RELIGIONS
OF THE WORLD
Hinduism
Diverse
beliefs. Many Hindus believe in Brahman (God) as the impersonal
ultimate reality/world soul. Many believe God is both impersonal
force and personal savior. There are many, or countless, gods
and goddesses (devas) representative of various aspects of the
One Supreme God. The Hindu trinity of Brahman is the creator
(Brahma), the preserver (Vishnu), and destroyer (Shiva) of the
universe.
. Belief in Deity:
There are many if not countless incarnations and manifestations
(avatars) of God also worshipped as Gods.
. Origin of Universe and Life:
Diverse beliefs. Many believe the universe recreates itself
cyclically after karma is extinguished from all individuals.
Many believe in a Creator God.
. After
Death:
Through laws of karma, one's soul is reborn until enlightened
and liberated from rebirth, at which time you enter a state
of ultimate bliss (moksha) and become one with the ultimate
truth and reality, God, Brahman. One may be reborn into a number
of heavens and hells, or as lower life forms, depending on one's
karma.
. Why Evil?:
Diverse beliefs. Some believe in gods who have powers to do
some evil, a small price to pay to have the gods on our side
with their powers to provide great benefits. Many believe evil,
sin, and death are illusions, as only the Ultimate Reality (or
God) truly exists. Most believe people have free will to commit
wrongs, and evil results as cravings, attachments and ignorance
accumulate through perpetual rebirths, resulting in greed, hatred,
violence. The illusion of evil is extinguished with egoism through
enlightenment.
. Salvation:
To become liberated from cycles of rebirth and merge with the
Universal Spirit, Brahman, one must worship God or gods, do
good works, and live correctly according to the dharma (based
on one's caste and phase of life), go on pilgrimages to the
holy places in India, and learn through meditation, yoga, and,
with the help of a master, the truth of one's true nature as
one with the Universal Spirit. An ascetic lifestyle is recommended
in the last phase of life. Some Hindus believe salvation is
granted by the grace of a forgiving God.
. Undeserved Suffering:
Many believe that suffering is a result of past-life greed,
hatred, and spiritual ignorance, which returns as suffering
(karma). Coping with suffering is sometimes viewed as valuable
in furthering spiritual growth. Suffering is also seen as illusory,
in that it results from attachment to bodily pleasure and pain,
and only the Absolute, or God, truly exists.
. Contemporary Issues:
Abortion is considered an abomination, as the fetus deserves
protection. Views on homosexuality range from neutral to strong
opposition, in part because sexual activity itself is generally
regarded as contrary to enlightenment and, as such, is only
acceptable within marriage for procreation. Divorce and remarriage
is traditionally and culturally unacceptable, although not prohibited
by the scriptures. Divorce and remarriage of widows is becoming
more common, however, among Hindus.