Post by pitbull on Aug 23, 2007 20:24:31 GMT -5
HINDUISM
Origins
Hinduism (known as Hindū Dharma in modern Indian languages) is a religion that originated in the Indian subcontinent. With its origins in the Vedic civilization it has no known founder, being itself a conglomerate of diverse beliefs and traditions. The earliest evidence for certain (minor) elements of Hinduism date back as far as the late neolithic to the early Harappan period (ca. 5500–2600 BCE).
Name
In contemporary usage Hinduism is also sometimes referred to as Sanātana Dharma, a Sanskrit phrase meaning "eternal law"
Doctrines/Beliefs
Prominent themes include:
Concept of God spanning henotheistic, monotheism, polytheism, pantheism, monism and even atheism
Dharma (ethics/duties)
Samsāra (The continuing cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth)
blessings (action and subsequent reaction)
Moksha (liberation from samsara)
The various yogas (paths or practices)
Six orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy, which accept the authority of the Vedas, are Nyāya, Vaisheshika, Sāṃkhya, Yoga, Mīmāṃsā and Vedānta
Some widely observed Hindu festivals:
o Dussera, or Durga Puja, celebrates events from Hindu mythology concerning the triumph of good over evil
o Diwali, the festival of lights
o Ganesh Chaturthi, the festival celebrating Ganesha
o Maha Shivaratri, the festival dedicated to Shiva
o Ram Navami, celebrates the birth of Rama, the seventh incarnation of Vishnu
o Krishna Janmastami, celebrates the birth of Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Vishnu
o Holi, a spring festival of color and light
Scriptures [not closed canons]
o Shruti
o Smriti
Subdivisions/Splinter Groups
Vaishnavism
Shaivism
Shaktism
Smartism
Origins
Hinduism (known as Hindū Dharma in modern Indian languages) is a religion that originated in the Indian subcontinent. With its origins in the Vedic civilization it has no known founder, being itself a conglomerate of diverse beliefs and traditions. The earliest evidence for certain (minor) elements of Hinduism date back as far as the late neolithic to the early Harappan period (ca. 5500–2600 BCE).
Name
In contemporary usage Hinduism is also sometimes referred to as Sanātana Dharma, a Sanskrit phrase meaning "eternal law"
Doctrines/Beliefs
Prominent themes include:
Concept of God spanning henotheistic, monotheism, polytheism, pantheism, monism and even atheism
Dharma (ethics/duties)
Samsāra (The continuing cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth)
blessings (action and subsequent reaction)
Moksha (liberation from samsara)
The various yogas (paths or practices)
Six orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy, which accept the authority of the Vedas, are Nyāya, Vaisheshika, Sāṃkhya, Yoga, Mīmāṃsā and Vedānta
Some widely observed Hindu festivals:
o Dussera, or Durga Puja, celebrates events from Hindu mythology concerning the triumph of good over evil
o Diwali, the festival of lights
o Ganesh Chaturthi, the festival celebrating Ganesha
o Maha Shivaratri, the festival dedicated to Shiva
o Ram Navami, celebrates the birth of Rama, the seventh incarnation of Vishnu
o Krishna Janmastami, celebrates the birth of Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Vishnu
o Holi, a spring festival of color and light
Scriptures [not closed canons]
o Shruti
o Smriti
Subdivisions/Splinter Groups
Vaishnavism
Shaivism
Shaktism
Smartism