What is Hinduism?
Hinduism is one of the world's oldest living spiritual traditions β a holistic way of life, followed by more than a billion people, in which belief and conduct are woven seamlessly together. Where would you begin to describe it? There is no single founder to point to. No single book that holds it all. No single ritual that every Hindu performs.
Hindus share a great deal in common, and yet they differ β in philosophy, in practice, in the forms of their devotion. That diversity is the tradition's nature, not its flaw. Hinduism is a living mosaic of philosophies, rituals, and ways of life, guiding its followers toward inner peace and righteous living.
What do Hindus believe about life?
Most Hindus believe in an eternal soul (ΔtmΔ), in karma, in reincarnation, and in moksh β liberation from the cycle of rebirth. Beyond these foundational beliefs, Hinduism traditions embrace many diverse teachings and practices. Here are the principles most Hindus share:
- "I am ΔtmΔ.": Every one of us has an eternal, conscious, and joyful identity β ΔtmΔ, akin to what others may call the soul. This eternal self is our true identity; the physical body is only its temporary home.
- Reincarnation: been here, done that. The ΔtmΔ journeys through cycles of birth, life, death, and rebirth, learning and evolving across lifetimes.
- Karma: what you do matters. All our thoughts and actions carry consequences, granted by God. Far from fatalism, karma is empowering: it means our choices can better us. A moral, compassionate life elevates the ΔtmΔ.
- Moksh: the destination. The ultimate purpose of human life is moksh β liberation from the cycle of rebirth, so that the ΔtmΔ may eternally experience the infinite joy and presence of God.
- Dharma: righteous living. A spiritual life is grounded in dharma β duty and righteous conduct. It means upholding universal values and virtues: truth, and compassion for all living beings.
What do Hindus think about God?
Hindus believe in one supreme God β all-powerful and benevolent β revered through many names and forms. Hinduism holds a rich tapestry of beliefs about the divine; within it, the Swaminarayan tradition holds fast to a core devotion to one divine reality:
- One Supreme Being. Beneath the vastness of the tradition runs a fundamental belief: there is one ultimate, supreme being.
- Many names and forms. That one Supreme Being is revered and understood through many names and forms, according to one's capacity, belief, tradition, or experience. In BAPS, we know that Supreme Being as Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Other traditions may know God by another name β and Hinduism has always made room for that.
What are the Hindu scriptures?
The foundational Hindu scriptures are the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita, joined by sacred epics β the Ramayan and the Mahabharat β and by tradition-specific texts such as the Vachanamrut. Behind them all stands ancient wisdom, passed down and argued over β lovingly β for millennia.
- Key texts. The foundation of Hindu thought rests on philosophical and theological conversations spanning thousands of years, rooted for most living traditions in the Vedas, the Upanishads, and texts such as the Bhagavad Gita. Individual traditions may hold other texts in equal reverence: the Vachanamrut, for example, serves as the philosophical scripture of the Swaminarayan tradition of Hinduism.
- Epics and inspiration. The sacred history of Hinduism is recorded in the Purans and in the Ramayan and Mahabharat. These histories recount events with a purpose: to show how spiritual principles have been lived through the centuries β and sometimes, how they have been missed.
What is a guru?
A guru is a spiritual guide β one who leads a seeker from ignorance to enlightenment, and whose own life stands as living inspiration for improving one's own. The need is familiar: most of us know from experience that spirituality is not easily understood, and righteousness even less easily lived. In every serious pursuit we accept a guide; the most serious pursuit of all deserves one too.
A lineage of such gurus is known as a sampraday. Each sampradaya carries a thread of knowledge and interpretation that has stood the test of time β and of centuries of philosophical dialogue.
Questions People Ask
Adressing some of the common questions people ask about Hinduism.
"Why do Hindus worship murtis? Isn't that idol worship?"
A murti is a sacred image, not an idol. Hindus believe that through Vedic consecration, the murti becomes a living presence of God, offering a tangible way to express and deepen boundless devotion. It is not intended to represent God's eternal form, nor to limit his presence or power. In Hindu belief, it is simply God's grace that he resides in these forms to accept the loving service of his devotees.
"Why so many sacred images of the same God?"
Hindus believe in one Supreme God β infinite, and beyond full human comprehension β so devotees relate to that single divine reality through many names, forms, and images, each one helping us focus our love and devotion. The various Hindu traditions are therefore represented at the mandir through their murtis, such as:
- Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Gunatitanand Swami
- Bhagwan Shri Krishna and Shri Radhaji
- Bhagwan Shri Ram, Shri Sitaji, and Shri Hanumanji
- Bhagwan Shri Shankar, Shri Parvatiji, and Shri Ganeshji
BAPS mandirs are dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan, so you will see his murti in different forms around the mandir, and his lineage of spiritual successors in the side shrines.
"Why do we remove shoes before entering a mandir?"
Shoes are removed because, in Hindu tradition, the mandir is the sacred home of God β we step into it the way we would step into the most respected space we know. A simple act, with deep meaning: leaving our shoes at the door is a gesture of humility and reverence. It is also practical. Devotees sit on the floor to pray, sing, and meditate, and the prayer halls stay clean.
"Why do men and women sit separately during the Δrti?"
During communal prayers such as the Δrti β the ceremony of light β women and men are seated in separate sections, a long-standing custom in many Hindu and other faith traditions. It is intended to help every person pray with focus and without distraction, in an atmosphere of dignity and calm. Women and men participate fully and equally in the spiritual life of the mandir β in worship, in sevΔ (selfless service), and in education. The arrangement also respects the vows of eightfold celibacy observed by the swamis, ordained Hindu renunciants. The intent throughout is simple: a serene, respectful environment in which each person can turn their whole attention to God.
"Don't Hindus worship many gods?"
Hindus believe in one supreme power; what varies is the name and form by which people know it. The many different representations you may see in BAPS mandirs (Hindu temples) are placed there out of respect for the breadth of Hindu traditions.