Ancient Mesopotamia And Egypt Essay Research Paper — страница 2

2.) It is said that the major achievements of Indo-Aryans were intangible rather than material, primarily in verbal skill and poetic imagination. Over a long time a body of hymns, prayers, and incantations known as the Four Vedas were passed down from each generation orally. The Vedas compiled the books of the Indo-Aryan and later the Hindu religions. All of these things written and spoken aided in the formation of what is known as Hinduism. Although there was no specific event, the origin of Hinduism started with the separation from common Indo-European pastoral tradition and immersed in speculation about the nature of the cosmic order. From this was a growing belief in the existence of a single force in the universe called Brahman. Hinduism in its early form is still sometimes

referred to as Brahmanism. The individual’s duty was to achieve understanding of the ultimate reality so that after death one would merge in spiritual form with Brahman. This was recorded in the Upinshads, a set of commentaries on the Vedas. The main ideas are referred to as the main concepts of Hinduism. One of the concepts was that one’s duty was to achieve understanding of the ultimate reality so that one would merge with the Brahman after death. Another main concept was reincarnation, which is the idea that one’s soul is reborn in a different form after death. One goes through many existence’s until the final destination where a union is formed with the Brahman. A key element in reincarnation is Karma, which is also another main concept, and is translated to ones’

actions in this life. Karma is the status of an individual soul that is determined by the result of actions that a soul committed in the past. The ultimate goal was to achieve good Karma to escape a life cycle that was viewed as harsh, painful and short. The average Indian citizen craved a more concrete form of heavenly salvation, and enjoyed the value of material items in their lives. Hinduism was against both and so there was controversy about this religion in the Indian culture. In contrast to the caste system in ancient India, Hinduism ranked people not by wealth and power but by their spiritual progress. Many pondered the basis of this religion. Siddhartha Gautama accepted many Hindu beliefs but altered the practices. He was eventually credited as the founder of Buddhism.

Hinduism would undergo many changes from its origins in Aryan society and became the religion of the majority of Indian people. Although it has been argued that Hinduism is not a religion. I view Hinduism as a legitimate religion in the Indian culture today. I have a great deal of respect for this religion in that it can supply the spiritual needs we as human-beings crave. 341