| A Brief Introduction to Hinduism |
Dogma and Doctrine
Unlike most religions, Hinduism has a heavy focus on freedom of thought. With no common doctrine or single scripture to be the source of its various teachings, it places more emphasis on orthopraxy than orthodoxy. Hinduism has very tightly defined codes of conduct and morality acting as the primary guide for its practitioners. This sets it apart from most western traditions and helps Hinduism to synthesize religion with philosophy. A large part of a Hindu's religious commitment is the search for truth. This keeps the religion from forcing its followers to declare themselves a part of one particular faith, belief, or creed. Hindus value everyone, irrespective of beliefs, as part of truth.
Hinduism accepts many paths to salvation and requires no fixed form of worship. Within each primary yoga, there are six primary ways to better oneself and become closer to the divine. These are called Darshanas or "ways of seeing." While there are many subgroups within Hinduism, each normally subscribes to one or more of the six Darshanas. The six are grouped in pairs. Each pair is composed of a practice, a methodology, and the broad spiritual concept that such practice and methodology is meant to impart.
The Vaisheshika Darshana teaches physics with a heavy focus on atomic theory and science, and informs and adjusts the views of these teachings. Vaisheshika Darshana is paired with Nyaya Darshana, which teaches logic and scientific thinking.
Sankhya Darshana focuses on the relationship between the physical and the metaphysical and is paired with yoga that teaches Sadhana Darshana, or spiritual practices.
The Vedanta Darshana teaches metaphysics and is paired with Mimamsa Darshana, which focuses on rituals and worship.
Sources:
http://www.ochs.org.uk/
http://hinduism.iskcon.org/
Michaels, A (2004), Hinduism: Past and Present (5th ed.), Princeton University Press
Jones, Constance; Ryan, James D. (2007), Encyclopedia of Hinduism, New York, USA: Infobase Publishing
Hinduism accepts many paths to salvation and requires no fixed form of worship. Within each primary yoga, there are six primary ways to better oneself and become closer to the divine. These are called Darshanas or "ways of seeing." While there are many subgroups within Hinduism, each normally subscribes to one or more of the six Darshanas. The six are grouped in pairs. Each pair is composed of a practice, a methodology, and the broad spiritual concept that such practice and methodology is meant to impart.
The Vaisheshika Darshana teaches physics with a heavy focus on atomic theory and science, and informs and adjusts the views of these teachings. Vaisheshika Darshana is paired with Nyaya Darshana, which teaches logic and scientific thinking.
Sankhya Darshana focuses on the relationship between the physical and the metaphysical and is paired with yoga that teaches Sadhana Darshana, or spiritual practices.
The Vedanta Darshana teaches metaphysics and is paired with Mimamsa Darshana, which focuses on rituals and worship.
Sources:
http://www.ochs.org.uk/
http://hinduism.iskcon.org/
Michaels, A (2004), Hinduism: Past and Present (5th ed.), Princeton University Press
Jones, Constance; Ryan, James D. (2007), Encyclopedia of Hinduism, New York, USA: Infobase Publishing
