Sign up to join our community!
Please sign in to your account!
Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive a link and will create a new password via email.
Please briefly explain why you feel this question should be reported.
Please briefly explain why you feel this answer should be reported.
Please briefly explain why you feel this user should be reported.
Indian religions are reflective of the diverse spiritual beliefs and practices of the people of India. Indian religions are formed around the Vedas, which is a set of ancient Hindu scriptures that form the basis for many religious traditions. These include Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism—all four of which have vast followings in the region. Indian religions believe in karma, the idea that our life experiences are connected to how we lived before this lifetime. They also focus on dharma (personal responsibility) and moksha (liberation from suffering). Additionally, these faiths practice ahimsa (non-violence), tirtha (sacred travel), pranayama (breath control) and yoga (union with God), all of which are integral aspects of spiritual growth within these traditions.
The 2011 Indian census indicated that 79.8% of Indians identified as Hindu, 14.2% identified as Muslim and 2.3% identified as Christian. A further 1.7% of the population identified as Sikh, 0.7% identified as Buddhist and 0.37% identified as Jain. Due to the massive population size of India, religious minorities still represent a significant number of people. For example, although only 0.37% of India may identify with Jainism, that still equates to over 4 million people. While not all religions in India can be discussed in detail, the following provides an overview of the major religions in the country as well as sizable religions that originated in India.
India is a diverse country with a rich cultural and religious history. There is no single “Indian religion,” as the country is home to a wide variety of religious traditions. Some of the major religions practiced in India include Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Islam.
Hinduism is the largest religion in India and has a complex and diverse set of beliefs and practices. It is generally considered to be the oldest religion in India and has no single founder or religious text.
Buddhism, which originated in India, is based on the teachings of the Buddha, also known as Siddhartha Gautama. It is a non-theistic religion that emphasizes the attainment of spiritual enlightenment through personal effort and meditation.
Jainism is a religion that originated in India and emphasizes non-violence, self-control, and the attainment of spiritual liberation.
Sikhism, another Indian religion, was founded by Guru Nanak in the 15th century. It is a monotheistic religion that emphasizes the equality of all people and the importance of social justice and service to others.
Islam is another religion that is widely practiced in India, with over 200 million Muslims living in the country.