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The Brahmanism of the Dharmaśāstra and the smritis underwent a radical transformation at the hands of the Purana composers, resulting in the rise of Puranic Hinduism, [35] "which like a colossus striding across the religious firmanent soon came to overshadow all existing religions". [181] Puranic Hinduism was a "multiplex belief-system which ...
Hinduism has been variously defined as a religion, a religious tradition, a set of religious beliefs, and "a way of life". [ 68 ] [ note 1 ] From a Western lexical standpoint, Hinduism, like other faiths, is appropriately referred to as a religion.
The Vedic culture developed in India in 1500 BCE and 500 BCE. [6] After this period, the Vedic religion merged with local traditions and the renouncer traditions, resulting in the emergence of Hinduism, [7] which has had a profound impact on India's history, culture and philosophy.
[116] [117] The term Hindu, in contemporary parlance, includes people who accept themselves as culturally or ethnically Hindu rather than with a fixed set of religious beliefs within Hinduism. [64] One need not be religious in the minimal sense, states Julius Lipner, to be accepted as Hindu by Hindus, or to describe oneself as Hindu. [118]
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Hinduism: Hinduism – predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent . [ 1 ] Its followers are called Hindus , who refer to it as Sanātana Dharma [ 2 ] ( Sanskrit : सनातनधर्मः , lit.
Religion in India is characterised by a diversity of religious beliefs and practices. Throughout India's history, religion has been an important part of the country's culture and the Indian subcontinent is the birthplace of four of the world's major religions, namely, Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism, which are collectively known as native Indian religions or Dharmic religions and ...
Hinduism has approximately 1.2 billion adherents worldwide (15% of the world's population). [1] Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world behind Christianity (31.5%) and Islam (23.3%). [2] Most Hindus live in Asian countries, and the majority of Nepal and India are Hindus, and a significant number in Mauritius.
The denominations of Hinduism, states Julius J. Lipner, are unlike those found in major religions of the world, because Hindu denominations are fuzzy with individuals revering gods and goddesses polycentrically, with many Shaiva and Vaishnava adherents recognizing Sri (Lakshmi), Parvati, Saraswati and other aspects of the goddess Devi ...