Hinduism
The world's oldest living religion, Hinduism is a vast family of traditions united by sacred texts and core concepts like karma, dharma, and the pursuit of Moksha — liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
Founded
~2300 BCE (Vedic period)
Origin
Indian subcontinent
Followers
1.2 billion
Founder
No single founder — evolved over millennia
Featured Verse
“
You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions.
Bhagavad Gita 2:47
Core Beliefs
- Brahman — the ultimate, formless universal consciousness underlying all existence
- Atman — the individual soul, ultimately identical with Brahman
- Dharma — righteous living and one's duty in life
- Karma — the law of cause and effect across actions and lifetimes
- Samsara — the cycle of death and rebirth; Moksha is liberation from it
Concept of God
Henotheistic / polytheistic — one ultimate reality (Brahman) expressed through many deities including Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Lakshmi, Durga, Ganesha
Afterlife
Reincarnation based on karma. Liberation (Moksha) ends the cycle — the soul merges with Brahman.
Sacred Texts
Dominant in
3 countriesData: Pew Research Center, World Religion Database, UN Population Division (2024 est.)
Key Figures
Adi Shankaracharya
Philosopher, consolidated Advaita Vedanta
Swami Vivekananda
Modern reformer, brought Hinduism to the West
Ramanujacharya
Philosopher, founded Vishishtadvaita school
Key Holidays
Diwali
Festival of Lights — victory of light over darkness
Holi
Festival of Colors — arrival of spring, triumph of good
Navaratri
Nine nights honoring goddess Durga
Dussehra
Victory of Rama over Ravana
Maha Shivaratri
Great night of Shiva — fasting and devotion