Hindu Social - Hinduism is the name generally
given to the beliefs and practices which have developed over many centuries in
the Indian subcontinent. These are diverse but bear a family
resemblance to each other. Three traditions:- Buddhism, Jainism and
Sikhism-have emerged as distinct but cognate religions. The Western term ‘Hinduism’
derives from a Sanskrit word for the Indus river, and variants of the word ‘Hindu’
have been used for over 2,000 years by outsiders to describe the people of
India.
Hindu Social: Hindus call their way of life ‘sanatana’
(eternal) ‘Dharma’. Dharma, often translated as ‘religion’,
is a fundamental concept which has no English equivalent and includes the notion
of morality. It denotes the conduct appropriate to an individual's caste, gender
and age. Human life is regarded as an opportunity for achieving Moksha (liberation)
from the soul's cycle of birth and rebirth. Hindus believe that suffering and
good fortune can be explained by karma, the cosmic law of cause and
effect, operating over many lifetimes.
Hindu texts stress the importance of stable family ties and
valuing and protecting women. Nonetheless, there has been – and there still
is – wide abuse. Despite this, the tradition largely rejects the post-modern
notion that social justice is achieved simply through promoting material
equality. Sati was voluntarily performed on the basis of overwhelming
affection for the partner and a desire to follow him into the next life. Hindu
texts forbid its performance in Kali-Yuga, the present age - Hindu
Social.
