Hinduism
HINDUISM
Hinduism is the world's third largest religion with over five hundred million followers. It began in India. Presently over two-thirds of its followers live in India. It is believed that Hinduism goes back over four thousand years and is the oldest of all religions.
According to Hindu doctrine, the ideal life consists of four stages:
1. The period of descipline and education
2. The life of the householder and active worker
3. The retreat for the loosening of the bonds
4. The life of the hermit, preparing for death and union with God. In homes where Hinduism is practiced there is generally a room or corner of a room for worship called puja where there are pictures of a statue of a particular God.
Hinduism recognizes thousands of lessor Gods that all come under the umbrella of the one God Brahman. Hinduism also recognizes the devine avatars, God-realized beings living on Earth.
The history of Hinduism began in India about 1500 BC. Although its literature can be traced only to before 1000 BC, evidence of Hinduism's earlier antecedents is derived from archaeology, comparative philology, and comparative religion.
It is also one of those religions that has been able to hold itself against repeated onslaughts by other religious fanatics who have tried to destroy it from time to time.
Hinduism is the world's third largest religion and claims about 837 million followers. It differs from Christianity and other western religions in that it does not have a single founder, a specific theological system, a central religious organization, or a single system of morality. It is the dominant religion in Nepal, India and among the Tamils in Sri Lanka. From time to time, other religious fanatics have tried to destroy it but have been able to holdfast against repeated onslaughts. The history of Hinduism began in India about 1500 BC. Although its literature can be traced only to before...
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