Hinduism

See also faith; god and gods; religion; theology.

ayurveda

the conventional Hindu system of medicine, founded chiefly on naturopathy and homeopathy. —Ayurvedic, adj.

Brahmanism, Brahminism

the doctrines and practices of Brahmans and orthodox Hindus, characterized by the caste system, a diverse pantheism, and primary devotion to Brahma, the creator-god of the Hindu trinity.

Brahmoism

the practices and doctrines of the Brahmos, members of a Hindu theistic society noted for its belief in social reform and monotheism.

Krishnaism

the worship of Krishna as the eighth incarnation of the god Vishnu, the preserver-god of the Hindu trinity.

Ramaism

the worship of Rama, a hero of Hindu epic, as an incarnation of the god Vishnu. —Ramaite, n.

Shaktism

1. a Hindu sect worshipping Shakti as a mother goddess under such names as Kali and Durga through contemplation and humility; right-hand Shaktism.

2. a Hindu Tantric sect worshiping Shakti as the feminine principle of gen-eration through rites involving ritual eating and orgy; left-hand Shaktism. See also Tantrism. —Shakta, Shakti, n., adj.

Sikhism

the doctrines of a reformed Hindu sect opposed to the caste system, supremacy of Brahrnan priests, magic, idolatry, and pilgrimages. —Sikh, n., adj.

Sivaism

a cult made up of the worshipers of Siva, the destroyer-god of the Hindu trinity. —Sivaite, n.

sutteeism

the Hindu practice or custom, now forbidden, of a widow’s self-immolation upon her husband’s funeral pyre. —suttee, sati, n.

Tantrism

1. the teachings of the Tantras, Sanskrit religious writings concerned with mysticism and magic rituals.

2. the beliefs and practices of Hindu adherents to the Tantras in place of the Vedas, especially magic rituals for healing, averting evil, and union with the female creative principle. —Tantrist, n. —Tantric, adj.

thuggee

a semi-religious Hindu cult with a highly organized system of murder and robbery, suppressed in India in the 19th century. Also thuggery. —thug, n.

Vaishnavism

the worship of Vishnu in any of his forms or incarnations. —Vaishnava, Vaishnavite, n.

Vedaism, Vedism

1. the teachings of the Vedas, the four most sacred writings of Hinduism.

2. an adherence to these teachings; orthodox Hinduism. —Vedaic, Vedic, adj.

Vedantism

the beliefs and practices of Vedanta, an orthodox Hindu philoso-phy emphasizing the teachings on contemplation found in the Vedas. —Vedantist, n. —Vedantic, adj.

yoga

1. an orthodox Hindu philosophical system concerned with the liberation of the self from its noneternal elements or states.

2. any system of exercises and disciplines for achieving such liberation of self. —Yogi, Yogin, n.