Hinduism Overview
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Location: Primarily India and Nepal, with significant communities around the world, including the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and the Western world.
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Date Founded: Hinduism does not have a specific founding date, as it is considered one of the oldest religions in the world, with roots tracing back over 4,000 years.
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Founder: Hinduism does not have a singular founder. It is a fusion of various cultural and spiritual traditions that evolved over millennia.
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Followers: Approximately 1.2 billion followers, making it the third largest religion in the world.
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Place of Worship: Temples are the primary places of worship, but many Hindus also worship at home shrines. The sacredness of natural sites and rivers is also significant.
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Sacred Text: Hinduism has a vast range of sacred texts. The most prominent include:
- Vedas: The oldest sacred scriptures of Hinduism.
- Upanishads: Philosophical texts that explore the nature of reality and existence.
- Bhagavad Gita: A central text that is part of the Mahabharata, presenting a dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Lord Krishna.
- Ramayana and Mahabharata: Epic narratives that depict ancient Indian history, culture, and values.
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Major Beliefs:
- Dharma: The moral law that governs individual conduct and is central to the Hindu worldview.
- Karma: The belief in cause and effect, where every action has consequences that shape one's future.
- Samsara: The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (reincarnation) that souls undergo until they achieve liberation (moksha).
- Moksha: The ultimate goal of life, representing liberation from the cycle of samsara and union with the divine.
- Brahman: The ultimate, unchanging reality, transcending the universe, often described as the ultimate source of all existence.
- Deities: Hinduism is polytheistic, with a worship of many deities (e.g., Vishnu, Shiva, Durga), each representing different aspects of life and the universe.
Hinduism is characterized by a diversity of practices and beliefs, allowing for a wide range of interpretations and expressions of faith.