A History of Hinduism
Hinduism is considered the oldest religion by many people. Although there are no surviving documents that give us a precise history of Hinduism, the evidence that does exist divides opinion amongst the academic community. What we do know however, is that Hinduism does provide mankind with the oldest writings we know exist.
Stemming from the west, I was told the oldest book in the world was the Bible. However, the Rig Veda and Hinduism proceed Christianity by at least 4000 years. Possibly even more.
Religious practices in the Indus Valley are known to date back to at least 5000 BCE. Vedic traditions are evidenced on coins found in the Harappa region of northern India, and some of the Gods still exist in modern day Hinduism.
Furthermore, Hinduism is arguably the founding philosophy that influenced all other modern religions. Hindu tradition is certainly the basis of Buddhism, but there are also reflections of Hindu mythology in Christianity, Judaism and Islam.
It would appear that Hindu philosophy did not originate from one single source. The Vedas were clearly written by a number of wise sages that documented their experiences of enlightenment in vivid and colourful stories for the education and entertainment of others.
Although the viewpoints throughout those ancient texts are consistent with each other, the stories vary widely. They are also rich in symbolism which disguises the true meaning of the lessons contained within.
It is uncertain when the symbolism was first exacted, but the meanings are consistent throughout the ages. Gods change name and levels of importance, but the lessons more or less remain the same.
In later texts, there does however appear to be a more profound understanding how the body and mind work in conjunction with consciousness and energy.
Not only that, but the ancient Sanskrit writings are consistent with philosophies of other ancient cultures. We find similarities with Hinduism in Zoroastrian texts, Celtic symbols, Nordic Gods and Sun worship in the Americas.
At the risk of being contentious, the philosophies of the ancient world either came from an originating source of seafaring travellers, or our ancestors tapped into the collective unconscious of the electromagnetic field and every culture found their own path to enlightenment based around very similar ideas.
Ancient travellers
There is a growing body of evidence to suggest a band of ancient seafarers travelled the world. The Phoenicians which enjoyed their golden age between 1200BCE and 800BCE are known to have been enthusiastic travellers.
It is believed that the Phoenicians later became the Canaanites which are the modern day Jews which settled in Israel. The country takes its name from ancient Gods and Goddesses of Egypt – Isis, Ra and El. We even find significant traces of Hinduism in ancient Egypt.
In India, the expansion of spiritual practices flourished around 5000BCE. There is evidence an advanced civilisation flourished in the Harappa region of north India and Mohenjo daro in modern day Pakistan. Ancient cities have also been discovered off the coast of Dwarka in north-west India and the Gulf of Khambhat in the south-east.
It is most likely that the ancient Sanskrit writers learned to reach enlightenment independently or with the help of Rishis from their own tribes. Just as we are in an epoch of greater conscious awareness now, it is possible the ancients went through a similar period of enlightenment.
The ancient Rishis were wise men and would have reached enlightenment by following their own instincts – understanding their true nature. This is one of the lessons all ancient traditions from around the world point towards.
Even today, Hindu monks and yogic practitioner travel the world teaching people their own techniques towards enlightenment and how we can live a peaceful existence.
And it is with modern day Hindus. More than any other religions and arguably any spiritual believer or atheist, Hindus recognise there is more than one route to self-realisation. We are unique individuals and there are multiple paths of life.
Hindus are by far the most open-minded and tolerant peoples when it comes to appreciating the spiritual beliefs of other religions. It is a lesson that all non-Hindus can and should adopt.
The many Gods of Hinduism
Hindus are best known for their worship of many Gods. It is for this reason they have been vilified by monotheistic religions. Yet the truth is that Hindu’s also accept there is One God, but that Oneness is expressed in many different forms – all of which are symbolised in the pantheon of Gods.
Although Hinduism is classified as a religion, it is considered by Hindus to be a way of life. The spiritual traditions originated from the complex socio-political structure of the region, a system that many scholars believed was imposed after the so-called Aryan invasion.
However, the Aryan invasion is widely contested as there is no evidence to support such an invasion ever took place. It could be possible that the Aryan race arrived in India, but it is debateable whether they stayed or had any great influence on the existing cultures or their spiritual traditions.
The Aryans are known to have boasted blond hair and blue eyes. If they did invade India, they would surely have interbred with the locals. Yet there are no Asians with blond hair and blue eyes that date back to ancient times.
Furthermore, Indian society is extremely varied due to the vast geography. There are many different languages, dialects, creeds and castes. Hinduism as a religion was ultimately shaped by the political rhetoric of Indian society.
It is for this reason Hindus are tolerant of other people’s beliefs. Furthermore, there is no one book, God or Messiah that claims to be The one and only Truth. This lack of dogma allows Hindus to practice their own believes with open freedom.
However, it is fair to note that the Vedas point towards an all-encompassing power, an existence that is defined by God in other world religions. But regardless of which religion professes to be the only ‘Truth,’ there is an underlying reference to consciousness and the laws of nature in all of them. And this is what the Gods of Hindu traditions represent. The history of Hinduism therefore, is evidence that our ancient ancestors were more advanced in the understanding of science and psychology than modern day scholars give them credit for.
