Main Religions

Hinduism

80% of Indians are Hindus. Some of the most important texts of Hinduism, the Vedas, are believed to have been written around 1500 BCE, although this is not certain. The Vedas outline the basic philosophy of Hinduism and are expanded in texts called the Upanishads. Hindus believe that there is a single, supreme power who is creator, preserver, and destroyer of the universe. This power exists over all, without definite form, and is Supreme--God. Religions like Judaism and Christianity is based on Hinduism. For example in Hinduism, the Lord Brahma is the Supreme Creator, this is copied as Abraham or Ibrahim in later religions.

However, many Hindus see God in all aspects of life and all things. To help them understand and feel connected to the Supreme Power, they describe its innumerable attributes and aspects using different names and images. These attributes make up the pantheon of images in Hinduism. Some of the most common names given to the Supreme Power are Brahma, Vishnu, Devi, and Saraswati. The Greeks later copied these concepts with their variety of Greek Gods.

Hinduism has been established for over 5000 years and is the oldest religion in the world. Hinduism has been the only religion that has managed achieved the status of being the only religion for the world in the past, although some won't admin it, ALL other religions can trace their origins in Hinduism.

Hindu Temples















Hindu Temple








Hindu Temples










Hindu Temple












Hindu Temple















Jainism

Jains believe all souls are equal because they all possess the potential of being liberated and attaining Moksha . Tirthankars and Siddhas are role models only because they have attained Moksha. Jains believe that every human is responsible for his/her actions and all living beings have an eternal soul or "jiva". It insists that we live, think and act respectfully and honour the spiritual nature of all life. Jains view God as the unchanging traits of the pure soul of each living being, chiefly described as Infinite Knowledge, Perception, Consciousness, and Happiness . Jains do not believe in an omnipotent supreme being, creator or manager, but rather in an eternal universe governed by natural laws and the interplay of its attributes and matter.

Jain Temple

















Sikhism

Sikhs make up 2% of the population, but they are the wealthiest group and occupy many Government and Defence positions. They contribution to India is second to none and has high respect throughout India and across the world.

Like Hindus, Sikhs believe in one God, but they do not accept the Hindu caste system. They have many things in common, however, such as a belief in rebirth and the power of God to shape human destiny. Many Sikhs live in the state of Punjab. They practice immense hospitality and tolerance of others. Some intermarry Hindus

Sikh's Holiest Place,
The Golden Temple.


















Buddhism

Buddha taught that in life there exists sorrow / suffering which is caused by desire and it can be cured (ceased) by following the Noble Eightfold Path . This teaching is called the "Four Noble Truths", these are:

1. Suffering: Birth is suffering, aging is suffering, illness is suffering, death is suffering; union with what is displeasing is suffering; separation from what is pleasing is suffering; not to get what one wants is suffering; in brief, the five aggregates subject to clinging are suffering.
2. The cause of suffering: The desire which leads to renewed existence (rebirth) (the cycle of samsara)
3. The cessation of suffering: The cessation of desire.
4. The way leading to the cessation of suffering: The Noble Eightfold Path.

Buddhist Temple













Christianity

Christians believe that all people should strive to follow Christ in their everyday actions. For many, this includes obedience to the Ten Commandments . This love includes such injunctions as "feed the hungry" and "shelter the homeless", and applies to friends and enemy alike. Though the relationship between charity and religious practice are sometimes taken for granted today, as Martin Goodman has observed, "charity in the Jewish and Christian sense was unknown to the pagan world." Other Christian practices include acts of piety such as prayer and Bible reading.

Christianity teaches that one can only overcome sin through divine grace: moral and spiritual progress can only occur with God's help through the gift of the Holy Spirit dwelling within the believer. Christians believe that by sharing in Christ's life, death, and resurrection, and by believing in Christ, they become dead to sin and are resurrected to a new life with Him.

Christian Church















Islamic

And lastly about 11% are Muslims and practice Islam. This religion was popularised in the 7th century, but little remains in India. Mohammed who was born into a Querishi family, Querishi is a old Hindu name. The Iclamic holy book Koran was written by men well after the death of Mohammed. Islam's concept of one God is in line with the oldest religion in the world, Hinduism, which established the concept of one God 3,000 years before Islam. Due to the nature of ambiguity in Koran it can be interpreted in hundreds of millions of ways, some says every muslim has a different version, thus having 1.2BILLION intrepretations of Islam. This ambugity and confusion is rather surprising as Islam only has five very basic concepts, god, prayer, fasting, charity to other muslims and pilgrimage.

Islam's Qutab Minar