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The World's Greatest Books — Volume 13 — Religion and Philosophy by Various
page 69 of 424 (16%)

_INTRODUCTORY_


The religion of the ancient Persians and of the ancient Aryan
Indians was at one time the same, and it is easy now to see
the common basis of the beliefs and practices embodied in the
Hindu Vedas and the Zend Avesta (see ZOROASTRIANISM), and
their general resemblance. The religion of the ancient Aryan
Indians has passed through three outstanding phases,
designated by modern scholars: Vedism, or that taught by the
Vedas; Brahmanism, based on the Brahmans, or ritual additions
to the Vedas; and Hinduism (_q.v._), the form which revived
Brahmanism took after the expulsion of Buddhism. Though the
latter is strictly an Indian religion, judged by its origin
and characteristic features, it has for centuries almost
ceased to exist in India proper. It will be found generally
true that in Brahmanism there is, as compared with Vedism, an
increase of the ritual, and a corresponding decrease of the
moral element. The gods become more material, and the means of
conciliating them ceremonial and magical. So also there is a
growth in the power of the priesthood. One may compare this
with the course of development among the Hebrews--the ritual
and ceremonial bulking more and more, and the ethical
receding, according to most modern scholars. It has to be
remembered carefully, however, that the distinction between
Vedism, Brahmanism, and Hinduism is more logical than actual.
The seeds of Hinduism, even the doctrine of caste, may be
traced in the Rig Veda, and a modern orthodox. Hindu will tell
you that his principal scriptures are the Vedas, and that his
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