HindusEdit
Hindus are adherents of Hinduism, a venerable religious and cultural tradition with roots stretching back thousands of years in the Indian subcontinent. Hinduism is not a single, uniform creed but a family of diverse beliefs, practices, and communities that share core concepts while honoring a wide spectrum of devotional paths, philosophical schools, and ritual expressions. The global Hindu population is largest in India and in neighboring regions, but it has spread through the diaspora to the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Indonesia, Suriname, and many other lands, where temple life, charitable work, and cultural festivals help sustain identity and community cohesion.
From its broad canon—spanning the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, as well as epic narratives such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata—Hinduism presents a tapestry of thought. The tradition centers on enduring ideas such as dharma (duty or moral order), karma (action and consequence), samsara (the cycle of birth and rebirth), and moksha (liberation from samsara). Devotion may be expressed through a plethora of deities and mythic forms, with many adherents recognizing the divine in multiple manifestations within a single ultimate reality, often referred to as Brahman. The faith encompasses a wide range of schools and movements, including Advaita Vedanta (nondual philosophy), Vaishnavism (devotion to Vishnu and his avatars), Shaivism (devotion to Shiva), and Shaktism (devotion to the divine feminine). This plurality extends to practice: daily puja (worship), temple rituals, yoga and meditation, rites of passage, and festival life that marks the cycles of the year.
Beliefs and practices
Core ideas and philosophy
- The idea of a single ultimate reality expressed in many forms, and the belief that personal realization or liberation comes through right knowledge, right action, and right devotion. See Advaita Vedanta and related schools for how different traditions articulate the nature of reality and self.
- Key ethical concepts include ahimsa (non-violence) and karuna (compassion), duties toward family and community, and responsibilities toward one’s own duties in different stages of life.
Sacred texts and traditions
- The canonical scripture set includes the Vedas and Upanishads, with devotional and ethical guidance found in the Bhagavad Gita and the broader narratives of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
- Devotional movements emphasize personal relationship with the divine in various forms, from iconic worship in temples to contemplative or musical expression of bhakti (devotional love).
Ritual life and festivals
- Daily worship, family rites, and temple-centered ceremonies are common, along with seasonal and life-cycle observances such as birth ceremonies, marriage rites, and rites for the dead (antyeshti) that reflect local customs and regional traditions.
- Major festivals such as Diwali (festival of lights) and Holi (festival of colors) rally communities, reinforce shared symbols, and transmit cultural memory to younger generations.
Social and ethical dimensions
- Hindu life is framed by dharma, which individuals interpret within family, community, and national life. This often involves balancing tradition with contemporary responsibilities, including participation in civic life and the rule of law in pluralistic societies.
Caste, community, and reform
- Hindu society contains a history of social stratification known as the caste system, traditionally organized into varna and later jati groups. While this system has been reinterpreted and legally challenged in modern states, debates about caste, privilege, and inclusion remain active. Reform movements within Hinduism—such as those associated with Brahmo, Vaishnava, and other reformist currents—have sought to expand education, reduce discrimination, and promote gender equality while preserving cultural continuity.
History and demographics
Hinduism has ancient roots in the Indian subcontinent, with scholarly work tracing continuities from the Vedic era to later philosophical schools and devotional movements. Over the centuries, Hindu thought influenced and interacted with neighboring religious traditions, including Buddhism and Jainism, as well as later periods of royal patronage and urbanization. In the modern era, Hindus constitute the majority in India, where cultural, social, and political life is deeply interwoven with religious practice. The Nepalese Hindu tradition remains a major cultural force in Nepal as well. Globally, communities of Hindus and Hindu temples can be found across the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and many other countries, often playing a prominent role in intercultural dialogue, charitable activity, and diaspora networks.
Demographic profile
- In India, Hindus form a large share of the population, contributing to the country’s social fabric, educational institutions, and public life. Outside the subcontinent, Hindu communities maintain religious and cultural practices while adapting to local legal and social norms, frequently forming temples, cultural associations, and Indian schools that serve both immigrant families and converts to Hindu traditions.
Cultural influence
- Hindu philosophy and arts have shaped literature, music, dance, architecture, and science in South Asia and beyond. Philosophical schools such as Vedanta and devotional genres have influenced thinkers, poets, and reformers, while temple architecture, iconography, and ritual music affirm a living, evolving tradition that travels with people across borders.
Contemporary debates and structures
Religion and public life
- In some contexts, Hindu identity intersects with questions of national culture, secular governance, and minority rights. Advocates emphasize freedom of religion, pluralism, and the contribution of Hindu communities to national development, charity, and civic life. Critics, however, contest how identity is mobilized in politics, particularly when it intersects with state policy or social policy. The debates around Hindu nationalism and related movements are part of broader conversations about how culture, faith, and citizenship interact in modern democracies.
Social reform and gender
- Reformist currents within Hinduism have long advocated educational advancement, gender equality, and improved social welfare, while preserving religious freedom and cultural heritage. Debates persist about the pace and scope of reform in traditional practices, including temple access, training for religious leadership, and education that equips communities to navigate contemporary norms while respecting religious autonomy.
Caste and inequality
- The legacy of caste remains a live issue in many communities, with ongoing efforts to promote inclusion, access to education, and anti-discrimination measures within both civil life and religious institutions. Advocates argue that reform can strengthen social cohesion, while critics worry about the pace of change and the potential for systemic disadvantage if reforms are slow or unevenly applied.
Globalization and migration
- The Hindu diaspora contributes to host societies through entrepreneurship, scholarship, culture, and philanthropy, while maintaining distinct religious and cultural practices. This cross-cultural exchange often involves dialogue with other faith communities and participation in civic institutions that value pluralism and the rule of law.
Woke critique and internal discourse
- Critics of broad social trends sometimes argue that liberal critiques mischaracterize Hindu traditions or overlook reforms and achievements within Hindu communities. Proponents of these counter-views emphasize continuity with tradition, social order, family structures, and the role of Hindu ethics in supporting charitable work, education, and civic responsibility. They may contend that broad-brush condemnations of a diverse and ancient tradition overlook the diversity within Hindu practice and the positive impacts of religious freedom.
Religion, law, and civic space
- In many places, Hindu communities participate in public life as equal citizens within secular constitutional frameworks, seeking to preserve their religious liberty while respecting equal rights for all citizens. The balance between faith-based practice and universal legal norms remains a central question in pluralist societies.
Diaspora and globalization
Hindu communities abroad maintain religious and cultural life through temples, schools, cultural associations, and community organizations. They adapt rituals and calendars to local contexts while preserving core beliefs. This global presence contributes to interfaith dialogue, the sharing of Indian arts and philosophy, and the creation of diasporic networks that support charitable activities, humanitarian aid, and educational initiatives.
Cultural transmission
- Festivals, classical music and dance traditions, and yoga are often shared with broader publics, enriching host societies and fostering cross-cultural understanding. The diaspora also supports scholarly engagement with Hindu studies, philosophy, and history through universities and research institutes.
Interfaith and civic engagement
- Hindu communities frequently participate in interfaith councils, charitable collaborations, and public debates about education, religious freedom, and social policy, reinforcing a vision of a diverse, tolerant, and prosperous civil society.