Today, hinduism is a global religion with adherents living on every continent, and comprising majorities in three countries. Read cnn s hinduism fast facts and learn more about hinduism, the thirdlargest religion after christianity and islam. Hinduism does not just have one sacred book but several scriptures. To people raised in other faiths, hinduism may seem very complex, but the core beliefs of hinduism are actually quite simple to understand.
The veda is a rather unusual collection of literature. List of holy books in hinduism the galaxy of hindu literature is very vast and voluminous. Some argue that hinduism is more a way of life than religion. Brahman is the eternal origin, who is responsible for the creation of the universe. Hinduism is not a religion but it is a set of hundreds of different philosophical thoughts and lifestyles. Here are some facts about hinduism you may not have known. So, what are the holy books of the five major world religions. Hinduism is the oldest known religion best known as sanatana dharma, with its roots going back to 10,000 years and hindu. Hinduism for ks1 and ks2 children hindu faith homework. No ideological synergy between ambedkar and rss, rajiv.
The most holy of the hindu books is written in sanskrit and is referred to as the vedas. Nor is it based on the teachings of a founder or holy book. They also embody the most ancient ritual and spiritual traditions of the world. Hinduism is the worlds third most popular religion, with around 750 million followers.
A comprehensive survey of the hindu tradition, the book deals with the history of hinduism, the sacred writings, the hindu worldview, and the specifics of the major branches of hinduism. The hindu religion originated in india thousands of years ago. Hinduism is an indian religion and dharma, or way of life, widely practiced in the indian. Lord brahma, lord vishnu, and lord shiva are the main deities in hinduism. It began about 5000 years ago, linked to the people who lived near to the indus river in about 2500 bc. They also help to preserve the religious dimensions of family and society. The body of sacred literature in hinduism is vast and diverse enough to write volumes on. Vedas and upanishadas are the most authoritative amongst all hindu scriptures and holy books. Interesting facts about hinduism hindu trinity brahma vishnu and maheswar. Sanskrit is the oldest language in the world, the mother of all languages. This is because it grew out of cultural and religious changes in india. Ambedkar burned manusmriti, renounced hindu religion, refuted hinduism and embraced buddhism. The veda are the most sacred scriptures of hinduism. Gita is about 5000 years old, bhagavatam about years, scholars say.
In contemporary times, hinduism in bali is officially referred by indonesian ministry of religion as agama hindu dharma, but traditionally the religion was called by many names such as tirta, trimurti, hindu, agama tirta, siwa, buda, and siwabuda. Hinduism is the worlds oldest religion, according to many scholars, with roots and customs dating back more than 4,000 years. If you are considering visiting india for spiritual purposes then here are some facts about the hindu religion you might find useful on your spiritual journey. The hindu religion recognizes seven holy cities commonly known as the sapta puri. Indian hindu devotees gather around a huge idol of the elephantheaded hindu. The religion of hinduism originated in northern india, near the river indus, about 4000 years ago and is the worlds oldest existing religion. Hindu beliefs are vast and diverse, and thus hinduism is often referred to as a family of religions rather than a single religion.
Hinduism is also an indigenous religion made up of a diverse family of philosophies and traditions that have been practiced primarily throughout asia for thousands of years. What is the hindu holy book called, hindu texts are manuscripts and historical literature related to any of the diverse traditions the sruti refers to the body of most authoritative, ancient religious texts, believed vedas are also called sruti what is heard literature, distinguishing them from other religious texts, which are called sm. The basic beliefs and history of a religion is often found in its sacred or revered texts. Hinduism is practised by more than 80% of indias population. Hinduism basics for those travelling to india on a spiritual mission. Of all the basic books on hinduism, this rather thin volume of 160 pages is the most balanced introduction to the religion. Here, i will give only a brief introduction to the holy books of hinduism. Hinduism a brief overview of the development of hinduism. Hinduism is the worlds oldest religion, according to many scholars, with. Hinduism is neither monotheistic nor restricted to one religious scripture. The puranas are holy books of hinduism that date back to gupta empire in ancient india. The most sacred scriptures of hinduism are the vedas books of knowledge, a collection of texts written in sanskrit from about 1200 bce to 100 ce. It is perhaps the best book for someone who has no prior knowledge of the religion, a stable stepping stone for the student of religious studies, and an.
Hinduism is the worlds oldest extant religion, and with more than a billion followers, it is also the worlds third largest religion. Every hindu book is written in sanskrit, and it is. While embracing buddhism he took 22 pledges, of which, eight are. The authors and dates of most hindu sacred texts are unknown, although the oldest text the vedas. No comments on origin of hinduism in bali indonesia history, holy figures, and traditions found most notably in india and nepal, hinduism is a way of life or a religion and most its practitioners and scholars refer to it as sanatana dharma, the eternal law, or. No 1 hindu popular country, world biggest temple and also i. It is believed that hinduism originated in northern india, and in india today, more than 80% of the population are followers.
Hindus believe in reincarnation, which means that the soul is eternal and is constantly reborn in one form or another. The cities are ayodhya, mathura, haridwar, varanasi, kanchipuram, dvaraka and ujjain. Most interesting facts about hinduism sanatana dharma. There are a number of scriptures and holy books in hinduism. Hinduism is an indian religion and dharma, or way of life, widely practiced in the indian subcontinent and parts of southeast asia. However, the puranas are supposed to be complied by muni vyasa. Information on hinduism for kids primary homework help. These are the most ancient religious texts which define truth for hindus. Hinduism is the oldest known religion, with its roots going back to 10,000 years and hindu literature dating back to 7000 bce. Art by lama thanka painting school hinduism is not a religion. Hi friends, in this video discussing 10 true facts about hinduism, most hindu dont know. The facts about hinduism mentioned in this article can be shared among friends as well as for teaching children the greatness of hindu religion.
Hinduism is the worlds 3rd largest religion with more than 900,000,000 followers note hinduism originated in india. The vedas scriptures guide hindus in their daily life. As sruti revealed texts, the vedas are regarded as the absolute authority for religious knowledge and a test of hindu orthodoxy both jains and buddhists reject the vedas. Although hindus believe in one god, brahman, the hindu faith has different gods that. However, it is not a religion of the same kind as the other two main religions. Here are some facts about hinduism, the main religion of the indian subcontinent, and one of the most popular religions worldwide. Hinduism is not based on a strict set of rules, it is not based on. They visit holy places as per their dharmik yatra to get blessings from the god. I shall have no faith in brahma, vishnu, mahesh nor shall i worship them. The rigveda is a collection of hindu hymns that is considered to be one of the four vedas sacred canonical texts of hinduism. Hinduism has been called the oldest religion in the world, and some practitioners and scholars refer to it as sanatana dharma, the eternal tradition, or. The vedas a collection of hymns praising the vedic gods.
They constitute its most foundational work, which every hindu tradition and sect claims as its source. Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world. Bhagavad gita is considered by most as the holy book of hindus. The scriptures of the vedas are meant to guide hindu believers in their daily lives. Hinduism is often thought of not as a single religion, but as a family of. Religious books are about guidance, not about facts.
It is believed that hinduism dates back to 500010,000 bc. Hinduism, with about one billion followers is the worlds third largest religion, after christianity and islam. The aryans gave hinduism its priestly language, sanskrit. These texts are glorious tales of the hindu trinity brahma, vishnu and maheshwar shiva. The holy books in hinduism are there only for guidance. Unlike christianity or islam, it is a not a religion that is governed by the book. Which religious book has true facts, the quran or hindus. Other holy scriptures in hinduism are called the upanisads, the smrutis, the puranas, the ramayana and the mahabharata. Hinduism is the worlds third most popular religion, with around 900 million followers. Hinduism, major world religion originating on the indian subcontinent and comprising several and varied systems of philosophy, belief, and ritual. Hinduism, as the worlds most ancient surviving religion, could have it no other way. First, lets distinguish between two types of hindu literature. They got their present form between 1200200 bce and were introduced to.
There is no single scripture as it is in other religions like christianity and islam. Facts about the hindu religion for your spiritual journey. Holy places are the most important places visited by most of hinduism followers across the country. I agree with all those who said bhagavadgita and bhagavata pura. The oldest ancient sacred texts of hinduism are called the vedas. No ideological synergy between ambedkar and rss, rajiv tuli can read my book for facts. In case our readers know some additional facts about hinduism which are not mentioned here, please let us know via the comment and help us to expand this article as long as possible. Explained all basic facts about hinduism and answers to your question about hindu gods, hindu belief, hinduism holy book, hinduism practices and hinduism philosophy. Upanishad, one of four genres of texts that together constitute each of the vedas, the sacred scriptures of most hindu traditions.
Instead, hinduism has a large body of spiritual texts that guide. Hinduism is the worlds oldest living religion and the third largest behind christianity and islam with more than 1 billion followers. Hinduism does not have a single holy book that guides religious practice. Hinduism is the dominant religion of india, about 85% of the over one billion persons living in india are known to the world as hindus. Hindu religion is the worlds oldest religion and having 15% of the world population if we. If the indus valley civilization 3rd2nd millennium bce was the earliest source of hindu traditions, then hinduism is the oldest living religion on earth. Origin of hinduism in bali indonesia history, holy.
The most ancient sacred texts of the hindu religion are written in sanskrit and called the vedas. The goal of life in hinduism is to attain salvation, or moksha. Today, with about 900 million followers, hinduism is. Each of the four vedasthe rigveda, yajurveda, samaveda, and atharvavedaconsists of a samhita a collection of hymns or sacred formulas. It integrates many of the core beliefs of hinduism with arts and rituals of balinese people. The rigveda is believed to have been created between 1500 and 1200 bc, although allegedly it was recorded in oral form only back then. There are multiple sects, theologies, and beliefs in hinduism, and there is no single book of doctrine. Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world, as well as the worlds oldest religion.
Hinduism is a conglomeration of religious, philosophical, and cultural ideals and practices that originated in india thousands of years before the birth of christ. For many hindus, religion is a matter of practice rather than of beliefs. The holy books of world religions sacred texts in world. It is indias major religion, but unlike many other religions in the world, hinduism has no founder.
Hinduism is a very old religion from india that is still practiced today. I hope that from this short introduction to the holy books of hinduism it is apparent that hindus consider a great variety of literature important, and that this literature is as diverse and complex as it is beautiful. The hindu faith draws on a number of sacred texts and there is no standard set of beliefs, so it is a religion which is followed in different ways by different groups of people. Hinduism does not have a single holy book, but many ancient texts and scriptures. In life we are confronted with spiritual issue for which there is no answer in science, such as what should be the family structure or why we we love our forefathers too much, and what happens a. So, before that time, most important book were vedas. More than 1 billion people consider themselves hindus, and 85% of all hindus live in india.
Hindus value many sacred writings as opposed to one holy book. Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world. Hindu sacred literature is the most ancient of the living literatures of the world. First among these are the vedas knowledge in sanskrit, a collection of hymns on the divine forces of.
724 809 890 86 891 105 1137 1504 1193 1026 1473 1360 1179 671 682 1324 1531 774 540 1368 183 854 806 1071 994 267 456 1489 455 435 891 565 1462 1514 117 1065 847 538 151 1021 615 806 1336 307 1253 957 234 654