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Hinduism

Hinduism (Sanskrit - Hindū Dharma, also known as Sanātana (eternal) Dharma and Vaidika (Vedic) Dharma) is the religion based on the Vedas as well as the traditions and beliefs of other peoples and tribes of India. It is the oldest existent religion in the world[1][2]. The term Hinduism is heterogeneous, as Hinduism consists of several schools of thought. It encompasses many religious rituals that widely vary in practice, as well as many diverse sects and philosophies. Many Hindus, influenced by Advaita philosophy, venerate an array of deities, considering them manifestations of the one supreme monistic Cosmic Spirit, Brahman, while many others focus on a singular concept of God, as in Vaishnavism, Saivism and Shaktism.[3]

Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world, with approximately 900 million adherents (2005 figure)[4], of whom approximately 890 million live in India.[5]


1 Etymology
2 Core concepts
2.1 The Eternal Way
2.2 Basic beliefs
2.3 Nature of God
2.4 The many deities
2.5 Practice (Yoga Dharma)
2.6 The four pursuits of life
2.7 The four stages of life
2.8 The four classes of society
3 Denominations
4 Hindu sacred texts
4.1 Shruti
4.2 Bhagavad Gita
4.3 Smriti
5 Origins and society
5.1 Origins of Hinduism
5.2 Vedic religion
5.3 Temples
5.4 Current geographic distribution
6 Hindu philosophy: the six Vedic schools of thought
6.1 Yoga
6.2 Purva Mimamsa
6.3 Uttara Mimamsa: The Three Schools of Vedanta
6.3.1 Pure Monism: Advaita Vedanta
6.3.2 Qualified monism: Vishistadvaita Bhakti-Vedanta
6.3.3 Dualism: Dvaita Vedanta
7 Important themes and symbols in Hinduism
7.1 Tilaka (symbol on forehead or between eyebrows)
7.2 Ahimsa (non-violence), vegetarian diet and the cow
7.3 Hindu symbolism
7.4 Murtis (icons)
7.5 Mantra
8 Criticism
9 Notes
10 References
11 See also
11.1 Hinduism
11.2 Related systems and religions
12 External links


Etymology
The term Hindu...