Hinduism Origins

Hinduism Beginnings

Hinduism is a perpetually evolving collection of an astounding array of philosophical, ritual, and devotional traditions. There is no founder, and there is no fixed moment of origin. Hindus often refer to their religion as "sanatana dharma" the timeless, eternal truth. Hinduism Influences

What we call Hinduism has for thousands of years been in a constant process of change, absorbing and reacting to a tremendous array of influences. Hinduism Founders

Hinduism does not have a founder or date of origin. Rather, it has been traditionally viewed as a timeless tradition that has been and continues to be revealed to humans at the start of each world cycle. Hinduism Scriptures

Hinduism does not rely exclusively on any single scripture, but rather on a vast collection of sacred writings of which the Vedas are the foundation. Hinduism Historical Perspectives

The context of colonialism has hovered over western representations of Hinduism. Many Indians have objected to western scholarly stereotypes and misrepresentations.

Hinduism History

Hinduism Early Developments

The religious tradition that we call "Hinduism" has constantly changed over its 3,500 year history, absorbing a myriad of cultural influences. Hinduism Schisms, Sects

The Hindu tradition encompasses four major sectsShaiva, Vaishnava, Shakta, and Smartaand dozens of minor subsects. Hinduism Exploration, Conquest, Empire

Hindus have not, generally, engaged in colonial conquest or empire building outside of India, although Hindu kingdoms were established in some parts of South and Southeast Asia. Hinduism Missions, Spread, Changes, Regional adaptations

Hinduism has historically been a non-missionizing religious tradition. It has, however, spread to many parts of South and Southeast Asia, and to the West, and in the process has adapted to the cultural of these regions. Hinduism Modern Age

Two major developments in the modern era have posed significant challenges to Hinduism and have led to substantial internal changes: the British colonization of India beginning in the 18th century, and rising tensions between Hindus and Muslims in India.

Hinduism Beliefs

Hinduism Sacred Narratives

Unlike other religious traditions, Hinduism has no single, unifying sacred narrative. Rather, there is a vast array of narrativestheological, ethical, ritual, mythical, socialthat different Hindus in different contexts hold sacred. Hinduism Ultimate Reality and Divine Beings

A major question to ask about Hinduism is whether it is a polytheistic or a monotheistic religion. The short answer is "yes"it is both. Hinduism Human Nature and the Purpose of Existence

Hinduism is in many ways a profoundly structured religion that presents what sometimes appears to be a highly rigid understanding of human existence. Within that structure, however, human beings are always free. Hinduism Suffering and the Problem of Evil

Evil in Hinduism is most often understood to be the result of human actions, of free will. Sometimes, however, evil is understood to be a result of the mysterious "play" of the gods. Hinduism Afterlife and Salvation

One of the fundamental principles of Hinduism is the concept of samsara, rebirth. Humans are reborn over and over and over again. They can, however, "escape" rebirth by ridding themselves of karma and attaining moksha.

Hinduism Ritual, Worship, Devotion, Symbolism

Hinduism Sacred Time

Because Hinduism has not traditionally broken the world into a secular and a sacred sphere, there is no real sense of sacred time. All time is sacred, and the gods are eternally in the present. However, certain times are more auspicious for certain things than others. Hinduism - Sacred Space

Thousands of minor and hundreds of major sacred places and spaces are scattered throughout the Indian subcontinent. Indeed, in an important sense the entirety of India is understood to be a sacred space. Hinduism Rites and Ceremonies

Although the Hindu tradition has over the centuries produced an incredible array of complex philosophical and theological doctrines, it has always been a religion of practice, of ritual acts, of rites, and of ceremonies. Hinduism Worship and Devotion in Daily Life

There is virtually no act that is not in some sense religiously significant in the Hindu world, and thus there is a vast array of rituals and ceremonies that take place in the context of daily life. Hinduism Symbolism

The Hindu world is permeated by symbols. Religiously significant symbolic images adorn temples, statues of the gods and goddesses, sacred texts, and even individual people. Furthermore, most religious rituals are themselves highly symbolic, with each action and gesture resonating with symbolic significance.

Hinduism Ethics, Morality, Community

Hinduism Leadership/Clergy

Brahmins are members of the priestly caste of Hinduism. They have traditionally been the sole keepers of the Vedas and performers of the rituals of Hindus. There are, however, several different sorts of religious leaders in Hinduism. Hinduism Community Organization and Structure

Hindu communities are organized in part by caste (as well as class, which is more of an economic than a religious categorization) and in part by sectarian affiliation. Hinduism Principles of Moral Thought and Action

Dharma and karma are the underlying principles of nearly all conceptions of morality and ethics in Hinduism. Hinduism Vision for Society

The Hindu understanding of the ideal society is that it must be coherently and cohesively organized and maintained to promote order, dharma. Hinduism Gender and Sexuality

As with so much else in the Hindu social and ethical world, gender and sexuality are governed by the overarching concept of dharma.