Hinduism

American  

[hin-doo-iz-uhm] / ˈhɪn duˌɪz əm /

Or Hindooism

noun

1. the common religion of India, based upon the religion of the original Aryan settlers as expounded and evolved in the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Bhagavad-Gita, etc., having an extremely diversified character with many schools of philosophy and theology, many popular cults, and a large pantheon symbolizing the many attributes of a single god. Buddhism and Jainism are outside the Hindu tradition but are regarded as related religions.

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Hinduism British  

/ ˈhɪndʊˌɪzəm /

noun

1. the complex of beliefs, values, and customs comprising the dominant religion of India, characterized by the worship of many gods, including Brahma as supreme being, a caste system, belief in reincarnation, etc

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Hinduism Cultural  

1. A religion of India that emphasizes freedom from the material world through purification of desires and elimination of personal identity. Hindu beliefs include reincarnation. (See Brahmins, pariah, Vishnu, and yoga.)

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Discover More

Traditionally, Hinduism was linked to the caste system — a division of Indian society into several rigid groups, with members of a higher caste holding power over those of a lower.

The sacred writings of Hinduism include the Vedas (which contain the Upanishads) and the Bhagavad Gita.

Etymology

Origin of Hinduism

First recorded in 1820–30; Hindu + -ism

Compare meaning

How does hinduism compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Jainism vs. Hinduism

Example Sentences

He maintains, for instance, that Hinduism never spread as Buddhism or Christianity did primarily because it lacked portable written texts.

From The Wall Street Journal

His theological commitments are decidedly liberal, perhaps universalist—Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism he sees “as circling the same truth about the universe, about the cosmos.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Lord Krishna, Hinduism’s compassionate god of divine love, is often portrayed with a flute in hand.

From Los Angeles Times

That Khmer rulers promoted both Hinduism and Buddhism makes some sculptures hard to identify.

From The Wall Street Journal

Millions of Indians are celebrating Diwali, the festival of lights, one of Hinduism's most significant and widely observed festivals.

From BBC