Hinduism And Its Impact On Society - 1478 Words

Imagine a religion so old that it is said to be timeless and has always been there, even before humans set foot on the Earth. It’s mindboggling to think that the knowledge of everything is floating in the space of the universe and the mind is just a way of reaching it. Hinduism is a very complex religion, yet it still sets one ultimate goal for the soul. To deeper understand Hinduism we must reveal its origin, doctrines, customs, and culture. Although we do not know the exact time that Hinduism began, it is believed to be over 4,000 years old. There have been overlapping civilizations in India that may have molded the religion into what it is now (Kinnard 1). Around 2,000 B.C.E., located near the great Indus River, the Indus Valley Civilization, who worshipped many goddesses, may have been the very beginning of the shaping of Hinduism. Near the end of the Indus Valley Civilization around 1,500 B.C.E., a new society surfaced in India. Believed to be brought by the central Asian Aryans, the Vedic religion began (Kinnard). The Aryans’ practices included the sacrifice of animals and other offerings to their gods into a sacred fire. The gods they worshipped were mainly gods of nature such as the fire god and the plant god (flood). This era was the time of the Vedas, which are scriptures describing rituals to please the gods (Kinnard). Later, around 1,000 B.C.E., priests called Brahmins began to reject the materialistic ways of the Vedic tradition and began to adopt practicesShow MoreRelatedHinduism Impact On Indian Society1029 Words   |  5 PagesIn Indian society Hinduism plays a vital role in shaping Indian society. Hinduism plays a vital role in Indian society whether it be through Dharma, the caste system or Hindu rituals. To further explain how Hinduism plays a role in Indian society we need to explain what is Hinduism. One could not give a definite definition to Hinduism. Hinduism is not an organized religion but a set of belief systems and traditions that is in turn a way of life in Indian Society. Hinduism contains several sects,Read MoreThe Modern Perception Of Hinduism1146 Words   |  5 Pages Even though the modern perception of Hinduism as a whole was popularized by the West and the Indian elite, the commencement of ideas and practices of the ancient religion can be dated back as early as 2500 BCE ( Mittal and Thursby, 2006, 22), long before the colonial impact of the West on the Orient. We cannot deny that the expansion of Hinduism had great help from the West. The colonizers, with the help of the high status Indian castes had a hand in popularising, translating, and distributingRead MoreEssay on Impacts Of Family Traditions And Religion In India668 Words   |  3 Pages Impacts of Family Traditions and Religion in India Family traditions and religion greatly impact the lives of many people in India. 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