Hinduism in the Electronic Passport

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Mr. Dowling's Electronic Passport India and the Himalayas

Hinduism (part 2)

Every spring the Ganges River swells with water as snow melts in the Himalayas. The water brings life as trees and flowers bloom and crops grow. This cycle of rebirth is a metaphor for Hinduism, the religious faith of most people in India. Hinduism is a polytheistic faith, with many gods and goddesses.

Hindus believe that every living thing has a soul, which comes from the creator, Brahma. They believe that people's souls live on after death, and that all living things can be reborn. A person who followed the rules of their caste would be reborn to a higher form in the next life. A Hindu who neglected their duties would be reborn in a lower form, perhaps as an animal or insect. The goal of Hinduism is to escape the cycle of rebirth by reaching Nirvana. Nirvana is a Sanskrit word that means ending. Hindus and Buddhists believe Nirvana is a state of happiness without change or pain.

India to the Himalayas

To cite this page:
Dowling, Mike., "The Electronic Passport to Hinduism," available from http://www.mrdowling.com/612-hinduism.html; Internet; updated Tuesday, April 30, 2002 11:46 PM