JaneSmith105
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Who founded Hinduism is a question that puzzles not just scholars, but Hindus themselves. Buddhism is based on Buddha’s teachings, while Christianity is based on those of Jesus. Islam was founded by the prophet, while Judaism is largely based on efforts of Abraham and Moses. Zoroastrianism was promulgated by Zoroaster. However, the founders of Hinduism have been lost in the dungeons of time - many are the questions that arise when we explore those dungeons.
For most Hindus, the world is governed by the trinity of Gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva. While Brahma Created this universe, Vishnu sustains it, and Siva destroys it. While this might look like polytheism, the monotheistic requirements have led the adherents to direct their devotion towards only one particular form – those that consider Vishnu as the first and supreme among the trinity, and those others that consider Siva to be the first and supreme among the trinity. Saraswati, Laxmi, and Parvati make up the Mother Goddess equation of the trinity. Ganesh and Skanda, as the sons of Siva and Parvati, make up the rest of the hierarchy. It is a pretty well established and well-defined hierarchy.
But how did this Hindu trinity originate at all?
Well, that is a question that most Hindus, or for that matter even history scholars, will find it extremely difficult to answer. For most Hindus, there was never a time when the trinity did not exist. They existed from the beginning of time. For Vaishnavites, Vishnu existed at the beginning of time – and he created the rest when he desired. Similarly, for Saivites, Siva existed at the beginning of time – and he created the rest when he desired. Either way, they firmly believe that the trinity existed for billions of years as and when the universe came into existence at the time of big bang. And the religion is called Sanatan Dharma – everlasting and ever-existing religion.
It is only when we apply historical analysis to the question that we are troubled by the whole concept. Historians say that the religion was formed only a few thousand years ago, before which the concept the trinity did not exist. So when and how the concept of trinity originated and evolved into such a strong religious system is a big mystery. Who formulated the trinity – who told the people that there exist Brahma or Vishnu or Siva in heavens? Who told people that Ganesh and Skanda are the sons of Siva? How did this whole divine hierarchy come about? Historians say that Vishnu was the God of a particular tradition, Siva was the God of a different tradition, and that these different traditions were amalgamated into one. But where did these individual traditions come from and who merged these traditions into one unified tradition is a matter of intense debate with very little agreement among scholars on the details – to the extent that we can almost say that we know nothing about the origins of Hinduism.
It is not just the trinity and the divine hierarchy – Hinduism has vast amount of scriptural base including Vedas, Upanishads, Tantras – and very little is known about the authors of these scriptures. Especially, Vedas are considered by Hindus as direct divine revelations to humanity. How did this scriptural base come about?
When it comes to Vaishnavism, several supposedly historical figures such as Ram and Krishna have been declared to be the incarnations of Vishnu on earth. Who told people that Ram or Krishna is an incarnation Vishnu? How did Vaishnavism organize itself into such a well-organized concept of incarnations?
Hinduism has a large number of well-organized festivals with well-established ritual practices built around those festivals. Who built Hinduism around this well-organized framework of festivals?
These are the questions that still need answers.
A typical answer to the question on the origins of Hinduism would look as follows:
“Relatively little is known about the origins of Hinduism, as it predates recorded history. It has been said to derive from beliefs of the Aryans. The hundreds of faith and beliefs of Dravidians, and Harappans living in the Indian subcontinent, before the Aryans came to India, was combined under the Hindu term during the British Raj (quoted from askmehelpdesk)”
“Hinduism - as we see it , comes together out of various doctrines & philosophies. To find out the exact and precise origin of Hinduism is bit complex and pointless subject I think. It's like asking - From where did the Ocean Originate”
“Hinduism is the world’s oldest religion with no beginning--its recorded history goes beyond what science have found till now. It doesn't have human founder. It is a mystical and self awakening religion, leading all devotee to personally experience their own way of Truth within, finally reaching the pinnacle of consciousness wherein man and God become one and in the end all are one.”
Who founded Hinduism? What are its origins?
Answer : Seven sages - The Saptarishi's are founder of Hinduism
Via : Prithvi
For most Hindus, the world is governed by the trinity of Gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva. While Brahma Created this universe, Vishnu sustains it, and Siva destroys it. While this might look like polytheism, the monotheistic requirements have led the adherents to direct their devotion towards only one particular form – those that consider Vishnu as the first and supreme among the trinity, and those others that consider Siva to be the first and supreme among the trinity. Saraswati, Laxmi, and Parvati make up the Mother Goddess equation of the trinity. Ganesh and Skanda, as the sons of Siva and Parvati, make up the rest of the hierarchy. It is a pretty well established and well-defined hierarchy.
But how did this Hindu trinity originate at all?
Well, that is a question that most Hindus, or for that matter even history scholars, will find it extremely difficult to answer. For most Hindus, there was never a time when the trinity did not exist. They existed from the beginning of time. For Vaishnavites, Vishnu existed at the beginning of time – and he created the rest when he desired. Similarly, for Saivites, Siva existed at the beginning of time – and he created the rest when he desired. Either way, they firmly believe that the trinity existed for billions of years as and when the universe came into existence at the time of big bang. And the religion is called Sanatan Dharma – everlasting and ever-existing religion.
It is only when we apply historical analysis to the question that we are troubled by the whole concept. Historians say that the religion was formed only a few thousand years ago, before which the concept the trinity did not exist. So when and how the concept of trinity originated and evolved into such a strong religious system is a big mystery. Who formulated the trinity – who told the people that there exist Brahma or Vishnu or Siva in heavens? Who told people that Ganesh and Skanda are the sons of Siva? How did this whole divine hierarchy come about? Historians say that Vishnu was the God of a particular tradition, Siva was the God of a different tradition, and that these different traditions were amalgamated into one. But where did these individual traditions come from and who merged these traditions into one unified tradition is a matter of intense debate with very little agreement among scholars on the details – to the extent that we can almost say that we know nothing about the origins of Hinduism.
It is not just the trinity and the divine hierarchy – Hinduism has vast amount of scriptural base including Vedas, Upanishads, Tantras – and very little is known about the authors of these scriptures. Especially, Vedas are considered by Hindus as direct divine revelations to humanity. How did this scriptural base come about?
When it comes to Vaishnavism, several supposedly historical figures such as Ram and Krishna have been declared to be the incarnations of Vishnu on earth. Who told people that Ram or Krishna is an incarnation Vishnu? How did Vaishnavism organize itself into such a well-organized concept of incarnations?
Hinduism has a large number of well-organized festivals with well-established ritual practices built around those festivals. Who built Hinduism around this well-organized framework of festivals?
These are the questions that still need answers.
A typical answer to the question on the origins of Hinduism would look as follows:
“Relatively little is known about the origins of Hinduism, as it predates recorded history. It has been said to derive from beliefs of the Aryans. The hundreds of faith and beliefs of Dravidians, and Harappans living in the Indian subcontinent, before the Aryans came to India, was combined under the Hindu term during the British Raj (quoted from askmehelpdesk)”
“Hinduism - as we see it , comes together out of various doctrines & philosophies. To find out the exact and precise origin of Hinduism is bit complex and pointless subject I think. It's like asking - From where did the Ocean Originate”
“Hinduism is the world’s oldest religion with no beginning--its recorded history goes beyond what science have found till now. It doesn't have human founder. It is a mystical and self awakening religion, leading all devotee to personally experience their own way of Truth within, finally reaching the pinnacle of consciousness wherein man and God become one and in the end all are one.”
Who founded Hinduism? What are its origins?
Answer : Seven sages - The Saptarishi's are founder of Hinduism
Via : Prithvi
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