A holy man reading the guru granth sahib, the holy book of sikhism. The other religions are jainism, sikhism, and buddhism. Modern historians call it the oldest surviving religion in the world. Most of hinduism s sacred texts were written in sanskrit in ancient times. Hindus observe fast in the name of god every once, twice, or more times a week. The book, which was first published in 1947, has now been rearranged in a more convenient form, with useful additions here and there, and is now released in its fifth edition. The most commonlyobserved fast, ekadashi, is respected approximately twice a month, on the eleventh day of each ascending and descending moon. More than 1 billion people consider themselves hindus, and 85% of all hindus live in india. Hindus believe in a transcendent supreme being who sustains the universe, which they believe goes through unending cycles of creation and destruction.
From the book fundamental facts for every hindu compiled by swami dayananda saraswathy suraj sahay from the sayings and writings of h. It began about 5000 years ago, linked to the people who lived near to the indus river in about 2500 bc. Hinduism holy book important books and writings of hinduism sacred text of hinduism some important books and writings on hinduism hinduism does not possess a single holy book like bible in christianity and quran in islamic dharma. The vedas, upanishads, ramayana, mahabharata, and puranas significant figures. Its the oldest book known in the world, and therefore, hinduism is also sometimes referred to as the oldest religion. Hinduism is not based on a strict set of rules, it is not based on a single holy book, and it wasnt founded. Hindu religious life might take the form of devotion to god or gods, the duties of family. Thus any definition of hinduism is somewhat arbitrary and requires qualification. At first glance, people easily conclude that hinduism and christian are two different religions that do not really have something in common. Hinduism does not have a single holy book, but many ancient texts and scriptures. Whether you know everything about this fascinating religion or very little, you cant deny these are some incredible facts about hinduism. They are written in an earlier indian language called sanskrit.
Hinduism is not merely a religion but a way of life. The hindu faith draws on a number of sacred texts and there is no standard set of beliefs, so it is a religion which is followed in different ways by different groups of people. Here are 25 interesting facts about hinduism that you probably didnt know before. Hinduism, in its traverse of four thousand years, has accumulated many a belief and practice which encompass. There is no single scripture as it is in other religions like christianity and islam. Hinduism is often thought of not as a single religion, but as a family of religions.
Hinduism is often described as a religion of fasts, feasts, and festivals. He has written several books about hinduism for children and young adults. Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world. This is because it grew out of cultural and religious changes in india. I hope that from this short introduction to the holy books of hinduism it is apparent that hindus consider a great variety of literature important, and that this literature is as diverse and complex as it is beautiful.
The scriptures of the vedas are meant to guide hindu believers in their daily lives. Fundamental facts for every hindu meaning of hindu. Many scholars liken hinduism to a family of religions, with all affiliated members bearing a family resemblance. Scholars describe hinduism as the product of religious development in india that spans nearly 4,000 years, making it perhaps the oldest surviving world. Mahatma ghandi nonviolent leader of the indian independence movement julia. Hinduism is an ancient religion with diverse traditions such as vaishnavism, shaivism, shaktism and others. Hinduism is the practices of a variety of different religious groups which come out of india. The dharma religions share many spiritual concepts, such as dharma, karma, samsara, and moksha, though they are interpreted differently. In case our readers know some additional facts about hinduism which are not mentioned here, please let us know via the comment and help us to expand this article as long as possible. View cnn s fast facts to learn more about the most practiced religion in the world, christianity. The most holy of the hindu books is written in sanskrit and is referred to as the vedas. Information on hinduism for kids primary homework help. Here are some facts about hinduism, the main religion of the indian subcontinent, and one of the most popular religions worldwide.
The holy books in hinduism are there only for guidance. What are the top ten religions and what is the holy book. These are the most ancient religious texts which define truth for hindus. The vedas are the four holiest books of the hindu religion. The word hindu comes from the name of the river indus, according to hinduism facts. Shaktism is, together with vaishnavism and shaivism, one of the major forms of modern hinduism and is especially popular in bengal and assam. The facts about hinduism mentioned in this article can be shared among friends as well as for teaching children the greatness of hindu religion. Following are the days and deities associated with that particular day. The rig veda is an ancient text written in sanskrit. What is hinduism beliefs, facts, philosophy and history. Read cnns hinduism fast facts and learn more about hinduism, the thirdlargest religion after christianity and islam. About 95% of all hindus in the world live in india.
The authors and dates of most hindu sacred texts are unknown, although the oldest text the vedas are estimated to date from as early as 1500 bce. They are written in an old indian language called sanskrit. Hinduism is the worlds oldest religion, according to many scholars, with roots and customs dating back more than 4,000 years. Hinduism is the dominant religion of india, about 85% of the over one billion persons living in india are known to the world as hindus. The celebration at the beginning of the year, in honour of shiva, is. An eastern religion, hinduism evolved over time in india as a conglomeration of belief. They are believed to be one of the oldest books ever made by mankind. Hinduism is the oldest organized religion in the world, tracing its start back to 3500 b. The religion differs from other faiths because it has no founder, no single teacher, and no prophets.
Other significant populations are found in nepal 23 million, bangladesh 15 million and the indonesian island of bali 3. Hinduism world religions digital learning commons at. The term hinduism became familiar as a designator of religious ideas and practices distinctive to india with the publication of books such as hinduism 1877 by. Some of the other holy works and books of hinduism. Although hindus believe in one god, brahman, the hindu faith has different gods that represent. The date is uncertain, but most experts date it back to 1500 years b. They are organized according to the hindu lunisolar calendar, which is different than the gregorian calendar used in the west. Hindus value many sacred writings as opposed to one holy book. The authors and dates of most hindu sacred texts are unknown, although the oldest text. Today, with about 900 million followers, hinduism is the third. Hindus acknowledge one central creator god, but they worship many gods, who may assume various physical forms, called avatars, on. Learn about the hindu ritual fast in honor of goddess maha lakshmi.
If there is a book describing the several ways by which one can converse with god, then theres another book relating science with religion holy science and explaining the secrets of living a healthy, happy and peaceful life. The concept of hinduism being a single monolithic religion is recent, dating back only to the 19th century. Hinduism is neither monotheistic nor restricted to one religious scripture. Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world. Shaktism, worship of the hindu goddess shakti sanskrit.
We do hope that all serious students of hindu religion and philosophy will find the book useful and. Although they were finally written down in 1,500 bce. Hinduism is one of the four dharmic or indic traditions. Each tradition has a long list of hindu texts, with subgenre based on syncretization of ideas from samkhya, nyaya, yoga, vedanta and other schools of hindu philosophy. Its scriptures say that it has neither any beginning nor end. Hinduism hinduism fast facts and introduction religionfacts.
About 98 percent of the worlds hindus live in india. Fast on that particular day is believed to be beneficial for pleasing that deity. Hinduism, as the worlds most ancient surviving religion, could have it no other way. Hinduism does not have a single holy book that guides religious. Almost every school of religious thought and belief has its own central texts to guide its followers. So, what are the holy books of the five major world religions. Hinduism holy book important books and writings of hinduism. The word hindu originates from the indian indus river. An eastern religion, hinduism evolved over time in india as a conglomeration of belief systems.
They have words called mantras which are chanted at the religious ceremonies. There are more than one billion followers of hinduism in the world today. Shakti is conceived of either as the paramount goddess or as the consort of a. Does religious fasting make any sense and why do hindus fast. Buddhism 376 million followers tripitaka pali canon 5. Hinduism for ks1 and ks2 children hindu faith homework. They have phrases called mantras which are chanted at the religious ceremonies although they were finally written down around 1,500 bc, they are actually much much older.
Read cnn s hinduism fast facts and learn more about hinduism, the thirdlargest religion after christianity and islam. Every hindu book is written in sanskrit, and it is said that sanskrit is the language of the demigods. Other holy scriptures in hinduism are called the upanisads, the smrutis, the puranas, the ramayana and the mahabharata. Unlike christianity or islam, it is a not a religion that is governed by the book. It is technically not a single religion, but rather embraces the practices of a variety of different religious groups that come out of india. Sanskrit is the oldest language in the world, the mother of all languages. There are a number of scriptures and holy books in hinduism. The holy books of world religions sacred texts in world. They got their present form between 1200200 bce and were introduced to india by the aryans. But some key differences exist between the two religions. The most ancient sacred texts of the hindu religion are written in sanskrit and called. The basic beliefs and history of a religion is often found in its sacred or revered texts. The rig veda is the oldest known book in the world. Vedas and upanishadas are the most authoritative amongst all hindu scriptures and holy books.
Hinduism is the worlds third most popular religion, with around 900 million followers. Hinduism is the 3rd largest religion in the world, after christianity and islam. Hindu festivals are combinations of religious ceremonies, semiritual spectacles, worship, prayer, lustrations, processions, music and dances, eating, drinking, lovemaking, licentiousness, feeding the poor, and other activities of a religious or traditional character. If i missed anything let me know in the comments below.
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