As you know, Hinduism is the oldest religion on the planet. It is very vast and has many beliefs compared to other religions. It is tough to encompass all the beliefs of Hinduism in an article. So, here we will discuss only the basic and central beliefs of Hinduism.
Belief in the Soul (also called “Atma”):
This is one of the most significant and essential beliefs of Hinduism. Hinduism believes each living creature on this planet has a soul, and all these souls are a part of a Supreme Soul called “Parmatma.” Therefore, each animal in the universe has the same soul as a human being. Therefore, the ultimate aim of human life should be to be one with the Supreme Soul, Parmatma. This is called Nirvana or Moksha.
Before entering a human body, the soul travels through 84 million species and then can gain the human body. So, we should always strive to attain Nirvana or Moksha in our lives. We should not waste our lives collecting earthly things.
After death, our soul enters a new body depending on the karma of our past life. This process continues until we become one with the Supreme Soul.
Belief in Karma:
Hinduism believes that what we are now is the result of our Karma in the past life. Karma is what we do in our lives. The good things we do are called good Karma, and the bad things we do are called bad Karma or sin. Those who do evil Karma suffer in their present and coming lives until they get punished for their evil Karma. So, as human beings, we should always do good Karma, so that our present and future lives will be happy.
Depending on our past life, Karma, our soul enters the body of a human being or another species, such as animals, birds, etc.
Belief in reincarnation:
Not only Hinduism but also other major religions like Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism believe in the concept of reincarnation. The soul is immortal, and death is that of the body only. The soul changes the body as we change our clothes, and is reborn again. It travels from one body to another until it becomes one with the Supreme Soul. Thousands of proofs are available now on the internet that reincarnation is the truth.
Belief in multiple paths to reach God:
Hinduism does not believe in only one path to reach God. You can do it in multiple ways. That is what makes Hinduism a different religion.
What we eat is what we are:
As told by Lord Krishna (and accepted by scientists worldwide now), we tend to become what we eat. The food is divided into three categories:
1. Rajasic.
2. Satvik.
3. Tamasic.
Parents, Teachers, and Food are next to God:
Hindus believe that parents, teachers, and food are next to God. Parents give us birth, nurture us, and teach us values. Teachers give us the knowledge to survive in this world. Food is the thing by which we all live. Therefore, these three things have the utmost importance and reverence in Hinduism.
The incarnation of Vishnu:
Yada Yada Hi Dharmasya| Glanirbhavati Bharatha | Abhutthanam Adharmasya | Tadatmanam Srijanmyaham | Parithraanaay Sadhunam | Vinashach Dushkruteha | Dharmasansthapanarthaya | Sambhavami Yuge Yuge|
Hindus believe that whenever the darkness on Earth crosses its limit, and the Dharma is in peril, Lord Vishnu will reincarnate himself, save the Earth, and protect the good people from evil. He will destroy the evil and will reinstate the Dharma.
Lord Vishnu has incarnated himself 9 times so far. The 10th reincarnation will come soon, or might have been born. It will be called “Kalki Avatar.”
The 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu are:
1. Matsyavatar.
2. Kurmavatar.
3. Varaha avatar.
4. Narasimha avatar.
5. Vamanavatar.
6. Parashurama
7. Shree Rama.
8. Lord Krishna.
9. Gautam Buddha
10. Kalki Avatar.
Belief in the Horoscope:
Hindus believe that our destiny is decided at the time of our birth only. By making their horoscope, we can know what will happen in a person’s life. In a horoscope, known as Janma-Kundali, the positions of the nine planets, stars, and moon at the time of our birth are shown. Hindu marriages are arranged by matching the horoscopes of the bride and groom.
The World is an Illusion:
Hindus believe that this world is an illusion. What we see is not real. The best example is the color of the sky. The sky appears blue to our eyes, but actually, it is not. In the same way, this world is different from what it appears to us.
Belief in the Trinity:
Hindus believe that Lord Brahma created this universe, Lord Vishnu protects it, and Lord Shiva destroys it after a specific time so that Lord Brahma can recreate it.
Thax but translate for me these 3 into Induisim.
Thanks for all the info on your website! It helped me with a school project. All credit to you. I learned so much that I did not know before.
Who is the Supreme Soul?
Also my idea of God is based in Plato. I agree that ideas are most real … that all we see are representations of ideas. To me the one that entertains all ideas would be God.
I have a question related to the post. What about the concept of heaven and hell in hinduism ?? As scriptures mention it repeatedly. How do you see this?? And if you believe in Atma, Karma and Moksha,, does it not mismatching with the concept with Heaven and hell ?? Some say that the heaven and hell are in this worlds; again it doesnot match with the descriptions mentioned in the scriptures. Will you clarify please ??
Of course there is Heaven & Hell in Hinduism – Swarg & Narak like all other religions. Now some people’s sins are so big that their souls after death will undergo the extreme horrifying punishment in actual hell Naraka plus their souls will be reborn again in earth where they will suffer again in their new life. This will continue till their sins are exhausted.
TIME IS AN ILLUSION, THE CREATION OF MANKIND. INFINITY, (ETERNITY) HAS NO BGINNING NOR END THEREFORE TIME IS NON EXISTANT
There is a theory in spiritualism. What i understand. There are six tatwa, which exist all the time. They are (1) Atma: infinite in number (2) Parmatama, only one but omnipresent (3) Prakriti: Made up of sat, raj and tam (4) Time: As per Einstien, there is a fourth co-ordinate which is time. Without it we cann’t explain anything. The time is beyond sun, moon and others. In other way, the Sun, Moon and others are bounded by time. (5) Akshkar brahma: Who controls this prakriti(Prakriti is a jad tatwa) (6) Sadguru: One who gives spread the knowledge of Parmatama and who can only teach us the path of nirvana(Moksha). Rest all are chadbhangun i.e will get destroyed with time.
wow! im a hindu myself though I don’t know these facts even though im 20 yrs old!!!
u forgot to mention Lord Ramakrishna Paramahansa…..he is alsp vishnu avatar after Gautam Buddha.
it is true that Ramkrishna Paramhans was a great saint and he guided Swami Vivekananda to achieve the success he got but he was not an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. You can confirm it with any knowledgeable person on Hinduism.