Historical context
Hindu traditions developed over long periods in the Indian subcontinent; they do not have one founder or single origin story.
Explore all traditions
Tradition guide · Introductory scope
What is Hinduism?
A broad family of South Asian traditions with many philosophies, deities, texts, and paths of practice.
Start here
A useful first lens
Begin with the ideas of dharma, karma, and the many ways Hindus understand devotion, knowledge, and liberation.
Start with this guideFaithPost Note
This is a beginner-friendly introduction for respectful learning, not a complete account of every lived expression. FaithPost reviews guides as they are updated and welcomes context that improves their care and accuracy.
God / ultimate reality
Many Hindus speak of Brahman, ultimate reality, and relate to divine forms in different ways; understandings vary greatly.
Sacred texts
The Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas, and local texts are among many important sources.
Practices
Puja, festival observance, , study, meditation, yoga, music, and home take many forms.
Community life
Temple, home, family, teacher-student, and regional communities can all be significant.
Branches and schools
Vaishnava, Shaiva, Shakta, Smarta, and many regional and philosophical traditions form only part of a very diverse landscape.
Major holidays
Diwali, Holi, Navratri, and regional festivals are important to many communities.
Build context
Explore Hinduism through connected topics
Use these topic paths to find published FaithPost guides and definitions. They are a starting point for deeper study, not a substitute for the voices and sources within a tradition.
Learning Path · 3 parts
Follow the full path for Hinduism
A planned three-part sequence moving from foundational ideas to practices and deeper internal context in Hinduism.
Open the learning path →Watch & learn
Videos about Hinduism
Academic / educational·Public and embed-eligible
The Five Major World Religions
TED-Ed · John Bellaimey
A fast orientation to five globally influential traditions.
Academic / educational·Public and embed-eligible
Buddha and Ashoka
CrashCourse
Early Buddhism and Ashoka in a wider South Asian setting.
Academic / educational·Public and embed-eligible
Hindu Gods Overview
Khan Academy
Introduces several Hindu deities and visual traditions.
Branches & scripture
Explore Hinduism communities
Each profile begins with the specific scripture or canon associated with that community. Where no distinct edition is confirmed, FaithPost says so plainly.
School · Hindu tradition
Vaishnavism
A Hindu tradition within a broad and non-centralized textual inheritance.
Scripture and canon details
School · Hindu tradition
Shaivism
A Hindu tradition within a broad and non-centralized textual inheritance.
Scripture and canon details
School · Hindu tradition
Shaktism
A Hindu tradition within a broad and non-centralized textual inheritance.
Scripture and canon details
School · Hindu tradition
Smartism
A Hindu tradition within a broad and non-centralized textual inheritance.
Scripture and canon details
School · Hindu tradition
Sri Vaishnavism
A Hindu tradition within a broad and non-centralized textual inheritance.
Scripture and canon details
School · Hindu tradition
Gaudiya Vaishnavism
A Hindu tradition within a broad and non-centralized textual inheritance.
Scripture and canon details
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Keep learning about this topic
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