Hinduism

or Hin·doo·ism

[ hin-doo-iz-uhm ]

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.

Hinduism

/ 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

Hinduism

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 .)

Notes

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Hinduism¹

First recorded in 1820–30; Hindu + -ism

Example Sentences

They want Hinduism to be seen as the solution to the centuries of mess created by Muslim and British “foreign” rule.

From The Daily Beast

He was raised by secular Sikhs, attended a Christian school, and, as a youth, dabbled in Hinduism.

From The Daily Beast

The man behind some of the complaints is Rajan Zed, president of the Universal Society of Hinduism.

From The Daily Beast

When he first attended Barsana Dham, he said, “I just felt like Hinduism was explained.”

From The Daily Beast

Hinduism directs its followers to spiritual teachers, who, according to traditional belief, are a necessary connection to God.

From The Daily Beast

Hinduism has become a conservative religion and, therefore, a mighty force because of the Swadeshi spirit underlying it.

From Project Gutenberg

A man of the people himself, he had a message to deliver to a peasantry naturally impatient of the shackles of orthodox Hinduism.

From Project Gutenberg

Emerson's phrase may well be applied to Hinduism, "What you are speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say."

From Project Gutenberg

And yet Mohammedanism, although its customs are less brutal, places woman in almost the same low position as Hinduism.

From Project Gutenberg

Hinduism enslaves a majority of the men within its reach; of the women within its reach it enslaves all.

From Project Gutenberg