Hinduism came about over about five thousand years of development, although its name dates only from about 1200 CE, which is when invading Muslims sought to distinguish the faith of the people of India from their own.
"Hindu" is the Persian word for "Indian," although the religion is practiced throughout the Indian subcontinent, in parts of Southeast Asia, and by Indian expatriates in other parts of the world.
Hinduism represents a fusion of various older Indian traditions, including the Vedic religion of the Iron Age era, which was itself a blending of even older cultures, as well as the religions of the Indus Valley Civilization, the Dravidians of South India, and the beliefs of tribal religions and local traditions.
Hinduism has neither a founder or a prophet. There is no particular ecclesiastical structure or accepted creed to Hinduism. Similar to Confucianism, its emphasis is on a way of living rather than beliefs or philosophy. In many ways, Hinduism is more of a culture than a creed.
Not all Hindus are practicing Hindus, as those who are born Hindus are commonly considered Hindus regardless of their beliefs or practices. This goes back to the common ingredient of Hinduism being the Indian origin of its adherents.
Hinduism is closely interwoven with the traditions of India, its geography, history, and social system.
Triangular in shape, the Indian subcontinent is bounded on two sides by ocean, and to the north by the formidable Himalayan Mountain Range. The shape of the land represents a mother to the people of India, which gives reference to "Mother India."
Most of the land of India viewed as vibrant with life, with trees, rocks, and waterfalls providing a focus for the sacred, becoming shrines where worshippers go to find meaning in life. The mountains and forests are viewed as representing human endeavors, pointing to the struggle between divine and demonic powers.
While yogis go on pilgrimages to desolate areas of India, it is primarily the rivers that are seen as the source of life and spirituality. The River Ganges, in particular, is held as sacred. Varanasi, on the banks of the River Ganges, is the most sacred city in Hinduism.
Theologically, Hinduism embraces a wide variety of religious beliefs.
Most Hindus believe in God, in one form or another, but their beliefs may vary widely, and some do not believe in a deity. Hindu beliefs may include monotheism, polytheism, panentheism, pantheism, pandeism, monism, and atheism.
The beliefs of many Hindus is henotheistic, meaning that they will demonstrate devotion to a single god while accepting the existence of others. Some Hindus worship Shiva, others worship Vishnu or his incarnations (avatars), most commonly Krishna or Rama, while others worship goddesses. Hindus may also revere one god, as well as several other gods as manifestations of that one god.
Hindus who live in one village or place will probably not share in the same focus of worship that unites the people of another place, although the inhabitants of both places may be Hindu.
In many ways, Hinduism is an umbrella term that covers a wide variety traditions and customs without demanding homogeneity.
One concept that is found throughout Hinduism is the idea of reincarnation or transmigration. While Christians tend to view salvation in terms of the decisions we make in this one life, Hindus consider their current life in terms of a flow of life through many existences. Linked to this is the concept of samsara, a Sanskrit word that refers to the belief in rebirth and a cycle of lives. Couple with this concept is that of karma, which indicates the consequences of actions within one life flowing into the next and influencing its character. Hindus hope, eventually, to be released from this chain or cycle by achieving moksha, which refers to freedom from samsara. Many schools of Hinduism regard moksha as a state of perfection.
Although Hinduism is without a central authority or doctrine, there are denominations. Major Hindu denominations include Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism, and Smartism, which differ primarily in the central deity that is worshipped. As compared to other major religions, the distinctions between Hindu denominations are indistinct, with many Hindus practicing more than one tradition.
Vaishnavism worships Vishnu, Shaivism focuses on Shiva, Shaktism is devoted to Shakti or Devi as cosmic mother, and Smartism is centered on simultaneous worship of all the major Hindu deities, such as Shiva, Vishnu, Shakti, Ganesha, Surya, Skanda, and others.
Hindu scriptures are in Sanskrit, and include the Shruti and the Smriti. The Bhagavad Gita includes a synthesis of the Hindu concepts of dharma, bhakti, and the yogic paths to moksha.
Recommended Resources
An acharya is an influential Hindu teacher or leader. Presented by the Acharya Consultancy, the site offers information on the various rituals, beliefs, traditions, and acts of worship in the Hindu religion. Included are Hindu texts, temple stories, and information about Hindu teachers and leaders. An introduction to the various Hindu poojas are featured, along with Hindu festivals, symbology, and advertising opportunities.
http://www.acharyaonline.com/
Hinduism recognizes many gods, some of whom are worshipped by all or most Hindus, while others of which are local to a specific region or community, although the local gods are generally different forms of the main gods worshipped by most Hindus. The three main gods of Hinduism, Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma, are highlighted here, along with several other gods and goddesses, some of which are manifestations of others, along with their roles and other details.
http://www.thehindugods.com/
Based in South Africa, the site offers information on Hinduism, from a brief sketch of the religion to Hindu holidays and calendars, Hindu scriptures and literature, the various Hindu gods, and answers to several questions that non-Hindus might have about the religion. Other topics include Hindu forms of yoga, music, and art, as well as insights from the Hindu perspective on topics like celibacy, conscience, prayer, conduct, and religion.
http://www.hinduism.co.za/
Hinduism Facts / Facts about Hindu Religion
Featuring a collection of informational articles relating to Hinduism, the site includes a Hindu history, an overview of the religion, Hindu scriptures and holy books, the concepts of God in Hinduism, and Hindu symbology, as well as various views of Hinduism, pilgrimages, the caste system, Sanskrit mantras, and Hindu images, prayers, rituals, and significant Hindus. Hindu thoughts on the stages of life, sex, science, and reincarnation are included.
http://www.hinduismfacts.org/
Published by Himalayan Academy, the quarterly Hindu magazine is distributed throughout the United States and to other countries, as a publish service of the monastic order of Sivaya Subramuniyaswami. Current and archived issues are available through the site, or may be downloaded in PDF or EPUB format. Subscription and subscriber information is available, and featured topics are published to the site, along with the basics of the Hindu religion.
https://www.hinduismtoday.com/
Also known as Kauai Aadheenam, the monastery-temple complex is located on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. The facilities, gardens, and grounds are highlighted, including photographs, visitor information, and its history, programs, travel-study programs, and global congregation. An overview of Hinduism is presented, including a contemporary catechism, scriptures, insights, and an overview of how to become a Hindu.
https://www.himalayanacademy.com/
The Krishna site describes various aspects of Krishna and Hinduism in a number of ways, including through the use of stories, informational articles, audio and podcasts, audio books, art, and music. Hindu books and other products may be purchased through the site's online store. Other resources include magazines, blogs, and information about Hindu temples, festivals and events, food, and education. Links to additional resources are also included.
http://www.krishna.com/
Known as the Panchangam, the Hindu Vedic calendar has been in use for centuries, and covers everything from the phases of the moon, the positions of the planets and stars, and auspicious times and days of the year for various activities, allowing readers to learn what the year has in store for them. Users may begin by entering the current day, month, and year into an online form. Other resources include audio files of MP3 mantras and other audio files, and a list of festivals for the year.
http://www.panchangam.com/
Created by Dr. Haramohan Mishra in 3003, the Reflections India Group is a non-profit, non-sectarian organization that hopes to make society aware of the great ideas behind human activities, emphasizing spirituality rather than traditions, dogma, and religious creeds. Based on the Vedantic ideas of the oneness of life, the site offers several inspirational or informational articles written by a number of contributors.
http://www.reflectionsindia.org/
The S-RF is an organization that disseminates information on the life and teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda, featuring a catalog of the Fellowship's publications, including online ordering. Available in English, Italian, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish, the site offers an introduction to Paramahansa Yogananda and his writings, meditations, and Kriya Yoga, as well as general information about spiritual living, its centers, programs, and other resources.
http://www.yogananda-srf.org/
The hypertext Sanskrit-English, English-Sanskrit diction for Spoken Sanskrit includes the most common words that are used in daily communication, as well as those used in the classical texts. Offering a choice between IAST (Diacritics) or HK (ASCII) transliteration outputs, users may enter an English or Sanskrit word or phrase into the field, and indicate whether the desired translation is from Sanskrit to English or from English to Sanskrit. Optionally, the site will automatically detect it.
http://www.spokensanskrit.org/
With an emphasis on Indian and Hindu temples, the site features photographs, video, and information about the history, architecture and other features, locations, and opportunities to visit each, including those that have been built around the abodes of various Hindu gods and goddesses. Other information includes Hindu beliefs and legends, festivals, fairs, and a travel and tourism guide. Also included is a glossary of terms.
http://www.templenet.com/
