Changes

In 1966, the Supreme Court of India defined what Hinduism is for legal purposes:

In 1966, the Supreme Court of India defined what Hinduism is for legal purposes:

1. Belief in the authority of the Vedas (an ancient hymns to the gods, written in Sanskrit).  The oldest collection of hymns in the Vedas is the Rig Veda, which was written between 1800 and 1300 B.C.  The greatest Veda hymn is the "Bhagavad Gita," a section in the Mahabharata concerning life's never-ending spiritual journey towards perfection, to be attained by adhering to a code of conduct.  The Bhagavad Gita is a spiritual guide to life's problems, like the parables of Christianity.

1. Belief in the authority of the Vedas (ancient hymns to the gods, written in Sanskrit).  The oldest collection of hymns in the Vedas is the Rig Veda, which was written between 1800 and 1300 B.C.  The greatest Veda hymn is the "Bhagavad Gita," a section in the Mahabharata concerning life's never-ending spiritual journey towards perfection, to be attained by adhering to a code of conduct.  The Bhagavad Gita is a spiritual guide to life's problems, like the parables of Christianity.

2. Spirit of tolerance and willingness to understand and respect an opponent's view.  Hinduism adapts to and incorporates other belief systems.

2. Spirit of tolerance and willingness to understand and respect an opponent's view.  Hinduism adapts to and incorporates other belief systems.

Lacking from this modern legal definition is the caste system set forth in the Code of Manu, whereby the accumulation of a person's good deeds (or evil acts) in his prior lives (his "karma") determine whether he is born into a family at a higher or lower caste level, or even lower as an animal or plant.  Upon full compliance with the Hindu moral code, the person is released from the "wheel of life" and attains unity with Brahma (universal all).  This belief is known as "Moksha".  Obviously the caste system is politically incorrect today, with many Hindus believing in it privately but reluctant to speak about it publicly.

Lacking from this modern legal definition is the caste system set forth in the Code of Manu, whereby the accumulation of a person's good deeds (or evil acts) in his prior lives (his "karma") determine whether he is born into a family at a higher or lower caste level, or even lower as an animal or plant.  Upon full compliance with the Hindu moral code, the person is released from the "wheel of life" and attains unity with Brahma (universal all).  This belief is known as "Moksha".  Obviously the caste system is politically incorrect today, with many Hindus believing in it privately but reluctant to speak about it publicly.

The highest caste is the "Brahmans" (priests and scholars), a term used today in English to describe wealthy, aloof New England families, like the 2004 Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry's family. (The English non-religious term is spelled "Brahmins".) The traditional goal of Hindus is to reach Brahma, or spiritual perfection, by observing dharma (DER-muh) (moral or religious duties of your caste).  Below the Brahmans in the Hindu case system are the Kshatriya (rulers), the Vaishya (peasants), and then the serfs (Shudra).  Below the lowest caste level are the "untouchables" or Harijans, who are slaves and outcasts.  As noted above, few talk publicly about the caste system any more because it is so politically incorrect.

The highest caste is the "Brahmans" (priests and scholars).  This term has been incorporated in a non-religious sense into English (spelled as "Brahmins") to mean wealthy, aloof New England families, like the 2004 Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry's family.  The traditional goal of Hindus is to reach Brahma, or spiritual perfection, by observing dharma (DER-muh) (moral or religious duties of your caste).  Below the Brahmans in the Hindu case system are the Kshatriya (rulers), the Vaishya (peasants), and then the serfs (Shudra).  Below the lowest caste level are the "untouchables" or Harijans, who are slaves and outcasts.  As noted above, few talk publicly about the caste system any more because it is so politically incorrect.

In Hindu society, a woman was generally treated like a dependent to be taken care of and supervised by her father, husband or brother.  Government was by a local prince or "raja", also spelled as rajah.  The English word "raj" means reign.

In Hindu society, a woman was generally treated like a dependent to be taken care of and supervised by her father, husband or brother.  Government was by a local prince or "raja", also spelled as "rajah".  The English word "raj" means reign.

The omission of the traditional caste system from the Indian Supreme Court's modern definition illustrates how Hinduism adapts to changing times (and political correctness).  This remarkable ability to adapt has helped Hinduism survive for thousands of years and become one of the oldest surviving religions.  For example, Hinduism survived the threat posed by the rival religion Buddhism simply by treating the founder of Buddhism like another god and adding him to the religion.  Hinduism has treated Christianity in a similar manner, by accepting Jesus as "a" God.  Today India is 82% Hindu.

The omission of the traditional caste system from the Indian Supreme Court's modern definition illustrates how Hinduism adapts to changing times (and political correctness).  This remarkable ability to adapt has helped Hinduism survive for thousands of years and become one of the oldest surviving religions.  For example, Hinduism survived the threat posed by the rival religion Buddhism simply by treating the founder of Buddhism like another god and adding him to the religion.  Hinduism has treated Christianity in a similar manner, by accepting Jesus as "a" God.  Today India is 82% Hindu.

   

   

Hinduism holds a special reverence for all living creatures, and violence against life is prohibited.  Abortion was traditionally rare in India, but some report that it has increased greatly in recent decades.  The attitude towards women in Hinduism is of special respect in the family structure.  Women obeyed their husbands under Hinduism.  A much-criticized and rare practice in India was for a wife, after her husband's death, to throw herself on her husband's funeral pyre to die as a way of honoring him.  This is known as "sati" or "suttee" (suh-TEE).  Hinduism practices cremation of the deceased.

Hinduism holds a special reverence for all living creatures, and violence against life is prohibited.  Abortion was traditionally rare in India, but some report that it has increased greatly in recent decades as the country is industrialized and influenced by Western atheistic beliefs.  The attitude towards women in Hinduism is of special respect in the family structure.  Women obeyed their husbands under Hinduism.  A much-criticized (but rare) practice in India was for a wife, after her husband's death, to throw herself on her husband's funeral pyre to die as a way of honoring him.  This is known as "sati" or "suttee" (suh-TEE).  Hinduism practices cremation of the deceased.

If you go to a doctor in this country of Indian descent you may find the "Oath of the Hindu Physician" hanging on his wall:  "... Speak the truth; Not eat met; Care for the good of all living beings; ... Be simply clothed and drink no intoxicant; ... Consider time and place; Always seek to grow in knowledge; ... Never take a present from a woman without her husband's consent; ... What happens in the house [of the patient] must not be mentioned outside ...."

If you see a physician in American who is of Indian descent you may find the "Oath of the Hindu Physician" hanging on his wall:  "... Speak the truth; Not eat met; Care for the good of all living beings; ... Be simply clothed and drink no intoxicant; ... Consider time and place; Always seek to grow in knowledge; ... Never take a present from a woman without her husband's consent; ... What happens in the house [of the patient] must not be mentioned outside ...."

Hinduism has been the backbone of Indian culture for thousands of years.  The religion enabled Indians to survive countless invasions, such as by Alexander the Great in 327 B.C. when he conquered most of the Indus valley.  But he could not change the Indian culture much.  Hinduism has also withstood both Islam and communism.  The Hindu faith is extremely resilient to foreign beliefs, and the survival of Hinduism protected the Indian culture and way of life.

Hinduism has been the backbone of Indian culture for thousands of years.  This religion enabled Indians to survive countless invasions, such as by Alexander the Great in 327 B.C. when he conquered most of the Indus valley.  Not even Alexander and the Hellenistic influence could change Indian culture much.  Hinduism has also withstood both Islam and communism.  The Hindu faith is extremely resilient to foreign beliefs, and the survival of Hinduism protected the Indian culture and way of life.

=== Jainism ===

=== Jainism ===