Hinduism

Hinduism is an umbrella term for a diverse range of Indian religious and spiritual traditions.

These traditions are unified by an adherence to the concept of dharma. Dharma is a cosmic order that followers maintain through rituals and righteous living. This concept is expounded in the Vedas, which are foundational sacred texts. Because it encompasses many different systems of thought, Hinduism is often described as a synthesis of various Indian cultures. It has no single founder and no central doctrinal authority. This diversity allows for many different viewpoints on theology and mythology.

Followers of these traditions often navigate several core spiritual concepts. One major concept is karma, which involves action, intent, and their subsequent consequences. Another is saṃsāra, the continuous cycle of death and rebirth. To guide human life, many look to the four Puruṣārthas. These are the proper goals or aims of human existence. They include dharma (ethics and duties), artha (prosperity and work), kama (desires and passions), and moksha. Moksha is the ultimate goal of liberation or emancipation from passions and the cycle of saṃsāra.

Hindu scriptures are categorized into two distinct groups: Śruti and Smṛti. Śruti refers to texts that are heard or revealed. Smṛti refers to texts that are remembered or composed. The major scriptures include the Vedas and the Upanishads. Other vital texts are the Puranas and the Agamas. The great epics, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, are also central. The Bhagavad Gita is a famous part of the Mahabharata. These texts provide the framework for much of the tradition's mythology and theology.

Religious practices vary widely among the community. Some followers engage in bhakti, which is intense devotion to a deity. Others practice puja, which is a form of worship. Sacrificial rites known as yajna are also performed. Many use meditation, known as dhyana, or Yoga to achieve spiritual focus.

Scholars recognize four major modern denominations. These are Vaishnavism, which focuses on Vishnu, and Shaivism, which focuses on Shiva. Shaktism focuses on the Goddess Adi Shakti. Smartism treats five different deities as equals. There are also six Āstika schools of philosophy that recognize the authority of the Vedas. These include Sankhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mīmāṃsā, and Vedanta.

Historians trace the development of this synthesis to specific periods. While traditional chronology suggests the tradition is thousands of years old, scholars see a specific emergence. This synthesis appeared after the Vedic period, between 200 BCE and 200 CE. This occurred during the period of the second urbanization and the early classical period. It was during this time that the epics and the first Puranas were composed. The tradition flourished further during the medieval period. This coincided with the decline of Buddhism in India.

The term "Hindu" has a complex etymological history. It is an exonym, meaning a name given by outsiders. It is derived from the Sanskrit word Sindhu, referring to the Indus River. Between 850 and 600 BCE, a sound change occurred in Proto-Iranian languages. The "s" sound became an "h" before a following vowel. Ancient records like the Avesta use the term heptahindu. In the 6th century BCE, Darius I mentioned Hindush in an inscription. For a long time, "Hindu" was a geographical term for people living beyond the Indus. It was not originally used to describe a specific religion.

Today, Hinduism is the world's third-largest religion. It has approximately 1.17 billion followers. This accounts for about 14.7% of the global population.

Most Hindus are centered in India and Nepal. There are also large populations in Mauritius and Bali, Indonesia. Hindu communities are found globally, including North America, Europe, and the Caribbean. Since the 19th century, modern Hinduism has gained appeal in the West. This is seen in the popularity of Yoga and movements like Transcendental Meditation.