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Founded: Buddhism began about 2,500 years ago in India. Founder: Gautama Siddhårtha, the Buddha, or “Enlightened One.” Major scriptures: The Tripitaka, Anguttara-Nikâya, Dhammapada, Sutta-Nipâta, Samyutta-Nikâya and many others. Adherents: Over 300 million. Sects: Buddhism today is divided into three main sects: Theravâda or Hinayâna (Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, Cambodia), Mahâyâna (China, Japan, Vietnam, Korea), and

Sloka Generous, selfless giving is among dharma’s central fulfillments. Hospitality, charity and support of God’s work on Earth arises from the belief that the underlying purpose of life is spiritual, not material. Aum Nama˙ Śivâya. Bhâshya Nowhere is giving better unfolded than in the ancient Tirukural, which says, “Of all duties, benevolence is unequaled in

Sloka The Pañchâkshara Mantra, Namah Sivâya, is repeated verbally or mentally, often while counting a mâlâ of rudrâksha beads, drawing the mind in upon itself to cognize Lord Siva’s infinite, all-pervasive presence. Aum. Bhâshya Japa yoga is the first yoga to be performed toward the goal of jñâna. In the temple perform japa. Under your

Sloka The most precious of all Saivite mantras, Nama˙ Sivâya is freely sung and chanted by one and all. Mantra dîkshâ bestows the permission and power for japa yoga. Without this initiation, its repetition bears lesser fruit. Aum. Bhâshya The Pañchâkshara Mantra is the word of God, the name and total essence of Siva. But

Sloka Again and again in the Vedas and from satgurus we hear “Aham Brahmâsmi,” “I am God,” and that God is both immanent and transcendent. Taken together, these are clear statements of monistic theism. Aum Nama˙ Sivâya. Bhâshya Monistic theism is the philosophy of the Vedas. Scholars have long noted that the Hindu scriptures are

Founded: Hinduism, the world’s oldest religion, has no beginning—it predates recorded History founder: Hinduism has no human founder. Major scriptures: The Vedas, Ågamas and more. Adherents: Nearly one billion, mostly in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Malaysia, Indonesia, Indian Ocean, Africa, Europe and North and South America. Sects: There are four main denominations: Saivism,

The spectrum of Hindu religiousness is found within four major sects or denominations: saivism, sâktism, Vaishnavism and Smârtism. Among these four streams, there are certainly more similarities than differences. All four believe in karma and reincarnation and in a Supreme Being who is both form and pervades form, who creates, sustains and destroys the universe