In a restricted sense, the total of religious beliefs and practises in India, growing out of ancient Brahmanism, and contrasting with the present orthodox Brahmanism. In its broader and generally accepted application Hinduism comprises all religious, social, and intellectual life popularly accepted as compatible with Brahman tradition. It extends to orthodox Brahmanism, and to popular Vishnuism and Shivaism with their numerous schisms. The Brahman priests require but recognition of their supremacy and of certain fundamental traditions. The elastic pantheistic all-god Brahma admits all varieties of worship from the higher monotheistic to the popular depraved worship of nature, demons, animals, and trees, together with fetishism, totemism, and animism. Hinduism is of wide adaptation with its spiritual and abstract, practical and concrete, ethical and ceremonial, and quiescent and contemplative sides. Bound up with its castes, and its intricate social customs, it is a national, not a world religion. See also: Brahmanism.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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