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Hinduism is not really a "religion", as the western term implies. From Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism#Definitions https://en.wikipedia.org/wik
by rocknor 5y ago
Hinduism is not really a "religion", as the western term implies. From Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism#Definitions https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism#Definitions
Hinduism includes a diversity of ideas on spirituality and traditions, but has no ecclesiastical order, no unquestionable religious authorities, no governing body, no prophet(s) nor any binding holy book; Hindus can choose to be polytheistic, pantheistic, panentheistic, pandeistic, henotheistic, monotheistic, monistic, agnostic, atheistic or humanist. According to Doniger, "ideas about all the major issues of faith and lifestyle – vegetarianism, nonviolence, belief in rebirth, even caste – are subjects of debate, not dogma.
> Sadly recent radicalisation have dented its malleability.
Hindutva shouldn't be confused with Hinduism: https://www.asianstudies.org/publications/eaa/archives/on-the-difference-between-hinduism-and-hindutva/ https://www.asianstudies.org/publications/eaa/archives/on-th...
- pmoriarty 5y ago"Hinduism" is more of an umbrella term for hundreds of different religions, practices, and beliefs. Christianity and Islam also have many, many different sects and varying beliefs, but Hinduism is even more varied.
- deleted 5y ago[deleted]
- srean 5y agoIndeed. The word Hindu does not occur in native literature, its an exonym https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endonym_and_exonym https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endonym_and_exonym If I remember correctly earliest recorded use of the word is in Persian/Zoroastrian text. There it's used not as a name of a religion but as a name for people living on the other side of the Indus river (called Sindhu in Sanskrit)
- db1234 5y agoCorrect. The right name is 'sanaatana dharma' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San%C4%81tan%C4%AB https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San%C4%81tan%C4%AB
- unmole 5y agoCalling it the right name is excessive. The term is of fairly recent origin and motivated by a desire to avoid using a Persian loanword.