Broad traditions

Different types of Hindu practices:

1. Devotional Hinduism which comprises 98 % of the Hindu population. This focuses on the worship of certain deities.
2. Reformed Hinduism which includes the people that follow Dayanand Saraswati, who is the founder of the Arya Samaj movement. They respect the five elements of Earth Water, Fire, Sun and Wind.
3. Followers of individual gurus and neo-Hindu churches.
4. Followers of yoga and meditation in order to obtain self realization
5. Marginal Hindu movements

http://www.abc.net.au/religion

Basic History

• Earliest evidence of Hinduism dates back to the early Harappan Period. (5500 - 2600 BCE)
• Considering the fact that Hinduism is such an old religion, much of its early history is unclear.
• Scholars often have to rely on archaeology and the study of translated texts to make educated assumptions and guesses about the history of Hinduism.
• Hinduism doesn’t have one specific founder/theology or a specific date of origin; it was originated from the practices of Aryan tribes that moved to India from Asia over three thousand years ago and has developed from there on for thousands of years.
• The earliest literature of Hinduism is comprised of four Vedas; Rig-Veda, Sama-Veda, Yajur-Veda, and the Atharva-Veda.
• The Rig-Veda is considered the oldest of the Hindu texts. It involves mostly poetic hymns used in priesthood - Gods in the Rig-Veda fall into two categories: Gods of Nature and Gods of Moral Concepts. (Rig-Veda addresses the offering of Soma to the Gods)
• The Buddhist religion was heavily influenced by Hinduism.
• The Gupta Dynasty was governed under Hindu Beliefs. (Gupta Dynasty ruled northern India sometime between the 4th and 6th centuries of the common era)
• During the 1st century "The Silk Road" helped bring cultural expansion into South-East Asia, including Hinduism.

http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/cultural/religion/hinduism/history.html

Indus River Valley Civilization

• In 1921, evidence of an ancient civilization was uncovered along the Indus River – which runs through northwest India. This civilization is widely known as the “Harappan civilization.”
• Harappan Society may have originated as early as 7000 B.C. and its height is thought to be around 2300 B.C. – 2000 B.C.
• Based on physical evidence that has been uncovered, it is believed that Hinduism could have been a prevalent religion at some point in the history of the Harappan civilization – Baths for ritual bathing, Possible alters for animal sacrifices, terracotta deity figures, and possibly a prototype figurine of Shiva.

http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/cultural/religion/hinduism/history.html

http://www.religionfacts.com/hinduism/history.htm

The Aryans and Decline of the Indus River Valley Civilization

• The Indus River Valley civilization began to decline around 1800 B.C. due to a possible flood or drought; it is thought that Aryans began to move into India from Asia at approximately this time.
• Aspects of Hinduism like the Sanskrit language and the Vedic religion is attributable to the invading Aryans. Original inhabitants of the valley are thought to have had a Dravidian language/culture which was diminished under the authority of the Aryans.
• Eventually both peoples developed a similar religious belief system which was founded on the polytheism of the Aryans and the sanctity of fertility of the Harappans.
• The Aryans attacked the Harappan people, and eventually both peoples developed a similar religious belief system which was founded on the polytheism of the Aryans and the sanctity of fertility of the Harappans.
• A caste system soon ensued under the authority of The Aryans.
• Some believe that invasion of the Aryans is a myth created by scholars to say that anything good in India must have come from somewhere else. (The Aryan invasion is what is taught in History books)

http://www.religionfacts.com/hinduism/history.htm

http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/cultural/religion/hinduism/history.html

Yoga

• Yoga originated in India.
• Yoga is used for the main purpose of Spiritual-Realization.
• The word Yoga comes from the root Yuj which means to join.
• Yoga has been thought to lead to spiritual experience and a higher understanding of a particular existence.

Hindus generally take part in three types of yoga:
-Jnana Yoga: the path of realization and wisdom
-Bhakti Yoga: the path of love and devotion to a personal god
-Karma Yoga: the path of selfless action
There are many other types of yoga yet these are the main three that are practiced.

http://www.lotussculpture.com/bronze_sculpture_yoga.htm
http://www.experiencefestival.com/hinduism_and_yoga

Video about Hinduism

Here's an interesting video that describes the religion of Hinduism:

http://www.libraryvideo.com/streaming.asp?sku=K6763

Ahimsa

Hindus follow the principle of ahimsa, which is non-injury to living creatures. This principle especially applies to cows, which Hindus believe are sacred animals. As a result, hardly any Hindus eat beef. Also, many do not eat any kind of meat.

http://www.diehardindian.com/demogrph/moredemo/hindu.htm