Hinduism is the world’s oldest religion and is followed in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bali. The core beliefs of Hinduism are outlined in Sanskrit scriptures formed the basis of the Vedic religions — later known as Hinduism — and contributed to the development of the social and political roles of a caste system and in the teachings about reincarnation.

According to Hinduism, the meaning (purpose) of life is four-fold: to achieve Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha.

1. The first, dharma, means to act virtuously and righteously. That is, it means to act morally and ethically throughout one’s life.

2. The second meaning of life according to Hinduism is Artha, which refers to the pursuit of wealth and prosperity in one’s life.

3. The third purpose of a Hindu’s life is to seek the Kama. In simple terms, Kama can be defined as obtaining enjoyment from life.

4. The fourth and final meaning of life according to Hinduism is Moksha, enlightenment.

There is no single founder of Hinduism or no single sacred text, it grew out of various groups in India. The Aryans added their religious beliefs to those of the Indus Valley. Out of all its complexity, though, there are certain basic beliefs.

Basic Beliefs of Hinduism

• One impersonal Ultimate Reality Brahman: everything in the universe is part of the unchanging, all-powerful force called Brahman.

• Manifest as many personal deities: We worship gods that give a concrete form to Brahman, the gods are Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer.

• Every person has an essential life, or atman: True essence of life Atman, the soul, is Brahman trapped in matter. Even atman is just another name for Brahman.

• Hindus believe in Reincarnation: atman is continually born into this world lifetime after lifetime (Samsara). Reincarnation is the rebirth of the soul in another bodily form.

• Karma: Your good or bad deeds affect one’s future, spiritual impurity due to actions keeps us bound to this world (good and bad). Karma gives good and bad points earned through one’s behavior, that accrue throughout their life and affect what caste they are born into in the next life.

• Attain Moksha: Ultimate goal of life to release Atman and reunite with the divine, becoming as one with Brahman (Moksha). The Atman is released from reincarnation and unites with the supreme spirit, Brahman.

• Dharma (righteousness), Artha (means of money), Kama (right desire), and Moksha (salvation), make up the four main life-goals in Hinduism.

• All existence is ranked: Brahman, humans, animals, plants, and things.

• To help escape the wheel of fate, dharma, religious duties, can help one acquire merit for the next life. After living many lives, Hindus finally break free from the cycle of reincarnation when they have done enough good deeds. and gaining much merit.

• Vedas and Upanishads are sacred texts. The Great Indian Epics Ramayana and Mahabharata are written to carry knowledge to the people at large. The Bhagavad Gita spells out many ethical ideas. 

• Non Violence: Ahimsa is another key principle of Hinduism. It means that one should avoid harming any living thing, and also avoid the desire to harm any living thing.