Considering that Hinduism lacks a uniting belief system what makes up the Hindu?

Answer 1

Hinduism in its present form is rooted on 10 philosophical schools and 2 unorganized philosophies namely

1.Sankhya school-

"consciousness, in an evolving primordial Matter, trying to achieve a higher equilibrium(satva) defying inertia ( tamas) by using active forces ( rajas)"

2.Yoga school,

A school emphasizing meditation closely based on Samkya ( in later stages) It concerned principally with the cultivation of the mind using meditation (dhyana) to further one's acquaintance with reality and finally achieve liberation.

3.Nyaya school or logics

It believed that obtaining valid knowledge was the only way to obtain release from suffering

4.Vaisheshika school:

school of atomism says universe is build by minute particles which is being controlled by universal consciousness

5.Mimamsa school, Emphasised on the ritualistic vedic tradition

6.Vedanta school, Emphasised on the philosophical vedic teachings, notabily monoism and non duality, the goal of Vedanta is a state of self-realization or cosmic consciousness

7.Buddhist school: (Shramana school) Emphasis on karma, liberation from suffering, Noble Eightfold Path and middle way.

8.Jainist school: (Shramana school) Every living soul as potentially divine. When the soul sheds its karmic bonds completely, it attains divine consciousness. It prescribes a path of non-violence to progress the soul to this ultimate goal.

9.Cārvāka school: Not believed in those which cannot be perceived.

10.Ajivaka school : believes in fate, which dictates one's life.

11(Folk hindu).Nature worship- saktiyism mother earth goddess, city goddess,snake worship (nagaradhana), mountain gods, kaavu.

12. Ancestor soul worship- (karanavar aatma).believes that a family is protected by ansistors.

All these were both atheistic and theistic (in context of belief in god) at some point or other in history.

Among this the 5 and 6 recognized Vedic authority. First 3 recognized Vedic authority partially (or from some point of time in history.). 7, 8 and 9 don't recognized Vedic authority.

Fusion of above philosophies and beliefs of the other indigenous people like ancestor worships and nature worships resulted in the three main Indian religions in its present form (Hinduism Buddhism and Jainism)

Olden times philosophies of India were broadly classified as Brahmanas ( or Brahmanae by Greeks) (of Vedic tribes) and shramanas or ( Sarmanae by Greeks) (7, 8 &9). Later, by name Smartist (Vedic) and shramanas (non Vedic).

Major characters of Hindu belief:

1. Pre Vedic (folk) - based on local believes

2. Vedic - Based on vedic belief

3. Shramana -based on nonvedic believes.

4. Smartist -based on vedanta,upanishad

5. Puranic- based on stories of puranas, ramayana, mahabharata, bhagavat gita.

6. Karmic -based on karma, duty,yoga etc

7. Bhakti - Based on practice of worship.

Answer 2

See link to left. While Hinduism is a widely diverse system, it does have a large number of scriptural materials it draws on for its forms of philosophy, theology and religious practice. It is true that there is no established hierarchy or highly formalized system of common beliefs. But an over-emphasis on this lack may be misleading. There are some basic and widely held concepts that make Hinduism not so very different from various Christian sects.

Answer 3

India is one country that has a lot of religons. But the most practiced one is Hinduism

Answer 4

mostly Hindu, some Sikh and in northern areas Buddhist