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Hinduism is one of the major Indian religions and nearly 80% of the population is of this religion and following these Hindu principles. This is also the oldest religions found all over world. Records found in the Indus Valley Civilization reflect that this religion is in existed since 1000 BC. This religion has no founder, hierarchy and also no central authority. It is also not seen that this religion is not at all proselytizing like other religions.
The Vedas were the collection of vast knowledge and the principles of this faith are reflecting that. Hinduism has changed itself year by year majorly. 'Adya Shankaracharya' in 7th and early 8th century and 'Ramanuja' in 12th century AD, who are great philosophers transformed many aspects of Hinduism previously found.
Hinduism is not so easy to define and no single Hindu organization has authority to specify beliefs or can establish official practice of this religion. As per Hinduism there is no any single God, but several are worshiped and all considered equally reverential. All over world many spiritual leaders as well as philosophers of Hinduism are found and all are respected and followed widely. Also the literature is spread widely and considered sacred.
There are four principals of Hinduism and are as follows:
- Duty means dharma
- Satisfaction means kama
- Material prosperity means artha
- Liberation means moksha
Hindus believe mainly in Brahman and are eternal and infinite, it is believed that everything exists from Brahman and ultimately return to that. Beliefs and practices in Hinduism vary from region to region and cause of several unifying factors like samsara, karma, dharma as well as the caste system.
As per Hinduism it is believed that life and death is cyclic as well as rebirth is depended on ones karma in his/her previous lives. Mainly there are three stages in life as per ashrama system and are 'brahmachari' - chaste student, 'grihastha' - householder and 'sanyasi' - wandering ascetic. In India there are lots of sadhus found at devotional places like Kashi, Varanashi, Mathura and many more.
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