I had a very basic understanding of Hinduism but I really couldn't have explained much beyond the general themes of moksha/nirvana and the american buzzwords that have come out of the yoga movement.
While I'm interested in learning more, for the purpose of this exercise I really just wanted to learn the core principles so that if I was asked the question I could confidently explain the core foundation of the religion. Prominent themes in Hindu beliefs include the four Puruṣārthas, the proper goals or aims of human life; namely, dharma (ethics/duties), artha (prosperity/work), kama (desires/passions) and moksha (liberation/freedom from the passions and the cycle of death and rebirth),as well as karma (action, intent and consequences) and saṃsāra (cycle of death and rebirth).
Hinduism prescribes the eternal duties, such as honesty, refraining from injuring living beings (Ahiṃsā), patience, forbearance, self-restraint, virtue, and compassion, among others.
In reading through this. I'm reminded that at the core of most religions I believe they have more in common than differences. At the core we are all living daily on a human level and most people strive (or at least hunger or thirst) to find a connection to something greater than themselves. These practives of honesty, patience, forbearance, self-restraint, virtue and compassion can certainly be found in many other religions.
I am particularly intrigued by their attention and practice surrounding karma and samsara. It seems to me that having a faith or belief in something more for our spirits than just this humanly experience helps create a guide or direction on how to live our lives here on earth.
I would say that I believe in some level in many of the principles or foundations that Hinduism prescribes but it's interesting to see it from a different perspective.

Great exercise. Glad I did it.