How has Hinduism survived?

[ronki23]

Many polytheist and pagan religions have almost disappeared : from the Greco-Roman to the Egyptians.

How has Hinduism survived the occupation of India by the Mughals or the Christian missionaries?

Hinduism is a fast growing religion.

My take on it is that George Harrison was very influential but that's only one reason

 

[Ella S.]

Shenism also managed to survive in nearby regions. It is interesting.

 

[Valjean]

Tradition!
Politics!

 

[The Hammer]

New Many polytheist and pagan religions have almost disappeared : from the Greco-Roman to the Egyptians.

We haven't disappeared. The Old Gods didn't die, they only patiently awaited their return.

Hellenismos and Kemeticism are making a come back. As is Druidry.

Edit:

 

[mangalavara]

How has Hinduism survived the occupation of India by the Mughals or the Christian missionaries?

We call this religion sanātana for a reason.

Hinduism is a fast growing religion.

Which might be due to births, but I could be wrong. Hinduism has certainly been growing in Ghana because of people there adopting it, and I imagine many people there are born into it these days.

My take on it is that George Harrison was very influential but that's only one reason

Are you talking about Śrī George Harrisonācārya Mahārāj?

 

[Ella S.]

We haven't disappeared. The Old Gods didn't die, they only patiently awaited their return.

Hellenismos and Kemeticism are making a come back. As is Druidry.

Edit:
View attachment 60886

You make a very good point. In fact, pagan worship never fully went away. There are many pagan survivals in local folklore and cultural customs and pagans contributed greatly to Hermeticism and grimoiric tradition.

They were just buried by hostile Church occupation, but they never stopped evolving and growing. In many places, the Church had to simply canonize local practices, recontextualizing gods like Brigid as Saints and even adopting local pagan practices like the Yule boar.

In a sense, the line has never been fully broken. It should be no surprise that, as freedom of religion becomes more widely recognized, the existing pagan practices are dechristianized and people are returning to their roots.

 

[sun rise]

To me, Hinduism derives from Avatar Krishna and Avatar Rama and God becoming man throughout the ages. India has also been the home of men who became divine such as Ramana Maharshia, (Shirdi) Sai Baba and many others all the way back to the Rishis who were the authors of the Vedas.

The spiritual atmosphere of India is such that when sufism came to India, it became universal in the Chisti order. as exemplified by Hazrat Inayat Khan's universal prayers.

 

[Martin]

Many polytheist and pagan religions have almost disappeared : from the Greco-Roman to the Egyptians.

How has Hinduism survived the occupation of India by the Mughals or the Christian missionaries?

Hinduism is a fast growing religion.

My take on it is that George Harrison was very influential but that's only one reason

It seems like a diverse and tolerant religion, so pretty much anyone can be part of it.

 

[ronki23]

Even the Mesopotamians died out but not Hinduism

 

[Twilight Hue]

Many polytheist and pagan religions have almost disappeared : from the Greco-Roman to the Egyptians.

How has Hinduism survived the occupation of India by the Mughals or the Christian missionaries?

Hinduism is a fast growing religion.

My take on it is that George Harrison was very influential but that's only one reason

Because it's fun for people?

 

[JustGeorge]

Because it's fun for people?

Its true. Hinduism is a lot of fun.

I've found my experiences within Hinduism to not only be practical, but often joyful.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Its true. Hinduism is a lot of fun.

I've found my experiences within Hinduism to not only be practical, but often joyful.

The social aspect I think is the biggest draw. Some people like the mingling and fraternity.

 

[JustGeorge]

The social aspect I think is the biggest draw. Some people like the mingling and fraternity.

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to take advantage of that. I live too far from any temple to really take part in the community.

But yes, I think those kinds of things do play a positive role.

 

[ronki23]

Because it's fun for people?

Fun? What do you mean ?

 

[Twilight Hue]

Fun? What do you mean ?

If it wasn't fun then you wouldn't do it.

 

[syo]

Thank God Hinduism survived.

 

[JustGeorge]

If it wasn't fun then you wouldn't do it.

I 'unno. I see lots of folks that don't seem to find any fun in their religion at all(some actively discourage it, it seems), yet, they stick with it.

 

[Valjean]

Fun? What do you mean ?

You get to run riot and douse everyone with colored powder and water.