Hinduism Is Among the Oldest Term Paper

In response to the question of who social order is determined, Lord Krishna said, "Birth is not the cause, my friend; it is virtues which are the cause of auspiciousness. Even a candala observing the vow is considered a brahmana by the gods" (Caste pp). Stated in the Bhagavad Gita, "The fourfold caste has been created by Me according to the differentiation of Guna (attributes) and Karma" (Caste pp).

Hinduism believes in behavior, rather than belief and experience over authority, and recognizes no intermediary or prophet as standing between man and God (Tribute pp). The first principal of Hindu Dharma is that "the Reality is one without a second," and since it is beyond description by human mind, it is indicated by a single word, "Brahman" (Tribute pp). The distinguishing feature of Hinduism is pluralism combined with freedom of choice, one is free to choose, question and reject, even to reject the Vedas as false (Tribute pp).

A wisely planned and solemnly conducted ritual prepare the ground, creates the atmosphere, suggests the mood and predisposes the mind, in order that the religious soul may easily detach itself from the world and feel the mysterious presence of God, thus although God is everywhere, Hindus go to temple to worship and say prayers in ancient Sanskrit, for the more ancient the better (Hindu1 pp).

Vishnu Samhita says,

Without a form how can God be mediated upon?...Therefore the wise will meditate on some form, remembering, however, that the form is a superimposition and not a reality" (Tribute pp).

Works Cited

Tribute to Hinduism: Introduction. http://www.atributetohinduism.com/introduction_to_hinduism.htm

Hindu Cosmology. http://www.atributetohinduism.com/Hindu_Cosmology.htm

The Caste System. http://www.atributetohinduism.com/Caste_System.htm#No%20Religious%20Sanction%20in%20Hindu%20Scriptures:

Hindu1 Rituals and Myths. http://www.hindubooks.org/essence_of_hinduism/hindu_rituals_and_myths/page5.htm.....