Markie Meredith

Huma-2300-Sp 15
April 29, 2015
Eportfolio Assignment
Religion is defined as a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices that are usually
arranged upon by a number of people or groups (Ammer). Dharma is defined as conformity to
religious law, custom, duty, or ones own quality or character (Harper). Hindu people believe in
dharma and practice dharma, but can Hindu dharma be stated as a religion? Dharma has meaning
to Hindu people and their way of life. Learning where Dharma began, the social order, and how
it evolved through time we will discover if dharma is religion.
Dharma evolved in the 18 BCE century through traditions, revelation given and duties.
These were all compiled in writings called Veda that came from 4 texts that explained how to
believe and how to live. Dharma encompasses ones behavior and rituals. It is anything that
doesnt give one self-credit or acknowledgment. Anything opposite of that would have negative
consequences in return which could hurt the individual socially. What is decided what Dharma is
and not, would have to be viewed at the whole situation as a broader picture.
Dharma has a social structure that is to be followed. Depending on which rank you are
influences what Dharma is. There social structure is called castes. It is a structure that determines
your purity and filthiness. At the top of the hierarchical organization is those who are wealthy
and pure, those people are called Brahmans. Those located at the bottom of the structure are
referred to as Untouchables. Brahmans, untouchables and everyone in between have different

roles in society based on where they are on the castes system and the stage of life they are in.
Your order on castes is determined by your parents rank, although, if a women has a baby with
someone lower than her caste than the child would be a part of a lower caste than the father.
As time went on Hinduism began to change and adapt. There arose three different paths
of life to choose from depending on the individual, a path of knowledge, karma and devotion.
Individuals would choose which path of life they wanted to follow in life. Those who want to
follow the path of knowledge study and live Veda text. Those follow karma live in a way to have
no attachment or desire but act in the instant rather before an emotion of desire or want. The path
of devotion is those who love god and know god will save them without the worry of the life
they live and choose to do.
Swidler defined religion as An explanation of the meaning of life and how to live
accordingly. From my interactions with religion as I taught about about Jesus Christ in Ohio, I
noticed that people wanted to know the purpose of their life, where they came from and where
they were going. Many young adults were the ones searching for the answers to those questions.
As they were in the stage of life of making big changes and decisions. They were searching to
know how they should be living and wanted to absorb more of who they were to bring a sense
peace to their life.
Hindus also believe in three important Gods. One whose name is Brahma, who is the
creator of the world, but is mostly not spoken of or followed. Then there is Vishnu and Siva who
are more closely followed. They both have the same power to create, protect and destroy. Vishnu
comes and helps you in many different ways and forms. He could come as a tortoise to Buddha.

Shiva is the most popular God in India. If you follow Shivas steps you can become him and are
like him. Shiva is shown in different places when he comes to protect you.
It was said, Religion usually has to do with mans relationship to the unseen world, to
the world of spirits, demons, and Gods. A second element common to all religions is the term
salvation. All religions seek to help man find meaning in a universe which all too often appears
to be hostile to his interests. The world salvation means, basically, health. It means one is saved
from disaster, fear, hunger and a meaningless life. It means one is saved for hope, love security,
and the fulfillment of purpose (Bradly). As I visited a catholic mass service I observed the
meaning of this relationship that the congregation urged to have. They expressed it through their
hymns and prayers as well as partaking of the sacrament in remembrance of Jesus Christ. They
read scriptures from the bible that talked about salvation and how to apply the teaching in the
bible to their own lifes to return back to God and to bring peace and charity to the world today.
We can conclude that Dharma is a way one lives their life to follow based on their social
identity, and rituals performed based on beliefs. Religion is a set of beliefs to apply in an
individuals life to help find a sense of connection or peace in their life to find meaning to what
their purpose of life is or their comfort in salvation. Dharma and religion has its own set of laws
or practices to follow to find an individuals identity and bring harmony. Dharma in a Hindus
life is a religion that has its own unique set of practices, laws and beliefs that are different
compared to other religions.

Works Cited
Ammer, Christine. "religion" Dicionary of Idioms. n.d. 29 April 2015.
<http://dictionary.reference.com/cite.html?qh=religion&ia=ahdi2>.

Bradly. Various Definations of Religion. n.d. 25 January 2015.

<http://web.pdx.edu/~tothm/religion/Definitions.htm>.
Coward , Harold, Ronald Neufeldt and Eva K. Neumaier. Readings in Eastern
Religions Second Edition. Wilfrid Laurier University Press, n.d.
Fisher, Mary Pat. Living Religions Seventh Edition. Upper Saddle River: Pearson
Eductation Inc., 2008.
Flood, Gavin. An introduction to Hinduism. Wales: Cambridge University Press, n.d.
Harper, Douglas. "dharma" Online Etymology Dicionary. n.d. 29 April 2015.
<http://dictionary.reference.com/cite.html?qh=dharma&ia=etymon2>.
Hinduism explained by west persepective . Dir. Shakti Gyana. 2012.
Rodrigues, Hillary. Dharma and the Dharma Sastras. Journal of Buddhist Ethics
Online Books, Ltd. , 2006.
Swidler. Various Definations of Religion. n.d. 25 January 2015.
<http://web.pdx.edu/~tothm/religion/Definitions.htm>.