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Curious about Hinduism

I am fascinated by Hinduism and want to learn more. Can anyone share their knowledge with me and discuss Hinduism?
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in10RjFox · M
The first thing to know about Hinduism is that there is no ism .. unlike Buddhism or Jainism that have a founder. It's an open religion like nature in all ways.
4meAndyou · F
@in10RjFox My understanding is that it is a way of life. People who don't understand it think they would need to "convert", but Hindus don't recruit. Mostly, they teach people who are interested.
ABCDEF7 · M
@4meAndyou You are right, there is no procedure in Hinduism to convert anyone. Even an atheist can be a Hindu without issue. Believing in God is not an essential part of Hinduism.
in10RjFox · M
@4meAndyou Perfectly observed and understood. It's not an organised religion the way many think, for its the only open religion that anyone can self proclaim as one and even conceive a god and set a way of life.
revenant · F
@ABCDEF7 what about Shiva ?
ABCDEF7 · M
@revenant What do you want to know about him?
revenant · F
@ABCDEF7 Shiva, Vishnu and..another one Krishna...were not they fondations of the Hindu religion ?
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ABCDEF7 · M
@revenant Sorry, I missed your comment notification.

The one answer is No. Hinduism is not Religion. But it is termed as religion by others. The idea of faith in Abrahamic religions and Hinduism is not same. So the Abrahamic definition of religion cannot apply to this.

There are many paths in in this culture. Technically Hindu is just an geographical identity. When outsiders came to this land, they were not able to find a single believe/faith/book here, so they started to say all people Hindu who used to live beyond the river Sindhu(or you can say the people living between [b]H[/b]imalayas and [b]Indu[/b] Sagar(ocean). It is not polytheist, it's pluralistic culture. The four major paths are Karma(Action & Duties), Gyan/Janana(Knowledge), Prem/Bhakti(Love/Devotion) and Samkhya(popularly known as Yoga).

These four major ways to attain the ultimate consciousness can be chosen separately as well as collectively, but one may require to include other to attain the ultimate goal. In this culture the ultimate goal is not heaven, it's the Moksha/Mukti(liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth).

Two basic principles of Karma and Reincarnation is even followed by all other paths/religions emerged from this ancient culture, be it Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, etc.

There is no exact equivalent word for religion here because it's not like other religions, even the word Dharma is very loosely translated, and it doesn't exactly mean religion. There is no concept as such religion here, there are no commandments, no rule book, No single book to be followed.

The trinity here are Brahma(creator), Vishnu(maintainer/protector), Shiva(Not only destroyer, he performs all three roles as and when need arises). Brahma is not same as Brahman(consciousness). Krishna & Rama are just avatars/incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Brahma is usually not worshipped. Shiva is considered as Lord of Lords, as well as Lord of Devils. He is considered as ultimate consciousness by his devotees. Vishnu keep coming to guide people in different avatars.

To follow the path of Karma, Gyan and Samkhya/Yoga you need not to believe in the any God like the Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh(Shiva). It's only the Bhakti marg(path) that you may require to believe/follow any bhagwaan(God/Lord).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0--cUGIu6c

Please feel free to DM me if you have any questions/doubts or want to ask/discuss anything.