What is the geographic center of the Hindu faith?
445534
There really isn't one. The largest congregation of Hindu people is in southish Asia, but there really isn't a specific geographic center.
185023
well i am hindu. so i am always free to change my view.\n\n i worship god in abstract form and also believe in his so many other symbolic forms. a hindu never feels 100% out of place in any kind of relegious place or ceremony. so i can live with that. it will be only one of my beliefs cancelled.:)
648853
When I think of India, I think of Hinduism, Buddhism and Gandhi and their peacefully society.\n\nColorful streets and beautiful people...\n\nIt is the main country that I want to spend some times in and learn first hand of their religion and culture.\n\nWish I could spend the rest of my life there.....
592809
HInduism. it existed before romans or greeks or even christanity.
941183
That is not logically consistant.\n\nBesides, nature is Hindu.
1050403
i think Nagpur. \nit also has one Zero or centre point or something.
895066
If Hinduism had to be buried down the earth, it would have been so during the Mughal Campaign. Though both Christianity and Islam overturned everything that happened to be on their way, they failed miserably in India because Hinduism wasn't standing on some false and magnified dogmas just to betray itself. Hinduism can never die because:\n1.Vasudaika Kudumbakam. Only Hinduism or its offshoots can accept the whole world and its multitudes one family. Though the caste division in Hinduism had taken an ugly turn and the same had caused many to leave Hinduism, it considers all human being irrespective of their religion, caste, creed, language or any other distinctive features as ONE. You may be a king, but it doesn't guarentee your easy entry into eternity unless you deserve it by virtue of your deeds. You may be from the lowest strata of the society and ignorent, irrelevant and unknown. But these things never negate your way to moksha, because your karma decides what you would be.\n2. It teaches us that our salvation/moksha entirely depends on our own deeds/karma. Rituals are there in Hinduism, but  even without baptism or circumscission you can enter eternity. You needn't perform any rituals or you needn't register yourself in any local temple to make an easy way to Heaven.\n3.Hinuism never discourages you to think, nor it will eliminate you and your clan for thinking and presenting your dicoveries. Charvaka, the great atheist, was equal to any other great Hindus like Swami Vivekananda !\n4.Alexander's Empire vanished, Roman Empire is in history, Christianity is dying, American Imperialism will disappear tomarrow and Islam will be totally wiped out day after tomarrow. But Hinduism is here to stay.
800153
I would say that the most important aspect of Hinduism is darsan, or to see and be seen by the god(s). This is where the statues come in to play. The statues or sculptures are a temporary vessel for the god to enter and give darsan to the worshiper. To see and be seen by the divine is the whole point of worship. \n\nThis is hard for some people to understand without indepth study.\n\nHere is a really good website that can give you more information.\n\nhttp://www.hinduwisdom.info/index.htm
90736
Hindu Beliefs\nThe beliefs of hindu thought are wide and varied, and have been expounded upon by saints and writers throughout the centuries. Some of the salient elements of hindu beliefs are presented below (from an article in Hinduism Today, April 1993). The two articles Duty to masses and Why we differ, also provide tremendous insights into hindu beliefs. Enjoy! \nOn Creation: \nThe universe exists in endless cycles of creation, preservation and destruction. There is no absolute end to the world. \nOn The True God: \nThere is but one true and absolute Self, Supreme Being. God is pure Love. \nOn Paths to God: \nMan is free to choose his form of worship, for all paths lead ultimately to God. Sin is only of the mind; Soul is pure. \nOn Man's Plight: \nMan's suffering is but his soul's immaturity. He is on a progressive path which leads from ignorance to knowledge, from death to immortality. \nOn Evil: \nThere is no intrinsic evil. All is good. All is God. \nOn Virtue and Salvation: \nVirtuous conduct and light belief are the foundation of religious life. Liberation requires knowledge and personal attainment. \nOn Doctrines: \nDoctrines tend to be subtle, complex and even paradoxical. Freedom to worship and to believe in a variety of ways is predominant. \nOn Enlightenment: \nThe goals of enlightenment and liberation are to be found in this life, within man himself. \nOn Sainthood: \nThe path to saintliness is through self-discipline, purification, concentration, and contemplation. Value is placed on ascetic ideals, individual sadhana, and yoga. \nOn Worship: \nWorship is individualistic, highly ritualistic and meditative, centering around the temple and home shrine all days of the week
236155
What do you mean by dimensions? I don't understand the question you are asking.\n\nFor information you can visit here http://www.himalayanacademy.com/resources/books/hbh/hbh_ch-6.html\n\nIt is a good site about Hinduism as well as http://www.himalayanacademy.com
830299
Hinduism (real name Sanatan Dharma or eternal religion) started with the humanity...it is the oldest and have all in its philosophy all what Pagans, christians, muslims, buddhists have...and more than that is its Philosophy which deals with the mysteries of Universe, life, death and God
383052
Check this out... \n\nHinduwebsite.com   -->Main Categories <--HinduismBuddhismJainismSikhismZoroastrianismSelf_DevelopmentSpiritualismGeneral_KnowledgeWeb_ResourcesUtilitiesSacred_ScripturesMeta_SearchHinduism_A_To_ZHinduism ConceptsBhagavadgitaUpanishadsSaivismVedasSymbolismHinduism_FAQHindu_PantheonTemplesSpiritual_MastersBook_ReviewsEssayseTextsencyclopaedias \n --> Shopping Links <--Alternate_TherapyArtAstrologyAuctionsAutomobilesBanking & TradiingBabiesBath and BodyBooksCar_RentalsCalling_CardsClothingComputersCookiesCouponsCredit_CardsDatingDVD'sEducationEuropean_StuffElectronicsFinancial_ServicesFilms/VideosFlowersFood/GourmetFree_StuffFree_MusicFurnitureGiftsGift_CertificatesGroceriesHandicraftsHandbagsHealthHome_DecorIndian_StuffInk_CartridgesInsuranceInternetJewelryJobsKidsKitchen_WearLegal_ServicesLoansMagazinesMaternity_WearMusicOffice_SuppliesOut_DoorParty_GoodsPetsPhonesPlus_SizeRecorded_BooksSearchShoesSoftwareStocksStudentsToysTravelVacationWeddingsWeight_LossWomenWork_From_HomeHinduwebsite_Home]  \n \n  \nHinduwebsite.com provides comprehensive information on Hinduism and Hinduism resources. Apart from Hinduism and Hinduism resources, Hinduwebsite also provides information on other major Indian religions like Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. There is a section devoted to Zoroastrianism and the teachings of Zarathushtra, which had a significant connection with the Vedic culture of ancient India. Information on Hinduism and Hinduism resources has been presented under various subsections such as Hinduism A to Z, Bhagavadgita, Upanishads, Symbolism in Hinduism, History of Hinduism, Esoteric Hinduism, Saivism and the Vedas. In addition, visitors will be able to browse through a comprehensive collection of sacred texts of ancient Indian, Chinese, eastern, Buddhist, Hindu, Vedic, Tibetan, Zoroastrian origin in the sacred scriptures section. The texts include translations of the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Tantras, besides teachings of the Buddha, Mahavira, Zarathushtra, Confuscius and several religious scholars. In addition to information on religions, visitors will find very valuable information on self-development, personality development, psychology, spiritualism, saints and spiritual masters, search resources, general reference material, philosophy, web resources, book reviews, web utilities, link resources, astrology, daily news, Indian and world news resources and a good collection of articles on health, society, religion, art and literature. We have also created an online shopping center displaying useful products and services from some of the best eCommerce and online shopping websites in various categories from apparel, music, travel, gifts, books, electronics and flowers to best bargains, special offers and best deals. Make Hinduwebsite.com your home page and enjoy the information we provide freely. \n\nThe Vedas\nThere are four Vedas, the Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda. The Vedas are the primary texts of Hinduism. They also had a vast influence on Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. The Rig Veda, the oldest of the four Vedas, was composed about 1500 B.C., and codified about 600 B.C. It is unknown when it was finally comitted to writing, but this probably was at some point after 300 B.C.\nThe Vedas contain hymns, incantations, and rituals from ancient India. Along with the Book of the Dead, the Enuma Elish, the I Ching, and the Avesta, they are among the most ancient religious texts still in existence. Besides their spiritual value, they also give a unique view of everyday life in India four thousand years ago. The Vedas are also the most ancient extensive texts in an Indo-European language, and as such are invaluable in the study of comparative linguistics.
539447
That isnt true, hinduism originated in india but now hinduism is all over the world.
272934
hinduism. i am already part of it . though Hinduism may not be called religion in the sense other religions are known. It has no founder. It is much more than a religion. It is a total way of life.  \n\nWhen religion becomes organized, man ceases to be free. It is not God that is worshipped but the group or the authority that claims to speak in his name. It is not faith, but just social idolatry. God is not like a father in a patriarchal society, who has His favorite children to whom He communicates. This idea seems rather archaic and crude. Hinduism believes in behavior than belief and  experience over authority. \n\nThe genius of Hinduism is assimilative. Puritanism is alien to its life and thought. It never opposed scientific enquiry. \n\nHinduism's greatest feature has been its positive ideas and those who do not belong to it are not infidels or heretics. Hinduism does not believe in bringing about a mechanical uniformity of belief and worship by a forcible elimination of all that is not in agreement with a particular creed. Hindus have never conquered, plundered or committed genocides on other peoples and they never will, primarily because the deeper values enshrined in the Sanatana Dharma are against such mindless violence and expansionism. At one level every true Hindu sees his/her self being one with the Universal Self . At a more samsaric level, a Hindu also understands more than any other religionist in the world, the concept of a harmonious global society that should unite, prosper and live in peace.\n\nHinduism, in its plethora of symbols and images, is endlessly complex and therefore endlessly misunderstood, but its true mission is both simple and universal: soul-enlightenment. Hinduism is goal-oriented, not way-oriented. In other words, its focus is the ultimate attainment, Self-realization, in God. Symbolism helps the seeker to concentrate his mind on the worship and meditation of god.idols are just symbolic:\n\nYes, said he, but just how many gods are there Yajnavalkya?" "Thirty three". "yes," said he, but just how many gods are there, Yajnavalkya?" "One."    \n                                                                        - Brhadaranyaka Upanishad III, IX, I\n\nGod's innumerable forms, and the acknowledgement of His Presence in everything, are an expression of the extraordinary vitality of India's collective imagination down through the ages. \n\nAccording to Thomas Berry, "In quality, in quantity, in significance for man's intellectual, cultural, and spiritual life, this literature in its totality is unsurpassed among all other literary traditions of the world."\n\n"Hinduism is a process - for this reason, Hinduism must be studied not as a fixed body of doctrine, but as a developing tradition that has changed considerably throughout the centuries and which is still changing in a creative direction. Everything in India makes sense in the light of the changing process. Nothing makes sense without it. Hinduism is still a living, changing process and must be seen as such."
64991
Hinduism is a complex religion that believes in many forms of one god.  They do not even consider themselves a religion, but a Dharma, which is something far greater.  The true name for Hinduism is Sanatana Dharma.  They worship numerous gods, but the main ones (called the Trimurti, similar to Christianity's Trinity) are Brahma the Creator(who created the world), Vishnu the Preserver/Protector (who protects and is currently Hinduism's most popular god and Shiva the Destroyer (who wil end the world when the time comes, for now he destroys evils.)  Hinduism believes in reincarnation.  You begin as a more lowly life form and work yourself up to being a human through good deeds (known as Karma, which is sort of a point system ith God.)  Once you achieve Moksha, which is utmost goodness and connection with God, you are granted eternal heaven.  Hinduism is far more complex than all this.  I suggest you do more research, it's an incredibly interesting religion.
592283
A very good question.  \n\nMuch debate has gone up about the POLYTHEISTIC nature of Hindu.  The religion is known to have so many gods it is debated that there is no god at all to Hindu (among western academics), though it is so obviously a religion.\n\nGodhead is the name for the form of god in Hindu.  Godhead is in all things, all objects, all shapes, and all places.  In Hindu, god is worshipped in many shapes, the shapes of the many gods, and yet it is a general, universal god they celebrate, even though it is multitudes of gods.\n\nI understood it best when I heard a (poor) translation of a Hindu prayer, I will try to recall here: \n\n"God forgive me for these sins I commit, \nFor I am human.  \n\nYou are in all things, \nAnd I worship you in these things, \nYou are in all forms \nAnd I worship you in this form, \nYou are in all places, \nAnd I worship you in this place.  \n\nGod, forgive me for these sins I commit, \nFor I am human."
1055855
Sanatan Dharma means Eternal Dharma. Hinduism is collectively all religious philosophies born in India. They are inter related even if highly diverse. Buddhism, Jaininsm, Sikhism , all are branches or sects of Hinduism. \n\n Hinduism never rejects any older theory about God , only modifies it and incorporate newer ideas. So you ger mother goddess worship, Annimism to Upanishads , Buddhism to Krishna worshippers. You will find even Hindu Atheist.\n\nThats why it was called Sanatan Dharma.\n\n"Hindu " word literally meant Indian. The name was given by persians. and original word was Sindhu but they had no "s" sound or something. Then it reached Greece and Greeks turned the word in "Ind" and added customeary "ia" to it and the word India came into existence.\n\nSo Indian and Hindu were synonums till Semetic religions like Islam entered India.\nregarding flameslivewire post: \n\nWell you should not learn Hinduism from Islamic sites. We know there is no mohammad in Vedas and Hinduism does not forbid Iconworship. It says it is first step towards meditation. \n\nYes, we believe in one god that is formless , yet we also believe god is in ever one and everywhere. Only non Hindus confuse it with polythiesm. even uneducated Hindu villager will tell you there is only one god. \n\nMuslims use symbols too moon, kaba , black stone situated there and Kuran and number 786, so does christians. Cross is very much a symbol.\n\nWe are just honest enough to accept we need symbols to worship god.