Hinduism

Hinduism is the 3rd largest religion on earth, with 1 billion followers who are
called Hindus. Started around 1500 BC, originated from the Indus valey, it has
neither founder nor prophet. But the most famous Hindus of recent time is
Mahatma Gandhi (the great Soul) who was an essential part of the independence
of India.

Hinduism has numerous Gods. Brahman is the supreme force, without material
form and is present in all living creatures. He is symbolized by a Pantheon of
Gods. The Trimurti is formed by the 3 major Gods : Brahma the Creator, Vishnu
the Peacemaker and Shiva the Destructor. Aside of them, Krishna is the God of
love, Ganesh (son of Shiva) is the God of intelligence and merchants. The Great
Godess (Shivas wife) symbolizes all the women tempers (mother, spouse,
kindness, anger, ). Rama is the God of war and always followed by his close
and trustfull friend, Anuman the monkey God.
Faith is based on 4 concepts : Samsara, the rule of reincarnation ; Moksha, the
freedom of Soul ; Kharma, the way people act ; Dharma, the natural order or
balance. Moreover, Varna appeared when Parusha was cut to pieces by the
Gods : with his mouth they created the caste of Brahmans (priests) ; with his
arms, they made the kings, the princes and the soldiers ; with his tighs, they
made artisans, merchants and farmers ; and lastly with his foot, they made
servants. This legend symbolizes the necessary cooperation between castes and
rules the social relationship all over India.
Finally, Hindus have many Holy Books such as the Vedas, meaning knowledge
and science, here from the apparition of Hinduism and only accessible to the
males of the 3 highest casts ; the Brahmanas, a descritpion of religious
ceremonies ; the Upanisads, philisophic writings ; the Puranas, equivalent of the
Vedas for the whole population.

Followers have a great liberty of venerating the God they want, the way they
want. There are 3 places where Hindus can worship : at home, in front of an altar
holding a Murtis (statue), in the streets and in Mandir (temple). Puja (praying) is
a big part of Hindus daily life : they recite texts, burn incense, give offerings and
take ritual bathing.
The Ganges river is the most holy place in India because it deletes faults. The
most important pilgrimage is to go up and down alongside the river (3090km)
and can last 4 to 6 years. Benares is the holy town of pilgrimage too, where
people hope to die and get cremated.
Among the population, the Sadhus (saints) renounced to property, work and
family to be close to Moksha. Gurus are spiritual masters who trained 8-12 years
old boys, they all gather every 12 years at the Purna Kumbh Mela.
Finally, Hindus celebrate many festivals : Diwali (light festival for the New Year),
Holi (color feast) and Dussehra (Good overcoming Evil) are the most renowned.

Hadrien Renault 492

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