Hinduism encompasses many movements and schools fairly organized within Hindu denominations. A denomination shares a common ground of beliefs but embraces many different movements and schools inside its philosophical branches. 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, bel ...

Including:

• Hindu denominations - Basic overview
• Hindu denominations - Vaishnavism
• Hindu denominations - Śaivism
• Hindu denominations - Shaktism
• Hindu denominations - Smartha sect
• Hindu denominations - Newer denominations
• Hindu denominations - Agama Hindu Dharma

Read more here: » Hindu denominations: Encyclopedia - Hindu denominations

See also:

Hindu denominations, Hindu denominations - Basic overview, Hindu denominations - Vaishnavism, Hindu denominations - Śaivism, Hindu denominations - Shaktism, Hindu denominations - Smartha sect, Hindu denominations - Newer denominations, Hindu denominations - Agama Hindu Dharma

Read more here: » Hindu denominations: Encyclopedia II - Hindu denominations - Newer denominations

Vaishnavas worship Vishnu, or Krishna and his avataras (especially Rama) as the supreme deity. This is the largest denomination. Vaishnava sampradayas: Madhvas - followers of Madhavacharya Shri Vaishnavas, followers of Ramanujacharya Rudra Vaishnavas, followers of Vallabhacharya Nimbarka Vaishnavas Gaudiya Vaishnavism, followers of Chaitanya Mahaprab ...

See also:

Hindu denominations, Hindu denominations - Basic overview, Hindu denominations - Vaishnavism, Hindu denominations - Śaivism, Hindu denominations - Shaktism, Hindu denominations - Smartha sect, Hindu denominations - Newer denominations, Hindu denominations - Agama Hindu Dharma

Read more here: » Hindu denominations: Encyclopedia II - Hindu denominations - Vaishnavism

The principle of Varnasrama Dharma is one of the basic principles of Hinduism. The Varnasrama system is peculiar to Hindus. It is a characteristic feature of Hinduism. It is also prevalent throughout the world according to Guna-Karma (aptitude and conduct), though there is no such distinct denomination of this kind, elsewhere.

The duties of the castes are Varna Dharma. The four castes are Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaisya and Sudra.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Dharma in Hinduism: Varna Dharma � The Dharma according to the Caste

The principle of Varnasrama Dharma is one of the basic principles of Hinduism. The Varnasrama system is peculiar to Hindus. It is a characteristic feature of Hinduism. It is also prevalent throughout the world according to Guna-Karma (aptitude and conduct), though there is no such distinct denomination of this kind, elsewhere.

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Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

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Read more here: » Caste System: The Principle of the Hindu Caste System

Shaktas worship Shakti, the divine Mother, in her many forms like (Kali, Durga, Laxmi, Saraswati etc.). Shakta form was one of the oldest forms of Hindu religion (evidences even from Indus valley civilisation), but with evolution of civilisation and emergence of various doctrines, various other forms of Hindu philosophy emerged. Shaivism and Shakta forms are really inseparable, as is the description of Shiva and Shakti/Sati/Parvati. Vaishanvism has also its connections with Shakta philoso ...

See also:

Hindu denominations, Hindu denominations - Basic overview, Hindu denominations - Vaishnavism, Hindu denominations - Śaivism, Hindu denominations - Shaktism, Hindu denominations - Smartha sect, Hindu denominations - Newer denominations, Hindu denominations - Agama Hindu Dharma

Read more here: » Hindu denominations: Encyclopedia II - Hindu denominations - Shaktism

Question One: Why does Hinduism have so many Gods?

Hindus all believe in one Supreme God who created the universe. He is all-pervasive. He created many Gods, highly advanced spiritual beings, to be His helpers.

Read more here: » Hinduism: Why does Hinduism have so many Gods?

Hinduism (हिन्दू धर्म; also known as Sanātana Dharma - सनातन धर्म, and Vaidika-Dharma - वैदिक धर्म) is a worldwide religious tradition that is based on the Vedas and is the direct descendant of the Vedic religion. It encompasses many religious traditions that widely vary in practice, as well as many diverse sects and philosophies. An array of deities, all manifestations of the one supreme monistic Ishvara, are venerated. Beliefs, codes and principles vary fr ...

Including:

• Hinduism - Core Concepts
• Hinduism - The Eternal Way
• Hinduism - Basic beliefs
• Hinduism - Practice Yoga Dharma
• Hinduism - The four objectives Of Life
• Hinduism - The four stages of Life
• Hinduism - The four classes of the society
• Hinduism - Nature of God
• Hinduism - Denominations
• Hinduism - Hindu sacred texts
• Hinduism - Shruti
• Hinduism - Bhagavad Gītā
• Hinduism - Smriti
• Hinduism - Origins and society
• Hinduism - Origins of Hinduism
• Hinduism - Etymology
• Hinduism - Vedic religion
• Hinduism - Hindu nationalism
• Hinduism - Temples
• Hinduism - Current geographic distribution
• Hinduism - Hindu philosophy: the six Vedic schools of thought
• Hinduism - Pūrva Mīmāmsā
• Hinduism - Yoga
• Hinduism - Uttara Mimāmsā: Vedānta and its three main schools
• Hinduism - Alternative cultures of worship
• Hinduism - The Bhakti schools
• Hinduism - Tantra
• Hinduism - Important symbolism and themes in Hinduism
• Hinduism - Tilaka symbol on forehead or between eyebrows
• Hinduism - Ahimsa non-violence vegetarian diet and the cow
• Hinduism - Hindu symbolism
• Hinduism - Murtis icons
• Hinduism - Sanskrit
• Hinduism - Mantra
• Hinduism - Criticism
• Hinduism - Hinduism
• Hinduism - Related systems and religions

Read more here: » Hinduism: Encyclopedia - Hinduism

Shruti Vedas Rig Veda Sama Veda Yajur Veda Atharva Veda Brahmanas Aranyakas Upanishads Smriti Itihāsas Mahābhārata Bhagavad Gītā Ramayana Puranas (List) Tantras Sutras (List) Stotras Ashtavakra Gita < ...

Including:

• Hindu deities - Trimurti
• Hindu deities - Popular gods
• Hindu deities - Denominations of Hinduism
• Hindu deities - Polytheistic gods
• Hindu deities - Smartism
• Hindu deities - The Trinity
• Hindu deities - Vedic Deities
• Hindu deities - The 10 Avatars of Vishnu
• Hindu deities - The 'Hidden' Avatar
• Hindu deities - Relatives
• Hindu deities - Mother goddesses

Read more here: » Hindu deities: Encyclopedia - Hindu deities

In Hinduism and Buddhism, a devaloka or deva loka is a plane of existence where gods and devas exist. The deva lokas are usually described as places of eternal light and goodness, similar to the concept of Heaven. Teachers of different Hindu denominations and Buddhist schools may call such homes of the gods by other names, including Svarga, each differing in non-fundamental aspects. To Hindus, Devaloka is a plane of blissful existence that can be reached as soon as one is sufficiently attuned to light and good. However, ...

Read more here: » Devaloka: Encyclopedia - Devaloka

Religious pluralism is loosely defined term concerning peaceful relations between different religions, and is used in a number of related ways: Religious Pluralism often describes the worldview that one's religion is not the sole and exclusive source of truth, and thus recognizes that some level of truth and value exists in at least some other religions. Religious pluralism often is used as a synonym for ecumenism. At a minimum, ecumenism is the promotion of unity, co-operation, or ...

Including:

• Religious pluralism - Pluralism as the belief that more than one religion can teach truths
• Religious pluralism - Pluralism is not relativism
• Religious pluralism - Pluralism as interfaith dialogue
• Religious pluralism - Conditions for the existence of religious pluralism
• Religious pluralism - History of religious pluralism
• Religious pluralism - Antiquity
• Religious pluralism - Medieval times in Europe
• Religious pluralism - The Protestant Reformation
• Religious pluralism - Enlightenment
• Religious pluralism - Classical Greek and Roman pagan religious views
• Religious pluralism - Inter-religious pluralism between different religions
• Religious pluralism - Jewish views
• Religious pluralism - Christian views
• Religious pluralism - Muslim views
• Religious pluralism - Bahá'í views
• Religious pluralism - Hindu views
• Religious pluralism - Buddhist views
• Religious pluralism - Intra-religious pluralism between different denominations within the same religion
• Religious pluralism - Jewish views
• Religious pluralism - Christian views
• Religious pluralism - Muslim views

Read more here: » Religious pluralism: Encyclopedia - Religious pluralism

In Smartism, a denomination of Hinduism, an Ishta-deva or Ishta devata or Ishta-devatha is a term meaning "the god one prays most." It is derived from the Sanskrit roots for good and god. Traditionally it alludes to the particular god (from among 330 millions as believed by Hindus) who is the saviour of the family (akin to a Patron Saint, chosen by a devotee. In such a concept held by Smartas, di ...

Including:

• Ishta-deva - Murti
• Ishta-deva - Misunderstanding from outsiders
• Ishta-deva - Disagreement within Hinduism
• Ishta-deva - ISKCON and new religious movements

Read more here: » Ishta-deva: Encyclopedia - Ishta-deva

Please remove this notice after the article has been expanded. Details are on this talk page or at Wikipedia:Requests for expansion. For the Goa trance artist, see Shakta (band). Shaktism is a denomination of Hinduism that worships Shakti, or Devi Mata -- the Hindu name for the Great Divine Mother -- in all of her forms whilst not rejecting the importance of masculine and neuter divinity (which are however deemed to be inactive in the absence of the Shakti). In pure Shaktism, the Great ...

Including:

• Shaktism - Philosophy
• Shaktism - Origin and History
• Shaktism - Roots in Hinduism
• Shaktism - Worship
• Shaktism - Shakta Upanishads
• Shaktism - See Also

Read more here: » Shaktism: Encyclopedia - Shaktism

Monotheism (in Greek μόνος = single and θεός = God) is the belief in a single, universal, all-encompassing deity. Zoroastrianism, the Abrahamic religions, and Vaishnavism (a Hindu denomination) are considered monotheistic. Monotheism - Types. Various forms of monotheism exist, including: Theism a term that refers to the belief in the existence of a god or divine being. Deism is a form of monotheism in which it is believed that one god exists. However, a deist rej ...

Including:

• Monotheism - Types
• Monotheism - Origins in Abrahamic or Middle East religions
• Monotheism - In Hinduism
• Monotheism - In Ayyavazhi
• Monotheism - In Taoism
• Monotheism - Comparison to polytheism

Read more here: » Monotheism: Encyclopedia - Monotheism

Smartism is a denomination of the Hindu religion. This term is usually used to denote a certain category of Brahmins. Smartas consider the Vedas supreme. The majority of members of Smarta community are followers of Advaita. In practicality, Smarta and Advaita have become almost synonymous because of the prevalence of Advaita philosophy among Smarta Brahmins. But not all believers in Advaita are Smartas. In ancient times, all Brahmins who specialized in the Karma Kanda of the Vedas, and who followed the Vedas and Shastras (both Smriti ...

Including:

• Smartism - Definition
• Smartism - Why They Became Distinguished From Others
• Smartism - Main Beliefs
• Smartism - Smarta Contributions to Advaita
• Smartism - Smarta Contributions to other Philosophies
• Smartism - Smartas Who Split Away From Their Group
• Smartism - Important Religious Books Followed
• Smartism - Prominent Communities

Read more here: » Smartism: Encyclopedia - Smartism

Saiva Siddhanta is the oldest, most vigorous and extensively practiced Shaivaite Hindu school active today, encompassing millions of devotees, thousands of active temples and dozens of living monastic/ascetic traditions. Despite its popularity, Siddhanta’s past as an all-India denomination is relatively unknown and it is primarily identified with its South Indian, Tamil form. The term Saiva Siddhanta means “the final or established conclusions of Saivism.” It is the formalized theology of the divine revelations contained in the ...

Including:

• Saiva Siddhanta - Gurus
• Saiva Siddhanta - Saints and Ascetics
• Saiva Siddhanta - Siddhas
• Saiva Siddhanta - Saiva Siddhanta Teachings
• Saiva Siddhanta - The Spread of Saiva Siddhanta
• Saiva Siddhanta - A New Siddhanta
• Saiva Siddhanta - A Dualistic Development
• Saiva Siddhanta - Saiva Siddhanta Today

Read more here: » Saiva Siddhanta: Encyclopedia - Saiva Siddhanta

Belief in reincarnation is held by many Hindus, Buddhists, and Taoists but such beliefs are held by relatively few Christians, Jews, and Muslims. No mainstream Christian denomination includes reincarnation among their doctrines. The Christian creeds and confession have consistently proclaimed a belief in a single judgement of humanity and in the eschatological hope of the resurrection of the dead. Some small sects, such as the Liberal Cat ...

Including:

• Bible and reincarnation - Differences between conservative and liberal Christian views
• Bible and reincarnation - Judaism
• Bible and reincarnation - Supporting passages from a Christian point of view
• Bible and reincarnation - Elijah became John the Baptist
• Bible and reincarnation - John 9:1-3
• Bible and reincarnation - Galatians 6:7
• Bible and reincarnation - New Testament passages seen to be in opposition
• Bible and reincarnation - Hebrews 9:27
• Bible and reincarnation - Luke 13
• Bible and reincarnation - The thief on the cross
• Bible and reincarnation - Paul's teaching
• Bible and reincarnation - Apologetics
• Bible and reincarnation - Origen
• Bible and reincarnation - History of Canonical and extra-biblical writings
• Bible and reincarnation - New Age views
• Bible and reincarnation - Reference literature
• Bible and reincarnation - Positive
• Bible and reincarnation - Critical
• Bible and reincarnation - Footnotes:

Read more here: » Bible and reincarnation: Encyclopedia - Bible and reincarnation

Ethics is a branch of philosophy dealing with right and wrong in human behaviour. All religions have a moral component, and religious approaches to the problem of ethics historically dominated ethics over secular approaches. From the point of view of theistic religions, to the extent that ethics stems from revealed truth from divine sources, ethics is studied as a branch of theology. Many believe that the Golden Rule, which teaches people to "treat others as you want to be treated", is the common denominator of all moral codes and religions. ...

Including:

• Ethics in religion - Ethics in the Bible
• Ethics in religion - Jewish ethics
• Ethics in religion - Christian ethics
• Ethics in religion - Hindu ethics
• Ethics in religion - Buddhist ethics
• Ethics in religion - Chinese traditional ethics
• Ethics in religion - Islamic ethics
• Ethics in religion - Shinto ethics
• Ethics in religion - Animist ethics

Read more here: » Ethics in religion: Encyclopedia - Ethics in religion

Avidyamaya and Vidyamaya are concepts created by the Hindu sage Ramakrishna based on his realizations. Ramakrishna implied that all things, good and bad, were maya (illusion). According to him, both love and hate, materialism and spirituality, egotism and generosity exist only due to our limited perception of Reality. However, he divided them in illusions that further bind us (avidyamaya) and illusions that ...

Read more here: » Avidyamaya and Vidyamaya: Encyclopedia - Avidyamaya and Vidyamaya

Shruti Vedas Rig Veda Sama Veda Yajur Veda Atharva Veda Brahmanas Aranyakas Upanishads Smriti Itihāsas Mahābhārata Bhagavad Gītā Ramayana Puranas (List) Tantras Sutras (List) Stotras Ashtavakra Gita Git ...

Read more here: » Itihasa: Encyclopedia - Itihasa