Is hinduism a peaceful religion?

[ladsin]

I was talking with a hindu fella today on my ride home and he said that hinduism was a very peaceful religion which was a position I'd normally hold, but when he said it I started thinking of the caste system and the treatment of women in majorly hindu countries in history and thus I ask this question.

Yes it is.

No, it isn't.

Mixed

I don't know enough.

[Anonymous]

PEACE being the greatest concern of man, all religions attach importance to it. Indeed, peace is the essence of all religions, the reason being that the objectives of religion can never be fulfilled without peace. The aims of every religion, in principle, are man’s spiritual development and the transformation of each individual into a noble personality.

"Women enjoyed far greater freedom in the Vedic period than in later India. She had more to say in the choice of her mate than the forms of marriage might suggest. She appeared freely at feasts and dances, and joined with men in religious sacrifice. She could study, and like Gargi, engage in philosophical disputation. If she was left a widow there were no restrictions upon her remarriage."

The Vedas teach equality among the people in society. No one is superior or no one is inferior. We find Samaanatha in the Vedas.

Rigveda says : –

“Te ajyesthaa akanisthaasa udbhido amadhyamaaso mahasaa vi vavridhuh sujaataaso janushaa prishnimataro divo marya aa no achaa jigatana|” – Rig: 5-59-6

Unfortunately it had became political parties involement to manipulate the facts and hiding the truth and adopt the policy of "Divide and Rule". It's not fault in religion it's fault in PEOPLE who want to gain authority and control People. I hope they understand.

[ladsin]

Thanks

[ladsin]

How many vedas do y'all hold, and are all considered divinely inspired?
Are the vedas distinct from the bhagavad gita?

[Opinion Owner]

There are four Vedas: the Rigveda, the Yajurveda, the Samaveda and the Atharvaveda. Each Veda has been subclassified into four major text types – the Samhitas (mantras and benedictions), the Aranyakas (text on rituals, ceremonies, sacrifices and symbolic-sacrifices), the Brahmanas (commentaries on rituals, ceremonies and sacrifices), and the Upanishads
(texts discussing meditation, philosophy and spiritual knowledge).

Greatness of Gita was not as a “Summary of Vedas” as it is usually claimed to be…. but FAR more than that.. more as a critique of the Vedas and blazing of a new direction. Fortunately my mentor was one of the best scholar. Only 1% people in India know Sanskrit Language and he was also one of them. Sometimes I miss him a lot. I am also trying to learn and understand. My mentor said that if I dedicate my whole life to understand it then also I can't. He dedicated 52 years of his teaching career.

[ladsin]

Thanks, I obviously have much to learn, I thought there was a lot more than that.

[Celtero]

In my Eastern religions class this semester, Hinduism was a religion we studied.

The caste system describes the hierarchy but doesn't really have a part in creating it, except perhaps in encouraging people to become a priest.

I don't think women are treated poorly... although some hindu texts have pretty negative views towards women.

[ladsin]

Weren't they the ones that had their women throw themselves on a funeral pyre with their late husbands?

[ladsin]

Also drowning baby girls frequently?

[Celtero]

I dunno if that's still practiced, or if it is a cultural practice rather than explicitly a religious one.

[ladsin]

Oh, I don't think it is. But the question is about the religion itself, not what the adherents are currently doing.

[Celtero]

Ah yes, well I guess it depends on how you define peaceful. I've never heard of of the infant drowning, but I think you could consider widows killing themselves as peaceful as long as they're not doing it against their will and they have an option not to.

[Anonymous]

I'm one Indian girl, I belong to a Hindu family, so follow Hinduism but unlike majority Hindus, I believe in other religions equally, just my way of living resembles to that of Hindus because I am brought up by my family like that. The principles & moral values that Hinduism teaches/ advocates are peaceful & ancient Hindu texts have mentions that all really point towards what can be claimed as a guideline/ system moral, peaceful living.

[Opinion Owner]

If you see those old texts (which are detailed accounts of events of past/ mythologies), they don't have those dark taboos & malpractices which were practiced for a hell lot of years later after the development of Indian subcontinent. Those apparent anti human laws, caste system, female infanticide, etc etc came into scenerio later. That is what the Hindus prevailing at that time (Kings & Priests) decided for themselves, in my eyes, they were all selfish... not actual teachings of Hinduism (Like Teachings from Bible for Christians).

[Opinion Owner]

So yes, actual teachings of Hinduism do support peace & morality. But what we get to see today in name of Hinduism is even worse than those old accounts of malpractices in my view, Using "Religion" for politics is common these days in India... & Even a greater social evil is the system of "Reserved Categories" for college admissions/ jobs which has it's roots in the caste system. And yeah, Women had a better place & much more empowered social and overall standing at least as depicted in those texts that show real teachings of Hinduism, life of women degraded with development of society since the rules of kings...

[ladsin]

Which texts do you take for sacred?

[Opinion Owner]

There are many, different types for different subjects, mostly philosophy, even a bit of mentions of medical sciences in some. I did not read/ take interest in any till date, but I do know the most popular ones,
1. Mahabharata
2. Ramayana
3. Bhagvad Gita

First two are epics that have descriptions of real Hinduism in depth & third one is a philosophical compilation of lessons of 1st epic.

[Opinion Owner]

& sacred texts are some texts like 'Rigved', 'Upnishad', 2 more that I don't remember.

[ladsin]

Thanks!

[akki1205]

You seem quite knowledgeable about Hindus. It's very rare

[Opinion Owner]

Thank you for 'Most Helpful Opinion' 😁

[ladsin]

Haha i don't choose, I let the site choose. No worries though.

[Pamina]

Any religion is whatever its followers make of it. There's Hindus who live Hinduism in peaceful ways and there's ones who don't. Same goes for any religion.

[ladsin]

How do you define religion?
I would agree that members of any religion can be peaceful. I view that as a different topic from the religion itself.

[Pamina]

Sure, a religion itself is defined by its official teachings. But the problem is interpretation and lack of definite authority on what interpretations are the most accurate. So religious teachings without people to interpret them are vacuous.

[JohnFrost]

But even if there is definition and leadership. Like the Catholic church's that doesn't have to be a good thing. Religion specially big organised religion isn't open for change it is depose to be the final word and there for can never be changed. And therefore no improvement. Or few improvement for something so old that spells disaster.

Personal believes are different because you take the window's that you think fit in this world. You can make exceptions based on situations. If you find meaning in believe good for you.

[Pamina]

@JohnFrost Yeah but see, you brought up Catholicism, which is a sect of Christianity. That's exactly what I'm saying. Some people started interpreting things differently and boom - Protestantism was born. And that happened during the "reformation". So religions *are* being reformed, they always have and still are. Christianty today is not the same as it was 100, 200, 300, etc. years ago. And there are many different sects of it that all disagree with each other on all kinds of points. Who's the "official" one now? And can any of them be the "real" Christianity, considering that none of them are like the Christianity of when it started a couple of thousand years ago?

[JohnFrost]

It hink the old Egyptian gods would be an example that might come closer then. Because the pharaohs would gods and spokespersons for the gods. So what they said was truth and there would be no speculation.

[curiousnorway]

In many ways Hinduism is more peaceful than the Abrahamic religions. I don't hear so much about Hindus, Buddhists, Jainism followers who do violence in their religions' names. If they first do something violent, it's because of other reasons that has nothing to do with religion to do. It's however true Hinduism is an old religion which explains gender roles, the caste system and some other conservative traditions.

It's probably because of Hindus and Buddhists believes in Karma where your deeds determine your future much more than if you believe in a deity or not, since they're not so eager at converting like Abrahamic religions or start religious wars and are focusing at other things instead. Hindus and Jainists also believe everything has a soul and is alive with something godly in it, therefor many also choose to respect animals and be vegetarians/vegans instead.

[Vulture051]

Not quite as nice as Buddhism or Jainism and does have issues like the caste system but far better than Islam/Christianity/Judaism.
People can say religion is what you make of it but frankly Islam, Christianity, and Judaism only function in modern society by ignoring half of what they're supposed to do.

[Anonymous]

I think you may be confusing the religion with the culture that prevails in that part of the world. As far as I am aware all main world faiths are peaceful.

A case in point would be Islam. It's a peaceful religion, so much so that the standard greeting, asalamu alaikum, means peace be upon you. But as I've suggested above, often people confuse the Islamic religion with the culture of the people. For instance in Islam men and women are equals, but cultural practices often mean that females are treated worse than men...

[_____yvm_]

See there are Hindus who are eager to show their power through putting up silly stupid argument and fight against opposite party. But Hindu peaples like your friend who are literate and down to earth just like any other good gentlemen, they will be consider peaceful

[strateguy632]

Real hinduism , despite contained stories of battles, taught and emphasized peaceful. The caste system is not violent so no conflict with peace. Hindu never ever said "treat women bad" in contrast to hadith in the religion we are not allowed to describe on internet.

[DHert]

Relatively peaceful compared to most religions? Yes. But like pretty much every religion (except for Jainism, as far as I've found so far) it has some history with violence.

It's got NOTHING on Christianity and Islam though. Those religions are built on mountains of dead bodies.

[questionsWanswers]

The news isn't exactly full of Hindu terrorists, but then what news can you trust these days? I don't live near any Hindus so how would I know?

Like most religions I think it's reasonable to assume people do both good and evil in the name of their imaginary friends.

[JohnFrost]

You should look into it there is actually a lot of aggression in it. But it's not aimed at the west but at local. nonbelievers and sinners

[ImagineSketchy]

The caste system and the treatment of women has nothing to do with the religion. Thats just their society and how they run their social lives. It's like any other religion and having people who are radicals and such when the religion is peaceful and preaches acceptance and love.

[akki1205]

Actually you'll find most of the Hindu are vegans and most of the people marry only once means there's very few divorce cases and I'll say there are some people who do wrongs in the name of Hinduism but overall it's a peaceful religion

[ladsin]

Sure, but is that a result of the religious, or the religion itself?
I view the two as separate issues.

[akki1205]

Religion is responsible for this as people believe in God too much and think that if they'll do wrong deeds then they go in hell

[Anonymous]

Peaceful but old so it doesn’t see women as equal to men as we do in crystanity by the way I’m not saying we need to get rid of it just change the view it’s the same with the muslim culture there are things old factions about it but it’s not a bad culture every culture is bad in some way Christianity has bit that are anti gay and women are less than men but crystianity doesn’t sport slavery it supports end entries suvitued which is someone who sells them self for a setter amount of time to someone for money I fact I’m pretty sure crystian majorty country’s are the only country that got rid of slavery as every country big enough and strong enough had slaves but we got rid of our slaves as it was wrong we belt to stop slavery because it’s horrendous. Thank you for reading by the way I’m not crystian I was but I just think all religion are bs so I’m a believer in silence

[bubble_tea]

It may be peaceful, but it's also cruel due to the things you mentioned.

[kerstop]

Most religions are peaceful even Muslims, but all groups have their radicals. We don't judge all Christians because of the crusades, we don't look down on white people for the kkk either

[ladsin]

Hmm. How do you define religions? I certainly agree that most religious are peaceful.

[kerstop]

Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, christianity and all of its reform ideologies

[ladsin]

You think Judaism and Christianity, the religions, are peaceful?

[kerstop]

Well I'm not going to pretend to know everything about either but love thy neighbor and all that.

[Lambert1996]

It always is up to the people/followers. I mean look at what happened to some Christian in India, and people selling cow etc. They beat them like animals.

[Ram0n83]

For the most part, it is. But there are exceptions.

Besides the caste system, you can check other web sites and read about Hindus burying Muslims alive purely for their different ideologies.

[Hyped_up_on_coffee]

Classism vs equal opportunity and violence vs peaceful are different subjects..: still Hinduism is not like Islam

[eimii]

It's the people who are ignorant and use the name of islam for bad deeds. They are cowards hidinh behind the name of islam. Some muslims are to be blamed, not islam. There is nothing like that in islam which is violent. Islam is a peaceful religion but the people don't follow it the right manner.

[Hyped_up_on_coffee]

@eimii my aunt is Muslim , still moderate Muslims are alright but any Islamic country that is run by sharia law is awful in regards to it’s human rights violations

[Tiaroendu479]

I think the religion itself and the ideas it upholds are in essence peaceful, I think the issue lies in human interpretation and social standards.

[Strawberrie]

I don't know a lot about it, but; when you normally ask if a religion or something is peaceful, it usually isn't. There's probably a lot of grey areas.

[pingiluv]

There’s always good and bad to religions, I’m a Christian and I admit that. I think depends if you take it to an extreme

[keenybmr]

Hinduism is, but like many other religions. Some (small portion) of its followers might not actually follow what it teaches and harm others.

[legendkillerX]

It really depends on how the people r not the religion and the caste system is old nowdays it becomes independent for all

[Maazin]

Not in my opinion. I don't even think it's a religion in the first place.
The highest number of fables and myths come from this particular "Religion"

[ladsin]

How are you defining religion?

[BirdFly]

As I know hinduism is more likely a lifestyle but not a religion. Not necessarily has rules and stuff but still has sacred things or respected things in their lifestyle

[SketchForger]

I don't believe that Ideals that oppose others can possibly be completely peaceful. When ideas oppose each other, different types of people form a violent, or just non peaceful ideals.

[Avallach]

There are no peaceful religions, there are peaceful people.

[Walkerrose]

it's a man-made religion... now is that what you believe in? cuz I don't.

[Liisjak]

Which religion isn't man made exactly lol

[Aroso]

All religions are man made

[Walkerrose]

@Aroso yep, I know! that's why... I don't believe in man-made gods...

[Walkerrose]

@Liisjak ikr! XD

[pman24]

In the Hindu history. There have peaceful and downright bloodthirsty violent Hindus. I learned a little about it in my world religions class but I forgot a lot from it too so, just look it up.

[name_is_eric]

The mythology behind it is pretty colorful in violence. As far as the followers of the religion go I'm not sure.
The Hindus I've met have been moderate.

[aditya5o5]

I am Hindu. I believe Hinduism is not a religion its a way of living life. every religion is peaceful. its some shity people who use religion to get attention of masses for there own profit.
God is one just one

[Mexicoman101]

Religions generally bring violence, invariably. Even buddhists have been violent.

[Pineapple_Boy]

There are probably 100s of different sub sectors of Hinduism. I only know a few and they are very normal.

[oscluu]

Surely the fact that Islam was driven out of India into the region known as Pakistan is proof enough that in the past it has had it's darker times.

[jimyee]

I don't know that that means it has a dark past, it just means they were conflicting religions. The abrhamic religions are/were pretty strict when it comes to other religious beliefs. They dont tend to play well with others.

[Armourdillo]

I mean using that logic, Christians waged a fucking crusade... But does that mean that it's part of the religion to wage crusades?

[oscluu]

No but it's just me showing that all people misunderstand their religions and portray them negatively.

[Armourdillo]

So it has nothing to do with the religion..

[Leo3572]

Most religions are peaceful. It's what humans do with it what makes them brutal.

[ladsin]

How do you figure?

[Leo3572]

Have you read the Koran or the Bible or any other holy book of a famous religion? They don't tell you to harm people because they think different. They don't want to make you a bad person. They teach you peace and how you can achieve your aims. They show you what is really important and what less. It's just that some people interpret those texts differently. They see it the way it fits to what they want. The Koran doesn't tell you to bomb people just because they aren't muslime. Just some idiots think that way and the news and "social" networks use it to produce hate and fear. I think religion is something great but I also think that not everybody is able to handle this. Religion isn't good for everybody.

[ladsin]

I've read the Bible multiple times, and a bit of the Quran and Hadiths... I've come to a very different conclusion than you apparently.

[Leo3572]

That's the point. Everybody see it differently. But in the end it isn't important what we believe or think. It's only important what we do.

[SirBarristanSelby]

The caste system sucks. Everyone hates apartheid but no one ver mentions the caste system. Go figure.

Their Gods look cool though.

[Casus_Angelus]

Here is a situation, I have an apple, while I masticate it, I describe its juiciness, sweetness, crispness and crunch to you, how can you really understand the taste without tasting it

[Liisjak]

Well all religions were created for mass manipulation... so technically yea.

[Anonymous]

It's peaceful yes, but not as peaceful as Islam, with is "THE religion of peace".

[Aroso]

😂nice joke buddy

[MissDBoo]

All the religions is peaceful. Everything depends on people. On their mentality...

[ladsin]

How do you figure?

[divyanshz]

Every religion is peaceful, followers may or may not.

[iamshan]

Well said

[MailMan657]

It doesn't preach killing anyone, like Islam does. So I'd chalk that up to be pretty peaceful.

[chatwanderer]

You must find peace within yourself not seek a religious belief to find peace.

[Anonymous]

I don't know that religion well that's why I can't say

[Anonymous]

The caste system part of the religion, it's a societal thing.

[the_sinner]

Nowadays it isn't

Riots are taking over peace

[Anonymous]

Caste system is man made (not religious thing) and what about the treatment of women?

[jacquesvol]

There are nearly no peaceful religions

[Can-You-Date-Me]

Hinduism is not a religion. It is a way of life.

[Aroso]

Special pleading fallacy

[Can-You-Date-Me]

@Aroso www.isha.sadguru.org/.../

[TheOtherManOnTheSide]

Widows are tested horribly

[TheOtherManOnTheSide]

Treated... Not tested

[Waffles731]

I don't know enough to make a judgement

[legalboxers]

they are peaceful people

[YDoIKeepDoingThisLol]

Mixed

[lsaiah]

No. It's just another backwards, barbaric religion

[Seppelson]

No religion is peaceful

[Revolver_]

Nope

[Som123]

I don't know