Hinduism is the worlds oldest living tradition. Hindus prefer to call their tradition “Sanatan Dharma” – the universal tradition without a beginning and without an end because the concept it believes in are ageless and timeless. It is a peace loving and culturally rich. There is a saying that Sanatan Dharma is timeless in its concepts, rich in its diversity, wise in its age, practical in its morality, enthusiastic in its festivals and thoughtful in its philosophy.
Hinduism unlike most religions, has no founder and no one scripture. Hindus do not have one “Holy Book” like many other religions, but many texts including the four vedas along with their Upanishads, called the “Struti”, several Dharma Sasthras or Smrutis, Ithihasas and Puranas including the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. The Bhagavad Gita, or “Song of God” comes as part of Mahabaratha, is an essence of the message of the Upanishads and Hindu Philosophy and is considered to be a guide on how we should live as told by Lord Krishna and Arjuna.
Facts
Hinduism is the world’s third most popular religion, with around 750 million followers.
The religion of Hinduism originated in Northern India, near the river Indus, about 4000 years ago and is the world’s oldest existing religion.
Hinduism is practised by more than 80% of India’s population.
The Om symbol is the symbol of Hinduism.
The word “Hindu” comes from the name of the river Indus, which flows 1800 miles from Tibet through to Kashmir and Pakistan and then to the sea.
Hinduism has no founder, single teacher or any prophets.
Hindus actually only believe in one God, Brahman.
Hinduism is not a Single Religion. Hinduism is the practices of a variety of different religious groups which come out of India.
Hindus believe that there is a part of Brahman in everyone and this is called the Atman.
Hindus believe in reincarnation.
Hindus believe in Karma and also that Karma affects which form of life you next take when you are reincarnated.
Hindus worship in a Mandir.
The Vedas are the oldest religious texts in Hinduism and is thought of as the “holy book” much like how Christians have the bible and how Muslims have the Qur’an.