Professional Documents
Culture Documents
con cept s
pract i ce
lifest yle
t radi t i on
m or e i n fo
Concepts
Practice
Lifestyle
Tradition
Historical Perspective
Doctrine and Scripture
Movements and Leaders
Denominations
Vaishnavism
Shaivism
Shaktism
Socio-Political Movements
Leaders
Modern Hindu Groups and
Leaders
Famous Women within
Hinduism
Hinduism in Britain Today
Extras
1. focus of worship
2. doctrine
3. preferred process or practices
Four main communities can be identified, each
according to its respective focus of worship (these
four communities are discussed in the Vaishnavism, Bottom Left: Worshippers of Durga (Shakti), who do not
Shaivism, Shaktism, and Smarta pages). Each
community, which we loosely term here a
Doctrines
There are six orthodox darshans (ways of seeing) to
which the various groups and sub-groups subscribe.
(They are outlined in detail in the Hindu Doctrine
section). Of these, Vedanta is often considered the
culmination and represents the theologically developed
strands of contemporary Hinduism. Vedanta, however,
has not entirely rejected the other five schools, but has
tended to accommodate and assimilate them.
Vedanta is often exclusively associated with the
Advaita Vedanta of Shankara. However, there are two
main approaches, as shown to the right. These two
poles are combined in various ways to form ten main
schools of Vedanta (see Vedanta and Mimamsa).
Advaita: Monists or
Impersonalists
who believe that,
God is ultimately impersonal.
the soul is entirely non-different
from God (but has yet to
realise/develop his Godhood).
considered Brahman).
Processes/Paths
Within Hinduism there are diverse practices, but most fall within four main paths or margs.
Since these are aimed at union (with God) they are also termed "yogas." They are:
1. karma-yoga the yoga path of action
2. Jnana-yoga the path of knowledge
3. Raja (astanga) yoga the path of meditation
4. Bhakti-Yoga the path of devotion
Some authorities list only three paths by excluding Raja yoga, which is often closely associated
with jnana-yoga, because of the common emphasis on renunciation (see also Four Main
Paths).
The four main denominations often favour one or more of these processes, and will also lean
towards a particular doctrine (below).
(karma-yoga). Their theology tends to be less developed and draws largely on Shaivism.
Smartas follow the impersonal (advaita) doctrine of Shankara and favour the path of jnana,
featuring renunciation and philosophical inquiry.
Home Concepts Practice Lifestyle Tradition Extras About/Contact
"Heart of Hinduism" is Copyright: ISKCON Educational Services, 2004