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Hindusim

Hinduism is a diverse and complex religious tradition with a vast array of practices, beliefs, and deities. Here's a summary:

Key Terms and Definitions:

  • Samsara: The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. It is driven by karma and the goal is to achieve liberation (moksha) from this cycle.
  • Atman: The individual soul or self, which is believed to be a part of the universal Brahman.
  • Karma: The principle of cause and effect, where actions determine future experiences. Good actions lead to positive consequences, while bad actions lead to negative ones.
  • Moksha: Liberation from the cycle of samsara, achieved through spiritual knowledge, devotion, and righteous actions.
  • Dharma: One's duty or righteous conduct, which varies based on social class, age, and gender.
  • Brahman: The ultimate reality or cosmic principle that underlies all existence.

Key Beliefs:

  • Deity: Hindus believe in one Supreme Being, Brahman, who manifests in various forms as gods and goddesses.
  • Cyclical Time: Time is viewed as cyclical, with repeating yugas (epochs) and cosmic cycles of creation, preservation, and destruction.
  • Karma and Rebirth: Actions in past lives influence one's present and future lives.
  • Multiple Paths to Salvation: Hinduism recognizes different paths to spiritual realization, including the path of knowledge (jnana), devotion (bhakti), action (karma), and meditation (raja yoga).

Major Deities and Avatars:

  • The Trimurti:
    • Brahma: The creator of the universe.
    • Vishnu: The preserver and protector of the universe. Vishnu has several avatars, including:
      • Rama
      • Krishna
    • Shiva: The destroyer and transformer of the universe.
  • Other Important Deities:
    • Devi: The Divine Mother, representing feminine energy, often worshipped in forms like Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati.
    • Ganesha: The elephant-headed god of wisdom and remover of obstacles.
    • Hanuman: The monkey god, symbol of devotion and strength.

Types of Hinduism:

  • Vaishnavism: Focuses on the worship of Vishnu and his avatars.
  • Shaivism: Centers on the worship of Shiva.
  • Shaktism: Dedicated to the worship of Devi, the Divine Mother.
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