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Questions and Answers

Who is a Hindu?

The historical meaning of the term Hindu has evolved with time. Starting with the Persian and Greek references to India in the 1st millennium BCE through the texts of the medieval era, the term Hindu implied a geographic, ethnic or cultural identifier for people living in Indian subcontinent around or beyond Sindhu (Indus) river. By the 16th-century, the term began to refer to residents of India who were not Turks or Muslims.

At more than 1.03 billion, Hindus are the world's third largest group after Christians and Muslims. The vast majority of Hindus, approximately 966 million, live in India, according to India's 2011 census . After India, the next 9 countries with the largest Hindu populations are, in decreasing order: Nepal, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, United States, Malaysia, United Kingdom and Myanmar. These together accounted for 99% of the world's Hindu population, and the remaining nations of the world together had about 6 million Hindus in 2010.

Unlike certain other religions Hindu religion is not tied down to a certain set of beliefs and has no strict boundary definition-wise. The most common answers that comes to mind include: If your parents are Hindu, then you are Hindu (the familial argument), if you are born into a certain caste then you are a Hindu (the genetic inheritance model), if you believe in reincarnation then you are a Hindu (belief-based argument).

If we go around to look at other religions we get some clarity. A Christian is a person who accepts the Gospels as his scriptural guide and believes that Jesus is the incarnate God who died for Christians’ sins. A Jew is someone who accepts the Torah as their scriptural guide and believes in the monotheistic concept of God espoused in these scriptures. In general what determines the religion of a person is his belief in the spiritual authority and scriptures of that religion and his readiness to live by his/her teachings. Going by this definition if one accepts the Vedas (and by extension Bhagavad Gita, Puranas, etc.) as their scriptural authority, and lives their life in accordance with the Dharmic principles of the Vedas, they are then a Hindu. Thus, an Indian who rejects the Veda is obviously not a Hindu. While an American, Russian, Indonesian or Indian who does accept the Veda obviously is a Hindu.

One can be a Hindu by his actions (karma) or birth (Janma).

Karma Hindu - is a Hindu by his deeds and qualities or spiritual components

Janma Hindu - is a Hindu by birth

The Supreme Court of India stated certain defining features of a Hindu at one place in its 1995 ruling of the case, “Bramchari Sidheswar Shai and others Versus State of West Bengal”.Therefore, some of the legal characteristics of a Hindu are:

1. A Hindu accepts the Vedas as the highest authority in religious and philosophic matters.

2. He is tolerant with his opponent and is willing to understand his point of view since truth has multiple sides.

3. He believes in rebirth and pre-existence.

4. He believes in the numerous ways of achieving “Moksha” or salvation.

India’s Constitution does not give a definition of the term Hindu, but it does define to whom the Hindu Law applies.

Article 25 (2)(b) of the Constitution stipulates that the reference to Hindus shall be construed as including a reference to persons professing the Sikh, Jain or Buddhist religion . The Hindu Marriage Act of 1955 goes in greater detail to define this legal Hindu, by stipulating in Section 2 that the Act applies:

(a) to any person who is a Hindu by religion in any of its forms and developments, including a Virashaiva, a Lingayat or a follower of the Brahmo, Prarthana or Arya Samaj

(b) to any person who is a Buddhist, Jain or Sikh by religion

(c) to any other person domiciled in the territories to which this Act extends who is not a Muslim, Christian, Parsi or Jew by religion.

In contemporary use, Hindu refers to anyone who regards himself or herself as culturally, ethnically or religiously adhering to aspects of Hinduism.

Is fasting compulsory for Hindus?

According to Bhagavad Gita ’There are prescription for fasting on certain days of the month. One may not be inclined to practice such fasting, but because of his determination to make advancement in the science of Krishna consciousness, he should accept such bodily troubles when they are recommended. However, one should not fast unnecessarily or against Vedic injunctions.

It is not an obligatory and collective ritual.

When did idol worship start on earth?

Indra’s image at Sarnath which, without being seated on an elephant, holding a vajra or thunderbolt is an {indication that idol worship was present during vedic times}. Vedic Mythology with reference to the Rig veda, "the thunderbolt (vajra) is the weapon exclusively appropriate to Indra." Elephant is a post-Vedic vahana or "vehicle" of Indra, being characteristic of him in that period. The vedic period is known to exist in 1500-1000 BCE.

The word pratikirti meaning ‘likeness’ occurs in the Sutra( V. 3.96) of Panini, which reads ive pratikrtau and which can be explained thus,-the affix kan means also ‘like this’, ‘in imitation of this’, when imitation or likeness of a person or thing is meant. Patanjali uses the word arcca(objects of regular worship) in his Mahabhasya while commenting on the above mentioned sutra of Panini. Evidently then, there were images of gods and goddesses in the days of Panini, which were apparently not sold in the bazaars, but were, nevertheless, used for the purpose of making a living.

In the Ramayana, we see mention of temples in Lanka, clearly evidencing then fact that there existed at least in Southern India the worship of images enshrined in temples. According to the oldest piece of sculpture, in South India distinctly Hindu in character, is the Lihga at Gudimallam. From the features of the figure of Siva, from the ornaments worked out on the figure, and many other characteristics, it is believed that it belong to the period of Bhaurhat sculptures, that is, to the second century before Christ. From this Lihga, it is safe to conclude that Lihga worship is at least as old as the 2nd century B.C.

In the pratima-nataka of Bhasa, metion is made of the status(pratima) of the departed royalties, which, though objects of respect, were not certainly meant of regular worship. The iron figure of Bhima, which was crushed by the blindfold Kuru king Dhritarashtra by being hugged close to his body is described by Krsna as “ayasi pratima”.(Mahaharata, Striparva, CH12 v 23)

R P Chanda found many ancient seals at Harappa and Mohenjodaro, on this basis of these seals he claims in his book “Medieval Indian Sculpture in the British Museum” that “The exacavations at Harappa and Mohenjodaro have brought to life ample evidence to show that the worship of images of human and superhuman beings in Yogic posture, both seated and standing, prevailed in the Indus valley in the chalcolithic perioed.

Megasthenes, as quoted by arrian, mentions that Herakles was special object of worship Sourasenoi, an indian tribe in whose land were the great cities of Methora and Kleisobora (Mathura and Krsnapura) and throught which the river Iobares(Yamuna); it is a confirmation from a foreign source regarding the existence of at least one sectary among the several named in the fourth century B.C. in the Yamuna region.

What are the duties of Hindu?

Why do Hindus worship so many different Gods?

Is going to temples compulsory for Hindus?

The entire Indian sub continent is studded with temples and shrines where many devoted Hindus go to worship. The Vedic scriptures recommend Hindus to go to temples because it brings them closer to inner peace and self realisation. However, no recommendation is made mandatory and people are free to follow whichever recommendation suits them best.

Some Hindus place images of Gods in shrines at their homes for the purpose of worship. In most Hindu temples, some daily performances take place apart from special ceremonies on specific occasions. These include prayers, services and various kinds of rituals. Some Hindus go to temples daily, some occasionally and some, never at all. Since Hinduism accepts many ways of reaching the Supreme, no one particular practice is made compulsory for anybody.As far as religious worship is concerned, Hinduism is very free. One may try to reach God through work (karma), meditation, knowledge (jnana) or simply through devotion (bhakti). All of these are equally valid. The details of religious performances and assumptions vary from person to person. This is natural because Hinduism denies the presence of any exclusive way of reaching God. In conclusion, the message of Hinduism is that God is omniscience, omnipotent and omnipresent. He may appear differently to different people and there are various ways of reaching Him, each as valid as every other. Apparently conflicting views and practices regarding Him are nothing more than the infinite aspects of the same Supreme.

Why do hindus worship a God that looks like a Monkey?

Hanuman is known to be physically immortal-one of the traditional seven or eight "long-lived ones" (ciranjivi) of Hindu mythology, who has been around for at least 900,000 years. From his first appearance near the opening of Valmiki's fourth book, Kiskindhdkanda, when Hanuman takes the form of a mendicant to question Ram and Lakshman about their presence at Pampa Lake, Hanuman is depicted as a skilled minister and messenger, possessed of a sagacity and eloquence. These qualities, together with his phenomenal strength, his courage in the face of demonic adversaries, and his ability to travel immense distances at great speed and to alter his shape, typify his portrayal in the Sanskrit epic. It is significant, however, that Hanuman's skills are nearly always said to be exercised out of his devotion to his master Sugriv, the monkey king, and are only indirectly offered in the service of Ram. Hanuman is also depicted as the recipient of numerous boons which render him (among other things) immortal.

Hindus worship hanuman on their Birthday to obtain long life, which they suppose this monkey can bestow, as he is immortal.

Hanuman's tale as told in the epic Ramayana is renowned for its ability to inspire its readers to face ordeals and conquer obstructions in their own lives. Because of his bravery, perseverance, strength and devoted service, Hanuman is regarded as a perfect symbol of selflessness and loyalty. Worship of Hanuman helps the individual to counter the bad karma borne out of selfish action, and grants the believer fortitude and strength in his or her own trials during the journey of life. Hanuman is also invoked in fights against sorcery and protective amulets depicting him are extremely popular among his devotees.

Why do hindus workship a God that looks like an Elephant?

Does hinduism have concept similar to Jihad and Crusades?

Why are hindu goddesses shown with so many arms?

Is hinduism a monotheistic religion?

What is the origin of Hindu faith?

What are the sacred texts of Hinduism?

How does hindu description of origin of life scientific? Did Darwin borrow from Hindu scriptures?

Why do hindus engage in IDOL worship?

How should a Hindu pray?