In short:
Hinduism is the world’s oldest organized religion, existing for 4500 years. Based on the ancient Vedic literature, it is a belief system populated by an almost infinite number of gods and is open to adopting any or all of the gods created by younger religions. However, generally speaking, Hinduism's "main gods" are the triad of Brahma (the Creator), Vishnu (the Preserver), and Shiva (the Destroyer), commonly interpreted as representations of the various aspects of the Ultimate/Divine (Brahman). Human beings progress to the ultimate realization of their oneness with Brahman (often called Nirvana) through reincarnation according to the law of Karma.
Yoga (in its various forms) is basically the Hindu mystical/meditation system. Hindu mysticism is where we get the word "avatar" from (an incarnation of a divine being). Hindus would regard Jesus, for example, as an avatar.
Hinduism is also more a way of life than a set of beliefs and in some countries (eg, India) has provided, at times, a somewhat inflexible basis for social order (the caste system).
A deva ("shining one"😉 is a deity, usually depicted as male. Ishvara is Brahman as He relates to/controls the created world.
Originally posted by -hh-
...what about Zoroastrianism...
Hinduism is older.
Usually, when statements like "world's oldest organized religion" are made, it's usually with reference to the 5 major thriving faiths. Unlike Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam however, Hinduism was not founded by a person. My understanding is that it kind of "evolved" out of earlier forms of religious regard humans held for nature, themselves, life and death.
Originally posted by Mindshiptrue. my bad.
Hinduism is older.Usually, when statements like "world's oldest organized religion" are made, it's usually with reference to the 5 major thriving faiths. Unlike Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam however, Hinduism was not founded by a person. My understanding is that it kind of "evolved" out of earlier forms of religious regard humans held for nature, themselves, life and death.
Originally posted by lil bitchiness
Hmm thats Interesting...Actually, Hindus will argue that Hinduism is a monotheist religion. There is only one supreme reality...
Many Jews and Muslims see Christianity as monotheist because of trinity...
Oh well, I don't see the big difference anyways, if you believe in one Supernatural Entity why not a second one...
Originally posted by lil bitchiness
Hmm thats Interesting...Actually, Hindus will argue that Hinduism is a monotheist religion. There is only one supreme reality...
Many Jews and Muslims see Christianity as monotheist because of trinity...
I think the difference is that while both Hindus and the Western faiths believe in a Supreme Being, the Western faiths say, That's it. There are no other gods. There are angels, but no more gods.
It could be argued the differences are semantic. But different words are being used for different reasons. Hinduism says "gods" because it was a system incorporating and expounding upon other systems, taking in gods. Judaism, the first of the Western faiths, was stressing (among other things), freedom from all the "false gods," the idol worship. No "gods." Angels. There is only one true God, formless and abstract.
Originally posted by Janus Marius
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism teaches many of the concepts found in the major Abrahamic faiths such as Heaven, Hell, the Last Judgment, Satan, prophecy, the coming of the Messiah, angels, and evil spirits.
Well..........isn't this interesting from that site....