Hinduism

Despite its antiquity, Hinduism has over 900 million adherents worldwide, and the majority is in India and Nepal. Unlike most other religions, Hinduism does not have a founder or one specific god. It is more of a collaboration of philosophies, so people refer to Hinduism as “a way of life” or “a family of religions” rather than a single, fixed religion.The basic sacred scripture is the Vedic, this collection of books are a source for Hindus to understanding the universe.  The part “Hindu” comes from the name of a river called, the Sindhu.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/ataglance/glance.shtml   Classic Hinduism promotes four different goals: Dharma (virtue), Artha (success), Kama (pleasure), and moksha (release). Dharma, Artha and Kama are considered goals that can be achieved all at once or at different stages in life, while moksha is a goal that strives to reject the material life in order to realize the true nature of the cosmos and one's place in it.

The Code of Manu is the various stages to accomplish in order to have a successful life:1.) Be a student.2.)Become a householder and marry a proper person from one's own caste.3.)Hermit once reached and old age.4.) Wandering beggar.This is to be performed by males only, women are to stay at home and take care of the children.  There are four types of yoga exercises that help hindu individuals understand one’s own soul separate from the body. (Note: The yoga practiced in Western culture for fitness is not considered a spiritual yoga.) 


http://uwacadweb.uwyo.edu/religionet/er/hinduism/HRLIFE.HTM   


- stratified caste system       
      
   1.  Brahmans (priests)   2.  warriors   3.  farmers, merchants, artisans   4.  laborers, servants, slaves



In modern times, a popular icon of Hinduism would be Mahatma Ghandi.