Hinduism

It is important to know in advance that actually, a presentation of Hinduism is a non- presentation because it is easier to wrap around what Hinduism is not, rather than to comprehend what it is. With this in mind, the metaphysical back- ground compares with the historical anchors to illuminate the mystical religion of Hinduism within its language, its way of life, and how Hindus practice their sacredness. Beginning with a lecture note from Dr. Smythe, “[The World Religion] of Hinduism evolves about 9000 years ago, and has no founder but probably evolves from the writings; moreover, he offers, that Hindu may come from Himalaya, or a corruption of the ancient name Indus (for India), but not sure. 1 Support for this ancient date comes from the late Robert E Hume that Hinduism is contemporary with ancient Egypt, at least, and since the First World War, archeologists uncover an ancient civilization in the valley of the Indus river, with a well- developed religion that contributes “not a little to the Hinduism to which we know today (21).” Furthermore, as he goes on, [The non- Vedic, yet Hinduism ideas such as transmigration and mother goodness] were not written down, but preserved in the memories of living men,2 and with understanding in primal religions, this gives the testament to [people] as taught by Huston Smith. With a nod to primal, Hinduism, though, is a historical religion in true occidental spirit established in writing in 1500 B.C. A journal from Time Trip traces 1500 back to the sacred writings called the Vedas (meaning knowledge in Sanskrit). Moreover, an anthology explains that this was around the time that the Aryans took over, brought the Sanskrit alphabet, and wrote down the Vedas, establishing a national religion, with a vast tradition of both scriptural and literary text. Without a known founder, but coming about through the writings that come from the oral tradition, then Hinduism is maybe assimilation, but not an outgrowth of other religion(s). However, as a result, Hinduisms outgrowths are Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. Finally, it is interesting to consider Hindu stemming from Himalayas, as they are the source of the glaciers that provide their sacred Ganges River. Important to this idea is Patel. He and his wife are native Hindus from India. Patel went to a Christian school and worshiped in a mosque. And no, there are no contradictions here, revealing the many paths to Brahma. This couple from the faith of Hinduism not only did not meet until their wedding ceremony, but most precious, they name their first daughter “Hima,” indicating their appreciation for their precious Himalaya Mountains. Stepping further into Hinduisms metaphysical realm (as defying classification), Patel turns with concern that Westerners do not know that Hinduism is not a religion, but a way of life and smiles encouragingly as Hima calls me Mama, because it is respectful for children of Hinduism to accept adults into their family. Reciprocating the trust of a child, Hindus live their four stages of life seriously: student; marriage; retirement; and pilgrimage (or sannyasin- “one who neither hates nor loves anything” H. Smith 52).9 With religion as a way of life, where do they take their strength? Much as their precious Himalayas, just as dear to them is their founding country of India, and their own orthodox Hindu, Mahatma Gandhi. Their connection of India, echoes from Annie Besant stated in Hinduism, “Hinduism is the soil into which India’s roots are struck […] Hinduism that was India’s cradle and in that passing would be India’s grave.” Together with India, Hinduism is also visible and vital in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Nepal and Malaysia. However, concerning “precious” this is not to equate it to divinity. The opposite of Titanism is anthropomorphism (as human.) Exploring a Hindu uniqueness, Nicholas Gier contrastingly posts, “Titanism is anthropocentrism (the human being as the center, or made in the image of God) and anthropomorphism taken to an extreme. Eastern Titanism expresses itself exclusively in an internal, spiritual way; therefore is a benign form of radical humanism. By contrast, the expressions of Western Titanism are primarily external; inspiring militarism, environmental pollution and degradation, and the possible misuse of genetic engineering. Critics say, “[…] as there is no Hebraic principle in Indian thought, there can be no heresy of Titanism.” and, "divinity was cheap in ancient India." In understanding this, then there is no challenge when Patel asserts in his interview that Gandhi is very special to them; however, they have no major prophet (s) [or agents.] 12 With no founders or prophets to identify with, the way of life as Hinduism leaves ‘Titan-ism’ up to the Hindu within. Resultantly, with Hinduism practicing as not a religion but a way of life, this creates a significantly symbiotic relationship with language and culture. Moreover, Sanskrit is Hinduism’s original language, and the basis for about fifteen other languages. From the internet, in searching the origin of Sanskrit, Sir William Jones publishes in 1807 thirteen volumes “both revelatory and revolutionary” 15 stimulating further studies that theorize the Sanskrit language is older than Hebrew and more than 8500 years old. Next, within Hindu custom, is their special puja, a family’s holy alter in each home, where, sometimes, the puja has a drawer that holds the Bindu (paint for dots on forehead), incense and other ritual materials. Additionally, they worship in temples on Saturdays, or they may make a sacred pilgrimage as simple as going to two temples, but certain restrictions apply, like no sex. Viewing Hinduism as contemporary with ancient Egypt, understanding Hinduism as a way of life and not a religion because of the sacredness as embedded within their very lives, and their Vedas in Sanskrit, the oriental metaphysical background compares accountably with the occidental historical anchors that Hinduism was in the beginning.

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