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Hinduism

Proposed Q&A site for followers and believers of Hinduism. People who are interested in learning about the oldest religion are also welcome. Q&A's regarding the Spiritual, Paranormal, Metaphysical, Philosophical, Esoteric and other aspects of Hinduism will be addressed.
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<comments deleted> If you have questions or comments about this proposal, please use the 'create new discussion' link below. – Robert Cartaino♦ Apr 4 at 13:21

-8
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3
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Merge Buddhism, Hinduism, Indian Languages and Indology

may 2 at 2:04 Jay 151
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2
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Can the philosophical questions related to Hinduism be asked here?

feb 23 at 8:34 kartshan 51
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5
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Should we consider a broader site proposal (Indian Culture)?

jan 23 at 7:34 Salman Mohammed 61
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1
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What needs to be done to have this Q&A site pushed into production?

jan 23 at 2:03 Gilles 593
-4
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3
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Merge with other dhArmic/ pagan religions stackexchange?

nov 27 at 22:18 vishvAs vAsuki 119

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This proposal is now in the Commitment phase — example questions are locked!

37 Example Questions (6 closed)

active oldest votes
up vote 21 down vote
What is Karma in Hinduism?
added by mfg Mar 9 '11 at 14:39
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up vote 16 down vote
What are the sacred scriptures/books of Hinduism?
added by Marvis Mar 4 '11 at 5:27
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@SivaramAmbikasaran can you please list the books yourself? – Nikhil Mulley Jan 24 at 9:13
up vote 15 down vote
What does the gayatri mantra mean?
added by apoorv020 Mar 11 '11 at 10:35
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+1 @apoorv020 Excellent question. – Nikhil Mulley Feb 3 at 19:11
up vote 13 down vote
What does Atmajnanam mean in Sanskrit and how is the concept used in Hinduism?
added by lovefaithswing Mar 4 '11 at 19:29
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up vote 13 down vote
How did Hindu ideas influence the formation of Buddhism?
added by CrazyJugglerDrummer Mar 17 '11 at 23:16
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or even more to that, how did both religions influence each other? – Nikhil Mulley Jan 20 at 12:43
up vote 12 down vote
Why is the river Ganges considered holy?
added by mfg, edited by WikiSpeedia hang-around Dec 18 '11 at 10:24
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up vote 12 down vote
What significance does the word 'Om' have?
added by CrazyJugglerDrummer Mar 17 '11 at 23:19
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up vote 12 down vote
Why is eating meat is disallowed in Hinduism?
added by blakcaps, edited by Dori Oct 4 '11 at 21:08
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it depends. Meat-eating is not prohibited in Vedas or even in SmRtis. In fact there are are many mentions of guys eating beef in olden literature. It was mainly in Jain-Buddhist period that the idea of Ahimsa became popular with Hindus and so the thing stuck. – Nikhil Bellarykar Jan 5 at 12:17
1  
The above comment is so wrong. You have not shown any references. Just claiming things without proof is idiotic."The Chāndogya Upaniṣad, dated to the 8th or 7th century BCE, one of the oldest Upanishads, has the earliest evidence for the use of the word ahinsa in the sense familiar in Hinduism (a code of conduct). It bars violence against "all creatures" (sarvabhuta) " Ref. Tähtinen pp. 2–5; English translation: Schmidt p. 631 – vivek Jan 7 at 22:39
1  
@nikhil-bellarykar I have not seen where Vedas said Meat-eating is allowed even. The decision, has been left to the follower. In circumstances like droughts and floods, man could not but to take to eating non-veg. @Vivek, for the matter of reasoning, I believe Vedas dictated the forms of performing Yajna's and in those it is articulated how to do animal slaughters as dakshina/offers to Gods as well.. what is your reasoning in that regard? – Nikhil Mulley Jan 24 at 6:19
up vote 11 down vote
What are the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu?
added by Marvis Mar 4 '11 at 5:30
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3  
Wouldn't most people just google this? Not a good example. – Louis Apr 23 '11 at 1:53
It is good to have it as Q&A at a single place. Yet Googleable again :-) – Nikhil Mulley Jan 20 at 12:47
up vote 11 down vote
Are inter-caste marriages allowed in Hinduism?
added by apoorv020 Mar 11 '11 at 10:34
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This is an on-topic question. Even through marriages are right now decided under Hindu Marriage Act marriages were dealt as per religion historically. – Manish Sinha Oct 4 '11 at 5:38
up vote 8 down vote
Why do Hindu women wear that dot on their foreheads?
added by bethlakshmi Jun 14 '11 at 15:06
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1  
I know this is a reasonably obnoxious question - just throwing it out there, since it's on the borderline of what I'd consider reasonable and also it's up there in the top 10 of "questions asked of Hindus by outsiders" – bethlakshmi Jun 14 '11 at 15:06
Good question :-) – Nikhil Mulley Jan 26 at 11:49
up vote 7 down vote
What are the traditional holidays and festivals of Hinduism?
added by lovefaithswing Mar 4 '11 at 19:27
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Actually, everyday is a celebration & festinval since its a new beginning to reexperience the life in the presence of His Holiness of Sun (as witness to our Kriya, Karm). Over a period, it has been noticed that marking traditional holidays, festivals (seem to appear almost one in every month) are actually the pretext for reaping the benefits of work, salary. Some are marked for agricultural benefits(Artha Vijaya), some are marked moral victories(Dharma Vijaya). They also form the pretext for spending some amount of money that is saved forming a eco-friendly healthy economic cycles. – Nikhil Mulley Jan 24 at 6:25
since the comments are with fixed short length, I have tried to put the gist as small as possible in above. – Nikhil Mulley Jan 24 at 6:26
up vote 6 down vote
What is a "consort" and why do many Hindu Gods have them?
added by mfg Mar 9 '11 at 14:41
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up vote 4 down vote
Many of the Hindu gods have many arms; what does this signify?
added by mfg, edited by WikiSpeedia hang-around Dec 18 '11 at 10:24
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It's just symbolic. – vivek Jan 7 at 22:43
1  
Multitasking :-). No jokes apart, it signifies to multi skill and strength. – Nikhil Mulley Jan 22 at 19:04
up vote 4 down vote
Many of the Hindu gods have animal bodies; what does this signify?
added by mfg, edited by WikiSpeedia hang-around Dec 18 '11 at 10:24
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Hinduism sees God everywhere even in God's creation, and even sometimes in man made objects as well. Animal bodies signify they are in realm of God's creation making them worthy of worship as to worship to God Himself. – Nikhil Mulley Jan 20 at 13:18
up vote 3 down vote
Is Jainism a branch of Hinduism?
added by apoorv020 Mar 11 '11 at 10:34
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No. Both Buddhism and Jainism are not a part of Hinduism since their techings don't match. – vivek Jan 7 at 22:43
up vote 3 down vote
Why is the cow a sacred animal in Hinduism?
added by CrazyJugglerDrummer Mar 17 '11 at 23:18
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up vote 3 down vote
Is Hinduism is about one goal and many paths?
added by blakcaps, edited by WikiSpeedia hang-around Dec 18 '11 at 10:22
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Its about any of many paths and yes one goal. – Nikhil Mulley Jan 30 at 7:44
up vote 3 down vote
What is the concept of adwaita?
added by Prasanth Sep 14 '11 at 7:00
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Great Question! Please upvote! – Dipan Mehta Jan 25 at 12:26
Indeed. Upvote. – Nikhil Mulley Jan 30 at 7:46
up vote 3 down vote
What is the real meaning of 'Chaturvarnya' (Base of Caste system)?
added by Prasanth Sep 14 '11 at 7:10
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This is something that i have been looking for an answer to for a very long time. I find it impossible to believe that the the way the caste system is followed now how it was supposed to be followed during its inception. – Jan S Feb 3 at 9:09
up vote 2 down vote
Where can I learn more about Hinduism? [closed]
added by lovefaithswing Mar 4 '11 at 19:30
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closed as not constructive by Sathya, Dori Oct 4 '11 at 21:08

This question is not a good fit to our Q&A format. We expect answers to generally involve facts, references, or specific expertise; this question will likely solicit opinion, debate, arguments, polling, or extended discussion.

2  
Since the site IS a learning tool, this isn't a good example of something that helps define the scope of the site. It wll get asked for sure but it's not a good on-topic/off-topic boundary setting question. – Caleb Aug 20 '11 at 16:37
up vote 2 down vote
Where can I find Ramayana translated in English?
added by M.J., edited by WikiSpeedia hang-around Dec 18 '11 at 10:23
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There are numerous books on Ramayana, translated into English. Many of those published can be available for purchase commercially at Amazon, Flipkart. etc.,. – Nikhil Mulley Jan 30 at 7:44
up vote 2 down vote
What is the Atma?
added by blakcaps Jul 9 '11 at 9:00
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@blakcaps It should be 'What is Atma?' Since there is no definiteness to Atma, article the is not allowed. – Nikhil Mulley Jan 20 at 13:17
up vote 2 down vote
What is illusion(maya) in Hinduism?
added by blakcaps Aug 12 '11 at 7:55
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up vote 1 down vote
What Indian temples get the most visitors every year? [closed]
added by lovefaithswing Mar 4 '11 at 19:31
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closed as off topic by warren, Narayan, Marvis, apoorv020, Alaukik Apr 12 '11 at 13:43

This question does not relate to the topic of the proposal.
It was closed as part of an automated migration of off-topic to close votes on September 29, 2011.

It has been noted that apart from Vatican, Hindu Temple such as Tirupati located in Andhra Pradesh of India is the most visited Hindu shrine. – Nikhil Mulley Jan 22 at 19:05
up vote 1 down vote
Is Vishnu more powerful than Shiva? [closed]
added by apoorv020 Apr 2 '11 at 5:11
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closed as off topic by Approximist, bethlakshmi, mbq, Pankaj, AB Kolan Aug 9 '11 at 12:06

This question does not relate to the topic of the proposal.
It was closed as part of an automated migration of off-topic to close votes on September 29, 2011.

up vote 1 down vote
Does Amen and Amin from Christianity and Islam originate from Aum/Om from Hinduism?
added by rishimaharaj Oct 13 '11 at 14:57
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up vote 1 down vote
What is the significance of worshipping Ganesha foremost to any other God in Hindu custom of performing pooja?
added by Nikhil Mulley Jan 22 at 19:00
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up vote 1 down vote
Why are they so many gods, from the sky, fire, food, rivers, plants to animals? Why are there powerful gods and their followers as minion gods?
added by Nitin, edited by WikiSpeedia hang-around Feb 16 at 18:39
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1  
+1 Good question. They are all worthy of worship, allow us to join the path towards One, Almighty. @Nitin – Nikhil Mulley Jan 31 at 9:16
+1 for the good answer! @Nikhil Mulley – Vidya Murthy Feb 17 at 7:08
I guess... that was just an abstract of the summary..the answer is in the details. I hope to fetch more reliable answers once we move into beta stage. Please refer atleast 2 more followers :-) @user543101 – Nikhil Mulley Feb 17 at 7:17
Ofcourse :) @Nikhil Mulley – Vidya Murthy Feb 17 at 9:11
up vote 0 down vote
Do buddhists follow the Vedas? [closed]
added by apoorv020 Mar 11 '11 at 10:34
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closed as off topic by Dori, kiamlaluno, mbq, Pradeep, yoda Sep 6 '11 at 1:01

This question does not relate to the topic of the proposal.
It was closed as part of an automated migration of off-topic to close votes on September 29, 2011.

up vote 0 down vote
Is Hinduism the most ancient religion? What religion did the ancient civilizations in other continents(non Asian) followed? [closed]
added by bubble Jun 24 '11 at 11:55
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closed as not a real question by Sathya, Dori Oct 4 '11 at 21:09

It's difficult to tell what is being asked here. This question is ambiguous, vague, incomplete, overly broad, or rhetorical and cannot be reasonably answered in its current form.

Vedic Culture formed the foundations for Sanaatan Dharma which we call Hinduism (mostly a misnomer, I would say, but since it gives the identity, it is accepted). So, you can say Vedas are the original and foremost religion of human being which are guided by eternal principles of this universe. – Nikhil Mulley Jan 22 at 19:02
up vote 0 down vote
What are the four divisions of Vedas?
added by Prasanth Sep 14 '11 at 7:04
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Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, SAma-Veda and Atharva-Veda. – Nikhil Bellarykar Jan 5 at 12:18
All the vedas are again divided into other 4 divisions in common. The question is bout that. – Prasanth Jan 5 at 12:47
@Prasanth, if you have got to know the answer, can you fill in with comments please? – Nikhil Mulley Jan 20 at 13:18
up vote 0 down vote
What are the main branches of Hindu philosophy?
added by Prasanth, edited by WikiSpeedia hang-around Dec 18 '11 at 10:22
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up vote 0 down vote
As Jesus to Christianity, Mohammed to Islam, and Gautama Buddha to Buddhism, is there any single person who formed the Hindu religion/Sanaatan Dharma?
added by rishimaharaj Nov 23 '11 at 12:14
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1  
God, Unity Himself for Yes. The fact that it is the oldest religion still followed in large masses, is centric to Divine God, Cosmic Power Himself, governing the eternal principles and making them work. – Nikhil Mulley Jan 20 at 12:54
As such, it is no recalled who the founder is, so it is taken that there is no single founder associated with. – Nikhil Mulley Jan 23 at 6:58
up vote 0 down vote
Is there any mathematical rule in vedas?
added by Anil Feb 15 at 11:27
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up vote -1 down vote
How does one start practicing Hindu meditation? [closed]
added by lovefaithswing Mar 4 '11 at 19:27
link|flag

closed as off topic by WorldIsRound, kiamlaluno, mbq, Pradeep, yoda Sep 6 '11 at 1:00

This question does not relate to the topic of the proposal.
It was closed as part of an automated migration of off-topic to close votes on September 29, 2011.

up vote -3 down vote
Is it true that Shri Raam was a non-vegetarian? I heard this was written in the Valmiki Ramayan.
added by rishimaharaj Oct 13 '11 at 14:54
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Why was this down-voted? It's directly related to Hinduism and it's scriptures and philosophy. – rishimaharaj Nov 4 '11 at 16:05
There are many interesting discussions and debates on this topic. Intertwined are talks about sanskrit translations, mis-interpretations, taboos, philosophy, and more. Look here for an example: orkut.com/… and orkut.com/… – rishimaharaj Nov 18 '11 at 21:07
Please understand that this question wasn't intended to offend anyone or their beliefs. It's a relevant question and should not have been down-voted. – rishimaharaj Nov 22 '11 at 1:33
I doubt when people say they heard :-) , making the conversation very difficult. – Nikhil Mulley Jan 20 at 13:19

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