Spiritual India
India is the land of gods and diverse religions where lies the serenity of its heritage. India is dotted with spirituality. Spiritual tourism is extremely popular in India. Great religions like Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism have originated on the Indian soil. The unity in diversity is the keyword for this grand country.
Spiritual tourism forms an important segment of domestic tourism in India. India as a confluence of different religions has always attracted pilgrims from all over the world.
India is home to many religions like Hinduism, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism and Islam and all of them have their important places of worship.
Hinduism
Hinduism is commonly thought to be the oldest religion in the history of human civilization. It is a religion that gets its guidance from the Vedas, Upanishads, Sutras, Epics, Granthas, and Prabhandhams. The third largest religion after Christianity and Islam Hinduism is also known as Sanatana Dharma that is "eternal religion" and Vaidika Dharma meaning "religion of the Vedas". Hinduism does not have any one founder and is perhaps the only religious tradition that is so diverse in its theoretical premises and practical expressions that it is like a compilation of religions.
Hinduism believes in idol worship, casteism, reincarnation, 'karma', 'dharma' and 'moksha'. Some moral ideals in Hinduism include non-violence, truthfulness, friendship, compassion, fortitude, self-control, purity and generosity.
According to historians, the origin of Hinduism dates back to 5000 or more years. The word "Hindu" is derived from the name of river Indus, which flows through northern India. In ancient times the river was called the 'Sindhu', but the Persians who migrated to India called the river 'Hindu', the land 'Hindustan' and its inhabitants 'Hindus'. Thus the religion followed by the Hindus came to be known as 'Hinduism'.
Sikhism
Sikhism is one of the most ancient religions of India and the believers of this religion are called Sikhs that means disciples. The founder of Sikhism was Guru Nanak. Sikhism stands for casteless society and preaches that all people stand equal. Guru Nanak was born into a hindu family. Later he said that there is only one God and criticised Hindu and Muslim religious sectarianism. The Holy Book Of Sikhism is Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Gobind Singh declared before his departure to the heavenly abode that this Holy Granth would be the spiritual guide for Sikhs.
Guru Gobind Singh made Khalsa (Sikh common wealth), a full-fledged nation and taught them to perform the noble duty of defending their motherland. Guru Gobind Singh, the last among the Gurus (1666-1708), initiated the Baptism Ceremony.
By the time of tenth Guru - Guru Gobind Singh, the Sikhs had to defend themselves from Muslim persecution and Guru Gobind Singh organized his followers into a military order called Khalsa which literally means "pure". Sikh men and women were initiated into the Khalsa by sharing a drink of sweetened water called "Amrit" a symbol of loyalty to God. After initiation, they are given the name Singh (Lion).
In this religion, it is obligatory for all Sikh men to always have five K's. Kesh, Kirpan, Kada, Kachcha and Kanghi (long hair, small sword, iron bangle, drawer, and a comb).
Jainism
The "Jains" are the followers of the Jina that literally means "Conqueror." Jina according to the Jains has conquered love and hate, pleasure and pain, attachment and aversion, and has thereby freed `his' soul from the karmas obscuring knowledge, perception, truth, and ability.
Jainism is a religion without a belief in God. They believe that neither perception, nor inference can prove the existence of God. The concept of Jainism is so extreme that they have a cotton muslin mask against their mouths to prevent any germs or insects (living beings) from entering the mouth.
Generally they have their evening meal before sunset - again for the same reason. Jainism is one of the three Indian philosophies, the others being Charvaka and Buddhism, which do not accept the authority of Vedas. The most important Jain teacher Theerthankara was Mahaveera.
Jains believe in the three jewels of Jainism Right Faith, of Right Knowledge and Right Conduct. The way to deliverance according to Jainism is, through the Three Jewels. Through the practice of the Three Jewels, a person can succeed in overcoming the forces of all passions, and karmas and attain liberation. Once free, the soul attains the four-fold perfection of infinite knowledge, infinite faith, infinite power and infinite bliss.
Right Conduct involves the practice of five virtues : Ahimsa or non-violence, Truth speaking, Non-stealing, Chastity, Non-attachments to worldly things.
Buddhism
Buddhism religion in India was developed in the late 500 B.C.'s and was founded by Siddhartha Gautama. Buddha was born as Siddharta Gautama in Lumbini and lived in India. Buddhism was against certain features of Hinduism like the worship of many deites and supernatural powers, castism, and the power of the Hindu priest class.
Buddhism religion in India was developed in the late 500 B.C.'s and was founded by Siddhartha Gautama. Buddha was born as Siddharta Gautama in Lumbini and lived in India.
Buddhism was against certain features of Hinduism like the worship of many deites and supernatural powers, castism, and the power of the Hindu priest class. Buddha taught the way to gain Nirvana - "a state of perfect peace and happiness". The people have to free themselves from wordly things to achieve 'Nirvana'. The preachings of Buddha made many followers of his. Buddhism had spread in to central Asia. Buddhism swept through much of China from 300's to 500s, challenging the native Chinese religions of Confucianism and Taoism, Buddhism spread to Korea and Japan.
There are two orders in Buddhism - Hinayana and Mahayana. Mahayana communities are more active in welfare and education and are centered in Japan and China. Mahayana Buddhists live in Japan, Korea, Mangolia, Nepal, Tibet , and scattered parts of India and Russia. Hinayana communities have a more strict daily life and members spend much time in meditation. Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Srilanka, and Thailand are mostly affected by Hinayana Buddhism.
Four Noble Truths proclaimed by Buddha:
- Life is sorrow
- Cause for sorrow is craving.
- Removing the cause of craving will end sorrow.
- The way that leads to the ending of sorrow is the noble Eight-Fold path.
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