Hinduism
A belief in reincarnation as well as in a supreme god or entity called Brahman who has multiple manifestations as a variety of deities.
Distinctions
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Summary
Hinduism encompasses a wide variety of beliefs originating in Inda. Most Hindus believe that God takes manby forms and is worshipped by many different names. Each person and every creature embodies a spark (atman) of the universal soul, equated with God. After death the atman is reborn in a new body. Thus God is in every object in the universe, and everything that exists - humans, animals, earth, air, water, fire - is part of God: "I am pervading the universe. All objects rest on me as pearls upon a thread." (Bhagavad Gita).
Hindus believe that every action, good or bad, hurful or compassionate, has an effetc on this life and future lives. This is called karma. By letting go of karma Hindus can eventually break free from the cycles of birth and death to achieve liberation or moksha, which is complete union with God.
Symbol
This is the written form of the sacred sound "Aum," (sometimes spelt "Om"). According to the Hindu scriptures, Aum was the first sound, out of which the rest of the universe was created.
Worldwide Numbers
There are 850 million Hindus worldwide, almost all living in southern Asia. In India, where the Hindu religion began, thetre are up to 800 million Hindus. Their traditions and beliefs have shaped the unique culture of the country.
Holy Places
There are Hindu pilgrimage sites all over India. Among the most important are the Himalayas and the river Ganges, especially where it flows though the city of Varanasi (Benares).
Holy Writings
There are many sacred books, mostly written in the ancient Indian language Sanskrit. The maojor texts are the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Puranas, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.
Key Links
Additional in-depth information here on Wikipedia.