Defining Elements of Hinduism

The Defining Elements of Hinduism Arvind Sharma contends that the task of defining Hinduism may be difficult and problematic: “The difficulties in defining Hinduism tell us that not only does Hinduism have ethnic roots and tends to be inclusive but also that…it is willing to overlook contradictions and may even generate them” (Sharma 4). For example, Hinduism is inclusive while being universal; it supports militant groups while also supporting pacifism; and it preaches the doctrine …

…of the individual human personality” (Sharma 13). Therefore, Hinduism cannot be clearly explained in the simply phrase “Hinduism is ‘the dominant religion of India’” because it is too complex and diverse to define. Rather, as Sharma concludes, Hinduism “is not a thing, it is a process…a method for the discovery of spiritual truths…[and] makes one aware of the unconscious presence of diversity in the phenomenon of religion itself” (56-7). Sharma, Arvind. “Hinduism.” Our Religions.