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INTRODUCTION TOHINDUISM

Presented byMohamed Sirajudin PJMTreasurer, IPSIsiraj_07@yahoo.co.uk

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Some basic facts … The world’s third largest religion with

approximately 1 billion followers. Mainly concentrated in the Indian subcontinent

as well as in South East Asia and among the Hindus in diasporas.

Often referred to as Sanata Dharma (a Sanskrit phrase meaning “the eternal law”) or Vaidika Dharma (religion of the Vedas) by its adherents.

It consists of thousands of different religious groups that have evolved in India since 1500 BCE.

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Some basic facts … It is formed of diverse traditions and has

no single founder. It has much influence upon the

development and doctrines of Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and the Bahai religion.

The Hindu concept of God involves elements of monotheism, polytheism, henotheism and pantheism.

For Hindus, it is not merely a religion but an all encompassing way of life.

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Some basic facts … In contrast to Buddhism, Christianity &

Islam, Hinduism is not a missionary religion (with the exception of groups like ISKCON and Arya Samaj).

There are many religious texts but the most important are the Vedas and the Bhagavad Geeta, written in Sanskrit.

Aum or Om is a mystical or sacred syllable understood as the Name of God.

Cremation of the dead is practised widely instead of burial.

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Major themes in Hindu beliefs Dharma (ethics/duties/righteous conduct) Samsāra (the continuing cycle of birth,

life, death and rebirth) Karma (action and consequence) Moksha (liberation from samsara) Avatars (the descent of God to Earth in

bodily form to restore dharma to society) Varna (caste system which is divided into

four social classes)

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Indus River Civilisations (3300 BCE)

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Hinduism in comparison …Hinduism differs from Christianity and other

monotheistic religions in that it does not have: a single founder, a specific theological system, a single concept of deity, a single holy text, a single system of morality, a central religious authority, the concept of a prophet.

Sharing Islam with Hindus

God ALONE is to be worshiped (Qur’an 7:172-74)

PROHIBITION against idolatry (7:191-198, 46:5-6)

Islam REJECTS caste system (49:13) TREATMENT of women (2:187, 4:1, 24:4) Prophet Muhammad in Hindu SCRIPTURE SCIENTIFIC facts in the Qur’an (21:30)

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Common Misconceptions All religions are the same as they lead to

God. One should LIVE & DIE in the religion s/he is born into

Hinduism is the OLDEST religion – not Islam

Islam is a MALAY religion – not for Hindus NEGATIVE perception on Malay

community & culture Muslims WORSHIP the Ka’aba. Is that not

idol-worship?

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Further readings & references www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/ www.religioustolerance.org/hinduism.htm www.hindustoislam.com/main/ www.islamandhinduism.com/ Introducing Hinduism (World Religions) by

Hilary Rodrigues (Routledge, 2006) One God One Religion: with reference to

Holy Qur'an and Hindu Scriptures by Dr S. M. Mohiuddin Habeebi & Syed Ahsan Habibi (Saba Islamic Media)