Criminal
12-05-2001, 06:51 AM
Recently I have been reading about Hinduism, which is in my opinion a very fascinating religion. I thought I would share some information with you.
The Hindu faith is probibly the oldest organized religion in the world. We know this because the worlds first religious text was written as long as 2500 BC. This first text is called the Rig Veda. It talks about the lives that the first Hindus must have led. This religion was started by the Aryans, a fair skinned people who invaded India from what is now Russia. They organized a religion which probibly resembled the old Teutanic religions more than modern Hinduism. The old texts emphasised ritual sacrifice in much the same way that the Biblical book of Leviticus did. As time went on the religion evolved. One principal developement was the introduction of the Caste system. This was probibly instituted by the Aryans. It had those who were pure Aryan become the Brahmans, or twice born. These were the priestly casts of India. Other groups were of mixed origin and at the bottom were the outcasts or Untouchables. (It should be noted that while Ghandi and the current Indian government have condemned the caste system, it continues to exist in modern Indian society).
Another developement was the recognizition of three principal gods, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Brahma is the creator of all life. Vishnu is the preserver of life and Shiva is the destroyer. The God Vishnu is perhaps the most celibrated of the Gods, particularly in his incarnation as Krishn. Shiva too is celebrated though his worship is more celibrated by Tantrics and other obsure sects.
There are also minor gods in Hinduism, many of them are regional dieties. One favorite is the benevolent god of good fortune, Ganesha, the elephant headed son of Shiva.
Another popular figure in Hindu mythology is Kali, an incarnation of the goddess Ambika. According to mythology, the heavens were attacked by deamons who arose such fear among the gods that they could only call on Shiva to defend them. Shiva was in a deep state of meditation however and the all was answered by Kali. Kali went to war riding a bull and slew all the deamons. Kali is depicted as a black skinned godess. She is nude except for a necklace of skulls and a girdle of human hands. She has 4 arms and is often seen holding a severed head. Her eyes and tounge are covered in blood. In spite of this fearsome appearance she is seen as a benevolent godess who heals.
One cult of Kali, which breaks from orthodox Hinduism, continues sacrafice of goats and other animals. At one time humans were sacreficed to Kali as well.
A central aspect of the Hindu faith is reincarnation. This is related to the caste system in that one who does rightous acts in their current life will attain a higher status in their next. Those who are wicked, by contrast will be born at a lower status or even as an animal. Those who are particularly rightous can break the cycle of rebirth and be reunited with Brahma.
While orthodox Hinduism has an organized priesthood and emphasises attainment of a higher life through an asthetic life of prayer and meditation(e.g. yoga), one radical offshoot of Hinduism started in the 5th century and emphasises religious celebration through sexual union. This is known as Tantra. Though not highly regarded by the mainstream of Hindu society, this form of worship has a very rich history. Central to this was the worship of the Linga or Lingus. The Linga is a depiction of an erect phallus. Such forms of sexual worship is found in many old temples where depictions of couples having intercourse are found.
The Hindu faith is probibly the oldest organized religion in the world. We know this because the worlds first religious text was written as long as 2500 BC. This first text is called the Rig Veda. It talks about the lives that the first Hindus must have led. This religion was started by the Aryans, a fair skinned people who invaded India from what is now Russia. They organized a religion which probibly resembled the old Teutanic religions more than modern Hinduism. The old texts emphasised ritual sacrifice in much the same way that the Biblical book of Leviticus did. As time went on the religion evolved. One principal developement was the introduction of the Caste system. This was probibly instituted by the Aryans. It had those who were pure Aryan become the Brahmans, or twice born. These were the priestly casts of India. Other groups were of mixed origin and at the bottom were the outcasts or Untouchables. (It should be noted that while Ghandi and the current Indian government have condemned the caste system, it continues to exist in modern Indian society).
Another developement was the recognizition of three principal gods, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Brahma is the creator of all life. Vishnu is the preserver of life and Shiva is the destroyer. The God Vishnu is perhaps the most celibrated of the Gods, particularly in his incarnation as Krishn. Shiva too is celebrated though his worship is more celibrated by Tantrics and other obsure sects.
There are also minor gods in Hinduism, many of them are regional dieties. One favorite is the benevolent god of good fortune, Ganesha, the elephant headed son of Shiva.
Another popular figure in Hindu mythology is Kali, an incarnation of the goddess Ambika. According to mythology, the heavens were attacked by deamons who arose such fear among the gods that they could only call on Shiva to defend them. Shiva was in a deep state of meditation however and the all was answered by Kali. Kali went to war riding a bull and slew all the deamons. Kali is depicted as a black skinned godess. She is nude except for a necklace of skulls and a girdle of human hands. She has 4 arms and is often seen holding a severed head. Her eyes and tounge are covered in blood. In spite of this fearsome appearance she is seen as a benevolent godess who heals.
One cult of Kali, which breaks from orthodox Hinduism, continues sacrafice of goats and other animals. At one time humans were sacreficed to Kali as well.
A central aspect of the Hindu faith is reincarnation. This is related to the caste system in that one who does rightous acts in their current life will attain a higher status in their next. Those who are wicked, by contrast will be born at a lower status or even as an animal. Those who are particularly rightous can break the cycle of rebirth and be reunited with Brahma.
While orthodox Hinduism has an organized priesthood and emphasises attainment of a higher life through an asthetic life of prayer and meditation(e.g. yoga), one radical offshoot of Hinduism started in the 5th century and emphasises religious celebration through sexual union. This is known as Tantra. Though not highly regarded by the mainstream of Hindu society, this form of worship has a very rich history. Central to this was the worship of the Linga or Lingus. The Linga is a depiction of an erect phallus. Such forms of sexual worship is found in many old temples where depictions of couples having intercourse are found.