2.2.3

The Term 'Hinduism'

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The Term 'Hinduism'

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'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.
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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.
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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.
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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

1Year 7

1.1Origins of Abrahamic Faith

1.2Judaism

1.3Christianity

1.4Disciplinary Knowledge

2Year 8

2.1Islam

2.2Hindu Dharma (Hinduism)

2.3Buddhism

2.4Sikhi

2.5Atheism

2.6Philosophy of Religion

2.7Disciplinary Knowledge

3Year 9

3.1Life & Death

3.2Extremism

3.3Equality

4Additional Concepts

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