MAIN Society Religion Hinduism

The world's oldest organized religion - the third largest after Christianity and Islam - was established around 1500 B.C. and today claims almost 840 million followers, a majority located in India and Nepal.

Arising almost organically out of the anicent culture in India, Hinduism never boasted an original founder, but steadily grew in influence to include thousands of different religious groups under four major Hindu dominations, each with their own distinct tenets and modes of worship, highlighted by the fact that today the number of gods worshiped within the faith is estimated into the millions.

However, there are overarching beliefs that remain central to all of Hinduism, beginning with the three-in-one god Brahman who is composed of Brahma, the Creator, Vishnu, the Preserver, and Shiva, the Destroyer.

Here on earth, decisions throughout one's life may result in good or bad karma, related to another central tenet of Hinduism - in which each person experiences reincarnation or a series of rebirths, on their ultimate journey to heaven or Nirvana.

Good karma results in a person being reborn into a higher social caste, while those surrounded by bad karma are destined to a lower caste, or worse, reincarnated as an animal in the next life.

On the Web, find out more about the ancient faith at top sites devoted to telling the complete story in sacred texts and images, with discussions on major Hindu denominations, gods & goddesses, traditional festivals, and related holy days and holidays celebrated throughout the year ....

BBC Religion & Ethics - Hinduism - History & customs, a list of major holy days on the Hindu calendar, basic glossary of terms plus related feature articles, news & picture galleries.

Hinduism - Complete overview from Wikipedia with discussions on its core concepts, history & origins, major denominations, symbols & meaning plus related pictures and links to further information.

Himalayan Academy - Online resource from the monastery in Kauai, Hawaii with the complete text of How to Become a (Better) Hindu, plus introductory Hindu history and basic tenets, glossary of terms, comparisons to Christianity plus instructional tools for parents & teachers.

An Introduction to Hinduism - Extensive overview covering the Bhagavad-Gita,
Vedic concepts, the 18th century Hindu renaissance, reform movements, and various influences on the faith both inside & outside India.

Understanding Hinduism - A large collection of essays discussing the basic tenets of the faith including self-realization, karma & destiny, yoga, gods & goddesses, nature of reality, the three states of consciousness, with related news headlines and a complete calendar of Hindu festivals until the year 2031.

also see -> Diwali | Janmashtami | Makar Sankranti

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