Hinduism is the world’s third largest faith. It’s an Indian faith and dharma, or lifestyle,[note 1] broadly practised within the Indian subcontinent and components of Southeast Asia. Hinduism has been referred to as the oldest faith on this planet,[note 2] and a few practitioners and students discuss with it as Sanātana Dharma, “the everlasting custom”, or the “everlasting means”, past human historical past.[4][5] Students regard Hinduism as a fusion[note 3] or synthesis[6][note 4] of varied Indian cultures and traditions,[7][note 5] with various roots[8][note 6] and no founder.[9] This “Hindu synthesis” began to develop between 500 BCE and 300 CE,[10] after the top of the Vedic interval (1500 to 500 BCE),[10][11] and flourished within the medieval interval, with the decline of Buddhism in India.[12]
Though Hinduism comprises a broad vary of philosophies, it’s linked by shared ideas, recognisable rituals, cosmology, shared textual assets, and pilgrimage to sacred websites. Hindu texts are categorized into Śruti (“heard”) and Smṛti (“remembered”). These texts talk about theology, philosophy, mythology, Vedic yajna, Yoga, agamic rituals, and temple constructing, amongst different matters.[13] Main scriptures embrace the Vedas and the Upanishads, the Puranas, the Mahabharata, the Ramayana, and the Āgamas.[14][15] Sources of authority and everlasting truths in its texts play an essential function, however there’s additionally a powerful Hindu custom of questioning authority with a purpose to deepen the understanding of those truths and to additional develop the custom.[16]
Distinguished themes in Hindu beliefs embrace the 4 Puruṣārthas, the right targets or goals of human life, particularly Dharma (ethics/duties), Artha (prosperity/work), Kama (wishes/passions) and Moksha (liberation/freedom from the cycle of dying and rebirth/salvation);[17][18] karma (motion, intent and penalties), Saṃsāra (cycle of dying and rebirth), and the assorted Yogas (paths or practices to achieve moksha).[15][19] Hindu practices embrace rituals similar to puja (worship) and recitations, japa, meditation, family-oriented rites of passage, annual festivals, and occasional pilgrimages. Some Hindus go away their social world and materials possessions, then have interaction in lifelong Sannyasa (monastic practices) to realize Moksha.[20] Hinduism prescribes the everlasting duties, similar to honesty, refraining from injuring dwelling beings (ahimsa), endurance, forbearance, self-restraint, and compassion, amongst others.[web 1][21] The 4 largest denominations of Hinduism are the Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism and Smartism.[22]
Hinduism is the world’s third largest faith; its followers, referred to as Hindus, represent about 1.15 billion, or 15–16% of the worldwide inhabitants.[web 2][23] Hinduism is probably the most broadly professed religion in India, Nepal and Mauritius. It is usually the predominant faith in Bali, Indonesia.[24] Vital numbers of Hindu communities are additionally discovered within the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, North America, Europe, Oceania, Africa, and different international locations.[25][26]
Contents
1 Etymology
2 Definitions
2.1 Typology
2.2 Indigenous understanding
2.Three Western understanding
Three Variety and unity
3.1 Variety
3.2 Sense of unity
Four Beliefs
4.1 Purusharthas (targets of human life)
4.2 Karma and samsara
4.Three Moksha
4.Four Idea of God
4.5 Authority
5 Principal traditions
6 Scriptures
7 Practices
7.1 Rituals
7.2 Life-cycle rites of passage
7.Three Bhakti (worship)
7.Four Festivals
7.5 Pilgrimage
Eight Individual and society
8.1 Varnas
8.2 Yoga
8.Three Symbolism
8.Four Ahimsa, vegetarianism and different meals customs
9 Establishments
9.1 Temple
9.2 Ashrama
9.Three Monasticism
10 Historical past
10.1 Periodisation
10.2 Origins
10.Three Prevedic religions (till c. 1500 BCE)
10.Four Vedic interval (c. 1500 – c. 500 BCE)
10.5 “Second Urbanisation” (c. 500 – c. 200 BCE)
10.6 Classical Hinduism (c. 200 BCE – c. 1100 CE)
10.7 Islamic rule and Bhakti motion of Hinduism (c. 1200 – c. 1750 CE)
10.Eight Trendy Hinduism (from circa 1800)
11 Demographics
11.1 Conversion debate
12 See additionally
13 Notes
14 References
15 Sources
15.1 Printed sources
15.2 Internet sources
16 Additional studying
17 Exterior hyperlinks
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