Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism (/ˈhɪnduɪzəm/, Hindū Dharma; also known as Sanātana Dharma, and Vaidika Dharma) is a major religion of South Asia, particularly in India and Nepal.
Etymology
The term Hinduism is derived from the word Sindhu, which was the historical local appellation for the Indus River in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent. The term Hindu was later used in some Sanskrit texts such as the later Rajataranginis of Kashmir (Hinduka, c. 1450) and some 16th- to 18th-century Bengali Gaudiya Vaishnava texts including Chaitanya Charitamrita and Chaitanya Bhagavata.
Beliefs
Hinduism is a complex and diverse religion, with no single founder or religious authority. It is based on the Vedas, the ancient scriptures of Hinduism, and includes a wide range of philosophies. Hinduism is characterized by belief in reincarnation, called Samsara, and an eternal self, called Atman. The ultimate goal of life, referred to as Moksha, Nirvana, Samadhi, or Liberation, is to realize the Atman or soul's true nature.
Practices
Hindu practices include rituals such as puja (worship) and recitations, meditation, family-oriented rites of passage, annual festivals, and occasional pilgrimages. Some Hindus leave their social world and material possessions and engage in lifelong Sannyasa (monasticism) to achieve Moksha.
Related Terms
- Dharma: The moral and ethical duties and responsibilities that individuals must follow in life.
- Karma: The law of cause and effect, where a person's actions in this life will determine their fate in future lives.
- Yoga: A physical, mental, and spiritual practice that originated in ancient India. It is one of the six orthodox schools of Hindu philosophical traditions.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Hinduism
- Wikipedia's article - Hinduism
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