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Hinduism
Founder: Unknown

Overview:
Hinduism differs from Christianity and other Western religions in that
it does not have a single founder, a specific theological system, a
single system of morality, or a central religious organization.  It
consists of "thousands of different religious groups that have evolved
in India since 1500 B.C.." Hindus have a saying: "Ekam Sataha Vipraha
Bahudha Vadanti," which may be translated: "The truth is One, but
different Sages call it by Different Names". Hinduism is a henotheistic
religion -- a religion which recognizes a single deity, but which doesn't
deny the existence of other gods and goddesses as facets or
manifestations or aspects of that supreme God.
Although the caste system was abolished by law in 1949, it remains a
significant force throughout India.  Each follower of Hinduism
belonged to one of the thousands of Jats (communities) that existed
in India. The Jats were grouped into four Varna (social castes), plus a
fifth group called the "untouchables." A person's Jat determined the
range of jobs or professions from which they could choose.
Marriages normally took place within the same Jat. There were rules
that prohibited persons of different groups from eating, drinking or
even smoking with each other. People were once able to move from
one Varna to another. However, at some time in the past (estimates
range from about 500 B.C. to 500 A.D.), the system became rigid, so
that a person was generally born into the Jat and Varna of their
parents, and died in the same group. "The caste system splits up
society into a multitude of little communities, for every caste, and
almost every local unit of a caste, has its own peculiar customs and
internal regulations." The Rigveda defined four castes. In decreasing
status, they are normally:
Brahmins (the priests and academics)
Kshatriyas (rulers, military)
 Vaishyas (farmers, landlords, and merchants)
Sudras (peasants, servants, and workers in non-polluting jobs). 
The Dalit were outcasts who did not belong to one of the castes. Until
the late 1980's they were called Harijan (children of God). They
worked in what are considered polluting jobs. They were untouchable
by the four castes; in some areas of the country, even a contact with
their shadow by a member of the Varnas was considered polluting.
Practicing untouchability or discriminating against a person because
of their caste is now illegal. The caste system has lost much of its
power in urban areas; however it is essentially unchanged in some
rural districts. Many Dalit have left Hinduism in recent years. This has
sometimes been motivated by a desire to escape the caste system.
The colored dot is variously referred to as a "tilaka," "bottu," "bindiya,"
"kumkum," or "bindi." It is a sign of piety, and a reveals to other people
that the wearer is a Hindu. It symbolizes the third eye -- the one
focused inwards toward God. Both men and women wear it, although
the practice among men is gradually going out of style. In the past,
many unmarried women wore black marks, whereas many married
women wore red. But in recent times, women often wear dots that
match the color of their saris.
Hindus organize their lives around certain activities or "purusharthas."
These are called the "four aims of Hinduism," or "the doctrine of the
fourfold end of life." They are:

The three goals of the "pravritti," those who are in the world, are: 

dharma: righteousness in their religious life. This is the most

important of the three.
artha: success in their economic life; material prosperity.
kama: gratification of the senses; pleasure; sensual, sexual,
and mental  enjoyment.
 

The main goal for the "nivritti," those who renounce the world. is:

moksa: Liberation from "samsara," the  This is considered the

supreme end of mankind.
Cult Beliefs:
They believe in the divinity of the Vedas, to be the world's most
ancient scripture, and venerate the Agamas as equally revealed.
They believe these hymns are god's word and the bedrock of
Sanatana Dharma, the eternal religion which has neither
beginning nor end.
Hindus believe in the repetitious Transmigration of the Soul. This
is the  transfer of one's soul after death into another body. This
produces a continuing cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth
through their many lifetimes. It is called samsara.
 
They believe that the universe undergoes endless cycles of
creation, preservation and dissolution.
 
They believe in karma, the law of cause and effect by which each
individual creates his own destiny by his thoughts words and
deeds. Through pure acts, thoughts and devotion, one can be
reborn at a higher level. Eventually, one can escape samsara and
achieve enlightenment. Bad deeds can cause a person to be
reborn as a lower level, or even as an animal. The unequal
distribution of wealth, prestige, suffering are thus seen as natural
consequences for one's previous acts, both in this life and in
previous lives.
 
The believe in meditation and it is often practiced, with Yoga
being the most common. Other activities include daily devotions,
public rituals, and puja, a ceremonial dinner for a god.
 
They believe that a spiritually awakened master is essential to
know the transcendent absolute, as are personal discipline, good
conduct, purification, pilgrimage, self-inquiry and meditation.
 
They believe that all life is sacred, to be loved and revered.
 
They believe that no particular religion teaches the only way to
 salvation above all others, but that all genuine religious paths are
facets of god's pure love and light, deserving tolerance and
understanding.

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