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Hindu:
The word Hindu originally meant people living on the
banks of the river Sindhu. Now it has
religious-cum-philosophical connotations. The roots
of Hindu Philosophy are the ideas of the Vedas. The
Vedas are called Shruti or `that which is heard' and
are regarded as revelations to sages passed down
orally to disciples and students. Such ideas led to
the Samkhya system of philosophy, which is astik
(Theist), rational |
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and systematic in its approach. The
sage Kapila of 7th century BC is considered to be
its founder.
Christianity:
Christianity is not native to the Indian soil,
although there have been Christian communities in
Kerala almost since the founding of the religion by
Jesus Christ. Born in Bethlehem, to Mary and Joseph
(who was a carpenter), Jesus spread love and mercy
to all. In the environment of the Roman Empire, his
message acquired a unique force of its own, the
powers-that-be had him crucified after he had been
betrayed to them by one of his own disciples. But he
rose from his tomb and this Resurrection gave new
strength to his other followers, who went on
spreading his message.
Sikhism:
Sikh philosophy is a young, indigenous, monotheistic
one. Guru Nanak (1469-1539) who was trying to unite
Hinduism and Islam, founded the Sikh religious
order. The word `Sikh' derives from the Sanskrit
word shishya or disciple. Sikh philosophy is a set
of ideas developed by ten gurus or teachers and
passed on to their shishyas or disciples. It
conceives of God as nirakara or formless and also as
one. It admits of no idols or superstitions, whether
Hindu or Islamic. It recognizes all human beings to
be equal. However it retains certain Hindu ideas,
such as those of the immortality of the soul, of
transmigration and karma. The sacred book of the
Sikhs is the Adi Granth or Granth Sahib (completed
in 1604), of which the Japji section was written by
Guru Nanak himself.
Islam:
Islam had its genesis outside India, in what is now
Saudi Arabia. Followers of this faith are called
Muslims. Islam was basically propounded by prophet
Mohammad (born around 570A.D. in Mecca), although
the belief is that it was brought to the world by
Adam and different messengers were sent by God to
preach this lesson and Mohammad was the one who came
last. In other words, Mohammad gave the final form
to an already existing religion. Muslims are also
referred to as Mohammedans. |
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