[WikiGem] Hinduism

Hinduism is a religion, or a synthesis of religious traditions, originating in India. The origins of Hinduism stretch beyond the beginnings of recorded history, and many influences have contributed to the development of Hindu religious doctrine and practice. Hinduism contains a plethora of saints, gurus, avatars and other religious teacher, including Krishna and Rama among others.

The Hindu scriptures are an extensive collection of religious literature of various forms. The Upanishads and the Vedas are both collections of inspirational writing from long ago, and authorship would probably be impossible to establish. The Ramayana is an epic poem which tells the story of Rama and His consort Sita. A similar epic poem, the Mahabharata sets the background of the war in which Krishna was involved. The Bhagavad Gita is now positioned within this larger work.

The Bhagavad Gita, taken as the primary piece of Krishna's teaching, is set within the story of the Kurukshetra War and is sacred Hindu scripture. The context of the Bhagavad Gita is the battle of the Kauravas and the Pandavas clans over the throne of Hastinapura. All of this background is described at great length in an epic poem known as the Mahabharata. The Bhagavad Gita itself recounts a conversation between Pandava Arjuna and Krishna concerning Arjuna's unwillingness to enter battle against his own family. Krishna explains Arjuna's duty and reveals Himself as a Manifestation of God.

Hindu practices are incorporated into every day life. Many Hindus erect an altar in their homes and visit temples or sacred rivers only occasionally. Icons are commonly used in worship. These icons are considered to be a manifest form of a deity. Hindus begin each day with ablutions and by chanting mantras. Puja is the performing of prayer and ritual. This is often performed daily, in front of the shrine or altar at home, and may involve the movement of a flame (to represent purity) in front of the shrine. Gifts are also offered upon the shrine - possibly a few grains of rice, some petals or similar.

In 2009 it was estimated that 900 million people practice some form of Hinduism. While most Hindus today live in India, Hindu communities exist throughout the world as members of the Indian diaspora and non-Indian converts. Historically, the spread of Hinduism reached as far as Indonesia, and communities continue to exist throughout southeast Asia.

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