Portal:Hinduism

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The Hinduism Portal

Aum, an all-encompassing, mystical entity, representative of the Hindu religion and philosophy.

Hinduism (Sanskrit Hindū Dharmaहिन्दू धर्म, also known as Sanātana Dharma सनातन धर्म, and Vaidika Dharma वैदिक धर्म) is a religion originating in the Indian subcontinent, based on the Vedas, and the oldest religious traditions still practiced today. 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. Most Hindus believe in a Supreme Cosmic Spirit, which may be understood in abstract terms as Brahman or which may be worshipped in personal forms such as Vishnu, Shiva or Shakti. The religion is classified by many different forms of theism such as monotheism, monism, pantheism, polytheism and even atheism. Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world with approximately 970 million adherents, (2006), approximately 900 million of whom are in India.

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Vaishnavism is one of the principal traditions of Hinduism, and is identified by its primary worship of Vishnu (and his associated avatars) as the Supreme God. It is principally monotheistic in its philosophy, whilst also incorporating elements which could be described as being panentheistic. Its beliefs and practices, (known as Bhakti Yoga, or Bhakti) are based largely on Vedic, the Bhagavad Gita, Isha Upanishad and Puranic texts. The followers of Vaishnavism are referred to as 'Vaishnavas', which is the Vriddhi form of Vishnu in Sanskrit. The principal belief of Vaishnavism is the belief of Vishnu or Narayana as the one Supreme God.

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Brahma carving from Halebid in Karnataka.
Credit: Skildring
A sculpture of Brahma, the Hindu god of creation, from Halebid in Karnataka.

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Adi Shankara
Adi Shankara (Malayalam: ആദി ശങ്കരന്‍, Devanāgarī: आदि शङ्कर, Ādi Śaṅkara, IPA: [aːd̪i ɕəŋkərə]). Adi means "the first"; the heads of a few Hindu mathas are also given the title Shankaracharya; Acharya which means "teacher". Shankara was the first philosopher to consolidate the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta, a sub-school of Vedanta. His teachings are based on the unity of the soul and Brahman, in which Brahman is viewed as without attributes. In the Smārta tradition, Adi Shankara is regarded as an incarnation of Shiva. Adi Shankara toured India with the purpose of propagating his teachings through discourses and debates with other philosophers. He founded four mathas ("abbeys") which played a key role in the historical development, revival and spread of post-Buddhist Hinduism and Advaita Vedanta. Adi Shankara was the founder of the Dashanami monastic order and the Shanmata tradition of worship.

Did you know...

  • ...that Krishna (pictured) literally means "black" or "dark one" in Sanskrit?
Krishna.jpg

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Mark Twain
Land of religions, cradle of human race, birthplace of human speech, grandmother of legend, great grandmother of tradition. The land that all men desire to see and having seen once even by a glimpse, would not give that glimpse for the shows of the rest of the globe combined.
Mark Twain (1845-1910) American author

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Hinduism

Overviews: Deities • Denominations • History • Mythology

Philosophy: Advaita  • Ayurveda • Bhakti • Dharma • Karma • Maya • Moksha • Puja • Reincarnation • Samsara • Shaivism •Shaktism • Vaishnavism • Vedanta • Vegetarianism • Yoga • Yuga

Scriptures: Upanishads • Vedas • Brahmana • Bhagavad Gita • Ramayana • Mahabharata • Purana • Aranyaka • Shikshapatri • Vachanamrut

Lists: Advaita Vedanta • Ayyavazhi •Asuras • Avatars • Converts • Deities • Entertainers • Festivals • Gurus and saints • Krishna • Warriors • Rakshasas • Soldiers • Teachers • Temples • Yoga schools

Related topics: Astronomy • Calendar • Caste system • by Country • Festivals • Glossary • Laws • Leaders • Mantra • Murti • Music • Temples

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