Hinduism

Definition

Hinduism is a religion in the Indian subcontinent. It is best understood as a diverse family of related religious and philosophical traditions rather than a single, uniform set of beliefs, encompassing considerable variation in practice, belief, and regional tradition across its many followers.

Core concepts

Hindus generally hold a range of core concepts, though emphasis varies across different traditions within Hinduism. Brahman refers to the ultimate, underlying reality or universal spirit. Atman refers to the individual soul or self, which many Hindu traditions understand as ultimately connected to or identical with Brahman. Karma refers to the principle that actions have consequences, shaping a person's future circumstances, including within samsara, the cycle of death and rebirth. Dharma refers to one's duty or righteous way of living, and moksha refers to liberation from the cycle of samsara, considered the ultimate spiritual goal in many Hindu traditions.

Sacred texts

Hinduism's sacred texts include the Vedas, an ancient collection of hymns, rituals, and philosophical material considered among the oldest surviving religious texts in the world; the Upanishads, philosophical texts exploring the nature of Brahman and atman; and the Bhagavad Gita, a widely revered text presenting a dialogue on duty and spiritual devotion, forming part of the larger epic the Mahabharata.

Historical origins

Hinduism's historical roots trace back several thousand years, developing over a long period that included the ancient Vedic period and continuing development and diversification through subsequent centuries, discussed further, including its archaeological and historical evidence, in the expert article.