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Vaishnavism: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary on Vaishnavism

Vaishnavism (Vaishnava): (Sanskrit) "Way of Vishnu."

One of the four major religions, or denominations of

Hinduism, representing roughly half of the world's one

billion Hindus.

It gravitates around the worship of Lord

Vishnu as Personal God, His incarnations and their

consorts. The doctrine of avatara (He who descends),

especially important to Vaishnavism, teaches that

whenever adharma gains ascendency in the world, God

takes a human birth to reestablish "the way." There are

either 10, 22 or 34 avataras of Vishnu, according to

various scriptures. The most renowned avataras were

Rama and Krishna. The last to come will be Kalki, the

harbinger of a golden age on Earth.

Vaishnavism stresses

the personal aspect of God over the impersonal, and bhakti

(devotion) as the true path to salvation. The goal of

Vaishnavism is the attainment of mukti, defined as

blissful union with God's body, the loving recognition that

the soul is a part of Him, and eternal nearness to Him in

Vaikuntha, heaven. Foremost among Vaishnava scriptures

are the Vaishnava Agamas, Bhagavad Gita and Bhagavata

Purana. Among the earliest schools were the Pancharatras

and the Bhagavatas.

The five major contemporary schools

(founded between 1000 and 1500) are those of Ramanuja

(Sri Vaishnavism), Madhva, Nimbarka, Vallabha and

Chaitanya. Philosophically they range from Madhva's pure

dualism to Vallabha's lofty monistic vision.

(See also: Vaishnavism, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

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Vaishnavism: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary on Vaishnavism

By Himalayan Academy

Vaishnavism (Vaishnava): (Sanskrit) "Way of Vishnu."

One of the four major religions, or denominations of

Hinduism, representing roughly half of the world's one

billion Hindus.

It gravitates around the worship of Lord

Vishnu as Personal God, His incarnations and their

consorts. The doctrine of avatara (He who descends),

especially important to Vaishnavism, teaches that

whenever adharma gains ascendency in the world, God

takes a human birth to reestablish "the way." There are

either 10, 22 or 34 avataras of Vishnu, according to

various scriptures. The most renowned avataras were

Rama and Krishna. The last to come will be Kalki, the

harbinger of a golden age on Earth.

Vaishnavism stresses

the personal aspect of God over the impersonal, and bhakti

(devotion) as the true path to salvation. The goal of

Vaishnavism is the attainment of mukti, defined as

blissful union with God's body, the loving recognition that

the soul is a part of Him, and eternal nearness to Him in

Vaikuntha, heaven. Foremost among Vaishnava scriptures

are the Vaishnava Agamas, Bhagavad Gita and Bhagavata

Purana. Among the earliest schools were the Pancharatras

and the Bhagavatas.

The five major contemporary schools

(founded between 1000 and 1500) are those of Ramanuja

(Sri Vaishnavism), Madhva, Nimbarka, Vallabha and

Chaitanya. Philosophically they range from Madhva's pure

dualism to Vallabha's lofty monistic vision.

For more articles related to Vaishnavism , see: Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Vaishnavism , Body Mind and Soul.

Courtesy to Himalayan Academy: An educational and publishing institution of Saiva Siddhanta Church founded by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami in 1957. The Academy's objective is to share the teachings of Sanatana Dharma through travel-study programs, The Master Course, books and other publications- particularly the monthly newspaper Hinduism Today and Dancing with Siva, Hinduism's Contemporary Catechism- as a public service to Hindus worldwide. Please visit www.himalayanacademy.com for more information.

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