probably one of the best and the most concise explanation of Hinduism
Shaivism, maybe..
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Maine Coon
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Posted : May 3, 2010 16:04
Good summary, Xolvexs. I am a bit confused, though. I talked to many Hindus and got an impression that teachings and practices and worshipped deities vary by region: it's Vishnu (Ram or Krishna) in the North and Shiva in the South. And it's Shiva - either directly or through Kali and Durga - in West Bengal. The guy in the video places an extra emphasis on Shiva, yet he looks Northern.
Is he an exception to the rule? Or are my obobservations about different regions just a worthless stereotype?
Xolvexs
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Posted : May 7, 2010 18:23
yes it is true that south india is predominantly Shiva..but in the north has its share of Shiva worshipers...
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Maine Coon
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Posted : May 7, 2010 19:17
I see, thanks.
It's interesting how much variety there is in Hinduism. It's almost like every family is a denomination of its own. Or even every person. I have a couple of Tamil friends. The husband follows the tradition, the wife switched to worshipping Vishnu. So, in their altar at home they have a little statue of Krishna right next to a statue of Murga. And they are both fine with it. I find this kind of diversity and tolerance truly admirable.
Xolvexs
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Posted : May 8, 2010 12:26
basically you get hinduism...
Brahma- the creator
Vishnu- the negotiator
Shiva- the rebel
Buddha too was a rebel and followed Shiva's path till such time that he could analyse his own and then realized it was same same but different
When death comes to your doorstep, make sure you are alive
RaDioAcTiVe AcIdHeAd
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Posted : May 27, 2010 07:23
one thing abt hinduism is it can be very individual/personal religion... u can alter things to suit u accordingly and this religion doesnt necessarily force or impose things explicitly on people... u can make ur own rules as long as u r not doing somethin wrong or bad to others n urself...
?
shahar
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Posted : Jul 28, 2010 13:35
There was no Hinduism till the middle of the 19th century. The term and the need to define itself came I suspect because of the meeting with the British.
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"Be the change you want to see in the world!"
M.K. Gandhi
"There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self."
Aldous Huxley
Maine Coon
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Posted : Jul 28, 2010 18:16
^
Why wouldn't such a need arise from meeting other conquerors and missionaries - from Arabs to the Portuguese - before the British?
What you’re saying here is exactly what most Hindus I’ve talked to say: the concept of Hinduism as a codified religion is Western. Hindus don’t even consider it a religion to begin with. It’s a set of customs and an associated set of oral and written tradition – with as many variations as there are people. So far, I’ve heard only one rule that is prescribed to all Hindus (to not worship Brahma) – and even there you’ll find exceptions.
Clan-specific or even individual ways to connect with God – isn’t this also a feature of mystic branches within Abrahamic religions?
Xolvexs
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Posted : Jul 28, 2010 19:18
hinduism is like clay it can be moulded into whatever shape or form the potter desires..its fluid shiva destroys to allow brahma to create more and to save vishnu from boredom..earth is giant playground
When death comes to your doorstep, make sure you are alive
shahar
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Posted : Jul 28, 2010 21:37
Quote:
On 2010-07-28 18:16, Maine Coon wrote:
^
Why wouldn't such a need arise from meeting other conquerors and missionaries - from Arabs to the Portuguese - before the British?
Definitions and naming names are a very Western thing, as to why only the British, I think it's a mass issue. The British imposed a lot of their ways and thinking on India and Indian culture (BTW, India is also very much a Western concept).
Quote:
isn’t this also a feature of mystic branches within Abrahamic religions?
Mysticism of every kind usually in my experience goes well with personal individual paths to God/Enlightenment- the meaning is what counts there, not the way you take.
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"Be the change you want to see in the world!"
M.K. Gandhi
"There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self."
Aldous Huxley
