Hinduism
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The Oxford Reference Dictionary describes Hinduism
as:
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A Hindu medalion depicting Vishnu.
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n. a system of religious beliefs and social
customs, with adherents especially in
India, both a way of life and a rigorous system of
religious law, developed over a period of about fifty
centuries.
Unlike most religions, Hinduism requires
no one belief concerning the nature of god: it
embraces polytheism, monotheism, and monism. More
important are the beliefs concerning the nature of
the universe and the stucture of society.
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The former
is described by the key concepts of dharma,
the eternal law underlying the whole of existence;
karma, the law of action by which each cause
has its effect in an endless chain reaction from one
life to the next; and moksha, liberation from
this chain of birth, death and rebirth. The latter
is prescribed by the ideals of varna, the
division of mankind into four classes or types, the
forerunner of caste; ashrama, the four stages
of life; and personal dharma, according to which one's
religious duty is defined by birth and circumstance.
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- The above represents a very oversimplified definition of Hinduism
and does little to encapsulate the varied practices
and beliefs of Hindus in India. Click HERE to learn
about the origins of Hinduism.
- Find out more about Hinduism from the
Links page.
- See Religions of India list.
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