More Hinduism

Some other interesting aspects of Hinduism are the 4 castes, the 4 stages of life, and Puja. The four castes are Brahmins, which are Priets, Kshatriys, which are rulers are warriors, Vanishyes, which are merchants, farmers, and artisans, and sutras/shudas, which are unskilled laborers. There is also another sub category where the outcasts and untouchables go. They are usually people who deal with the dead and garbage and are therefore looked down upon. (see first picture on left) Then there are the 4 stages of life. They are student, which are people learning, householder, which are married people who work and raise a family, forest dweller, which are grandparents helping with grandchildren and who focus on spiritual matters, and Sannyasin, which are people who give up all worldly attachments. (see second picture on left). All people of the Hinduism faith must fall into one of the four casts and one of the 4 stages of life. I find it interesting that people have to be in one of those four categories for both the casts and stages of life. I don't see why someone can simply be unmarried without a job just living freely. Why do they have to have a specific role? I also think the four casts should have some gray area. what if someone is not quite a priest, but is not as low as a ruler or warrior? I, personally, do not think a religion should tell people that they need to fall in a specific role. People should encouraged to be unique and different. On a totally different note, i find Puja very interesting. Puja involves many steps, which lead to a person having Darshan and having an intense climati

c moment with their divine deity. Some of these steps are similar to other religions, such as chanting/praying, giving gifts to the deity, and the drinking and touching of holy water. However, some are very unique, such as ringing of the bells, anointing the deity, marking the third eye, and touching the fire and then your eyes. I like how Puja incorporates so many different things and rituals. They manage to be unique and yet relatable, which is very difficult to do. There are examples of deity's decorated and worshipped to the left and below. I think decorating a deity is overall a very significant and powerful way to worship a god, and i think these steps of Puja are some of the most interesting aspects of Hinduism.

(pictures all taken from Google Images)

Hinduism

There are many parts to Hinduism. The history includes the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Puranas, etc. However, some main ideas are atman, brahman, and samsara. The atman is self, soul, it lives on when you die, and it can't be harmed. Brahman, though, is the source of everything, the eternal peace and joy, and it is the spirit in all things. Samsara is the cycle of reincarnation. I, personally, like the idea of reincarnation. You are able to live again and again, experiencing new and exciting lives. It's almost like living forever, but you can experience different lives and different bodies. Although in Hinduism they want Moksha, which is becoming enlightened and ending samsara, i don't think i would want to experience that. I'd be fine with just living different lives every time you die. Although these are rather difficult ideas to grasp, they are extremely important to Hinduism. Also important are the four goals of Hinduism. They are Moksha, dharma, Artha, and Kama. Moksha is enlightenment, dharma is your duties, Artha is power and success, and Arma is pleasure. If i had to choose one of the four goals of Hinduism, I'm not sure which one i would choose. I would probably choose Artha because power and success is the most appealing option. Success is a very fulfilling and satisfactory feeling, which usually leads to a good and happy life. I almost wish there was a success button that would give me success, power, and wealth with just one click.

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