Page 18 - Perceptions papers

incarnate in the world in human forms to reestablish peace and social order whenever there are

too much social unrests and disorder in the world. Lord Rama and Lord Krishna are believed to

be two major incarnations of Vishnu and therefore revered and worshiped by the Hindus. Like

Vishnu, the destroyer aspect of Brahman – Shiva also incarnates in the world from time to time.

Major spiritual commandments/ethical principles: Nonviolence (Ahimsa), truthfulness

(satya), non-stealing (asteya), non-corruption (aparigraha), celibacy (brahmacharya – meaning

maintaining celibacy during student life or as single and faithful when married), forgiveness

(kshama), compassion (daya), steadfastness (dhriti), honesty (arjava), moderate eating

(mitahara), purity in body, mind and speech (shausa), contentment (santosha), and spiritual

practices (tapa) are some of the ethical principles in Hinduism. Hinduism prescribes the practice

of different forms of yoga (path) for those who are in search for new ways for living a

meaningful life by integrating different aspects of life including self-realization or enlightenment

through deepening wisdom, compassion and insight. These include karma yoga (path of action),

bhakti yoga (path of devotion), gnana yoga (path of knowledge and discernment), and raja yoga

(path of meditation).

The religion’s brief history: Some of the religious practices in the Hinduism originated in the

prehistoric period, more than 5000 years ago, before the time of Indus valley Civilization. The

Vedas, the oldest sacred texts, were composed ~4000-3000 years ago. The Upanishads were

composed during the Vedanta period between 3000-2000 years ago. The Sanskrit epics

Ramayana and Mahabharata were believed to be composed during the early part of the Vedanta

period. Adi Shankaracharya in the early eighth century is credited for unifying diverse thoughts

of Hinduism by consolidating the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta or non-dualistic philosophy,

which was established on the idea that the individual soul or atman is same as the transcendent

18