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Hinduism was the religion of the Hindu Vedic Scriptures, "The Vedas", and the Universal Wisdom for the Hindus, "The Sangtana Dharma". Hinduism was an ancient and complex religion with no single founding Hindu prophet or religious leader. The roots of Hinduism date back to before 3,000 BCE and encompass an entire Hindu Culture and way of life for the Hindus. There are numerous Hindu sects but Hinduism has no clearly delineated religious organization. Due to the extreme hierarchical nature of the Hindu castes; as well as, the divergent rituals, beliefs, and daily habits of the Hindus, the forms of Hindu worship varied considerably between them. The complex system of hereditary Hindu groups, ranked Hindus by their social strata and occupations (Brahmans, priests and scholars, Kshatriyas, warriors and rulers, Vaishyas, farmers and merchants, Shudras, peasants and laborers, and Panchamas, menials and untouchables).
Although the Hindu castes
also adhered to the principle of the four stages of life for the Hindus
(Brahmacharya, celibate student, Grihastha, householder, Vanaprastha, forest
hermitage, and Sannyasa, spiritual renunciation), in practice the Hindu
householder and the ascetic continued to be the main alternatives.
One billion adherents follow Hinduism today, mostly in India but there are large populations in other countries. Hinduism was a family of myriad faiths that range from an absolute monistic triad, (Brahma, the Creator, Vishnu, the Preserver, and Shiva, the Destroyer) to a pluralistic Hindu theism (the Supreme Being manifests as many gods and goddesses). The scriptures and Vedic hymns of the Hindus espouse many different viewpoints on Ultimate Reality but there are still many beliefs shared by all Hindus. Brahman is the ultimate, unchanging reality, composed of pure being and consciousness. Brahman, the all pervasive, was both immanent and transcendent, both Creator and Unmanifest Reality. Brahman, the primal soul, existed behind the apparent multiplicity of the phenomenal world, and was fundamentally identical to the inner essence of the human being. This all encompassing divinity, order, balance, harmony, law, principle of intelligence, unified life energy, or pure consciousness underscored, emanated, and resonated throughout all of existence.
Dharma is a doctrine of virtuous
living and of the religious and moral rights and duties of each individual to
live a life of good conduct. By following divine law; being respectful of
parents, elders, and swamis; by not doing mental, emotional, or physical harm to
others; and by doing heart centered works of selfless service, pastlife karmas
were resolved...Continue on
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Hinduism Hindu Vedic Vedas 
