Also termed as the religion of the masses, Hinduism has never denied the existence or relevance of any other religion or teaching that has come before or after. It has always tried to accept the best of them all. it is a religion of tolerance, which throughout history has seen its bastions assailed but has survived as one of the most ancient and yet most vibrant of all religions. It has far outlived its most contemporary of religions. It in fact absorbed many of their precepts. Buddhism which sprang up as a challenge to the Brahminical form of Hinduism was allowed to flourish and spread until many of its teachings were accepted by the Hindus themselves. Buddhism finally died out in the land of its origin. Its teacher Gautam Buddha was accommodated in the Hindu pantheon of gods with a highly respected position within its traditions. Jainism and many other sects were also given their due respect. It may also be seen that the Semetic religions were and still are recognised by the Hindu majority.
L. S. S. O'Malley has outlined very clearly the beliefs and ideals of the Hindus in this book. He has taken trouble to mention the moral influences which have molded the Hindu people in their beliefs and at the same time has gone into the modes of worship and ceremonies, which form the backbone of the religion. Many people state that Hinduism is based more on a way of life than on scripture. It is a very practical and down to earth religion for the masses, revolving around their daily activities which include early rising, cleanliness and observance of its simple tenets. If looked at closely we find that many of the Hindu practices relate to the agrarian lifestyle of the majority of the people.
Hinduism is very much concerned with the concept of a personalized form of God and it finds itself linked to knowledge, faith and devotion rather than praises and prayers to the deities. Unlike most other religions it relates almost entirely to the every day life of the Hindus themselves. Each and every aspect of their daily life is, in some way or the other, related to their religious beliefs and reflects on their behaviour to others. As a religion which preaches non-violence, it also reserves the right to retaliate to the actions of others when and where it is called for.
