Hinduism
| Hinduism | |
|---|---|
| File:Om symbol.svg | |
| The "Om" – sacred sound and spiritual icon | |
| Founder | Not attributed to a single founder |
| Founded | Prehistoric to ~1500 BCE (Indus Valley Civilization and Vedic period) |
| Place of origin | Indian subcontinent |
| Scriptures | Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, Mahabharata |
| Key beliefs | Dharma, Karma, Moksha, Reincarnation, Atman, Brahman |
| Practices | Puja, meditation, yoga, chanting, pilgrimage, rituals |
| Ultimate goal | Moksha (liberation from samsara) |
| Followers | ~1.2 billion |
| Major sects | Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Shaktism, Smartism |
| Symbols | Om, Swastika, Trishula, Lotus |
| Motto | "Truth is one, paths are many" (Ekam Sat Vipra Bahudha Vadanti) |
| Website | https://hindupedia.com |
Hinduism is one of the world’s oldest religions, originating in the Indian subcontinent around 1500 BCE or earlier. It is a complex, diverse, and pluralistic tradition with no single founder or unified scripture. Hinduism is the third-largest religion in the world, with over a billion adherents, primarily in India and Nepal.[1]
Beliefs and Philosophy
Hinduism is centered around key philosophical concepts such as:
- Dharma – righteous duty or moral order
- Karma – law of cause and effect
- Samsara – cycle of birth, death, and rebirth
- Moksha – liberation from the cycle of rebirth
Hindus believe in a supreme reality called Brahman, which is eternal and formless but manifests through deities like Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.[2]
Sacred Texts
Hindu scriptures are broadly divided into:
- Shruti – "that which is heard", including the four Vedas and the Upanishads
- Smriti – "that which is remembered", including the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and the Puranas
The Bhagavad Gita, a part of the Mahabharata, is among the most revered texts.[3]
Major Denominations
Hinduism includes several major sects:
- Vaishnavism – worship of Vishnu and his avatars like Krishna and Rama
- Shaivism – worship of Shiva
- Shaktism – worship of the goddess (Shakti or Devi)
- Smartism – liberal worship of five major deities
Each tradition has its unique practices, philosophies, and scriptures.[4]
Practices
Common practices include:
- Puja (ritual worship)
- Yoga and meditation
- Pilgrimage to sacred sites
- Observance of festivals such as Diwali, Holi, and Navaratri[5]
Influence
Hinduism has had a profound impact on Indian art, culture, architecture, and law. It also gave rise to other religions like Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism.[6]
Global Presence
In addition to India and Nepal, large Hindu communities exist in Mauritius, Bali (Indonesia), Trinidad and Tobago, Fiji, the United States, and the United Kingdom.[7]
See Also
References
- ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hinduism
- ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/beliefs/beliefs_1.shtml
- ↑ https://www.learnreligions.com/sacred-texts-of-hinduism-1770309
- ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hinduism/Sects-and-cults
- ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/holydays/holi.shtml
- ↑ https://www.history.com/topics/religion/hinduism
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_diaspora