The Uniqueness of Hinduism

[garry420]

Hinduism does not have any one founder, and any one core doctrine to which controversies can be referred to for resolution. There is also no point in time when it could be said to have begun. It does not require its adherents to accept any one idea, and thus is cultural, not creedal. The concept of the Absolute “Brahman” is unique in manner that it cannot be equated to “God” and is also exclusive to Hinduism.


Hinduism is also marked by its acceptance which accommodates and accepts religious and cultural perspectives other religions other than one's own, and so it can characterized by a rich variety of practices and ideas resulting in what appears as a multiplicity of religions under one term 'Hinduism'.


perhaps Hinduism is the one and only one religious tradition which being so diverse in its practical expressions and theoretical premises that you can think it as a compilation of religions with a history contemporaneous with the peoples with which it is associated. According to philosopher Jeaneane Fowler, Hinduism can never be neatly slotted into any particular belief system — monism, theism, monotheism, polytheism, pantheism, panentheism — for all these systems are reflected in its many facets.

 

[buzzo 1982]

Uniqueness of Hinduism

There are many definitions of the word 'Hindu' based on geography, religion, or politics etc. But none of them is perfect. It is a way of life, therefore, there is no need to define Hinduism.
We should simply recognize the fact that Hindu society exists.
Hinduism is universal and contains different schools of philosophy and religion.
Hinduism is the oldest religion of the world but it reforms and changes with the demands of the time, thus it is ancient but remains moderm.
Every Hindu keeps these four objectives in view and tries to achieve them:
1) Duty (Dharma)
2) Material prosperity (artha)
3) Enjoyment (kama)
4) Salvation (moksha)
Theory of Action (karma): we reap what we sow. We must take responsibility for all actions we do in this life.

To achieve the above objectives life is divided into four segments:
1) Celibacy (bramacharya)- student life i.e. acquiring knowledge.
2) Family life (grihastha)- enjoyment and prosperity and participation in running of society and the nation.
3) Retirement (vanaprastha)- delegate responsibility to younger generation to perform selfless social service.
4) Renunciation (sanyas)- complete renunciation of the world for union with God.