Minimum Hinduism Practice

About 80% of the population in India belongs to Hindu religion. Our religion and caste are the same as those of our father, unless we have got converted into another religion. A Hindu might or might not believe in God (an atheist), or he might or might not go to temples, perform Hindu rituals at home or attend Hindu functions, yet he will be included in the Hindu religion unless he specifically wants to be excluded. Although many Hindus know that they belong to Hindu religion, their...
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About 80% of the population in India belongs to Hindu religion. Our religion and caste are the same as those of our father, unless we have got converted into another religion. A Hindu might or might not believe in God (an atheist), or he might or might not go to temples, perform Hindu rituals at home or attend Hindu functions, yet he will be included in the Hindu religion unless he specifically wants to be excluded. Although many Hindus know that they belong to Hindu religion, their knowledge about Hindu religion is limited.The purpose of this book is to explore, by giving a brief account of the Hindu religion, the options available and minimum requirements to call oneself a Hindu. The fact that one or both parents of the person belong to Hinduism is sufficient to be called Hindu. For a person to continue to claim to be a Hindu, the person has to observe the laws of the countries he or she lives in. There is nothing that a Hindu is forced to perform as a Hindu except that he should be a law-abiding citizen of the country he is living in. Every Hindu however, will benefit by knowing the minimum beliefs and traditions of Hinduism and then decide for himself or herself, how he or she should behave or act to practice Hinduism.Those who are born to parents belonging to Hindu, Lingaayats, Veerashaiva, Brahmo, Prarthana, Arya Samaj, etc. are all Hindus. Those belonging to Muslim, Christian, Parsi or Jew religion are not Hindus. The name Hindu is the most commonly used name for this religion although there are other names like Vaidik, and Sanathana. The word Hinduism represents Hindu Dharma. The word 'Dharma' is equal to the word 'religion' for all practical purposes. In fact the names 'Vaidik Dharma' and 'Sanathana Dharma' are the names, which are really more suitable for Hindu Dharma or Hinduism.The names Hindu Dharma and Hinduism are therefore used here to indicate the religion practiced by the majority of the Indians.Hindu Dharma is practiced in India from time immemorial. Those who practice Hindu Dharma are called Hindus (plural for Hindu). The name Hindu is a modern name given to this ancient religion, by travelers and invaders from outside India. Many historians believe that the word Hindu is a derivative of the word Sindhu. Sindhu is a river that flows from the Himalayan Mountains to the Arabian Sea. This River Sindhu is so wide and long that it was initially thought to be the continuation of the Arabian Sea.