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| '''Hinduism''' and ], from the arrival of the Arabs as far back as the 8th century AD, has had a prosperous history. In Islam, Hinduism found a very appealing concept of God and civic society than it had encountered earlier. This coincided with the peak of Hindu ] revival and its ideological reintegration with Buddhism and Jainism. During the Muslim conquests Islam gained many converts in the ] primarily from Hinduism and Buddhism; the two dominant local religions. The prime drivers for conversion were issues of equality in society. Commonly attributed drivers to the conversions are: universal concept of Unity of God, fraternity, |
'''Hinduism''' and ], from the arrival of the Arabs as far back as the 8th century AD, has had a prosperous history. In Islam, Hinduism found a very appealing concept of God and civic society than it had encountered earlier. This coincided with the peak of Hindu ] revival and its ideological reintegration with Buddhism and Jainism. During the Muslim conquests Islam gained many converts in the ] primarily from Hinduism and Buddhism; the two dominant local religions. The prime drivers for conversion were issues of equality in society. Commonly attributed drivers to the conversions are: universal concept of Unity of God, fraternity, Sufi saints, forced conversion, rape, inter-marraige and immigration from other Islamic lands. Most of the Indians were impressed deeply by the dealings of the muslim businessmen that came to India via the sea route. People flocked to embrace islam in such a large number that presently about 20% of the Indian population is Muslim. | ||
| After the independence that things got awry due to the British treachery of sowing seeds of discords between them and the divide and rule policy. The synergy between Hindus and Muslims took India to splendiferous heights of art and architecture, culture and tradition, literature and education. It was during this glorious past of India that the world famous Taj Mahal was constructed. Scores of other architectural masterpieces were brought into existence like Red Fort, Qutub Minar, etc adding more seduction to the already present historical monuments like Ajanta Elora, etc. Economy flourished gigantically which was later on plundered by covert Britishers. | |||
| However, Muslim and Hindu conflict have erupted badly after independence in India feuled by |
However, Muslim and Hindu conflict have erupted badly after independence in India feuled by Islamic terrorism, the history of the ] movements during independece from the ]. | ||
| Today while Hinduism and Islam have tensions, they share a common historical and social experience over a thousand years to result in a common social outlook. | Today while Hinduism and Islam have tensions, they share a common historical and social experience over a thousand years to result in a common social outlook. | ||
Revision as of 06:37, 2 August 2006
Hinduism is closely related to the subsequent Dharmic faiths of Jainism and Buddhism. These religions share a common philosophy, and have historically had fewer conflicts. In comparison the worldview of the Abrahamic religions has sharper differences with Hindu ideology and philosophy and seeing themselves as exclusive paths toward God, have come into conflict with Hinduism.
Dharmic Faiths
The scriptures or teachings of Buddhism and Jainism are not actively followed by Hindus, but they are accepted as valid paths to God. The founders of these two faiths lived in a proto-Hindu environment and denied the ultimate authority of the Vedas, and are sometimes viewed as reform movements. Buddhism and Jainism both grew from Hindu understandings of Dharma, samsara, Maya, reincarnation, liberation (moksha), Yoga, meditation, and many other symbols and concepts which can be found common to all three Dharmic faiths; i.e the Lotus, the Chakra. They were however termed Nastika for their rejection of the Vedas.
Buddhism
- See also: Buddha in Hinduism, Buddha as an Avatar of Vishnu
Gautama Buddha's primary difference with Hindu beliefs was in the existence of Brahman, the Ultimate Self. He believed in Shunyata, or void, and also did not endorse the ritual aspects of the Vedas. In his Brahmajala Sutta, he expounds his own beliefs as they differ from Hindu thought. Various Hindu gods and goddesses were also absorbed into Buddhist beliefs of bodhisattvas. In turn they are credited with such reforms in Hinduism such as vegetarianism and the development of the later vedanta philosophy.
In the first millennium there is evidence of a strong debate between Hinduism and Buddhism in the Indian sub-continent occasionally spilling into conflict. Notable mentions are: Pusyamitra Sunga and Harsha of Kashmir on either end of the millennium. In the latter half of the first millennium Buddha was incorporated into the Hindu pantheon on the basis of puranas as an Avatar of Buddha. Certain doctrines of this belief claimed this Avatar was intended to purposely mislead or trick "demons" by propogating a false religion.
Jainism
- See also: Jainism and Hinduism
Jainism has significantly influenced the religious, ethical, political and spheres on the Indian sub-continent for their stress on non-violence (ahimsa). Mahavira is attributed as the proponent of Jainism, while other claims it pre-dates the Aryans as a local religion. Nevertheless interaction between Hinduism and Jainism has been ongoing for much longer than Buddhism and vegetarianism is a singificant influence of Jainism upon Hinduism. Jains like Buddhists reject the vedas as divine and so are also Nastika.
Hindu influence on Jain temple worship and rituals can be observed in certain Jain sects and in many places today they share temples.
Hinduism and Islam
- See also: Islam in India, Islamic conquest of South Asia
Hinduism and Islam, from the arrival of the Arabs as far back as the 8th century AD, has had a prosperous history. In Islam, Hinduism found a very appealing concept of God and civic society than it had encountered earlier. This coincided with the peak of Hindu vedanta revival and its ideological reintegration with Buddhism and Jainism. During the Muslim conquests Islam gained many converts in the Indian sub-continent primarily from Hinduism and Buddhism; the two dominant local religions. The prime drivers for conversion were issues of equality in society. Commonly attributed drivers to the conversions are: universal concept of Unity of God, fraternity, Sufi saints, forced conversion, rape, inter-marraige and immigration from other Islamic lands. Most of the Indians were impressed deeply by the dealings of the muslim businessmen that came to India via the sea route. People flocked to embrace islam in such a large number that presently about 20% of the Indian population is Muslim.
After the independence that things got awry due to the British treachery of sowing seeds of discords between them and the divide and rule policy. The synergy between Hindus and Muslims took India to splendiferous heights of art and architecture, culture and tradition, literature and education. It was during this glorious past of India that the world famous Taj Mahal was constructed. Scores of other architectural masterpieces were brought into existence like Red Fort, Qutub Minar, etc adding more seduction to the already present historical monuments like Ajanta Elora, etc. Economy flourished gigantically which was later on plundered by covert Britishers.
However, Muslim and Hindu conflict have erupted badly after independence in India feuled by Islamic terrorism, the history of the partition movements during independece from the British Raj. Today while Hinduism and Islam have tensions, they share a common historical and social experience over a thousand years to result in a common social outlook.
Similarities between Hinduism and Judaism
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The Hindu kingdoms of West Asia of the second millennium BC precede the rise of Judaism, and the commonality between Hinduism and Judaism has been traced as a remembrance of the Hindu past. The Rigveda knows Yahvah as one name of Agni. Tha Ugarits, a Hebraic people, spoke of 33 gods just as in the Veda.
Hinduism has much in common with Judaism. The two faiths' monist mystic streams, kabalistic Judaism and Advaita Vedanta, have so much in common that some scholars have seen the differences as being limited to mere nomenclature; this includes perceptions of illusory superimposition upon a divine monad, pantheism/panentheism and belief in knowledge of the self leading to salvation/liberation. If the broader Hindu religion, however, is taken as a faith (though impossible it is to condense its many beliefs into one system) and compared to Judaism, the primary difference can be seen in the fact that Judaism does not admit deities, even if such deities are but emanations or different aspects/forms of a singular and same source, Brahman (whether one God or a formless monad).
The Hindu and Christian Trinities
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The Christian trinity, which came into being long after the Hindu trinity, has often been cited as possible common ground. There are three forms of God in the Trimurti: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The God Brahma symbolizes the creator, Vishnu represents the maintainer or presever and Shiva represents the destroyer in the cycle of existence. This concept of an ultimate three is seen by some as evidence of distant connections with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit of Christianity. Some would argue, however, that the Christian trinity sees the Father as the well-spring of the Son and the Holy Ghost, whereas the Hindu trinity sees the three as equal elements of an ultimate One: creative, preservative and destructive principles are all equal parts of a unitary existence. If anything, the parallel is tenuous, since the number three has long held symbolic importance in many cultures across the world.
Hinduism's general view of non-Hindu religions
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Hinduism has always regarded all religions with respect. It believes that all religions are valid paths to God if they are followed with sufficient devotion and good moral life. Sarva dharma samabhāva (all religions must be viewed with equal respect) is an essential motto of Hinduism. The Hindus (like the Jews) feel that the Hindu way of life is neither required nor expected from the non-Hindu people. That is why Hinduism does not encourage evangelization, unlike Christianity. However, it encourages non-Hindus to think about and understand the idylls of their sublime Hindu philosophy, and so if non-Hindu individuals insist, some Hindu gurus may grant them initiation (dīkshā) into the Hindu way of life.
As such, all Jain spiritual teachers like Mahavira, and Buddha are highly revered by many Hindus, who often in turn may revere Hindu deities and temples. Even Judaism, Islam and Christianity are respectfully treated as valid paths to God. Hindus may even pray at Muslim dargahs and Christian churches. However, they do get deeply offended when the chauvinists of these religions call them as atheists, polytheists, animists, idolators, Kafir (unbeliever), etc or try to convert Hindus by what they allege as "unfair means" (e.g. divide and conquer.)
Further reading
- Elst, Koenraad: Who is a Hindu? (2001) ISBN 81-85990-74-4
- The Religion of India: The Sociology of Hinduism and Buddhism
- Hinduism and Sikh Panth
- Jainism and Hinduism
