Hinduism is often described as the oldest of the world’s major living religions. It grew from the Vedic religion of ancient India and today has more than a billion followers around the world, most of them in India and Nepal. Many Hindus call their tradition Sanatana Dharma, often translated as “the eternal way”.
One tradition, many paths
Hinduism has no single founder and no single holy book. It is a family of traditions that share sacred texts, ideas and practices. The largest traditions focus their devotion on Vishnu (and forms such as Krishna and Rama), on Shiva, or on the Goddess, Devi, in forms such as Durga and Lakshmi.
Sacred texts
- The Vedas, the oldest scriptures, revered across traditions.
- The Upanishads, philosophical texts that explore the nature of the self and ultimate reality.
- The epics: the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, which contains the Bhagavad Gita.
- The Puranas, collections of stories about the gods and the universe.
Key ideas
- Brahman: the ultimate reality underlying everything.
- Atman: the true self, identified in many schools with Brahman.
- Dharma: right conduct and duty, appropriate to one’s stage and situation in life.
- Karma: actions and their consequences.
- Samsara: the cycle of birth, death and rebirth.
- Moksha: liberation from that cycle.
How people practise
Practice varies widely: daily worship at a home shrine (puja), visiting temples, festivals, pilgrimage, reading scripture, chanting, meditation and yoga, and service to others. Families and communities often follow particular traditions passed down through generations.
Visiting a temple respectfully
Dress modestly, remove your shoes where asked, and follow the lead of those around you. Most temples welcome respectful visitors; if unsure, ask.
