Items in lower case italics are classes of religion and not actual religions. Hindu customs and traditions, culture, indiahinduism facts. For example, theism is any religion that contains gods, and polytheism is a form of theism. Hinduism is the oldest living religion in the world, and is based on ancient texts known as the vedas, as well as prehistoric animist religions which existed in the mohenjo daro civilization. Hinduism a to z after a study of some forty years and more of the great religions of the world, i find none so perfect, none so scientific, none so philosophical and none so spiritual than the great religion known by the name of hinduism. Hinduism provided the belief structure for all other south asian religions that followed such as buddhism, sikhism, and jainism. If the indus valley civilization 3rd2nd millennium bce was the earliest source of hindu traditions, then hinduism is. Hinduism, major world religion originating on the indian subcontinent and comprising several and varied systems of philosophy, belief, and ritual. Guide to understanding hinduism and the hindu religion, beliefs. Indian people commonly refer to hinduism by the more traditional phrase eternal religi. For hundreds of year, the veda teachings were never written downthey were only spoken or sang. Information on hinduism, temples, gurus, spiritual knowledge for the world of people interested.
Hinduism is a major world religion, not merely by virtue of its many followers estimated at more than 700 million but also because of its profound influence on many other religions during its long, unbroken history, which dates from about 1500 bc. It is the sound heard in deepest meditation and is said to be the name most suited for god. Oct 28, 2015 hindu names for american babies october 28, 2015 ambaa choate patheos explore the worlds faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality. Hinduism is an indian religion and dharma, or way of life, widely practiced in the indian subcontinent and parts of southeast asia. Information on hinduism for kids primary homework help. Hinduism is the worlds oldest religion, according to many scholars, with. The upanishads are another collection of holy writings. So, here we will discuss only the basic and major beliefs of hinduism. Basic beliefs of hinduism facts about hindu religion. This was the country where hinduism first originated and it has remained popular there for all of these years.
Hinduism in indonesia, as of the 2010 census, is practised by about 1. Central to hinduism is the belief in a supreme god brahman. It is a mystical religion, leading the devotee to personally experience the truth within, finally reaching the pinnacle of consciousness where man and god are one. Hi, first please allow me to make a small correction. By far the best general book on indian spirituality i have ever read. The earliest source of hindu religions is the vedic literature, the oldest texts of which are the four vedas, or books of knowledge. Still, there are some beliefs common to nearly all forms of hinduism that can be identified, and these basic beliefs are generally regarded as boundaries outside of which lies either heresy or nonhindu religion. Generations of hindus suffered atrocities during muslim rule, but most of them refused to surrender their hindu identity. Hinduism is an indian religion and dharma, or way of life, widely practiced in the indian. What are vedas,upanishads,vedanta,gita,sutras,mahabharta,ramayana,advaita,etc. As you know, hinduism is the oldest religion on the planet.
It is very difficult to encompass all the beliefs of hinduism in an article. Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world, with about 1 billion followers worldwide, most of whom live in india. If playback doesnt begin shortly, try restarting your device. Hinduism is practised by more than 80% of indias population. In this text, leading scholars from around the world take stock of two centuries of international intellectual investment in hinduism. Also, gives practical perspective about ancient hindu customs. Really conveys what it means to be indianhindu from a spiritual and religious point of view. This is one of the major and most important beliefs.
Still, there are some beliefs common to nearly all forms of hinduism that can be identified, and these basic beliefs are generally regarded as boundaries outside of which lies either heresy or non hindu religion. As hinduism is the oldest religion on the earth, there are a lot of hindu customs and traditions observed in india. The corresponding influence of these various religions on hinduism it has an extraordinary. Most books available on hinduism in bookshops in the west today are written by non. The hindu religion originated in india thousands of years ago. The vedas holy books are the most ancient hindu holy books. The holy book in the hindu religion is known as the vedas. On the other hand, some sacrifice to protect ones heritage is justified. Must read books on indian spiritualityphilosophy listly list. How to pronounce indian names january 15, 2016 ambaa choate patheos explore the worlds faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality.
Along with some description of creation of universe, moral education, and history of kings, they emphasise on incarnation of god in different gods and goddesses as brahma, vishnu, shiva and their incarnations. It is simply impossible to list all varieties of religion 1 as we as a species have created an almost infinite variety of religious and transcendental ideas. A syncretic fusion of preexisting javanese culture and hindu ideas, that from the 6th. Hinduism is a unique faith, and not really a religion at allat least not in the same way as other religions. This holy book is written in the sanskrit language. Comprehensive coverage of the many many facets of hinduism, and related belief systems, and they get the fundamentals right. The four denominations of hinduism a splendrous lotus with four superb petals for over 200 years, western scholars have struggled to understand hinduism, a faith whose followers seemed to outsiders to arbitrarily worship any one of a dozen gods as the supreme, a religion vastly diverse in its beliefs, practices and ways of worship. Hinduism is a 4,000 year old religion that is still practised today. Really conveys what it means to be indian hindu from a spiritual and religious point of view.
Hinduism does not just have one sacred book but several scriptures. Delicious hindu dishes by angela guzman l recipes l hindu. Asia minor was ruled by hindu kings with sanskrit names. Generations of hindus suffered atrocities during muslim rule, but. Hinduism does not force you to follow what is in the books or what is preached by a religious leader as a thumb rule. The earliest of the hindu scriptures, the rig veda, was composed well before 6500 b. Purana mythology of hindu religion and its several sects. A fresh introduction to an ancient religion explaining the origins, beliefs, scriptures and philosophies of this ancient religion, klaus k. Belief that a series of prophets have come from god, and that bahai is the latest religion founded by god. List of books and articles about hinduism online research library. Among the earliest known records of hindu with connotations of religion may be in the 7thcentury ce chinese text record of the western regions by xuanzang, 35 and 14thcentury persian text futuhussalatin by abd almalik isami. Meanwhile, heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
The book contains 270 pages and is divided in 57 small easytoread chapters, containing authentic information about all the important aspects of hindu religion, culture, and philosophy. Hinduism today magazine join the hindu renaissance. Hindu press international hpi is a daily summary of world news for hindus and nonhindus alike. The controversy over indias history centers on the origin of the aryan culture, as we shall see in more detail below. Online books on hinduism, hindu religion, hindu culture, shastras, hindu scripture, vedas, upanishad, hindu saints, sages, science and hinduism. Hinduism is a conglomeration of religious, philosophical, and cultural ideals and practices that originated in india thousands of years before the birth of christ. The importance of hindu names hinduism today magazine. Mar 17, 2015 the history of any nation or individual is an important part of its selfidentity, and this is especially true of india, which so recently gained independence after centuries of colonial rule. Introduction to hinduism for beginners learn religions. Introduction hinduism, religion that originated in india and is still practiced by most of its inhabitants, as well as by those whose families have migrated from india to other parts of the world chiefly east africa, south africa, southeast asia, the east indies, and england.
These books are the oldest hindu religion books and represent the religion of the aryan invaders of the subcontinent over the period from 1400 to 500 bc. This book has everything you want to learn about the hindu religion. You will find hindus spread out all over the world, but the majority of them live in india. Hindu names for american babies october 28, 2015 ambaa choate patheos explore the worlds faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality. Online books on hinduism, hindu religion, hindu culture. Hinduism is the worlds oldest religion, according to many scholars, with roots and customs dating back more than 4,000 years. Klostermaier succeeds in capturing the rich diversity of rituals and gods that comprise hinduism, while. Hindu religion, about hindu religion mythology pilgrimage india. Hindu denominations are traditions within hinduism centered on one or more gods or goddesses, such as shiva, vishnu and brahma.
It also exists among significant populations outside of the sub continent and has. Most books available on hinduism in bookshops in the west. Hindus value many sacred writings as opposed to one holy book. The upanishads were written down maybe 500 to years after the vedas and contain most of the ideas about hinduism. Hinduism came to indonesia in the 1stcentury through traders, sailors, scholars and priests. An introduction to the hindu religion hinduism is the oldest living religion in the world, and is based on ancient texts known as the vedas, as well as prehistoric animist religions which existed in the mohenjo daro civilization. Hinduism is not a religion like islam or christianity. The vedas are scriptures that the hindu people use as a guide to daily and religious life. If the indus valley civilization 3rd2nd millennium bce was the earliest source of hindu traditions, then hinduism is the oldest living religion on earth. The ancient civilizations such as the roman, the greek, the egyptian, the sumerian, and the. The religion of hinduism originated in northern india, near the river indus, about 4000 years ago and is the worlds oldest existing religion. Hinduism does not have a single holy book, but many ancient texts and scriptures. The term hindu in these ancient records is a geographical term and did not refer to a religion.
Hinduism has been called the oldest religion in the world, and some practitioners and scholars refer to it as sanatana dharma, the eternal tradition, or the eternal way, beyond human history. Some customs are so important for the people that sometimes, they sacrifice their lives for them. While most major religions derive from new ideas taught by a charismatic leader, hinduism is simply the religion of the people of india, which has gradually developed over four thousand years. The belief system in the hindi religion is outlined from these scriptures. The history of hinduism is unique among the world religions in that it has no founder or date of origin. Today, hindu communities are to be found in almost every country on earth. Hinduism, the worlds oldest religion, has no beginningit precedes recorded history. Hinduism is the religion of the majority of people in india and nepal. For example, hindus believe there is only one supreme being, brahman.
Hinduism, major world religion originating on the indian subcontinent and. The book name is sanatan dharma an elementary book of hindu religion and ethics. Dharma does not mean religion, but rather it is the law that governs all action. Sometimes the term is used for sampradayas led by a particular guru with a particular philosophy hinduism has no central doctrinal authority and many practising hindus do not claim to belong to any particular denomination or tradition. It also exists among significant populations outside of the sub continent and has over 900 million. It is most basic and most advanced vedic text of sanatana dharma.
Customs and traditions have always been an important part of every religion and culture. Hindu law books do not ignore the rights of illegitimate children. T he puraanas are the books of ancient indian history, culture and civilisation along with mythology of hindu religion and its several sects. Mar 17, 2015 perhaps the most wellknown hindu saying about religion is.
Although the name hinduism is relatively new, having been coined by british writers. There is no central ancient text that succinctly sums up the religions basic tenets, no single leader that hindus can call the founder of their faith. Today, with about 900 million followers, hinduism is the third. To people raised in other faiths, hinduism may seem very complex, but the core beliefs of hinduism are actually quite simple to understand. How to pronounce indian names ambaa choate the white hindu. Basics of hinduism welcome to kauais hindu monastery.
Just as judaism provided the structure for christianity and islam. The word hindu is derived from the sanskrit word sindhu rivermore specifically, the indus. Klostermaier succeeds in capturing the rich diversity of rituals and gods that comprise hinduism, while keeping the tone both engaging and informative. Sometimes the term is used for sampradayas led by a particular guru with a particular philosophy. For many hindus, religion is a matter of practice rather than of beliefs. A liberal offshoot of islam, but persecuted in iran. Which is the best book to understand the hindu religion. By the th century, hindustan emerged as a popular alternative name of india, meaning the land of hindus. Thus, contrary to popular perception, hinduism is not a religion in the traditional sense of the term. Unlike islam or christianity, hinduisms origins cannot be traced to any one individual. The word hinduism is not to be found anywhere in the scriptures, and the term hindu was introduced by foreigners. However, there are some beliefs common to nearly all forms of hinduism that can be identified, and these basic beliefs are generally regarded as boundaries outside of which lies either heresy or nonhindu religion. Hinduism is one of the six official religions of indonesia.
Hinduism is the worlds third most popular religion, with around 750 million followers. Perhaps the most wellknown hindu saying about religion is. Must read books on indian spirituality indian philosophy. Since the early 19th century, when the scholarly investigation of hinduism began to take shape as a modern academic discipline, hindu studies has evolved from its concentration on description and analysis to an emphasis on understanding hindu. It is very, very vast and has a large number of beliefs compared to other religions. Jan 15, 2016 how to pronounce indian names january 15, 2016 ambaa choate patheos explore the worlds faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality.
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