Religions

India is a big country.

From the earliest times man worshiped any natural object of force which he could not understand, or of which he was afraid. Fire, sun, trees and rain were some of the earliest gods. Religions were born as man became civilized, developed his power of thinking and reasoning and began to understand the world.

Different people follow different religion. However, all religions are tech us the same values.

India is a land of many religions. Indians have the freedom to follow any religion they want to. The main religions in India are Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism and Zoroastrianism. There are many common beliefs and customs among all these religions.

Hinduism

It is one of the oldest religions of the world. Hindus believe that there is one supreme God, who is worshipped in three forms, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. The holy books of the Hindus are the four Vedas, the Upanishads, the Puranas and the Bhagvad Gita. Hindu also worships gods and goddess. These include Ram, Krishna, Ganesh, Hanuman, Durga, Sarwsati, and Lakshmi. Hindus worship in temples or at home.

Islam

Islam is the religion practiced by Muslims. The word Islam means `submission to God’. Islam was proposed by Prophet Muhammad. Islam teaches people to believe in one supreme God Allah. Muslims believe that Muhammad was the last of the prophets and he brought Allah’s final message to the world. They holy book of the Muslims is the Quran.

Muslims worship in mosques or at home. They pray five times a day and fast in the month of Ramzan. They do not have any pictures or idols of God.

Mecca, the birth place of the prophet Muhammad is the holy city of Islam.

Sikhism

This religion was founded by Guru Nanak. Sikhs believe in one god who created the world and all things in it. Sikhs follow the teachings of Guru Nanak and his nine successors who are also called Gurus. The collection of the writings of the guru is in the form of book, the Guru Granth Sahib, which is the holy scripture of the Sikhs.

Sikhs worship in gurudwaras, the Golden Temple at Amritsar is one of the holiest shrines of the Sikhs.

Christianity

The founder of Christianity was Jesus and the followers of Jesus Christ are called Christians. Like other great religious leaders, Jesus taught by example, living a simple and selfless life based on love. Christian love has two elements – love of god and love of people.

Christian worship can take place anywhere and at any time, but it is usually done privately with prayers in the home, or publicly at church services, especially on Sundays.

The holy bible is the holy book of Christians.

Buddhism

Buddhism is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who became known as the Buddha, or the `enlightened one’.

Buddhists do not worship any particular person or god, but follow a system of thought, meditation and spiritual exercise based on the Buddha’s teachings.

Jainism

This religion was founded by Mahavira. The guiding principle of Jainism is respect for life and all living things.

Jainism teaches right conduct, right faith, tolerance and non- violence.

Jains do not believe in one god, nor do they pray to gods to help them. Instead, they rely on spiritual teaches to train them in meditation and self-discipline. Worship may involve quiet meditation or the repetition of a mantra.

Zoroastrianism

It is an ancient faith which is to day practiced by people living mainly in Iran and in India. The Zoroastrians in India are known as Parsees.

Zoroastrianism was founded by Prophet Zoroaster. It is believed that he was inspired to teach and spread the faith. Zoroastrianism stresses that good deeds are the only way to form a happy society.

Parees worship in a `fire temple’. The holy book of the pareses is the Zend Avesta.

Judaism

This religion is practiced by Jews and was born in Israel. They believe in only one god who created the world and rules over it.

Jews worship in synagogues and the Torah is their holy book.

Muslim -Islam

Quran believes is one god. In it God has 99 other names besides Allah. All these names describe God’s powers.

A Muslim has to obey five principles. But its most important feature is equality. Human equality is a distinct characteristic of Islam. This characteristic of equality played a very important role in the popularity and spread of this religion. In Islam there is no caste system, no unsociability etc. the fife essential principles of Islam are as follows.

1) To declare faith in Allah and his messenger Mohammed. This declaration is called reciting `Kalma’. In it, it is said that there is no God except Allah and Mohammed is has messenger.

2) A true Muslim has to say `Namaz’ five times a day. The priest reads `Azan’ in a high pitch. At that time every Muslim says `Namaz’ keeping his face towards Mecca. This is an unprecedented example of brotherhood and unity.

3) He should give `Zakat’ to the poor thinking he is doing his duty to God.

4) He should observe `Roza’ in the sacred month of Ramzan. This is the month when angle Gabriel appeared before Mohammed for the first time. Mohammed laid great stress on fast.

5) He should, if possible go on `Haj’ at least once in his life-time.

Muslims go to Kaaba for `Hah’. Kaaba is a small building built of marble in a spacious Masjid situated at Mecca. It was built for offering prayers to God by Abraham. In this building is a scared black stone which is believed to have been thrown from heaven along with Adam and which was given to Abraham by Gabriel at the time of construction of the Kaaba. A Muslim performs his `Namaz’, wherever he may be, by turning his face towards sacred `Kaaba’.

Akhrit- Islam neither believes in `Karma theory’ nor in rebirth. According to it, we have never come before to this world and never will come here again. All souls will wake up on the day of `Akhrit’ and Allah will deliver judgment according to our deeds.

Islam believes that `Qayamat’ will come on the fixed day. At that time the sky will shiver and the mountains will be like rolls of cotton.

According to Quran, after death a man cannot be reborn until the day of Qayamat on that day one whose good deeds overweigh his bad deeds will be sent to Jannat (heaven)and one whose bad deeds overweigh his good deeds would be sent to `Dozakh’ (Hell).

According to Quran pride is bad. Allah dislikes one who is proud.

Islam gives a very clear description of hell and heaven. Heaven has all the comforts which a man can imagine while hell has all the difficulties and pains.

The month of Ramzan is considered very sacred.

Social order- according to Quran, all human beings are equal. This equality of mankind is a distinct feature of Islam. Quran preaches good moral conduct.

Drinking and gamboling are prohibited in Quran. So is eating pork. Politics and statecraft are based on religious views continued in the Quran. The earth belongs to Allah and he makes its master whomsoever He likes.

Staying 9 days in kasi means staying in mother stomach for 9 months. It is very very important in every human being that they have to stay 9 days and 9 nights in kasi.

There are many side seeings to view in kasi, so there will be no wastage of time for the people who stays 9 days there.

God is one

All of us need someone to care for us. As babies we needed our mothers. As we grow up our parents and teachers guide and protect us. We feel safe and secure when we are with them. Belief in God too can give us a warm feeling of security because he is constantly watching over us. Thinking about God can give us emotional, spiritual and intellectual strength. We do not have to go anywhere special to think about him because God is every where. He is within us as well as around us. While it is enjoyable to go on pilgrimages, you really do not have to go to anywhere in order to be with God. Attachment to God and love for him is called devotion. We can show our devotion to God in many ways.

Pointing towards God

Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, was a very wise man. Once he decided to undertake a long trek to a temple. Many miles before reaching there, he is asleep with his feet pointing towards the temple. Someone ran up to him, ``how dare you turn your feet towards the house of god’’. Guru Nanak sleepily said, ``I’ve been traveling for many days and can hardly stand. Kindly turn my feet in the direction where God is not present’’. The man had nothing to say. Consider another incident.

In south India stands the hill of Arunachala. It is one of the oldest geological spots on the subcontinent and is sacred to lord Shiva. It was here that Shri Ramana Maharhsi, one of modern India’s greatest sages, set up has ashram.

Pilgrims to Tiruvannamalai walk around the hill of Arunachala as an act of devotion. This walk is called the giri pradakshina. Anyone who completes this walk is believed to have walked around lord Shiva.

One day, a devotee wanted to accompany a few others even they were preparing to walk around the hill but he was tired. So he quickly went around Bhagwan Ramana Maharshi.

``why are you going around me?’’ asked Ramana Maharshi.

``I cannot walk around the hill, but walking around you is same,’’ replied the devotee.

``Go around yourself’’, said Bhagwan Ramana Maharshi smiling ``That will be atma- pradakshina’’.