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Religious Studies & Theology vocabulary · World Religions and Traditions

Hinduism

Meaning in religious studies & theology, with examples

/ˈhɪnduːɪzəm/nounCore term

In religious studies & theology, Hinduism means: A family of religious traditions that developed in South Asia, with no single founder, sharing scriptures such as the Vedas and ideas such as dharma, karma and rebirth.

In Turkish: Hinduizm, Hinduluk

How it is used

Scholars stress that Hinduism is an umbrella term, partly shaped in the colonial period, for very diverse traditions; many Hindus call their tradition Sanatana Dharma. Main currents include Vaishnavism, Shaivism and Shaktism. Followers are Hindus.

Example sentences

  1. Hinduism has no single creed, so the course follows practices, texts and regions instead.

  2. Temple worship plays a central role in many forms of Hinduism in southern India.

Common collocations

  • modern Hinduism
  • Vedic religion
  • Hindu traditions
  • Hindu nationalism
  • forms of Hinduism
  • VedasThe oldest sacred texts of Hinduism, composed in Sanskrit and passed down orally for many centuries; there are four Vedas, of which the Rigveda is the oldest.
  • dharmaA key idea in Indian religions meaning duty, law and the right order of things; in Buddhism it also refers to the teaching of the Buddha.
  • karmaIn Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, the principle that a person's intentional actions have consequences that shape their future, including future lives.
  • reincarnationThe belief that after death a soul or self is born again in a new body, human or otherwise; it is found in Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and other traditions.
  • templeA building dedicated to the worship of a god or gods, especially in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and ancient religions; in Jewish history, the Temple in Jerusalem.

More terms: World Religions and Traditions

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