Alex Murphy

World Religions 2300-001

Wijitha Bandara
Salt Lake Community College
Assignment 1: Hinduism
Part One:
Using the film listed below and the textbook name 5 Hindu deities and explain what
Hindu devotees expect from them.

Brahma is the Creator. He created the world and all of its creatures. While he
plays a large role in the Hindu creation story, he is the least worshipped god today.
He lusted after the god, Shatarupa, and tricked her into sleeping with him. This is
considered unholy behavior. It is also believed that his role in creation is over and
he doesnt warrant as much attention.
Shiva is the Destroyer. Destruction is necessary for new creation. He is a
multifaceted god. He is impulsive and easy to anger, but he is also the master of
dance. Yogis worship him, as do members of Shaivism, who worship him exclusively.
Worshippers look to his marriage as the perfectly balanced marriage.
Lakshmi is the god of wealth and purity. Worshippers believe that if they are
sincere in their devotion, they will be rewarded with fortune and success. The entire
festival of Dimali is dedicated to the goddess. Otherwise, worshippers show her the
most attention on Fridays.
Vishnu is the Preserver. He is tender and merciful. In every situation, Vishnu
responds with kindness. For this reason, his worshippers consider him the greatest
god.
Kali is the goddess of time and change She is the destroyer of evil and is
worshipped with animal sacrifices. While she is fierce in appearance, her
worshippers understand that her sword is merciful and necessary to understanding
the Supreme.
Part Two:
Hinduism could be called Dharma rather than a religion. What arguments would you use
to support or oppose this assessment?

An apple is like an orange, but they are not the same thing. They both provide
nutrients and taste sweet. But, calling an apple and orange would be a serious
underestimation of what makes each fruit so special. In the same way, Hinduism is
like Western religion. They function as codes that guide the faithful to deeper
spiritual understanding. But, calling Hinduism a religion does an injustice to a
complex system of faith. The word, dharma, describes religion, but it also
describes a distinct kind of righteousness and moral order.
Hinduism, itself, is a Western word that describes a large branch of faiths
from an area in India. It devalues the diversity Hinduism represents. Calling
Hinduism a religion furthers this insult. The gods and faith of the Indian people
deserve a non-Western word that showcases their distinct and fascinating culture.
Referring to their faith as their dharma would signal a respect.
Dharma is a broad word. It means Religion, but it also means Duty, Virtue,
and Morality. Dharma is the rules, but it is also that which makes grass grow and
sun shine. Dharma is personal. What might be good dharma for a man might be
wrong for a woman. It differs among caste as well. Dharma is a more beautiful word
to use, and it offers a fairer picture of Hindu faiths.
Hinduism can be called a religion, because it has a religious goal, some might
say. The problem is Hinduism is more than a religion. It is religions. It is many ideas.
Calling Hinduism a religion is refusing to understand it for what it is.
Religion and dharma are similar concepts. Just as an Apple Julius or an
Orange Pie doesnt sound as appetizing as the original recipes, religion and dharma
are not interchangeable. Continuing to force dharma into Western ideas of faith is
damaging to the integrity of what Hinduism truly represents.
Works Cited
Fisher, Mary Pat. "Hinduism." Living religions. 8th ed. Upper Saddle River, N.J.:
Prentice-Hall, 1999. Print.
Religions of the World: Hinduism. Perf. Ben Kingsley. Schlessinger Media, 1998. Film.
Bandara, Wijitha. "Hinduism." World Religions. Salt Lake Community College.
Summer 2014. Class Lecture.