Describing the basic tenants of Hinduism is a loaded question, since there are so many branches of belief. In fact, there is no truly unified system of beliefs. Rather, Hinduism is a way of life, not simply a religion to be followed.
Hinduism is full of moral ideals. These include non-violence, friendship, charity, acceptance of all ideas, honesty, compassion, self-control, generosity, purity, and courage, as well as many others. Doing good for others and treating them as you would like to be treated is an important part of being a Hindu.
Hinduism believes in the following things (though there could be more or less, depending upon your personal take on the Hindu scriptures and your moral compass):
Human life is divided into four stages. The first stage is the Brahmacharya, or the period of Learning. It lasts until the age of 25 and includes preparation for a future career, as well as preparation for a family life.
The second stage is the Grihastha, or the Householder Stage. This is the point where a family comes together and grows as one. Hinduism supports the pursuit of wealth as necessary for a family, as well as sexual pleasure between the spouses. This stage has been known to be so good, Hindu followers stay right there for the rest of their lives!
The third stage is the Vanaprastha, or the “Hermit in Retreat.” This is the time when the children are grown, the grandchildren are thriving, and the time of having an active household has come to a natural end. At this point, the very devout will release all earthly pleasures and devote their life to prayer, with only their wife for company. Since this is a very hard stage for anyone, is it any wonder that the vast majority of Hindu’s don’t follow it?
Finally, the fourth stage, or the Sannyasa, the Wandering Recluse. At this point all of a person’s worldly days are over, and they are prayerful at all times. Approaching the end of their life, the person who reaches this stage will see their funeral held by their son and heir.
What else do Hindus believe? The rule of karma, or “What goes around, comes around” is very important here. They also believe in reincarnation, or returning to life in another form. They believe in the blessings and worship of idols as well. They also believe in the dharma, or the path of righteousness – something that is a cornerstone of the Hindu faith.