Schools of Hinduism - Definition

There exist many schools and diverse movements of Hinduism. They trace their origins from as far back as three thousand to only a few dozen years. Many are extensions of varying schools of Vedanta and Yoga. Two major denominations are those of Vaishnavism and Shaivism, which differentiate groups based on their particular brand of monotheism. Vaishnavism conceives God as Vishnu and Shaivism, conceives God as Shiva. Other minor forms are aspects of Vishnu or Shiva; see Smartism for more information. The two denominations incorporate *Bhakti, which is devotional Hinduism.

Hinduism (see also Contemporary Hindu movements)

The Denominations

Vaishnavism

• • Srivaishnavism; adheres to teachings of Ramanuja.
  • Dvaita; adheres to teachings of Madhva.
  • Swaminarayan sect
  • Gaudiya Vaishnavism
    • ISKCON (Hare Krishna) sect.

Shaivism

• • Saiva Siddhanta
  • Shaktism
    • Hindu Tantra, part of Shaktism.

Other major denominations

• Smartism; closely affiliated with Advaita Vedanta.
• Agama Hindu Dharma (Javanese Hinduism)

Philosophical Concepts

Six major schools and movements of Hindu philosophy with the extant schools being Vedanta and Yoga.

• • Samkhya
  • Nyaya
  • Vaisheshika
  • Purva mimamsa
  • Vedanta (Uttar Mimamsa); the leading extant school today which has replaced Samkya, Nyaya, Vaisheshika and Purva mimamsa.
    • Advaita Vedanta
    • Vishishtadvaita, or qualified monism.
    • Dvaita, or strict dualism.
    • Integral Yoga
  • Yoga
    • Hatha yoga
    • Siddha Yoga

External Links

• Siva Vishnu Temple of DC has table focussing on the differences between the philosophical schools of Hinduism; Answer to Question #7. (http://www.ssvt.org/Education/Hinduism%20FAQ.asp#What%20are%20the%20different%20schools%20of%20Hinduism?%20What%20is%20their%20basis%20to%20be%20called%20different%20schools%20of%20Hinduism?%20Are%20they%20important%20to%20understand?)