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Published:
January 27, 2025

Hinduism For Dummies

Overview

Discover one of the world's most popular belief systems

Hinduism is a fascinating and widespread religion with a diverse array of traditions, practices, scriptures, and deities. In Hinduism For Dummies, 2nd Edition, you'll get a clear view into this widely-practiced and ancient creed. The book contains an easy-to-follow introduction to Hinduism, including its four different sects—Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism, and Smartism—it's major rituals, and its most sacred teachings.

You'll understand how to recognize the different major gods and goddesses in the Hindu pantheon and the differences that give each of the four sects their distinct culture and theology. You'll also explore the history of what some consider to be the world's oldest religion that's still widely practiced today.

Inside, you'll:

  • Understand core beliefs and values
  • Discover Hindu wisdom and teachings (including life-cycle rites)
  • Discover how to worship inside and outside of your home
  • Know the Hindu concept of reality

An interesting and unbiased read, Hinduism For Dummies, 2nd Edition is the go-to guide for everyone who wants to learn more about Hinduism and its most fundamental tenets.

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About The Author

Amrutur V. Srinivasan, Ph.D., also known as Sheenu, has been active in the Hindu Community since 1971 and is the founder of the Connecticut Valley Hindu Temple Society. Dr. Srinivasan teaches the Bhagavad Gita, the Mahabharata, and Sanskrit. His book The Vedic Wedding: Origins, Tradition and Practice won the 2007 USA Book News Best Book Award in the category of Eastern Religions.

Sample Chapters

hinduism for dummies

CHEAT SHEET

@ zibik / Unsplash.comThe Hindu religion originated in India thousands of years ago. To people raised in other faiths, Hinduism may seem very complex, but the core beliefs of Hinduism are actually quite simple to understand. For example, Hindus believe there is only one Supreme Being, Brahman; they pursue knowledge of Truth and Reality; they strive for moral order and right action; and they promote tolerance.

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Articles from
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Hinduism is not an organized religion and has no single, systematic approach to teaching its value system. Nor do Hindus have a simple set of rules to follow like the Ten Commandments. Local, regional, caste, and community-driven practices influence the interpretation and practice of beliefs throughout the Hindu world.
Most Hindus choose to dispose of a person's body through cremation — usually within a day of the death. In Hinduism, death applies only to the physical body; there is no death of the soul. Hindus don't believe in the resurrection of the material body. They believe that upon death, the soul, which truly represented the person, has departed or detached.
Hindus acknowledge that, at the most fundamental level, God is the One without a second — the absolute, formless, and only Reality known as Brahman, the Supreme, Universal Soul. Brahman is the universe and everything in it. Brahman has no form and no limits; it is Reality and Truth.Thus Hinduism is a pantheistic religion: It equates God with the universe.
@ zibik / Unsplash.comThe Hindu religion originated in India thousands of years ago. To people raised in other faiths, Hinduism may seem very complex, but the core beliefs of Hinduism are actually quite simple to understand. For example, Hindus believe there is only one Supreme Being, Brahman; they pursue knowledge of Truth and Reality; they strive for moral order and right action; and they promote tolerance.
All societies have some sort of social class system in which people are classified based on education, culture, and income levels. In ancient India, such a system was inspired by Hindu scriptures and implemented as a way to create a society in which all essential functions were addressed and all people assumed vital roles based on their abilities.
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