Hinduism is a religion originating in India, consisting of a set of ethical codes that are practiced by followers of the Hindu tradition. The term “Hindu” can mean “to belong to the Hindu,” “to worship a Hindu,” or “to be devoted to the Hindu,” while the term “Dharmism” describes any philosophy or religious practice that aims to deny the existence of a supreme power or God. In other words, Hinduism is a polytheistic, non-apologetic religion that believes in the existence of a supreme God or deities and also worships many other Earth-based spirits, including humans. Hinduism’s main three branches are: Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism.
Hinduism is an ancient Indian religion and shastra, or discipline, which has been in existence since about 600 B.C. It is the world’s second-oldest religion, with about 1.2 million followers, or about 15 percent of the world’s population, according to the CIA. About half of the followers of Hinduism are followers of the Hindu yogis, who are a splinter group of Hindu monastic tradition. They adhere to a vegetarian dietary code, eschewing meat, especially beef and pork; they are said to be completely vegetarian, but there is room for an occasional animal meat-eating. The word “hindu” derives from the Hindu language meaning “one of the three holy beings.”
Hinduism beliefs and practices include belief in reincarnation, divine guidance, karma, gods, and the concept of humbleness, for example. Krishna, who is the founder of the Hindu religion and considered the divine son of Ganesha (Goddess Ganesha) and Parvati (Pantacles), is also the father of yoga, and is considered the divine personage responsible for material reality. According to the legends, he performed many miracles, such as creating Man and getting himself thrown down from the heavens.