Hinduism - Religions Of The World Uop
...belief system. Instead, it is composed of many different beliefs and traditions that have evolved over time. It is believed that Hinduisms greatest strength, and a main reason for its continued growth, is its ability to unite the diverse practices and beliefs of its people. Hinduism practitioners are free to believe in the things they chose to believe in.
The people of the Indian Subcontinent are racially, religiously, ethnically, and culturally diverse. The acceptance of this umbrella faith called Hinduism created a unifying influence and philosophy that established peace and cooperation. The adoption of vegetarianism, especially cow protection, assured that the people would be well fed without reliance on limited resources for meat production.
There are some widely accepted ideas or beliefs that are followed by most practitioners which are derived from the Vedas. Vedas are spiritual texts that have been passed down from generation to generation. These main beliefs include reincarnation, rituals, the caste system, and the ultimate goal of achieving Moksha, which is liberation from the limitations of space, time, and matter through realization of the immortal Absolute. (Living Religions)
Liberation from earthly existence, achieving Moksha, is believed to be done through reincarnation, whereby one’s soul is reborn again and again, either in human or animal form, until it is completely pure and can then be free from the wheel of reincarnation. Reincarnation in human form is believed to be a precious and rare opportunity for one to advance ones soul towards complete purity, which is in essence achieving Moksha. It is believed that this advancement is achieved through the concept of Karma. Karma is action and the consequences of the action. Everything one does will either take them closer or farther from that goal. Practitioners...
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