Religion and Tradition

Religion and tradition refer to specific rituals associated with a religion, such as a prayer, holidays, and participation in services. The combination of these rituals is categorised as religion and tradition. The primary purpose of these religious practices is to achieve the goals of salvation for oneself and others and worship and obedience to God. Different religions have different ideas about salvation and God. The world’s major religious traditions include Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, etc.

India is a land of many religions and traditions. People in India are free to practice any religion. The Aryans and Dravidians play a major influence in the religious spectrum of India. Each religion is discussed below in detail.

Major Religions in India

The following are the major religions in India: 

Hinduism

Hinduism is the most widely followed religion in India. Hinduism is one of the ancient religions in the world, and it is supposed to have developed about 5000 years ago. Hinduism does not exist as a single belief system with one textual explanation. A wide range of philosophies and practices are found in Hinduism. Indian religious tradition sees karma as the only source of transmigration.

According to Hinduism, three Lords rule the world. Brahma is the creator; Vishnu is the preserver, and Shiva is the destroyer. Lord Vishnu saved the world by incarnating himself in different forms at times of crisis. The popular theory among historians is that Hinduism evolved after the historical meeting between the Aryans and Dravidians. One side claims Hinduism is mainly an Aryan culture, whereas others claim it is mainly a Dravidian culture. 

Islam

Islam is the biggest non-Indian religion. Islam began with the ministry of the Prophet Muhammad, and their holy book is Quran Sheriff. Early Muslim traditions and culture came to India because of the Turks and the Afghans. The Mughal kingdom also plays an important part in the spread and reach of Muslims in India. The different Muslim Mughal rulers of India brought people in business and people from various parts of the world, such as Afghanistan, Turkey, Russia, Africa, and Arab countries, who were of Muslim origin. Sunni and Shia are the two famous communities. The partition is another determining factor of the Muslim community in India.

Christianity

Christianity is the third most followed religion in India. Colonial rule brought many missionaries to India. Thus conversions occurred. Most Indians were converted to Christianity by the missionaries who arrived in India. St. Judas Thomas arrived in Kerala in south India, a disciple of Jesus. Missionaries have helped the tribal communities develop written languages and literature and have enhanced their education.

Buddhism

Buddhism traces the teachings and life of Gautama Budhha. Many monasteries are set up in India. The northeastern part of India has a major chunk of people who follow Buddhism. The Buddha reinterpreted or accepted and borrowed the basic concepts of Hinduism, like samsara, dharma, karma, and moksha. Still, he refused to commit himself to particular metaphysical theories as explained by different schools.

The other two religions that entered India because of religious persecutions were Bahaism and Zoroastrianism. Zoroastrians are descendants of 10th-century immigrants from Persia who preserved the religion of Zoroaster, a prophet of Iran.

What is Folk Religion?

The exact definition of folk religion is different among different scholars. It can be manifested in different ways. It can be referred to as a religion that does not follow organised religion’s official doctrines and practices. It generally includes the practices followed by a particular group of people. Such religions can adapt and lie by the principles of liturgical religions, but they remain independent without any locks of mainstream religions. Such groups are also limited to a small geographical area. African folk religions are related to cosmology, rituals, arts, society, and symbols.

Indigenous or indigenous beliefs of folk religion exist worldwide, especially in parts of South America, Africa, China, and Southeast Asia.

List Of Folk Religion

Chinese Folk religion, Anitism or Bathalism of Philippines, Folk Judaism, Folk Christianity are the main folk religions associated with mainstream religions. Exorcism, rational order of nature, and animism are characteristics of these religions. Native American religions and Australian aboriginal religions are also some of the major examples of folk religions present in the world. Hinduism also has some religions related to it. The Christian context is generally divided into the orthodox and the unorthodox. 

List Of African folk Religion

The list of African religions is not based on conversions like Islam and Christianity.

The triple legacy of indigenous religion, known as Triple heritage, Islam, and Christianity, is often found in many African societies. People who generally follow African traditional religions are from rural areas. The deities are mainly honoured through sacrifices and rituals, including animals, plants, and metals. Libation is also done as a part of the tradition. The followers of these religions don’t separate religion from daily life. Some examples are the Bantu Mythology, Lofi Mythology, and Efik Mythology.

Conclusion

Tradition and religion play a major role in the socio-political structure of a place. The list of folk religions is different from the established mainstream religions. 

Religious traditions, like other traditions, are dynamic and change over time. They react to shifting influences such as old age, modernity, and technological advances.