Question

Briefly but clearly show how the following five basic beliefs or practices of Hinduism are significantly similar to or different from the three religions(Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) previously studied: ahimsa, caste system, avatar, ishta, and puja.

Answer 1

Hinduism is unique compared to other religions for a varied number of reasons. Hinduism is noted as the world’s oldest existing religion, dated as far back as the 2^nd millennium BCE. Hinduism does not have one founder or core doctrine that can be referenced. The religion is an assembly of religious, philosophical and cultural ideas and practices that originated in the country of India. The name Hinduism is new, compared to the age of the religion, British writers created the name in the beginning of the 19^th century.

According to some, an individual is born into Hinduism. However, in today’s culture, one does not need to be of Indian decent to practice Hinduism. It is not exclusive to one nationality or race.

Hinduism is the world’s third largest religion. It has one billion adherents, which makes up 15 percent of the world’s population. Christianity is the world’s largest religion with 2 billion followers, and second largest with 1.3 billion followers is Islam. According to the Pew Research Center 0.7 percent of the United States population are Hindus.

It is important to be culturally competent when it comes to an individual’s faith and beliefs. If you are a colleague of, provide treatment to, or just interact with someone of the Hindu faith, it is imperative to have an understanding and respect for their religion.

Ahimsa- In Hinduism ahimsa (a + himsa) means without violence. Himsa means inflicting pain and injury upon others. Ahimsa, therefore literally means not inflicting pain or injury upon others. It is usually understood and interpreted as nonviolence. However, nonviolence is just one aspect of ahimsa or non injury.

Caste System- Manusmriti, widely regarded to be the most important and authoritative book on Hindu law and dating back to at least 1,000 years before Christ was born, "acknowledges and justifies the caste system as the basis of order and regularity of society". The caste system divides Hindus into four main categories - Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and the Shudras. Many believe that the groups originated from Brahma, the Hindu God of creation. At the top of the hierarchy were the Brahmins who were mainly teachers and intellectuals and are believed to have come from Brahma's head. Then came the Kshatriyas, or the warriors and rulers, supposedly from his arms. The third slot went to the Vaishyas, or the traders, who were created from his thighs. At the bottom of the heap were the Shudras, who came from Brahma's feet and did all the menial jobs.

Avatar, Sanskrit avatāra (“descent”), in Hinduism, the incarnation of a deity in human or animal form to counteract some particular evil in the world. The term usually refers to the 10 appearances of Vishnu: Matsya (fish), Kurma (tortoise), Varaha (boar), Narasimha (half man, half lion), Vamana (dwarf), Parashurama (Rama with the axe), Rama (hero of the Ramayana epic), Krishna (the divine cowherd), Buddha, and Kalkin (the incarnation yet to come). The number of Vishnu’s avatars is sometimes extended or their identities changed, according to local preferences. Thus, Krishna’s half brother, Balarama, is in some areas included as an avatar. One formulation of the doctrine is given in the Bhagavadgita when Krishna tells Prince Arjuna.

Ishta devata is the term in Hinduism for a worshipper's personal preferred deity. Because Hindus may worship many gods and goddesses or their incarnations, they may choose one beloved deity as their focus for devotion.

In Vajrayana Buddhism, ishta devata is not a deity but an enlightened being with whom a person identifies during personal meditation. In this sense, it is often translated as “meditational deity.” It is also a key component of Deity yoga, in which the yogi imagines him/herself in the form of the Buddha. Ishta devata comes from the Sanskrit, ishta, meaning “desired,” “cherished” or “preferred”; and devata, meaning “godhead” or “divinity.” It translates as “cherished divinity.”

Puja, also spelled pooja or poojah, in Hinduism, ceremonial worship, ranging from brief daily rites in the home to elaborate temple rituals. The word puja is derived from the Dravidian pu (“flower”). In its simplest form, puja usually consists of making an offering of flowers or fruit to an image of a god. The components of a puja vary greatly according to the sect, community, part of the country, time of day, needs of the worshipper, and religious text followed. Generally speaking, in a puja, a deity, manifested in his image, is accorded the honour given to a royal guest. The attentions (upacharas) paid to him begin in the morning, when he is gently roused from sleep, and extend through the day, including ritual bathing and dressing, the serving of the usual three meals, and the final ceremony of putting him to bed for the night.