Effects of Hinduism on the Society: Hinduism is the world’s oldest living religion and the third largest, with over 1 billion followers. Hinduism is a conglomeration of religious, philosophical, and cultural ideas and practices that originated in India (Saud et al., 2021). It has no single founder, no single scripture, and no commonly agreed set of beliefs. Hindus can believe in any or all of the thousands of gods that are part of the Hindu pantheon. The cow is seen as a sacred animal in Hinduism and is venerated as the national animal of India. The cow is seen as a symbol of life-giving sustenance and as a representation of divine and natural beneficence. In Hinduism, the cow is associated with Aditi, the mother of all gods. The cow is also seen as a symbol of Earth and is believed to represent fertility, growth, and prosperity.
The caste system in India is a social hierarchy that divides Hindus into four distinct classes: Brahmins (priests and scholars), Kshatriyas (warriors and nobility), Vaishyas (merchants and traders), and Shudras (laborers and servants). This system of social stratification is said to have originated from the Hindu scriptures, which divided people into four classes based on their occupation. The caste system has been a controversial topic, as it has been used to justify discrimination against certain groups of people. The system has also been criticized for its rigid social hierarchy and the exclusion of certain groups from access to education, employment, and political representation.
Hinduism is often seen as a patriarchal religion, as it gives men a higher status than women (Saud et al., 2021). In Hinduism, women are believed to be subordinate to men and are expected to fulfill their duties as wives and mothers. Women are also seen as being subject to the influence of the planet Venus, which is associated with love, beauty, and fertility.Hinduism teaches that violence is to be avoided and that peace is to be sought. The principle of ahimsa (non-violence) is a central tenet of Hinduism, and it is practiced in all aspects of life. Hindus believe that violence only begets more violence and that peace can only be achieved through non-violence. Vegetarianism is not required in Hinduism, but many Hindus choose to eat vegetarian food for religious or spiritual reasons. The cow is seen as a sacred animal in Hinduism, and eating beef is seen as a violation of the cow’s sanctity. Many Hindus also believe that eating meat is a form of violence, as it involves taking the life of another creature.
Hinduism teaches that the soul is reborn into another body after death. This cycle of birth, death, and rebirth is known as samsara. Hindus believe that the soul is reincarnated into a new body based on its karma, or the good and bad deeds that it has done in its previous life. Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit word Yuj, which means “to yoke” or “to unite.” Yoga is a system of exercises that are designed to promote physical and mental well-being. Yoga is often used as a tool for meditation and self-realization. The law of karma is the belief that good deeds will lead to good consequences, and bad deeds will lead to bad consequences. This law is often seen as a form of cosmic justice, as it rewards good deeds and punishes bad deeds. The law of karma is a central tenet of Hinduism, and it is used to explain the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara).
Reference
Saud, M., Ashfaq, A., Abbas, A., Ariadi, S., & Mahmood, Q. K. (2021). Social support through religion and psychological well-being: COVID-19 and coping strategies in Indonesia. Journal of Religion and Health, 60(5), 3309–3325. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-021-01327-1