According to historians, the origin of Hinduism dates back to five thousand or more years. The word Hindu is derived from the name of River Indus, which flows thru northern India (The Basics of Hinduism, by Subhamoy Das. In ancient times the river was called the Sindhu, but the Parsians who migrated to India called the river Hindu and the people that surrounded it, Hindus. The religion was thus followed by the Hindus and was eventually come to the name, Hinduism.
Hinduism is essentially and Indiana phenomenon. It is practiced by over eighty percent of the population in India. It is dominated by faith of its followers. As much as people relate Hinduism to a religion, this is not the correct word to describe it. Hinduism is more of a practice and beliefs system. It is a way of life based on the everlasting or eternal religion, truth and rule. It is based on the teachings of ancient sages and scriptures. Hinduism lacks any unified system of beliefs or ideas. It has many diverse beliefs or traditions that include Dharma or ethics and duties, Samsara which means rebirth, Karma which is right action and the Moksha or the liberation from the cycle of rebirth. These beliefs were passed down from generation to generation orally from centuries before they were even written down. Hinduism also believes that there is only one supreme called Brahman. It does not advocate the worship of one particular thing. The gods and goddesses of Hinduism amount to thousands or millions. The faith itself is characterized by the many spiritual beings. Hinduism worship spirits, trees animals or even plants. Every type of life form can be worshipped as a Hindu.
The Hindu religion is vast and varied. Its adherents worship an array of gods and ce ...