How is Hinduism unique from other religions?: Hinduism cannot be neatly slotted into any particular belief system. Unlike other religions, Hinduism is a way of life, a Dharma, that is, the law that governs all action. It has its own beliefs, traditions, advanced system of ethics, meaningful rituals, philosophy and theology. The religious tradition of Hinduism is solely responsible for the creation of such original concepts and practices as Yoga, Ayurveda, Vastu, Jyotish, Yajna, Puja, Tantra, Vedanta, Karma, etc.

How and when did Hinduism originate?: Hinduism has its origins in such remote past that it cannot be traced to any one individual. Some scholars believe that Hinduism must have existed even in circa 10000 B.C. and that the earliest of the Hindu scriptures – The Rig Veda – was composed well before 6500 B.C. The word "Hinduism" is not to be found anywhere in the scriptures, and the term "Hindu" was introduced by foreigners who referred to people living across the River Indus or Sindhu, in the north of India, around which the Vedic religion is believed to have originated.

What are the basic tenets of Hinduism?: There is no “one Hinduism”, and so it lacks any unified system of beliefs and ideas. Hinduism is a conglomerate of diverse beliefs and traditions, in which the prominent themes include: Dharma (ethics and duties) Samsara (rebirth) Karma (right action) Moksha (liberation from the cycle of Samsara) It also believes in truth, honesty, non-violence, celibacy, cleanliness, contentment, prayers, austerity, perseverance, penance, and pious company.

What are the key Hindu scriptures?: The basic scriptures of Hinduism, which is collectively referred to as "Shastras", are essentially a collection of spiritual laws discovered by different saints and sages at different points in its long history. The Two types of sacred writings comprise the Hindu scriptures: "Shruti" (heard) and "Smriti" (memorized). They were passed on from generation to generation orally for centuries before they were written down mostly in the Sanskrit language. The major and most popular Hindu texts include the Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads, and the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata.

What are the major Hindu deities?: Hinduism believes that there is only one supreme Absolute called "Brahman". However, it does not advocate the worship of any one particular deity. The gods and goddesses of Hinduism amount to thousands or even millions, all representing the many aspects of Brahman. Therefore, this faith is characterized by the multiplicity of deities. The most fundamental of Hindu deities is the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva - creator, preserver and destroyer respectively. Hindus also worship spirits, trees, animals and even planets.

Who is a Hindu and how to become one?: A Hindu is an individual who accepts and lives by the religious guidance of the Vedic scriptures. While the teachings of the Hindu tradition do not require that you have a religious affiliation to Hinduism in order to receive its inner teachings, it can be very helpful to formally become a Hindu because it provides one a formal connection to the “ world's oldest continually existing enlightenment tradition."

Being an ideal Hindu simply implies living a righteous life by obeying the two basic tenets of Karma, ie, doing one's duty and Dharma, ie, believing in what is right in order to attain salvation from this world. Difficulty: Hard Time Required: Everyday, lifelong Here's How: 1. Rise up from bed before sunrise. 2. Complete morning ablutions and bath. 3. Pay homage to the family deity. 4. Spend 10-15 minutes praying, meditating and reciting from the scriptures. 5. Prepare breakfast and eat it only after offering the same to the family deity. 6. Then throughout the day execute the tasks pertaining to one's profession with complete devotion, sincerity and honesty for the maintenance of the family. 7. In the evening perform group prayers in the family shrine along with all the members of the family. 8. This is followed by supper and obeisance to the family deity before retiring to bed. 9. Besides this daily routine, an ideal Hindu is advised to visit the nearest Hindu temple once in a while. 10. You should observe several important Hindu festivals with due reverence, and go on pilgrimage to a few holy places. 11. A Hindu is expected to give charity, help the needy, respect the elders in society and scrupulously pursue the path of moral rectitude in both personal and social life. 12. Compassion, consideration for others, love, sympathy, non-violence should be the ruling words in the life of an ideal Hindu. Tips: 1. Avoid the seven deadly sins of wrath, envy, pride, covetousness, gluttony, sloth, and lechery. 2. Family deity can be any god or any saint whom you consider your own true god. 3. Have faith in God and believe in yourself.

Hinduism does not have any one founder, and any one core doctrine to which controversies can be referred to for resolution. There is also no point in time when it could be said to have begun. It does not require its adherents to accept any one idea, and thus is cultural, not creedal. The unique concept of the Absolute “Brahman” that cannot be equated with “God” is also exclusive to Hinduism. Hinduism is also marked by an attitude which seems to accommodate religious and cultural perspectives other than one's own, and so is characterized by a rich variety of ideas and practices resulting in what appears as a multiplicity of religions under one term 'Hinduism'. Hinduism is perhaps the only religious tradition that is so diverse in its theoretical premises and practical expressions that it is like a compilation of religions with a history contemporaneous with the peoples with which it is associated. According to philosopher Jeaneane Fowler, Hinduism can never be neatly slotted into any particular belief system — monism, theism, monotheism, polytheism, pantheism, panentheism— for all these systems are reflected in its many facets.

Hinduism is a broad label and is difficult to define with any exactness, but it is used by scholars today to refer to the traditional religious beliefs of the people in India, both past and present. The term "hindu" itself means the inhabitants of the "land beyond the indus river," and was used by the invaliding Muslim armies of the 8th and 9th centuries who entered India from the northwest. Hindi has no actual word for "religion" - Hinduism is not a compartmentalized belief system so much as it is a way of life. As a result, some argue that Hinduism isn't really a religion afterall. It is, however, more like a religion than anything else, but it is important to keep in mind that it isn't a "religion" just like Christianity or Judaism are religions. It is because Hinduism has developed over the course of 3000 years that it is difficult to define, but scholars are able to distinguish several forms and stages. Among some of the categories are: Vedic Hinduism, Brahmanic Hinduism, Philosophical Hinduism, Devotional Hinduism, and Reformed Hinduism. Most people regard Hinduism as polytheistic - an idea which is both true and false. It is true that Hinduism has polytheitic elements, but it also as monotheistic and atheistic elements as well. It is diffiicult to describe, but polytheism is simply one way for a person to look at Hinduism. The variety of deities provides people with a variety of ways to fulfill their spiritual needs. Some go further and regard all of the deities as merely aspects of a few, or perhaps of just one deity. Some fo further yet and regard it all as manifestations of a single, impersonal ground of being - not theistic at all. In the end, Hinduism is what one makes of it. Also Known As: Brahmanism

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