Portal:Hinduism

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search

The Hinduism Portal

Shortcut:
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 is thought to be the oldest religious tradition 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 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 1 Billion adherents, (2010), approximately 930 million of whom are in India.

Selected article

The Trimurti of the three Hindu Gods: Brahmā, Vishnu, and Shiva (left to right)  at Ellora Caves
The Trimurti is a concept that holds that God has three aspects, which are only different forms of the same one God. The three aspects of God are Brahma (the Source/Creator), Vishnu (the Preserver/Indwelling-life) and Shiva (the Transformer -Destroyer/Creator). According to the Trimurti belief, these three personae of God are simply different aspects of the one and the same God.

Though all the three trimurti's are males, each aspect has a female consort, all of which are manifestations of the Supreme Goddess Shakti (power/energy). Brahma was able to create because his consort is Sarasvati, the goddess of speech and learning. Similarly Vishnu's consort Lakshmi, is the Goddess of beauty and fortune making it possible for him to preserve the universe; and Durga is the consort of Shiva.

Selected picture

Ravi Varma-Ravana Sita Jathayu.jpg
Credit: Ranveig
A scene of the Ramayan depicting Ravana defeating the bird Jatayu while the captive Sita despairs.

Categories

Selected biography

Ramakrishna
Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa (Bengali: রামকৃষ্ণ পরমহংস Ramkrishno Pôromôhongsho), born Gadadhar Chattopadhyay (Bengali: গদাধর চট্টোপাধ্যায় Gôdadhor Chôţţopaddhae) , (February 18, 1836–August 16, 1886) was a Hindu religious teacher and an influential figure in the Bengal Renaissance of the Nineteenth century. His teachings emphasized God-realization as the highest goal of life, love and devotion for God, the oneness of existence, and the harmony of religions.

Did you know...

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

May. Festivals & Events

Selected quote

agnim īļe purohitam|
yajñasya devam ŗtvijam|
hotāraM ratnadhātamam.||"

English: "I praise Agni, the priest of the house, the divine ministrant of sacrifice, the invoker, the best bestower of treasure.

Rig Veda The first words of the first hymn.

WikiProjects

Topics

Hinduism

Overviews: Deities • Denominations • History • Mythology

Philosophy: Advaita  • Ayurveda • Bhakti • Dharma • Karma • Maya • Mimāṃsā • Moksha • Nyaya • Puja (Hinduism) • Reincarnation • Samkhya • Samsara • Shaivism •Shaktism • Tantra • Vaisheshika • Vaishnavism • Vedanta • Vegetarianism • Yoga • Yuga

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

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 • Spirituality

Things you can do

Hinduism things you can do
More...

Related portals