CogKnoSys

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Spiritual

Hinduism

Hinduism is a family of Indian religious traditions united by Dharma, a cosmic order that followers keep through ritual and right living.

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The idea

Hinduism is an umbrella term for many related religious and spiritual traditions from India. What unites them is Dharma, a cosmic order that followers keep through rituals and right living. This idea is taught in old holy texts called the Vedas. Hinduism has no single founder, and it grew from many roots.

Its major holy books include the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, which holds the Bhagavad Gita. Two key ideas are karma, the link between what you do and what comes of it, and samsara, the cycle of death and rebirth. Hindu thought also names four aims of life: duty, wealth, desire and freedom, which is called moksha.

Hindus practice devotion, worship called puja, ritual offerings, meditation and yoga. Scholars count four major branches: Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism and Smartism. It is the world's third-largest religion, and a 2020 Pew Research Center estimate found that Hindus made up 14.9% of the world's population. Most Hindus live in India and Nepal, and large communities live in many other parts of the world.

Check yourself

Question 1 of 3

What does samsara mean in Hindu belief?

Pick one. The first pick counts.

Composition

what it's made of

  • Dharma — The cosmic order and duty that followers uphold through ritual and right living.
  • Scriptures — Texts such as the Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayana and Mahabharata.
  • Karma and samsara — The link between actions and results, and the cycle of death and rebirth.
  • Practices — Devotion, puja worship, ritual offerings, meditation and yoga.
  • Denominations — Four major traditions: Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism and Smartism.

Connection

how it relates

Under Religious Traditions

Related

  1. Meditationstrength 70 of 100

    Meditation, called dhyana, is one of the core Hindu religious practices.

  2. Daily Devotionsstrength 60 of 100

    Devotion and puja worship are central parts of Hindu religious practice.

  3. Moral Philosophystrength 50 of 100

    Dharma, one of the four aims of life in Hindu thought, covers ethics and duties.

  4. Ceremonial Ritesstrength 50 of 100

    Ritual offerings called yajna are among Hinduism's sacred rites.

Change

how and why it evolves

Past
Scholars see Hinduism as a blend of Brahmanical practice with many Indian cultures that formed after the Vedic period, between about 500 BCE and 300 CE. It flourished in the medieval period as Buddhism declined in India.
Now
Since the 19th century, modern Hinduism has gained wide appeal in the West, seen in the spread of yoga and groups such as the Hare Krishna movement.
Next
Hindu traditions will likely keep adapting as communities around the world carry their practices into new places and generations.

Knowledge you can walk. Read the idea, then step up, across or down.

Hinduism

Hinduism is a family of Indian religious traditions united by Dharma, a cosmic order that followers keep through ritual and right living.

Learn, discuss, create, buy or invest

The idea

Hinduism is an umbrella term for many related religious and spiritual traditions from India. What unites them is Dharma, a cosmic order that followers keep through rituals and right living. This idea is taught in old holy texts called the Vedas. Hinduism has no single founder, and it grew from many roots.

Its major holy books include the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, which holds the Bhagavad Gita. Two key ideas are karma, the link between what you do and what comes of it, and samsara, the cycle of death and rebirth. Hindu thought also names four aims of life: duty, wealth, desire and freedom, which is called moksha.

Hindus practice devotion, worship called puja, ritual offerings, meditation and yoga. Scholars count four major branches: Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism and Smartism. It is the world's third-largest religion, and a 2020 Pew Research Center estimate found that Hindus made up 14.9% of the world's population. Most Hindus live in India and Nepal, and large communities live in many other parts of the world.

Check yourself

3 quick questions, instant feedback.