Statue of Jina deity Bahubali in Shravanabelagola, Karnataka attracts thousands of devotees. Jainism, traditionally known as Jain Dharma / Shraman Dharma (जैन धर्म is an ancient religion of India. According to Jain Scriptures Bahubali (also known as Gommateshvara) was the youngest of the one hundred sons of the first Tirthankara, Lord Rishabha Shravanabelagola (ಶ್ರವಣಬೆಳಗೊಳ is a city located in the Hassan district, in the Indian state of Karnataka. Karnataka (ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ pronounced) is a state in the southern part of India

Indian religions are religions that originated in the Indian subcontinent. This article deals with the geophysical region in Asia For geopolitical treatments see South Asia. They are Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and tribal religions. Hinduism is a religious tradition that originated in the Indian subcontinent. Jainism, traditionally known as Jain Dharma / Shraman Dharma (जैन धर्म is an ancient religion of India. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices Sikhism ( IPA: or; ਸਿੱਖੀ sikkhī, IPA:) founded on the teachings of Nanak and nine successive gurus in fifteenth century They form a subgroup of the larger class of "Eastern religions". Eastern religion is a group of Religions originating in India, China, Japan and Southeast Asia. Indian religions have similarities in core beliefs, modes of worship, and associated practices, mainly due to their common history of origin and mutual influence.

Indian religions is thus an umbrella term in the classification of the world's major religious groups, along with the Abrahamic religions and the Far Eastern religions. The world's principal Religions and spiritual traditions may be classified into a small number of major groups or world religions'. In the study of Comparative religion, the East Asian religions (also known as Far Eastern religions, Chinese religions, or Taoic religions) form ^[1]

The documented history of Indian religions begins with historical Vedic religion, the religious practices of the early Indo-Aryans, which were collected and later redacted into the Vedas, four canonical collections of hymns or mantras. This article discusses the historical religious practices in the Vedic time period see Hinduism and Indian religions for details In the study of Literature, redaction can refer to a form of Editing, in which multiple source texts are combined together ( redacted) and are "Veda" redirects here For other uses see Veda (disambiguation. A mantra ( Devanāgarī मन्त्र (or mantram is a religious or mystical syllable or poem typically from the Sanskrit language The language used, archaic Sanskrit, also stems from the same period. Vedic Sanskrit is an ancient Indian language, the language of the Vedas, the oldest Shruti texts of Hinduism. The period of the advent, spread, and eventual establishment of this religion lasted from 1,500 BCE to about 500 BCE.

The period from 500 BCE onwards marked the beginning of the Upanisadic or Vedantic period. Vedanta ( Devanagari: sa वेदान्त Vedānta) is a spiritual tradition explained in the Upanishads that is concerned with the Self-realisation This period heralded the beginning of much of what became classical Hinduism, with the composition of the Upanishads, later the Sanskrit epics, still later followed by the Puranas. The Upanishads ( Devanagari: उपनिषद् IAST: upaniṣad also spelled "Upanisad" are Hindu scriptures that constitute the core teachings Indian epic poetry is the Epic poetry written in the Indian subcontinent. For other meanings see Purana (disambiguation. The Puranas ( Sanskrit: sa पुराण purāṇa, "of ancient times" In this period Jainism and Buddhism arose from the sramana traditions. A Shramana ( Sanskrit sa श्रमण śramaṇa, Pāli pi शमण samaṇa) is a wandering monk in certain Ascetic

Buddhism was historically founded by Gautama Siddhartha, a Sakya prince-turned-ascetic of Nepal, and was spread beyond India through missionaries. Siddhārtha Gautama ( Sanskrit; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual Teacher from Ancient India and the founder Nepal (नेपाल) is a Landlocked country in South Asia. It later experienced a decline in India, but survived in Nepal and Sri Lanka, and remains more widespread in Southeast and East Asia. The Decline of Buddhism in India, in the land of its birth occurred for a variety of reasons and happened even as it continued to flourish beyond the frontiers of India In the study of Comparative religion, the East Asian religions (also known as Far Eastern religions, Chinese religions, or Taoic religions) form Jainism is said to have been established by a lineage of 24 enlightened beings culminating with Mahavira. Mahavira (महावीर lit Great Hero) (599 – 527 BCE is the name most commonly used to refer to the Indian sage Vardhamana ( Sanskrit: वर्धमान ^[2]

Classical Hinduism, which arose in the course of the Middle Ages as a result of various influences including a syncretism and cross-pollination of the Sramana and the Vedic/Vedantic traditions, is divided into numerous denominations, primarily Shaivism, Shaktism, Vaishnavism, Smarta and much smaller groups like the conservative Shrauta adhering Brahmins. Syncretism consists of the attempt to reconcile disparate or contradictory beliefs often while melding practices of various schools of thought A Shramana ( Sanskrit sa श्रमण śramaṇa, Pāli pi शमण samaṇa) is a wandering monk in certain Ascetic Vedanta ( Devanagari: sa वेदान्त Vedānta) is a spiritual tradition explained in the Upanishads that is concerned with the Self-realisation Hinduism comprises numerous Sects or denominations The main divisions in current Hinduism are Shaivism, Shaktism, Vaishnavism Shaivism, also spelled "Saivism" names the oldest of the four sects of Hinduism. Shaktism ( Sanskrit: Śāktaṃ sa शाक्तं lit "doctrine of power" or "doctrine of the Goddess") is a denomination of Vaishnavism is a tradition of Hinduism, distinguished from other schools by its worship of Vishnu or its associated avatars principally as Rama and Smartism (or Smarta Sampradaya, Smarta Tradition, as termed in Sanskrit) is a denomination of the Hindu Śrauta ( Devanagari sa श्रौत traditions are conservative Ritualistic traditions of Historical Vedic religion in Hinduism, based on Hindu reform movements and Ayyavazhi are more recent. Hinduism is going through a phase of regeneration and reform through the vehicle of several contemporary movements collectively termed as Hindu reform movements. Ayyavazhi (aiavəɻɪ( Tamil:அய்யாவழி Ayyavali - "Path of the father") is a dharmic belief system that originated

About 90% of Hindus reside in the Republic of India, accounting for 83% of its population. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country ^[3]

Sikhism was founded in the 15th century; its founder, Guru Nanak, was born in the town of Talwandi in present day Pakistan. Sikhism ( IPA: or; ਸਿੱਖੀ sikkhī, IPA:) founded on the teachings of Nanak and nine successive gurus in fifteenth century Guru Nanak Dev (ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੇਵ (गुरु नानक گرونانک Gurū Nānak ( 15 april 1469, Nankana Sahib Talwandi is a town and Union Council of Kasur District in the Punjab province of Pakistan. Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and

Common traits

Sometimes summarised as "Dharmic" religions or dharmic traditions (even though the meaning of dharma/dhamma differs per religion), Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism share certain key concepts, which are interpreted differently by different groups and individuals. ^[4][5][6] Common traits can also be observed in both the ritual and the literary sphere. For example, the head-anointing ritual of abhiseka is of importance in three distinct traditions. Abhiseka is the name used to describe a number of ritualistic practices in Indian religions. Other noteworthy rituals are the cremation of the dead, the wearing of vermilion on the head by married women, and various marital rituals. In literature, many classical Hindu narratives have Buddhist or Jain versions. ^[7] All three traditions have notions of karma, dharma, samsara, moksha and various yogas. Karma ( Sanskrit: कर्म, kárman - "act action performance" Pali: kamma) is the concept of "action" The Sanskrit term ( Devanāgarī: धर्म Pali transliteration dhamma) is an Indian spiritual and religious In Indian religions, Moksha ( Sanskrit: sa मोक्ष mokṣa) or Mukti ( Sanskrit: sa मुक्ति literally "release" Yoga ( Sanskrit: योग, IAST: yóga, joːgə refers to traditional physical and mental disciplines originating in India, to the Of course, these terms may be perceived differently by different religions. For instance, for a Hindu, dharma is his duty. For a Jain, dharma is his conduct. For a Buddhist, dharma is piety {{reference needed}]. For a Jain, dharma is righteousness. Similarly, for a Hindu, yoga is the cessation of all thought activities of the mind,^[8] whereas Jain epistemology sees yoga as the sum total of all the activities of mind, speech and body.

History

Prehistory

A Harappan seal excavated at Mohenjo Daro showing a "Pashupati" figure in sitting in what is reminiscent of the padma asana posture (roughly 2000 BC). Mohenjo-daro (موئن جودڑو موئن جو دڙو मोहन जोदड़ो Mound of the Dead was one of the largest city-settlements of the Indus Valley Civilization Pashupati ( Sanskrit: Paśupati) "Lord of cattle" is an epithet of the Hindu deity Shiva. The lotus position ( Devanāgarī: पद्मासन IAST: padmāsana; Japanese:) is a cross- Legged

Evidence attesting to prehistoric religion in the Indian subcontinent derives from scattered Mesolithic rock paintings such as at Bhimbetka, depicting dances and rituals. Prehistoric religion is a general term for the religious beliefs and practices of prehistoric peoples The Mesolithic or Middle Stone Age was a period in the development of human technology in between the Paleolithic or Old Stone Age and the Neolithic or New Stone Age The Bhimbetka rock shelters compose an archaeological site and World Heritage Site located in Raisen District in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh Neolithic agriculturalists inhabiting the Indus River Valley buried their dead in a manner suggestive of spiritual practices that incorporated notions of an afterlife and belief in magic. The Neolithic (from Greek νεολιθικός — neolithikos from νέος neos, "new" + λίθος lithos The Indus River { Sanskrit: सिन्धु Sindhu; Urdu: urd {{Nastaliq سندھ}} Sindh; Sindhi: snd ^[9] Other South Asian Stone Age sites, such as the Bhimbetka rock shelters in central Madhya Pradesh and the Kupgal petroglyphs of eastern Karnataka, contain rock art portraying religious rites and evidence of possible ritualised music. The South Asian Stone Age covers the Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic periods in the South Asia. The Bhimbetka rock shelters compose an archaeological site and World Heritage Site located in Raisen District in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh (abbreviated as MP) ( Hindī: मध्य प्रदेश pronounced, Translation: Middle Province) often The Kupgal petroglyphs are works of rock art found at Kupgal in Bellary district of Karnataka, India. ^[10] The Harappan people of the Indus Valley Civilization, which lasted from 3300–1300 BCE (mature period, 2600-1900 BCE) and was centered around the Indus and Ghaggar-Hakra river valleys, may have worshiped an important mother goddess symbolising fertility,^[11] a concept that has recently been challenged. Harappa ( Urdu:, Hindi: हड़प्पा) is a City in Punjab, northeast Pakistan, about 35km (22 miles southwest The Indus Valley Civilization (Mature period 2600&ndash1900 BCE abbreviated IVC, was an ancient Civilization that flourished in the Indus River basin The Indus River { Sanskrit: सिन्धु Sindhu; Urdu: urd {{Nastaliq سندھ}} Sindh; Sindhi: snd The Ghaggar-Hakra River is a believed to be an intermittent river in India and Pakistan that flows only during the Monsoon season A mother goddess is a Goddess, often portrayed as the Earth Mother who serves as a general Fertility deity the bountiful embodiment of the Earth. ^[12] Excavations of Indus Valley Civilization sites show small tablets with animals and altars, indicating rituals associated with animal sacrifice.

Vedic period

Main article: Historical Vedic religion

The Vedic Period is most significant for the composition of the four Vedas, Brahmanas and the older Upanishads (both discussions on the rituals, mantras and concepts found in the four Vedas), which today are some of the most important canonical texts of Hinduism, and are the source for much of what developed into the core beliefs of Hinduism and related religions. This article discusses the historical religious practices in the Vedic time period see Hinduism and Indian religions for details The Vedic Period (or Vedic Age) is the period in the History of India during which the Vedas, the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism, were being "Veda" redirects here For other uses see Veda (disambiguation. The Brāhmaṇa s ( Devanagari: sa ब्राह्मणं are part of the Hindu śruti literature The Upanishads ( Devanagari: उपनिषद् IAST: upaniṣad also spelled "Upanisad" are Hindu scriptures that constitute the core teachings

The Vedas reflect the liturgy and ritual of Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age Indo-Aryan speaking peoples in India. "Veda" redirects here For other uses see Veda (disambiguation. A liturgy is the customary public worship done by a specific religious group according to their particular traditions The term Bronze Age refers to a period in human cultural development when the most advanced Metalworking (at least in systematic and widespread use included techniques for This article is about the archaeological period known as the Iron Age for the mythological Iron Age see Ages of Man. Religious practices were dominated by the Vedic priesthood administering domestic rituals/rites and solemn sacrifices. Priests of the Vedic religion were officiants of the ''yajna'' service A ritual is a set of actions often thought to have Symbolic value the performance of which is usually prescribed by a Religion or by the Traditions Sacrifice (from a Middle English verb meaning "to make sacred" from Old French, from Latin sacrificium: sacr, "sacred" The Brahmanas, Aranyakas and some of the older Upanishads (such as BAU, ChU, JUB) are also considered Vedic. The Brāhmaṇa s ( Devanagari: sa ब्राह्मणं are part of the Hindu śruti literature The Aranyakas (Sanskrit आरण्यक āraṇyaka) are part of the Hindu śruti, the four Vedas these religious texts were composed in The Upanishads ( Devanagari: उपनिषद् IAST: upaniṣad also spelled "Upanisad" are Hindu scriptures that constitute the core teachings The Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upanishad ( Sanskrit: बृहदारण्यक उपनिषद् is one of the older "primary" ( Mukhya The Chandogya Upanishad is one of the "primary" ( Mukhya) Upanishads Together with the Jaiminiya Upanishad Brahmana and the Brihadaranyaka The Jaiminiya Upanishad Brahmana (JUB is a Vedic text associated with the Jaiminiya Shakha of the Samaveda. Many elements of Vedic religion reach back to early Bronze Age Proto-Indo-Iranian times. Proto-Indo-Iranian, is the reconstructed Proto-language of the Indo-Iranian branch of Indo-European. The Vedic period is held to have ended around 500 BCE.

Specific rituals and sacrifices of the Vedic religion include:

• The Soma cult described in the Rigveda, descended from a common Indo-Iranian practice (cf. Soma ( Sanskrit: सोम) or Haoma ( Avestan) from Proto-Indo-Iranian * sauma-, was a ritual drink of importance The Rigveda ( Sanskrit sa ऋग्वेद ṛgveda, a compound of ṛc "praise verse" and veda "knowledge" the Iranian haoma ritual) .
• Fire rituals, also a common Indo-Iranian practice (See Zoroastrianism):
  • The Agnihotra or oblation to Agni. Worship or deification of Fire (also pyrodulia pyrolatry or pyrolatria is known from various religions Zoroastrianism (ˌzɔroʊˈæstriəˌnɪzəm is the religion and philosophy based on the teachings Agnihotra (अग्निहोत्र is a Vedic Yajña (ritual or sacrifice performed by Orthodox Hindu communities Oblation, an offering Latin ''oblatio'' from ''offerre'' ''oblatum'' to offer a term particularly in ecclesiastical usage for a solemn Offering or presentation to Agni is a Hindu and Vedic deity. The word agni is Sanskrit for "fire" (noun cognate with Latin ignis
  • The Agnistoma or Soma sacrifice (including animal sacrifice) . Soma ( Sanskrit: सोम) or Haoma ( Avestan) from Proto-Indo-Iranian * sauma-, was a ritual drink of importance
  • The Agnicayana, the sophisticated ritual of piling the Uttara fire altar. The Atiratra Agnicayana ( ati-rātrá agní-cayana "the building up of the fireplace performed over-night" or piling of the altar of Agni is Vedi is the term for "sacrificial Altar " in the Vedic religion.
• The Darsapaurnamasa, the fortnightly New and Full Moon sacrifice
• The Caturmasya or seasonal sacrifices (every four months)
• a large number of sacrifices for special wishes (Kāmyeṣṭi)
• The Ashvamedha or horse sacrifice. The Ashvamedha ( Sanskrit: sa अश्वमेध aśvamedhá; " Horse sacrifice " was one of the most important royal Rituals The horse ( Equus caballus) is a hoofed ( Ungulate) Mammal, one of eight living species of the family Equidae.
• The Purushamedha, or sacrifice of a man, imitating that of the cosmic Purusha and Ashvamedha
• The rites referred to in the Atharvaveda are concerned with medicine and healing practices, as well as some charms and sorcery (white and black magic). Purushamedha (literally translated " Human sacrifice " is a Vedic Yajna (ritual described in the Yajurveda (VS 30&ndash31 Purusha sukta ( puruṣa sūkta) is hymn 10.90 of the Rigveda, dedicated to Purusha, the "cosmic man" The Atharvaveda ( Sanskrit: अथर्ववेद atharvaveda, a Tatpurusha compound of {{IAST|atharvan}}, an ancient Rishi MagiC OS an alternative implementation of the Multitasking TOS / GEM OS for Atari ST line of computers
• The domestic (grihya) rituals deal with the rites of passage from conception to death and beyond.

Vedanta

Main article: Vedanta

The period of Vedanta (Sanskrit : end of Vedas), typically thought to have begun around 500 BCE, marked the end of the evolution of the Vedas, much as it also marked the end of the semi-nomadic nature of the Indo-Aryan tribes as they formed permanent settlements in the Indo-Gangetic plain and other parts of Northern India. Vedanta ( Devanagari: sa वेदान्त Vedānta) is a spiritual tradition explained in the Upanishads that is concerned with the Self-realisation This period began in earnest with the Brahmana discussions on the four canonical Vedas that finally led to the Upanishads. "Veda" redirects here For other uses see Veda (disambiguation. The Upanishads ( Devanagari: उपनिषद् IAST: upaniṣad also spelled "Upanisad" are Hindu scriptures that constitute the core teachings While the ritualistic status of the four Vedas remained undiminished, the early Upanishads sought to offer spiritual insights. At this time, the combination of the concepts of reincarnation, the innovative one of karma and of moksha, among many others. Karma ( Sanskrit: कर्म, kárman - "act action performance" Pali: kamma) is the concept of "action" In Indian religions, Moksha ( Sanskrit: sa मोक्ष mokṣa) or Mukti ( Sanskrit: sa मुक्ति literally "release" These were to form the core philosophy of the later epics and Hinduism itself.

The Shramana tradition

Main article: Shramana

The Shramanas were wandering ascetics. A Shramana ( Sanskrit sa श्रमण śramaṇa, Pāli pi शमण samaṇa) is a wandering monk in certain Ascetic A Shramana ( Sanskrit sa श्रमण śramaṇa, Pāli pi शमण samaṇa) is a wandering monk in certain Ascetic Buddhism and Jainism are a continuation of the Sramana tradition. ^[13] The 24th Jain Tirthankar, Mahavira (599–527 BCE), stressed five vows, including ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truthfulness), asteya (non-stealing) and aparigraha (non-attachment). In Jainism, a Tirthankar (" Fordmaker " (also Tirthankara or Jina) is a Human being who achieves enlightenment (perfect Mahavira (महावीर lit Great Hero) (599 – 527 BCE is the name most commonly used to refer to the Indian sage Vardhamana ( Sanskrit: वर्धमान Ahiṃsā ( Sanskrit: अहिंसा Prakrit: अहिंसा means “non-violence” “non-injury” or absence of desire to harm any life forms Satya is a Sanskrit word that loosely translates into English as " Truth " or "correct Achaurya is a Sanskrit word meaning "avoidance of stealing" or "non-stealing" The historical Gautama Buddha, who founded Buddhism, was born into the Shakya clan just before the kingdom of Magadha (which lasted from 546–324 BCE) rose to power. Siddhārtha Gautama ( Sanskrit; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual Teacher from Ancient India and the founder Shakya ( Sanskrit:Śākya and {{IAST|Pāli}}:Sākiya is the name (derived from Sanskrit śakya, capable able of an ancient Janapada (realm Magadha (मगध formed one of the sixteen Mahājanapadas ( Sanskrit, "great countries" or regions in ancient India. His family was native to Kapilavastu and Lumbini, in what is now southern Nepal. Lumbini ( Sanskrit: sa लुम्बिनी "the lovely" is a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Kapilavastu district of Nepal Nepal (नेपाल) is a Landlocked country in South Asia. The Ajivikas and Samkhyas belonged to another sramana tradtion, both of which did not survive. Ājīvika (also written Ajivika or Ajivaka) was an ancient philosophical and ascetic movement of the Indian subcontinent Sankhya, also Samkhya, ( सांख्य, IAST: sānkhya - 'enumeration' is one of the six schools of classical Indian philosophy. A Shramana ( Sanskrit sa श्रमण śramaṇa, Pāli pi शमण samaṇa) is a wandering monk in certain Ascetic

Rise and spread of Jainism and Buddhism

Main articles: Buddhism in India, Silk Road transmission of Buddhism, and Greco-Buddhism

Main article: Jain community

Further information: Mauryan period and Gupta period

Both Jainism and Buddhism in their present form, spread throughout India during the period of the Magadha empire. Buddhism is a world religion which arose in Bihar, India and is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who is known as the Buddha (literally The Silk Road transmission of Buddhism to China started in the 1st century CE with a semi-legendary or quasi-historical account of an embassy sent to the West by the Greco-Buddhism, sometimes spelt Graeco-Buddhism, refers to the cultural Syncretism between Hellenistic culture and Buddhism, which developed The Jains in India have been the last direct representatives of the Shramana tradition in India The Maurya Empire ( 322 – 185 BCE) ruled by the Mauryan dynasty was a geographically extensive and powerful political and military The Gupta Empire ( Hindi: गुप्त राजवंश was ruled by members of the Gupta dynasty from around 320 to 550 C Magadha (मगध formed one of the sixteen Mahājanapadas ( Sanskrit, "great countries" or regions in ancient India.

According to the Mahavamsa, Jainism was present in Sri Lanka before the arrival of Thera Mahinda. The Mahavamsa, ("Great Chronicle " is a historical poem written in the Pali language of the kings of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka ( Sinhalese:, இலங்கை known as Ceylon before 1972 is an Island Mahinda ( Sanskrit: महिन्द्र Mahindra) (born 3rd century BCE in Magadha, now in Bihar, India) was a Buddhist ^[14] Early Tamil Brahmi Jain inscriptions in Tamil Nadu are dated to second century BCE. Tamil Nadu ( Tamil:, Country of the Tamils, t̪ɐmɨɻ n̪aːɽɯ is one of the 28 states of India. ^[15] Jainism has declined since the 12th century in many regions, but continues to be an influential religion in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka. Gujarat (ગુજરાત Gujǎrāt, pronounced) is a state in western India. Rājasthān ( Devanāgarī: राजस्थान raːdʒəst̪ʰaːn is the largest state of the Republic of India in terms of area Madhya Pradesh (abbreviated as MP) ( Hindī: मध्य प्रदेश pronounced, Translation: Middle Province) often Maharashtra ( Marathi: mahārāṣṭra, IPA) is a state located on the western coast of India. Karnataka (ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ pronounced) is a state in the southern part of India

Buddhism in India spread during the reign of Asoka the Great of the Mauryan Empire, who patronised Buddhist teachings and unified the Indian subcontinent in the 3rd century BCE. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices Ashoka ( Devanāgarī: अशोकः IAST: Aśokaḥ, aɕoːkə(hə Prakrit Imperial title Devanampriya Priyadarsi The Maurya Empire ( 322 – 185 BCE) ruled by the Mauryan dynasty was a geographically extensive and powerful political and military The Sanskrit term ( Devanāgarī: धर्म Pali transliteration dhamma) is an Indian spiritual and religious He sent missionaries abroad, allowing Buddhism to spread across Asia. ^[16] Indian Buddhism started declining following the rise of Puranic Hinduism during the Gupta dynasty, but continued to have a significant presence in some regions of India until the 12th century. Buddhism is a world religion which arose in Bihar, India and is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who is known as the Buddha (literally For other meanings see Purana (disambiguation. The Puranas ( Sanskrit: sa पुराण purāṇa, "of ancient times" The Gupta Empire ( Hindi: गुप्त राजवंश was ruled by members of the Gupta dynasty from around 320 to 550 C

Period after 200 BCE

Main articles: decline of Buddhism in India, Hindu philosophy, and Pala Empire

Further information: Puranas

After 200 CE several schools of thought were formally codified in Indian philosophy, including Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Purva-Mimamsa and Vedanta. The Decline of Buddhism in India, in the land of its birth occurred for a variety of reasons and happened even as it continued to flourish beyond the frontiers of India Hindu philosophy is divided into six Sanskrit ''{{IAST|āstika}}'') schools of thought or darshanas (literally "views" Sankhya The Pala Empire was a dynasty in control of the northern and eastern Indian subcontinent, mainly the Bengal and Bihar regions from the 8th to For other meanings see Purana (disambiguation. The Puranas ( Sanskrit: sa पुराण purāṇa, "of ancient times" The term Indian philosophy (Sanskrit Darshanas) may refer to any of several traditions of philosophical thought that originated in the Indian subcontinent Sankhya, also Samkhya, ( सांख्य, IAST: sānkhya - 'enumeration' is one of the six schools of classical Indian philosophy. Yoga ( Sanskrit: योग, IAST: yóga, joːgə refers to traditional physical and mental disciplines originating in India, to the Nyāya ( Sanskrit ni-āyá, literally "recursion" used in the sense of " Syllogism, inference" is the name given to one of the six orthodox Vaisheshika, or Vaiśeṣika, (Sanskrit वैशॆषिक) is one of the six Hindu schools of Philosophy (orthodox Vedic systems Mīmāṃsā, a Sanskrit word meaning "investigation" (compare Greek ἱστορία) is the name of an Astika ("orthodox" school Vedanta ( Devanagari: sa वेदान्त Vedānta) is a spiritual tradition explained in the Upanishads that is concerned with the Self-realisation ^[17] Hinduism, otherwise a highly polytheistic, pantheistic or monotheistic religion, also tolerated atheistic schools; the thoroughly materialistic and anti-religious philosophical Cārvāka school that originated around the 6th century BCE is the most explicitly atheistic school of Indian philosophy. Atheism ( Sanskrit: nir-īśvara-vāda, lit "statement of no Lord " "doctrine of godlessness" or disbelief in God or gods The Philosophy of materialism holds that the only thing that can be truly proven to exist is Matter, and is considered a form of Physicalism. Cārvāka is a system of Indian philosophy that assumed various forms of philosophical skepticism and religious indifference Cārvāka is classified as a nastika ("heterodox") system; it is not included among the six schools of Hinduism generally regarded as orthodox. It is noteworthy as evidence of a materialistic movement within Hinduism. ^[18] Our understanding of Cārvāka philosophy is fragmentary, based largely on criticism of the ideas by other schools, and it is no longer a living tradition. ^[19] Other Indian philosophies generally regarded as atheistic include Classical Samkhya and Purva Mimamsa. Sankhya, also Samkhya, ( सांख्य, IAST: sānkhya - 'enumeration' is one of the six schools of classical Indian philosophy. Mīmāṃsā, a Sanskrit word meaning "investigation" (compare Greek ἱστορία) is the name of an Astika ("orthodox" school

Between 400 CE and 1000 CE Hinduism expanded as the decline of Buddhism in India continued. The Decline of Buddhism in India, in the land of its birth occurred for a variety of reasons and happened even as it continued to flourish beyond the frontiers of India ^[20] Buddhism subsequently became effectively extinct in India. but survived in Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Modern India

Main articles: Religion in India, Hindu reform movements, Hindutva, and Communalism (South Asia)

Communalism has played a key role in shaping the religious history of modern India. For information on only the Major religions in India see Major religions in India. Hinduism is going through a phase of regeneration and reform through the vehicle of several contemporary movements collectively termed as Hindu reform movements. For Veer Savarkar's book see Hindutva (book. Hindutva (Devanagari हिन्दुत्व "Hinduness" a word coined by Vinayak This article deals with the use of the word communalism in South Asia as a name for a force separating different communities based on some form of social or sectarian British India was partitioned along religious lines into two states, the Muslim-majority Dominion of Pakistan (comprising what is now the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the People's Republic of Bangladesh) and the Hindu majority Union of India (later the Republic of India). For usage see British rule in India British Raj ( rāj, lit "reign" in Hindustani) primarily refers to the British The Partition of India was the partition of the British Indian Empire which led to the creation on August 14, 1947 and August 15, The Dominion of Pakistan was a federal entity that was established in 1947 as a result of the Partition of India into two sovereign dominions the Union Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and ( Bengali: বাংলাদেশ inc-Latn Bangladesh) officially The History of the Republic of India began on August 15, 1947 when India became an independent Dominion within the British Commonwealth The 1947 Partition of India inaugurated rioting among Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs in Punjab, Bengal, Delhi and other parts of India, and 500,000 died as a result of the violence. The Partition of India was the partition of the British Indian Empire which led to the creation on August 14, 1947 and August 15, The twelve million refugees that moved between the newly founded nations of India and Pakistan composed one of the largest mass migrations in modern history. According to the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, a refugee is a person who owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race ^Δ[›][21] Since its independence, India has periodically witnessed large-scale violence sparked by underlying tensions between sections of its majority Hindu and minority Muslim communities. The Republic of India is secular, though it is often considered a Hindu holy land (punyabhumi), its government recognises no official religion. In recent decades, communal tensions and religion-based politics have become more prominent. ^[22]

Astika and Nastika categorization

Further information: Astika, Hindu philosophy, and Buddhism and Hinduism

Astika and nastika are sometimes used to categorise Indian religions. Hindu philosophy is divided into six Sanskrit ''{{IAST|āstika}}'') schools of thought or darshanas (literally "views" Sankhya Buddhism and Hinduism are two closely related religions that are in some ways parallel each other and in other ways are divergent in theory and practice Those religions that believe that God is the central actor in this world are termed as astika. Those religions that do not believe that God is the prime mover and actor are classified as nastika religions. From this point of view the Vedic religion (and Hinduism) is an astika religion, whereas Buddhism and Jainism are nastika religions.

Another definition of the terms astika and nastika, followed by Adi Shankara, classifies religions and persons as astika and nastika according to whether they accept the authority of the main Hindu texts, the Vedas as supreme revealed scriptures, or not. Adi Shankara ( Malayalam: ആദി ശങ്കരന്‍ Devanāgarī: आदि शङ्कर Ādi Śaṅkara, aːd̪i ɕaŋkərə (see below "Veda" redirects here For other uses see Veda (disambiguation. By this definition, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Raja Yoga, Purva Mimamsa and Vedanta are classified as astika schools, while Charvaka is classified as a nastika schools. Nyāya ( Sanskrit ni-āyá, literally "recursion" used in the sense of " Syllogism, inference" is the name given to one of the six orthodox Vaisheshika, or Vaiśeṣika, (Sanskrit वैशॆषिक) is one of the six Hindu schools of Philosophy (orthodox Vedic systems Sankhya, also Samkhya, ( सांख्य, IAST: sānkhya - 'enumeration' is one of the six schools of classical Indian philosophy. Rāja Yoga ("royal Yoga " "royal union" also known as Classical Yoga or simply Yoga) is one of the six orthodox ( Astika) Mīmāṃsā, a Sanskrit word meaning "investigation" (compare Greek ἱστορία) is the name of an Astika ("orthodox" school Vedanta ( Devanagari: sa वेदान्त Vedānta) is a spiritual tradition explained in the Upanishads that is concerned with the Self-realisation Cārvāka is a system of Indian philosophy that assumed various forms of philosophical skepticism and religious indifference By this definition, both Buddhism and Jainism are classified as nastika religions since they do not accept the authority of the Vedas.

All three religions, Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, agree that Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism (as well as Lingayats) do not accept the authority of the Vedas. Lingayatism or Veerashaivism is a Hindu religious sect in India but a Dharma. Despite a general doctrinal tolerance in the Hindu tradition, history shows instances of hostility against Jains, such as in Tamil Nadu in the 7th century when Hindu Shaiva poets and teachers popularized the notion of Jains (or Samanars in Tamil) as villains opposed to the Shaiva creed. In modern India, Jains share a variety cultural and linguistic affinities with other religious communities.

Sikhism

Main article: Sikhism

Further information: Sikhism and Jainism and Sikhism and Hinduism

Sikhism originated in fifteenth century Northern India with the teachings of Nanak and nine successive gurus. Sikhism ( IPA: or; ਸਿੱਖੀ sikkhī, IPA:) founded on the teachings of Nanak and nine successive gurus in fifteenth century Both Jainism and Sikhism have originated in South Asia and are Eastern philosophical faiths Hinduism and Sikhism, both religions from India, have had a complex relationship Geography Northern India lies mainly on continental India and a very small part of it lies on the Indian peninsula Guru Nanak Dev (ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੇਵ (गुरु नानक گرونانک Gurū Nānak ( 15 april 1469, Nankana Sahib Sikhism was established by Guru Nanak over the period of 1469 to 1708. The principal belief in Sikhism is faith in Vāhigurū— represented by the sacred symbol of ēk ōaṅkār [meaning one god]. Waheguru (ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ vāhigurū or pa ਵਾਹਗੁਰੂ vāhgurū; also transliterated Vahiguru)It is the term used in Sikhism Ik Onkar (also pa ੴ, pa ਇਕ/ਏਕ ਓਅੰਕਾਰ, Ēk Ōaṅkār, Ik Onkar, Ek Onkar and other variants means Sikhism's traditions and teachings are distinctly associated with the history, society and culture of the Punjab. Punjab ( ਪੰਜਾਬ پنجاب, पंजाब پنجاب also Panjab (پنجاب meaning "Land of the Five Rivers") (c Adherents of Sikhism are known as Sikhs (students or disciples) and number over 23 million across the world. Sikh (English or; ਸਿੱਖ sikkh, IPA) is the title and name given to an adherent of Sikhism.

Although it began as a relatively neutral faith system that proposed to inculcate the best practices of Hinduism and Islam, over time, its Gurus led followers in various rebellions and battles against the Islamic Mughal rulers of the time, most notably against Aurangzeb. Hinduism is a religious tradition that originated in the Indian subcontinent. For other meanings including people named 'Islam' see Islam (disambiguation. Aurangzeb ( (full title Al-Sultan al-Azam wal Khaqan al-Mukarram Abul Muzaffar Muhiuddin Muhammad Aurangzeb Bahadur Alamgir I Padshah Ghazi) ( November 4,

Status in India

See also: Legal Status of Jainism as a Distinct Religion

Societally, there is little distinction or separation of class between Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists owing to near congruence in beliefs and practices. Jainism is considered by many as a legally distinct Religion in India. ^[23][24] Cross-worship and intermarriages are common.

In an extra-judicial observation, not forming part of the judgment, the Indian Supreme Court observed Sikhism and Jainism to be sub-sects or special faiths within the larger Hindu fold,^[25] and that Jainism is a denomination within the Hindu fold. ^[26] Although the government of British India counted Jains in India as a major religious community right from the first Census conducted in 1873, after independence in 1947 Sikhs and Jains were not treated as national minorities. ^[27] In 2005 the Supreme Court of India declined to issue a writ of Mandamus granting Jains the status of a religious minority throughout India. The Supreme Court of India is the highest court of the land as established by Part V Chapter IV of the Constitution of India. A writ of mandamus or simply mandamus, which means "we command" in Latin, is the name of one of the Prerogative writs in the Common The Court however left it to the respective states to decide on the minority status of Jain religion. India is a union of states comprising twenty-eight states and seven union territories. ^[28][29]

However, some individual states have over the past few decades differed on whether Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs are religious minorities or not, by either pronouncing judgments or passing legislation. One example is the judgment passed by the Supreme Court in 2006, in a case pertaining to the state of Uttar Pradesh, which declared Jainism to be undisputably distinct from Hinduism, but mentioned that, "The question as to whether the Jains are part of the Hindu religion is open to debate. ^[30] However, the Supreme Court also noted various court cases that have held Jainism to be a distinct religion. Jainism is considered by many as a legally distinct Religion in India.

Another example is the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Bill, that is an amendment to a legislation that sought to define Jains and Buddhists as denominations within Hinduism. The Gujurat Freedom of Religion Bill is a bill concerning religious conversions in Gujurat, India. ^[31] Ultimately on July 31, 2007, finding it not in conformity with the concept of freedom of religion as embodied in Article 25 (1) of the Constitution, Governor Nawal Kishore Sharma returned back the Gujarat Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill, 2006 citing the widespread protests by the Jains as well as the Supreme Court's extra-judicial observation that Jainism is a "special religion formed on the basis of quintessence of Hindu religion by the Supreme Court"^[32]

See also

• Ayyavazhi and Hinduism
• Buddhism and Hinduism
• Buddhism and Jainism
• History of Hinduism
• History of Buddhism
• History of Yoga
• Indian philosophy
• Indology
• Jainism
• Religious thinkers of India
• Sikhism and Jainism
• Sikhism and Hinduism

Notes

References

• Chatterjee, S & D Datta (1984), An Introduction to Indian Philosophy (8th ed. ), University of Calcutta, ASIN: B0007BFXK4
• Fowler, JD (1997), Hinduism: Beliefs and Practices, Sussex Academic Press, ISBN 1-898-72360-5, <http://books.google.com/books?id=RmGKHu20hA0C>
• Heehs, P (2002), Indian Religions: A Historical Reader of Spiritual Expression and Experience, New York University Press, ISBN 0-814-73650-5
• Oberlies, T (1998), Die Religion des Rgveda, Wien

• Radhakrishnan, S & CA Moore (1967), A Sourcebook in Indian Philosophy, Princeton University Press, ISBN 0-691-01958-4
• Rinehart, R (2004), Contemporary Hinduism: Ritual, Culture, and Practice, ABC-Clio, ISBN 1-57607-905-8

External links

Statistics

• Census of India 2001: Data on religion. Formally established on the 24 January 1857, the University of Calcutta (also known as Calcutta University) (কলকাতা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় Sir Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, OM ( Telugu:సర్వేపల్లి రాధాకృష్ణ Tamil:சர்வேபள்ளி Government of India (Office of the Registrar General). Retrieved on 2007-05-28. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 585 BC - A Solar eclipse occurs as predicted by Greek philosopher and scientist Thales, while Alyattes is battling

Constitution and law

• Constitution of India. Government of India (Ministry of Law and Justice). Retrieved on 2007-05-28. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 585 BC - A Solar eclipse occurs as predicted by Greek philosopher and scientist Thales, while Alyattes is battling

Reports

• International Religious Freedom Report 2006: India. United States Department of State. Retrieved on 2007-05-28. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 585 BC - A Solar eclipse occurs as predicted by Greek philosopher and scientist Thales, while Alyattes is battling