Indian Religions

This segment of COUNT DOWN TO INDIA is being presented as a favor for my ever inquisitive, super intellectual, type A hubby. Since our decision to embark upon our journey to India he has had many questions but none more pressing than the one I am about to address. Being a Christian man himself, he is fascinated by other religions, especially those that seem vastly different from our own. Therefore, he put in a special request. “Can you tell me,” he asked, “about all the various religions that coexist in India?” The Hindu faith has been at the center of most of our topics in COUNT DOWN as it comprises roughly 85% of the religious Indian population. We have also touched on Islam a bit. BUT are there more religious influences in this culturally diverse land that sprawls throughout Southeast Asia? Could it be that as diverse as the land, from ancient to metropolitan, plains to forests, beaches to mountains, so are the people and the beliefs they hold dear? We are about to find out…

As with some of the subjects that we have explored so far, an Indian Religions part II is imminent, partially because there is too much info to cram into just one blog and also because to truly understand any topic as mystifying and precious as someone’s faith, to rush through a generalized overview would be distasteful. Consequently, we embark upon this subject matter with tolerance, curiosity, admiration and open mindedness, keeping in mind that understanding, perspective and appreciation is the final goal, not religious conversion.

Four religions actually originated in India Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism.  Sikhism makes up 1.9 % of the religious influence in India and is the smallest major faith. But what is Sikhism? Sikhism borrows some of its fundamentals from Hinduism and Islam, like the concept of universal brotherhood. Its followers denounce idol worship and circumcision. The faith was founded by a man called Guru Nanak, he and other gurus compiled writings from the most renowned gurus to build the basic components of the faith. Guru Granth Sahib was declared “eternal guru” and presented the thought to his followers that “all humans as equal before Waheguru”. Waheguru, by the way, means supreme being or god.

In case you have not guessed, the term guru, used in America and across the world to describe a person who is smart, brilliant or an expert in his field is based on the Indian word guru meaning one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom, and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru

Sikhism founded in the 15 century is intriguing and satiated with wise counsel and still guides the life of many Indian people today .

Up next we will take a look a Buddhism…stay tuned!