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Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world. It is believed to have developed from the religious practices of people who lived near the River Indus (now in Pakistan) over 5000 years ago, around 3000 BCE.
Hinduism contains a multitude of practices and philosophies. Different Hindu communities may worship different gods, use different scriptures (sacred texts) and observe different festivals. What unites Hinduism, however, is a core set of beliefs. These beliefs include:
- The existence of atman (‘the real self’).
- That this atman is caught in a cycle of rebirth, called samsara.
- That it is the goal of every Hindu to break the cycle of rebirth. This is called moksha.
- That there are four stages of life, called ashramas. The rites or practices that guide Hindus through these stages are called samskaras.
- That the ultimate reality of Brahman can be expressed through a variety of gods.
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