A. The sacred, infinite force lies within all living things
             III. Beliefs and Fundamental Philosophy of Hinduism
             B. interest in Hindu beliefs by Westerners
             Hinduism is the oldest of the world's great religions. This belief system originated over 4,000 years ago, and includes a wide variety of beliefs and practices (Anonymous 40). Hindus make up 85% of the population of India, and there are more then 800 million Hindus worldwide, which makes Hinduism representative of 13.5 percent of the world' population (Anonymous 40). The following discussion of Hinduism will encompass the basic beliefs of this religion and its fundamental principles; summaries of its sacred texts; the significance of yoga; and the place of Hinduism in the Western world.
             A central ideology of all Hindu belief is that a sacred, infinite force (Brahman) lies within all living things (Anonymous 11). Unlike many of the world's great religions, Hinduism did not originate due to the teachings of a single individual. Rather it was shaped primarily by thousands of years of religious practice by the peoples of India. Early Hindus worshiped the spirits that they believed controlled the wind, rain, fire and sky. Eventually Hindus came to view three important deities as controlling the natural world. These are: Brahma, the creator of life; Vishnu, the preserver of life; and Shiva, the destroyer, who makes room for new life (Anonymous 11). Hindus tend to direct the majority of their worship toward Vishnu and Siva, rather than Brahma (Whalen 25).
             However, Hindus see these gods as being different aspects of the one supreme power called Brahman (Anonymous 11). Christians are familiar with this concept since it is very similar to the concept of the trinity representing aspects of one supreme deity. All sects of Hinduism agree that their many paths that lead to the same goal (Whalen 25). Vishnu is believed to have appeared on earth on nine incarnations, thus far. These i...