10 Fundamentals of Hinduism
1. According to Hinduism God is One,
but also Many. The One becomes many and the many have to begin their
journey finally towards the One as a process of creation.
2. Hinduism believes that man is divine in nature. The basic purpose
of a human being is to realize this divine nature in him.
3. Hinduism firmly declares that the ego or ahamkar is the
root cause of all suffering. If an individual has to escape from suffering
he has to cease to be his egoistic self and identify himself with his
limitless inner self.
4. Hinduism believes unquestionably that the world is an illusion or
maya. Attachment with it is the cause of birth and death. When
a person overcomes this illusion through detachment and withdrawal of
senses he will become qualified for self-realization.
5. The Hindus believe in reincarnation or rebirth, according to which
each individual lives many lives because of his ignorance and the play
of maya before he attains liberation.
6. Hinduism believes that all beings have souls, are equally important
in the scheme of creation and that they all evolve continuously till
they achieve final freedom. Man is but one stage in this evolution of
life and in the soul's upward journey towards such liberation.
7. Hinduism believes in the concept of dharma or righteous
duties.
8. Hinduism has given to the world the concept of karma, according to
which all actions produce positive or negative reactions and effect
our lives. Hinduism offers the best way to live a life devoid of anxieties
and worries. It says, "Live your normal life, offering all your
actions and possessions mentally to God in the spirit of sacrifice without
bothering about the results of your actions."
9. Hinduism gives immense freedom to each individual to choose whatever
path he or she wants to choose. It does not believe in super imposition
of faith from outside, nor changing of ones faith to another because
it is more attractive. Each has to pursue the path of God according
to his or her inner nature and evolution. Hinduism says, "Follow
your own self, live according to your own dharma and discover your own
truth that is in harmony with yourself."
10. Finally Hinduism does not believe in converting people from one
faith to faith in an organized way (proselytization). If an individual
want to change his religion that is his inner choice. But no one should
force him or tempt him to change. Hinduism strictly prohibits teaching
of the scriptures to people who are not inclined to understand them
or follow them. There are many ways in which one can approach God. All
paths in the end lead to Him only.