Hinduism Emily Brandon Axia College
Considering that Hinduism lacks a uniting belief system, what makes up the Hindu religion? “One big societal element is that India is one of the last bastions of the ancient world’s culture. Its population practices scores of diverse religious tradition. “Hinduism” is actually an umbrella term referring to the people living “on the other side of the Sindhu River.” The actual name is the “Santayana Dharma” or Universal Truth or Way. One of “Hinduism’s” greatest strengths is its ability to unite the diverse beliefs and practices of its people in ways that are absolutely necessary for India to continue as it historically has. This is one …show more content…
Indeed, one can literally argue that Christianity, Islam and all other religious systems are part of the Santayana Dharma or Universal Way of spiritual practice. India would be an utterly different place without the Hindu dharma and it fits the region wonderfully. Hinduism, which is actually known as the Santayana Dharma or Eternal Truth, has many uniting belief systems and contexts. These include the conviction that Truth is knowable and can be directly experienced. Hinduism is an umbrella term for many different traditions. Each of these traditions employs different means for enlightenment and views things a bit differently. What practically all Hindu sects accept however, is the famous statement of the Rg Veda: Truth is One; the sages call it by different names. There is therefore an underlying unity to the Hindu belief system. It also has deeply shared sense of morality and ethics. The teaching of ahimsa or non-violence is one such conviction. The belief in transmigration is another as is the belief in karma (actions and reaction), dharma (Truth) and marga (destiny). These teachings show how all life is interconnected and are “part and pacel” of the