A Wisdom Archive on Sri Vallabhacharya

The Sutras or aphorisms of Vyasa are the basis of the Vedanta philosophy. These Sutras have been variously explained by different commentators. From these interpretations have arisen several schools of philosophy: Kevala Advaita philosophy of Sri Sankaracharya the philosophy of Qualified Monism or Visishtadvaita of Sri Ramanujacharya, the Dvaita philosophy of Sri Madhvacharya, the Bhedabheda philosophy of Sri Nimbarkacharya, the Suddha Advaita philosophy of Sri Vallabhacharya, the Achintya Bhedabheda philosophy of Sri Chaitanya and the Siddhanta philosophy of Sri Meykandar.
 
Each system of philosophy treats of three main problems: God, world and soul. The several schools of philosophy are only different attempts at discovering the Truth.
 
Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda
 

Read more here: » Vedanta Philosophy: The Vedanta Schools of Philosophy

The term Hinduism is most elastic. It includes a number of sects and cults, allied, but different in many important points. Hinduism has, within its fold, various schools of Vedanta; Vaishnavism, Saivism, Saktism, etc. It has various cults and creeds. It is more a League of Religions than a single religion with a definite creed.
 
A map over the different sects and cults in Hinduism.
 
Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda
 

Read more here: » Hindu Sects: Hinduism - A Fellowship Of Faiths And A Federation Of Philosophies - about Hindu Sects and Cults

Vaishnava Theology is the theological discourse concerning the Hindu deity Vishnu and/or one of His avatar. Vaishnava Theology - Vaishnava Philosophical/Theological Schools. Radhavallabha Theology, espoused by Harivamsa Gosvami. Vishishtadvaita, espoused by Ramanuja Dvaita, espoused by Shri Madhvacharya Gaudiya Vaishnava Theology, espoused by Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the Six Gosvamis of Vrindavan Shuddhadvaita, espoused by Vallabhacharya Dvaitaadvaita, ... Including:

• Vaishnava Theology - Vaishnava Philosophical/Theological Schools
• Vaishnava Theology - Contemporary Vaishnava Theological Discourse
• Vaishnava Theology - Bhaktivedanta College and Vaishnava Theology
• Vaishnava Theology - The Journal of Vaishnava Studies
• Vaishnava Theology - Dasavatara
• Vaishnava Theology - Puranic Vishnu Avatara

Read more here: » Vaishnava Theology: Encyclopedia - Vaishnava Theology

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

In Hinduism, an avatar or avatara (Sanskrit अवतार), is the incarnation (bodily manifestation) of an Immortal Being, or of the Ultimate Supreme Being. It derives from the Sanskrit word avatāra which means "descent" and usually implies a deliberate descent into mortal realms for special purposes. The term is used primarily in Hinduism, for incarnations of Vishnu the Preserver, whom many Hindus worship as God. The Dasavatara (see below) are t ... Including:

• Avatar - Teachings and significance
• Avatar - The ten Avatars or Dasavatara
• Avatar - The 24 Avatars of the Puranas
• Avatar - Types of avatars
• Avatar - The Ninth Avatar: Balarama or Buddha?
• Avatar - Symbolism
• Avatar - List of other people considered to be avatars
• Avatar - Other Uses

Read more here: » Avatar: Encyclopedia - Avatar

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 ...

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

Hindu denominations - Agama Hindu Dharma. The newest and least numerous denominations are comprised of Balinese Hindus, who make up a sect of Hinduism that once flourished on the nearby island of Java until late 16th century when a vast majority of its adherents converted to Islam. ...

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