The spelling of the word "Hinduism" follows the convention of English phonetics, with the "H" being aspirated followed by an "i" vowel sound pronounced as "ɪ". The following consonants "nd" are pronounced as a nasal sound "n̪d̪", and the word ends with a schwa sound represented by the symbol "ə". This phonetic transcription of "Hinduism" provides an accurate representation of how the word is pronounced in English and can be useful for non-native speakers to understand the correct pronunciation.
Hinduism is a diverse and complex religious and philosophical system that originated in the Indian subcontinent. With over a billion followers, it is one of the world's oldest and third-largest religions. Hinduism encompasses various beliefs, practices, rituals, and traditions that have evolved over thousands of years and are based on a wide range of scriptures and philosophical texts, such as the Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and Puranas.
At its core, Hinduism recognizes a diverse array of gods and goddesses, with Brahman being the ultimate, formless reality and the source of all existence. It emphasizes the concept of dharma, the moral and ethical duties and responsibilities that individuals must fulfill based on their caste, stage of life, and personal character. Hinduism also teaches the cyclical nature of life and the concept of karma, where one's actions in this life will determine their future existence.
Hinduism promotes spiritual practices, including meditation, yoga, and various forms of devotion (bhakti), which aim to attain spiritual enlightenment or liberation (moksha) from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara). It encompasses a wide range of rituals, festivals, and pilgrimage sites that are important for personal and communal religious identity and expression.
Furthermore, Hinduism is characterized by its emphasis on tolerance, inclusivity, and pluralism, welcoming diverse paths and interpretations. It has had a profound influence on various aspects of Indian culture, including art, architecture, literature, music, and dance. Hinduism's rich and multifaceted nature makes it a constantly evolving and adaptable religious system, reflecting the diverse needs and experiences of its followers.
The doctrines and rites of the Hindoos.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "Hinduism" is derived from the Persian word "Hindu", which originally referred to the Indus River. The Persians used this term to describe the people living in the region around the river, particularly referring to those who practiced the religion native to the region. Over time, this term expanded to encompass the religion, culture, and philosophy of the people living in the Indian subcontinent. The term "Hinduism" was then coined by Western scholars in the early 19th century to categorize various religious and spiritual traditions of India.