Hinduism, one of the world's oldest religions, has no single founder and is a synthesis of various Indian cultures and traditions, evolving over 4,000 years. It is characterized by a diverse array of beliefs and practices, with key texts like the Vedas, Upanishads, and Bhagavad Gita forming its philosophical and spiritual foundation.

History Of Hinduism

Hinduism is one of the world's oldest religions, characterized by a rich tapestry of beliefs, practices, and texts, with no single founder or unified doctrine. It emphasizes concepts like dharma (duty/ethics), karma (action and consequence), and moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth), and is deeply intertwined with Indian culture and history.

Hinduism

Oldest religions

Single founder

Indian cultures

Traditions

Diverse array of beliefs

Practices

Key texts

The Vedas are a collection of ancient sacred texts that form the foundation of Hindu religious teachings and philosophy, believed to have been composed between 1500 and 500 BCE in the Indian subcontinent. They consist of four main texts: Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda, each serving different liturgical and philosophical purposes, and are considered to be divinely revealed (śruti) in the Hindu tradition.

Vedas

The Upanishads are ancient Indian texts that form the philosophical foundation of Hinduism, exploring profound spiritual ideas such as the nature of reality, the self, and the ultimate principle known as Brahman. They emphasize the pursuit of knowledge and understanding through meditation, self-reflection, and the direct experience of the divine, rather than through ritualistic practices.

Upanishads

The Bhagavad Gita is a 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the Indian epic Mahabharata, presenting a dialogue between Prince Arjuna and the god Krishna, who serves as his charioteer. It addresses complex philosophical and ethical dilemmas, providing insights into duty, righteousness, and the nature of reality, and is considered a cornerstone of Hindu philosophy and spirituality.

Concepts

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