 years (Hindus, 2019).
10. Hinduism and The Greater Good
The act of giving is something that is important in Hinduism. Today The Hindu American
Foundation educates and advocates for others (Hindu American Foundation, 2021).
Issues that they are working on today are free speech, environmental issues, equality,
hate crimes, immigration, India, international religious liberty, LGBT rights, and women’s
rights. Through their website an individual can join the causes listed above as well as
supporting laws such as “Hold Pakistan Accountable” amendments that are being
presented to governing bodies (Hindu American Foundation, 2021).
11. The Future of Hinduism
Research done as of 2015 projected that Hindus will comprise 76.7%
or three in four Indians by the year 2050. There is religious strife
between Muslims and Hindus as we have seen historically with
Muslim Pakistan and Hindu India. According to Pew research India is
considered to be the highest social hostility to involve religion in the
world (Hackett, 2020).
12. References
Hackett, C. (2020, May 30). By 2050, India to have world's largest populations of Hindus and Muslims. Pew
Research Center. Retrieved September 15, 2021, from https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/04/21/by-
2050-india-to-have-worlds-largest-populations-of-hindus-and-muslims/.
Hindus. Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project. (2019, December 31). Retrieved September 18,
2021, from https://www.pewforum.org/2012/12/18/global-religious-landscape-hindu/.
Hindu American Foundation. (2021, July 15). Retrieved September 15, 2021, from
https://www.hinduamerican.org/.
Hindu rituals. Hindu Rituals - Shodasa Samskaras (sanskar) - 16 sacraments of Hinduism. (2020). Retrieved
September 18, 2021, from https://shaivam.org/hinduism-a-perspective/hindu-rituals-sacraments-shodasa-
samskaras.
Jones, C. A., & Ryan, J. D. (2016). Temple, Hindu. In C. A. Jones, & J. D. Ryan, Encyclopedia of world religions:
Encyclopedia of Hinduism (2nd ed.). Facts On File. Credo Reference: https://search-credoreference-
com.ezproxy1.apus.edu/content/entry/fofhinduism/temple_hindu/0
13. References Continued
Rites and ceremonies. Patheos. (2021). Retrieved September 15, 2021, from
https://www.patheos.com/library/hinduism/ritual-worship-devotion-symbolism/rites-and-ceremonies.
The origins of Hinduism. (2016). In C. A. Jones, & J. D. Ryan, Encyclopedia of world religions: Encyclopedia of
Hinduism (2nd ed.). Facts On File. Credo Reference: https://search-credoreference-
com.ezproxy2.apus.edu/content/entry/fofhinduism/the_origins_of_hinduism/0
Trimurti. Trimurti - New World Encyclopedia. (2020). Retrieved September 19, 2021, from
https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Trimurti.
14. Photos
Dabera, J.-P. (2015). Illustration. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved September 18, 2021, from
https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3967/shiva-with-nandi-aihole/.
Jarvis, D. (2015). Brahma, Chiang Mai. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved September 18, 2021, from
https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3851/brahma-chiang-mai/.
PHGCOM. (2013). Statue of lord vishnu. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved September 18, 2021, from
https://www.worldhistory.org/image/1185/statue-of-lord-vishnu/.
