The Term 'Hinduism'
Religious Studies: KS3, topic 2.2.3
The Term '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
- 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.
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.
Test yourself on The Term 'Hinduism'
Where did the word “Hinduism” come from?
Why is the word “Hinduism” hard to define?
What is correct about Hindu beliefs?