Hindu denominations: Encyclopedia II - Hindu denominations - Basic overview

Hindu denominations - Basic overview

Contemporary Hinduism is traditionally divided into four major denominations: Śaivism, Shaktism, Vaishnavism, and Smartha.

Hinduism is a very rich and complex religion. Each of its four denominations share rituals, beliefs, traditions and personal Gods with one another, but each denomination has a different philosophy on how to achieve life's ultimate goal (mokśa, liberation) and different views of the Gods. Each follows different methods of self-realization and worships different aspects of the One Supreme God. However, each respects and accepts all others, and conflict of any kind is rare. Among Hindu followers as a whole, there is a strong belief in there are many paths leading to the One God or the Source, whatever one chooses to call that ultimate Truth.

An established philosophical school within a denomination is called a sampradaya and a traditional lineage of teachers from any sampradaya is a parampara.

The presence of different denominations and schools within Hinduism should not be viewed as a schism. On the contrary, there is no animosity between the schools. Instead there is a healthy cross-pollination of ideas and logical debate that serves to refine each school's philosophy. It is not uncommon, or disallowed, for an individual to follow one school but take the point of view of another school for a certain issue.

As per Hinduism Adherents.com the majority of Hindus are Vaishnavas, though often mixing in some aspects of the Smarta viewpoint.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Basic overview", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki