2.2.3

The Term 'Hinduism'

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The Term 'Hinduism'

'Hinduism'

'Hinduism'

  • The word “Hinduism” was first used by people from the West to describe the religions and traditions found in India.
  • Hinduism is not one single religion but a mix of many different beliefs and ways of life.
Vast diversity

Vast diversity

  • People who follow Hindu traditions may worship different gods and goddesses.
    • They may also follow different holy books: the Vedas or the Bhagavad Gita.
  • Some Hindus see Brahman as one great spirit in everything.
    • Others focus on personal gods like Vishnu, Shiva, or Lakshmi.
  • Not all Hindus follow the same customs, festivals, or temple traditions.
    • Hindu life is rich and diverse.
Santana Dharma

Santana Dharma

  • People in India did not originally call their religion “Hinduism”.
  • Hindus might describe their faith as “Santana Dharma”, meaning the eternal way of life.
Indian nationalism

Indian nationalism

  • The majority of Indians are Hindus.
    • Most Indians believe in an unbreakable knot binding India to Hindu Dharma.
    • Hindu Dharma is the indispensable religion of India.
Jump to other topics
1

Year 7

1.1

Origins of Abrahamic Faith

1.2

Judaism

1.3

Christianity

1.4

Disciplinary Knowledge

2

Year 8

2.1

Islam

2.2

Hindu Dharma (Hinduism)

2.3

Buddhism

2.4

Sikhi

2.5

Atheism

2.6

Philosophy of Religion

2.7

Disciplinary Knowledge

3

Year 9

3.1

Life & Death

3.2

Extremism

3.3

Equality

4

Additional Concepts

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