Fundamental Principles of Hinduism You Should Know

A Brief History of Hinduism and its Basic Beliefs.

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What is Hinduism?

Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world and it has existed for over 5,000 years. It is also one of the oldest religions in the world. Hinduism has no founder or a single belief system. Instead, there are many different beliefs that are all practiced by Hindus.

The origins of Hinduism stem from ancient India and it is believed that followers of Hinduism have been around for at least 5,000 years, with some scholars estimating that they have been around for as long as 10,000 years. The earliest roots of this religion are in Vedic culture and they were first recorded in Sanskrit writings dating back to 1500 BCE. The name "Hindu" comes from Sindhu which was an ancient region located near Pakistan's Indus River Valley where most of these early writings were found.

Hindus believe that there are many different paths to enlightenment or Nirvana and thus there is no one set belief system practiced by all Hindus. In fact, Hindus

The Age of the Vedas and Upanishads

The Vedas and Upanishads are among the earliest scriptures of Hinduism.

They are considered to be the oldest scriptures of any Indian tradition, and in them, we find evidence of a profound spiritual knowledge and wisdom that is still relevant today.

Vedic literature is a large corpus of texts originating from ancient India. The Vedas are thought to be the oldest written texts in existence and they contain some of the most profound spiritual wisdom found anywhere on earth. The Upanishads form part of this same class, but are more philosophical in nature.

The Laws of Manu and the Brahmins

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The Laws of Manu are the most ancient legal code in the world. It is a set of rules that define how people should live and behave. The laws are written by Manu, an Indian sage.

In this section, we will discuss about the Brahmins and their role in Hinduism. Brahmins are priests and teachers in Hinduism. They are also called as "twice born" because they undergo a ceremony called "Upanayana" which is an initiation ritual for young boys to enter gurukul (school) or become a priest.

What Are the Basic Beliefs of Hinduism?

Hinduism is not just a set of beliefs, but also a way of life.

The basic beliefs in Hinduism are reincarnation and karma. Reincarnation is the belief that every living being has been or will be born again in one form or another, whether animal, human, god or other form according to their deeds (karma). Karma is the belief that what you do affects your next life.

The 5 Most Fundamental Beliefs of Hinduism: What You Need to Know!

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First Fundamental Belief- Karma

Karma is a Sanskrit word that literally means "action." In Hinduism, Karma is the belief that what one does in this life will affect one's next reincarnation. The law of karma states that as you do, so shall you receive.

Karma is also the natural force of cause and effect that operates in our daily lives. Good actions will bring good effects and bad actions will bring bad effects. It is believed that Karma can be stored up for later use or it can be used immediately to create good or bad effects on oneself and others.

Second Fundamental Belief- Dharma

The second fundamental belief in Buddhism is called Dharma. Dharma is the teachings of Buddha and the path to enlightenment. It is a collection of truths that are to be followed in order to find happiness and peace. The most important principle of dharma is that all living beings have Buddha-nature, meaning that they have the potential for Enlightenment.

In Buddhism, there are four Noble Truths: 

1) Life means suffering 

2) Suffering comes from desire 

3) Desire can be eliminated 

4) Eliminating desire leads to Nirvana or enlightenment.

Third Fundamental Belief- Artha

Artha is one of the four aims of human life in Hinduism. It is traditionally translated as "material prosperity", but this does not adequately convey the meaning of artha, which includes both material and non-material prosperity.

The concept of Artha appears in Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism as well.

Fourth Fundamental Belief- Kama

The fourth fundamental belief is Kama. This is the belief that one should strive for the fulfillment of their desires. It is believed that this will lead to a person's happiness and they will live in peace.

Some people believe that this teaching encourages people to indulge in their desires and passions without taking into account the consequences.

Fifth Fundamental Belief- Moksha

The fifth fundamental belief is Moksha. This is the belief that there is a spiritual reality that can be attained by the human body and mind. This spiritual reality can be attained through meditation and self-realization.

This belief is closely related to the other four beliefs because it focuses on the idea of Dharma and Karma, which are also religious beliefs in Hinduism.