Hinduism
Hinduism
Last Updated (Monday, 29 November 1999 18:00)
The world's third largest religion. 
Hinduism, claims about 13% of the world's population. Unlike other religions of the world, Hinduism did not originate with any single prophet or at a particular period in human history. The roots of Hinduism have been traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization and the Indo-Aryan culture. Indo-Europeans extended the name of the province of Sindh to the whole country lying across the Indus River. The inhabitants were simply called Hindus, Persian for "sindh", and their religion was thus called Hinduism. Hinduism is more than a highly-organized religious and social system; it is a way of life. Hinduism is also called Sanatan dharma, the eternal tradition or religion.
Population:
World - 762 million
United States - more than 1 million
Tenets:
- The Vedas, are divine. These primordial hymns, called Agamas, are God's word and the bedrock of Sanatan Dharma.
- There is one all-pervasive Supreme Being who is both immanent and transcendent, both Creator and Unmanifest Reality.
- Karma is the law of cause and effect by which each individual creates his own destiny by his thoughts, words and deeds.
- The soul reincarnates, evolving through many births, until all karmas have been resolved.
- Divine beings exist in unseen worlds, and temple worship and rituals create a communion with these Gods.
- No particular religion teaches the only way to salvation above all others. All genuine religious paths deserve tolerance and understanding.
Links
Interfaith Ministries has compiled this information from various resources. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .