Hinduism

1. Practical and Ritual Dimension
Hinduism is practiced by Yoga. Their are four types of Yoga. The First is Karma Yoga which is for those of active temperament, striving to eliminate selfishness and cultivating sympathy by seeing the divine reality. The Second is Bhakti Yoga which is the path of devotion to God. God can be worshipped in an image located in a temple and in the presence of suffering humanity by service. The third is Jnana Yoga which is the discipline of trying to see the divine reality within all things by brushing aside all physical and mental coverings mentally. The last is Raja Yoga which is the process of mental control, purity, and meditation. Hinduism is also practiced by temple worships. A ritual that the Hindu's do is recite sacred texts that are from the Veda.

2. Experiential and Emotional Dimension
The Experiential and Emotional that the Hindus feel are peace, joy and wisdom.

3. Narrative or Mythic Dimension
Hinduism was found 400 years ago in India. It was a religion that a group of ancient people known as the Aryans worshipped. The Hindus believe in a single god, Brahman, who is the universe. However, they also believe in several different gods, who can be seen as different aspects of Brahman: There is Brahma, who creates the universe, Vishnu, who maintains the universe, and Shiva, who destroys the universe.

4. Doctrinal and Philosophical Dimension
The Aryans recorded their philosophy, religion, and customs in their sacred text that were intially handed down by word of mouth from teacher to student because they did not write it back then. One interesting aspect of Hinduism is that Hindus can be monotheistic, polytheistic, pantheistic, agnostic, or even atheist, and still believe in Hinduism.

5. Ethical and Legal Dimension
The laws in Hinduism is determined by birth because it determines one's place and duty. This belief is known as the caste system, where society is divided into four main castes, or classes. Priests belong to the highest class, while workers belong to the lowest. Below the castes is the class of "untouchables", people of such low birth that higher castes refuse to touch them. Though these castes were once a very important part of Hinduism, they are now eroding due to new ethical beliefs.

6. Social and Institutional Dimension
Their are four stages in life that is described in Hinduism. The four stages are the student, family man, recluse, and wandering holy man. These four stages represent a metaphorical path to most Hindu's. Hindu's worship at temples and wander around to search for teachers because they are so devoted to meditation and self-realization.

7. Material Dimension
Sacred Temples all over India are important to hinduism.

//Valerie and Max Aaron, and John//