Samarpan/Hinduism-The Religion and the Society

Hinduism is both a religion and a society, and their practices get overlapped. For example, caste is essentially a social system to safeguard the interests of particular groups with common ancestry. But over the years it has been identified as an integral part of Hinduism, the religion. Similarly, putting on the sacred thread was a religious practice. But later got transformed into a social custom for the upper caste Hindus.

Who is a Hindu?

Religion and Hinduism are synonymous, and hence Hinduism cannot be defined the way Islam or Christianity can be. However, for the sake of convenience, a Hindu is expected to have these basic beliefs and practices:

• Acceptance of the spiritual truths as preached in the Vedas, and elaborated in any of its sacred books.
• The belief in the transmigratory nature of the individual soul till it attains mukti, the absolute freedom from every kind of bondage and duality. This is the most important philosophical concept of the Vedas.
• Acceptance of the law of karma, according to which every action produces its result, and does not allow the soul to get liberated till there is any residue of them left, good or bad.
• Acceptance of oneness as the fundamental truth of existence.