The word Hindu itself does not find its origin in the Vedic religion , to which it is the face. Hindu is Persian name of the Indus river -Sindhu the vedic name. Thus both, India from Indus, and its citizens Hindus, got their names from Persians.
A lot western literature states that Hindu was founded in Indus valley civilization. But to me it made never any sense. Hindu is not religion, but mere way of life, nor are there diktats or books or single authority who founded this way of life. Hence the basic notion of Hinduism being ‘founded’ is absolute false. For the west this way of life was incomprehensible thought.
They who lived through ages either worshiping single entities, find it hard to comprehend Vasudaiv Kutumbkam. All their life the kept fighting those religious wars to establish supremacy over each other, but facing a way of life was tough. Hence at initial stages the west could not grasp the concept of life as projected in Vedas.
To simplify this they drew parallels between their own faith and the this new way of life. Thus the single God theory stood against their assumption of Hindu pantheon. Well to a superficial eye the Hinduism does seem to be doused with pantheon of gods but contrary to that Hinduism is far more based on Adwait/singulartiy than the currently existing theologies in west. Hinduism is both a civilization and a congregation of religions; it has neither a beginning or founder, nor a central authority, hierarchy, or organization.
Inspite of passing of eons, the thought of many with one and one within many, is hard to grasp. The Vedas hardly worshiped the creator, but more of its creation. The vedic school of thought gave freedom to each individual to think/grasp life for his own without confining his thoughts to some single book. Thus the vedants are inclined to revere the divine in every manifestation, whatever it may be, and are doctrinally tolerant, allowing others – including both Hindus and non-Hindus – whatever beliefs suit them best.
I know no other theological school which allows this flexibility to its follower. A total freedom of faith, an unconditional faith even in its follower as If I may say. A Hindu may embrace a non-Hindu religion without ceasing to be a Hindu, as its just way of life. If I may stretch this even a practicing Muslim/Christian may be Hindu.
Hindus believe in an uncreated, eternal, infinite, transcendent, and all-embracing principle, which, comprises in itself being and non-being, is the sole reality, the ultimate cause and foundation, source, and goal of all existence. This ultimate existence is termed as Brahman. Brahman is the creator, preserver, or transformer and reabsorber of everything. This fundamental belief in and the essentially religious search for ultimate reality is core of Indian spiritual life for all existence of human life on earth.
Thus the base of Hinduism which lays in leading a life in search of Brahman, allows a person to not keep faith in anything but yet be spiritual, thus even a atheist is an theist . At times I see Hinduism as an atheist notion, as in-spite of there being millions of gods the final ultimate reality is formless, without attributes and qualities, causes the universe and all beings to emanate from itself, transforms itself into the universe, or assumes it’s appearance. No doctrinal or clerical hierarchy exists in Hinduism, yet each individual perceives an orderly pattern that gives form and meaning to his or her own life. Its for surely is the most flexible belief system which has enough space of theist , atheist, agnostic or any other form all rest within it at peace.
PS : Yawwwwn ! boi !! its really boring to read that !! I hope you all forgive me.
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