Brahmanism

American  

[brah-muh-niz-uhm] / ˈbrɑ məˌnɪz əm /

Or Brahminism

noun

1. the religious and social system of the Brahmans and orthodox Hindus, characterized by the caste system and diversified pantheism.

2. the Hinduism of the Vedas, Brahmanas, and Upanishads.

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Brahmanism British  

/ ˈbrɑːməˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. the religious and social system of orthodox Hinduism, characterized by diversified pantheism, the caste system, and the sacrifices and family ceremonies of Hindu tradition

2. the form of Hinduism prescribed in the Vedas, Brahmanas, and Upanishads

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• Brahmanist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of Brahmanism

First recorded in 1810–20; Brahman ¹ + -ism

Example Sentences

Boundaries between the two religions became blurred, a development that helped followers of Brahmanism and Buddhists find a means for coexistence and even cooperation.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

In this way, Brahmanism emerged as Hinduism, which retained the caste system and belief in the Vedas while also offering a prescription for common followers seeking to live a moral and fulfilling life.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

Buddhism never supplanted Brahmanism as the dominant religion in India.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

A later series of treatises known as the Upanishads, written by a priestly class called Brahmans, developed new expressions of the Vedic religion, gradually transforming it into what many scholars refer to as Brahmanism.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

The closer knowledge of both, gained by the opening up of the sacred books of India, tends to show that much that was formerly thought distinctive of Buddhism was in reality inherited from Brahmanism.

From History of Religion A Sketch of Primitive Religious Beliefs and Practices, and of the Origin and Character of the Great Systems by Menzies, Allan