This paper discusses the dichotomy that exists between the different beliefs, codes of conduct, and rituals in the Hindu religion. As Oxtoby is frequently pointing out, however, rituals and beliefs often differ according to region, village, period in history and caste system (2002). The points in this section that Oxtoby covered were temples, symbols, forms of domestic worship, the significance of food, festivals, rites and rituals, weddings, funerals, roles of women, and the role of Hinduism as it spreads in places like the United States. As stated previously, each of these points covers a variety of topics since many customs, rituals and beliefs are not necessarily pan-Hindu in nature.
For example, when it comes to symbols and icons, some Hindus believe the idol or icon to be the god or goddess in that temple or in the home (as in the case of home shrines). The fact that they are present in the form of an icon does not take away from their presence in someone's heart, or in other places all over the world or the universe or in heaven. There are other movements, however, which believe that these images are only symbols of a higher reality, and not to be worshipped in themselves. According to Oxtoby, there are also variations between these two extremes (2002).
Another thought provoking point that Oxtoby brings up is they way that worship is performed. Temples are not a place for worshippers to congregate, as they do in Christian churches, Jewish synagogues, or Muslim mosques. Temples are places where pilgrimages and offerings are made. Then the worshippers achieve blessing by consuming the food ("leftovers") that was offered to the god or goddess and then blessed by those gods or goddesses. Additionally while priests, who are typically men, offer up prayers for the worshippers in the temple, it is the women of the household who offer up prayers for their household when before the household shrine.
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