Hinduism, also known as  Dharma, or "Eternal Way," is our planet's original and oldest living religion, with over one billion adherents.

By our actions, we create our destiny."

The following key beliefs, though not exhaustive, offer a simple summary of Hindu spirituality.

  • Hindus believe in a one, all-pervasive Supreme Being, though they call it by many names
  • Hindus believe in the divinity of the four Vedas, the world's most ancient scripture, and venerate the Agamas as equally revealed. These primordial hymns are God's word and the bedrock of Hindu Dharma, the eternal religion.
  • Hindus believe that the universe undergoes endless cycles of creation, preservation and dissolution. There is no eternal hell, no damnation, in Hinduism, and no intrinsic evil--no satanic force that opposes the will of God.

Hinduism is not just a faith. It is the union of reason and intuition that cannot be defined but is only to be experienced. ― Dr. S. Radhakrishnan (A prominent Hindu scholar and second President of India).

History of Hinduism

Hinduism has no date of origin. The authors and dates of most Hindu sacred texts are unknown, although the oldest text (the Vedas) are estimated to date from as early as 1500 BCE. Scholars describe Hinduism as the product of religious development in India that spans nearly 4,000 years, making it perhaps the oldest surviving world religion. The word “Hindu” essentially comes from the word Sindhu. Anyone who is born in the land of Sindhu is a Hindu.

Hinduism has no human founder. It is a mystical religion, leading the devotee to personally experience and seek the Truth within, finally reaching the pinnacle of consciousness where man and God are one.

There are an estimated 1 billion Hindus worldwide, making Hinduism the third largest religion after Christianity and Islam. About 80 percent of India's population regard themselves as Hindus and 30 million more Hindus live outside of India.

Hindu's view of One God



Learn more about Hindus perspective on world peace.