Hinduism holy book facts & figures

The vedas scriptures guide hindus in their daily life. Manusmriti was the first book written on the law in the world, which deals with social and moral conduct of a person. The body of sacred literature in hinduism is vast and diverse enough to write volumes on. Historians believe that it originated more than 5000 years ago. All about hinduism is intended to meet the needs of those who want to be introduced to the various facets of the crystal that is hinduism. For hindus, the veda is a symbol of unchallenged authority and. Unlike other religious traditions, hinduism does not originate in a single. With that in mind, here are twenty interesting facts about hinduism. None, although there are numerous lineages of revered gurus and saints.

They were sung by the hindu priests and other hindus during religious activities. Sruti scriptures are considered divinely inspired and fully authoritative for belief and practice, while smruti are recognized as the products of the minds of the great sages. Here, i will give only a brief introduction to the holy books of hinduism. Hinduism is derived from a sanskrit word that means dwellers by the indus river. Guided by the founder, satguru sivaya subramuniyaswami, the magazines editors, who are initiated monks of the kauais hindu monastery, collaborated with holy men and women and experts around the world in creating graphically rich. Smartism sect in which all six main gods are worshipped. Although technically it is not sruti, since it is part of an epic, most hindus treat it as though it is divinely inspired in practice. The scriptures of the vedas are meant to guide hindu believers in their daily lives. While most of its followers are in south asia, specifically india and nepal, there are hindus around the world. The rig veda is the oldest known book in the world. There is a long list of important human figures in hinduism. The others are numerous avatarsrepresentatives of the powers of.

They also help to preserve the religious dimensions of family and society. The earliest documents on hinduism date back to 5,500 bce. The most holy of the hindu books is written in sanskrit and is referred to as the vedas. Buddhism, in fact, arose out of hinduism, and both believe in reincarnation. Other holy scriptures in hinduism are called the upanisads, the smrutis, the puranas, the ramayana and the mahabharata. Hinduism, major world religion originating on the indian subcontinent and. It contains many different beliefs, philosophies and viewpoints, not always. There are a number of scriptures and holy books in hinduism. Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world, as well as the worlds oldest religion. Therefore, the assertions, which have not yet been established through observation and experiment, can only be theories or hypotheses. The upanishads consist of the mystical and philosophical teachings of hinduism. Its the oldest book known in the world, and therefore, hinduism is also sometimes referred to as the oldest religion.

Buddhism vs hinduism difference and comparison diffen. Ramanuja is one of the very important people in hinduism. Who are some of the most important figures in hinduism. Hinduism does not possess a single holy book like bible in christianity and quran in islamic dharma.

The vedas a collection of hymns praising the vedic gods. In hinduism, attaining the highest life is a process of removing the bodily distractions from life, allowing one to eventually understand the brahma nature within. They got their present form between 1200200 bce and were introduced to india by the aryans. Hinduism has been called the oldest religion in the world, and many practitioners refer to hinduism as the eternal law. For many hindus, religion is a matter of practice rather than of beliefs. First, lets distinguish between two types of hindu literature.

Religionfacts does not necessarily endorse the contents of these books. The hindu religion originated in india thousands of years ago. Feb 18, 2017 the most sacred scriptures of hinduism are the vedas books of knowledge, a collection of texts written in sanskrit from about 1200 bce to 100 ce as sruti revealed texts, the vedas are regarded as the absolute authority for religious knowledge and a test of hindu orthodoxy both jains and buddhists reject the vedas. The most sacred scriptures of hinduism are the vedas books of knowledge, a collection of texts written in sanskrit from about 1200 bce to 100 ce. Hinduism is not based on a strict set of rules, it is not based on a single holy book, and it wasnt founded by one individual. Here are some facts about hinduism, the main religion of the indian subcontinent, and one of the most popular religions worldwide.

Hindu scriptures and holy books hinduism facts hinduism facts. The bhagavad gita is perhaps the single most important holy book of hinduism today. Hinduism is also strong on bali in indonesia and places with large numbers of. Hindus hold the belief of the four vedas high in their mind. More strikingly than any other major religious community, hindus acceptand indeed celebratethe organic, multileveled, and sometimes pluralistic nature of their traditions. Shaktas use chants, holy diagrams, yoga and rituals to call forth cosmic forces and awaken the great kundalini power within the spine. The most ancient sacred texts of the hindu religion are written in sanskrit and called the vedas. This expansiveness is made possible by the widely shared hindu view that truth or reality cannot be encapsulated in any creedal formulation, a perspective expressed in.

Although the name hinduism is relatively new, having been coined by british writers in the first decades of the 19th century, it refers to a rich cumulative tradition of texts and practices, some of which date to the 2nd millennium bce or possibly. Most of hinduisms sacred texts were written in sanskrit in. Hinduism is the worlds third most popular religion, with around 750 million followers. The date is uncertain, but most experts date it back to 1500 years b. It is the 3rd largest religion in the world with more than 900 million followers. 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. Four vedas, upanishads, bhagavadgita, 18 puranas, ramayana, and mahabharata are the sacred books of hindus. It is indias major religion, but unlike many other religions in the world, hinduism has no founder. The sacred texts of hinduism fall into one of two categories. Click for more kids facts and information or download the worksheet collection. In the harappan legacy archaeologists have agreed to see int he indus civilization 26001900 bce some of the roots of hinduism. Hinduism is a religion with different gods and often different beliefs that go with. Famous hindu religious leaders include mohandas gandhi and paramahansa yogananda, founder of the selfrealization fellowship. Hindus believe that the soul can be reincarnated, undergoing a cycle of rebirth.

There is no single scripture as it is in other religions like christianity and islam. There are countless amounts of gods and goddesses in hinduism 330 million. Hindu religion has no founder or origin thats why it is known as sanatana dharma. Pali is considered the classical language of buddhism, and.

Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world, which is believed to have started 4,000 years ago in northern india. The bhagavad gita, usually considered part of the sixth book of the mahabharata dating from about 400 or 300 b. The puranas are holy books of hinduism that date back to gupta empire in ancient india. Guru granth sahib, the holy book of sikhs introduction like the bible of christianity, the vedas of hinduism or the koran of islam, the guru granth sahib, also known as the adi granth, is the main scripture of sikhism. Which religious book has true facts, the quran or hindus. Hinduism does not just have one sacred book but several scriptures. Nov 04, 2008 the aryans gave hinduism its priestly language, sanskrit. Hinduism facts facts about hinduism religionhinduism facts. Ganesha, shiva, sakti, vishnu, surya and skanda they accept all the. This is considered the most ancient scripture throughout the world. One of the oldest known religious texts is the kesh temple hymn of ancient sumer, a set of inscribed clay tablets which scholars typically date around 2600 bce. For example, hindus believe there is only one supreme being, brahman. Hinduism is the worlds third most popular religion, with around 900 million followers.

Its many sacred texts in sanskrit and vernacular languages served as a vehicle. Other holy scriptures in hinduism are called the upanisads, the smrutis, the puranas, the ramayana and the. The most sacred scriptures of hinduism are the vedas books of knowledge, a collection of texts written in sanskrit from about 1200 bce to 100 ce as sruti revealed texts, the vedas are regarded as the absolute authority for religious knowledge and a test of hindu orthodoxy both jains and buddhists reject the vedas. Science regards as scientific the facts established through empirical methods. Hinduism is neither monotheistic nor restricted to one religious scripture. No one knows or cares to know who started hinduism. Hinduism is a very old religion from india that is still practiced today. To people raised in other faiths, hinduism may seem very complex, but the core beliefs of hinduism are actually quite simple to understand. It was one of the first religions that had the idea of reincarnation that people can be born again after death, karma one event. All are available for purchase on click book images for details. Hindus value many sacred writings as opposed to one holy book.

Hinduism is the worlds oldest surviving organized religion. Facts about sikhism sikhism as a religion has one very special aspect that the preaching of its founder are only the most holy scripture of sikhs. Hinduism does not have a single holy book, but many ancient texts and scriptures. Although there are many religious figures, there are four main sections within hinduism religion. Download the bible, the holy quran, the mahabharata and thousands of free pdf ebooks on buddhism, meditation etc. Origin of hinduism in bali indonesia history, holy. The rig veda is an ancient text written in sanskrit. These are songs and verses sung by guru nanak dev ji that were recorded and complied in the form of guru granth sahib ji. It is important to know that there is one universal god in hinduism. Hinduism for ks1 and ks2 children hindu faith homework help.

These texts are glorious tales of the hindu trinity brahma, vishnu and maheshwar shiva. It began about 5000 years ago, linked to the people who lived near to the indus river in about 2500 bc. However, the puranas are supposed to be complied by muni vyasa. Sanatana dharma, is a very old religion from india that is still practiced today. They differ from literary texts by being a compilation or discussion of beliefs, mythologies, ritual practices, commandments or laws, ethical conduct, spiritual aspirations, and for creating or fostering a religious community. This sets it apart from other religions and makes it really hard to set down exactly what hinduism actually is. Hinduism is about understanding brahma, existence, from within the atman, which roughly means self or soul, whereas buddhism is about finding the anatman not soul or not self. In life we are confronted with spiritual issue for which there is no answer in science, such as what should be the family structure or why we we love our forefathers too much, and what happens a. However, it is not a religion of the same kind as the other two main religions. Hinduism holy books hindus value many sacred writings as opposed to one holy book. Hinduism is practised by more than 80% of indias population. Vedas and upanishadas are the most authoritative amongst all hindu scriptures and holy books. It was a lifestyle that flourished in ancient indian subcontinent thousands of years ago, which later took the form of what is known today as hinduism. Hinduism has no single creed and recognizes no final truth.

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. Mar 17, 2015 the sacred texts of hinduism fall into one of two categories. It was one of the first religions that had the idea of reincarnation that people can be born again after death, karma one event invents another, or that every action has its consequences, and other ideas. It is believed that hinduism dates back to 500010,000 bc. Ramanuja constructed a few vishnu temples in mysore.

The book, which was first published in 1947, has now been rearranged in a more convenient form, with useful additions here and. 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. No comments on origin of hinduism in bali indonesia history, holy figures, and traditions found most notably in india and nepal, hinduism is a way of life or a religion and most its practitioners and scholars refer to it as sanatana dharma, the eternal law, or. These are the most ancient religious texts which define truth for hindus. Hinduism holy book important books and writings of hinduism. Sruti pronounced shroothee are the holy books within hinduism that are considered to be. Most interesting facts about hinduism sanatana dharma. The veda is a rather unusual collection of literature. Ramanuja taught hindus that you should worship a personal god,vishnu, and that the world is the lords body.

Hinduism is the fourth largest religion in the world and is the oldest among major religions. Thirdly there is shaktism, in which the female aspect of god is primarily worshiped and lastly, there is smartism. The buddhas teachings were preserved in the pali canon, which acts as an extensive analytical record written in pali, the buddhas native dialect. The religion of hinduism originated in northern india, near the river indus, about 4000 years ago and is the worlds oldest existing religion.

Throughout its extensive history, there have been many key figures teaching different philosophies and writing numerous holy books. He is often thought to have stated vishnus will in denouncing animal sacrifice. The aryans gave hinduism its priestly language, sanskrit. The original purpose of these activities was to purify, avert malicious. He was born in the sixth century, and many hindus believe that buddha is an avatar or incarnation of lord vishnu. Hinduism, major world religion originating on the indian subcontinent and comprising several and varied systems of philosophy, belief, and ritual. The epic of gilgamesh from sumer, although only considered by some scholars as a religious text, has origins as early as 2150 bce, and stands as one of the earliest literary works that includes various mythological figures and themes. This is one of the most popular and accessible of all hindu scriptures, required reading for anyone interested in hinduism.

Manusmriti falls in the smriti category of hindu scriptures and hence, it is less authoritative than vedas and upanishadas. A collection of handselected books on hinduism, chosen on the basis of apparent usefulness and quality. Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world. The first category consists of vedic rishis, human beings who transcended ordinary human intellect and knowledge by means of tapas and could therefore see deep cosmic truths. The primary sacred texts, known as the vedas, were composed around 1500 b. It is a complex family of sects whose copious scriptures, written over a period of almost 2,000 years 1500 b. Religious books are about guidance, not about facts. This is hinduism learn the basics learn the basics about hindu beliefs, gods and rituals this book contains an easily accessible overview of the hindu religion, with a focus on those coming from the western religions and cultures. Hinduism, with about one billion followers is the worlds third largest religion, after christianity and islam. The religious tradition of hinduism is responsible for. Hinduism is not based on a strict set of rules, it is not based on a single holy book, and it wasnt founded.

Nov 07, 20 read cnn s hinduism fast facts and learn more about hinduism, the thirdlargest religion after christianity and islam. Swami sriyukteswar giri guru of paramahansa yogananda writes in his book that the current day age is actually dwaparayuga in his book holy science. Other holy scriptures in hinduism are called the upanisads, the smrutis, the. Religious texts are texts related to a religious tradition. The buddha, or siddhartha gautama, is the founder of buddhism, but he is also a holy figure in hinduism. As sruti revealed texts, the vedas are regarded as the absolute authority for religious knowledge and a test of hindu orthodoxy both jains and buddhists reject the vedas. Fourth, behind christianity, islam, and atheismagnosticism. Hinduism is one of the largest forms of religion in the world. Since 1979 the international magazine hinduism today has been producing a treasury of educational features on all aspects of sanatana dharma. Information on hinduism for kids primary homework help. Indeed, hinduism is crosscultural and recognizable through some of its famous holy figures who are not only significant to hinduism but the world as a whole. Hindu scriptures and holy books hinduism facts facts. Hinduism sacred books the bhagavad gita, translated from the sanskrit, with introduction and notes revised second edition.