Beliefs
Core concepts such as Brahman, Atman, dharma, karma, samsara and moksha.
- Brahman: the Ultimate RealityWhat Hindus mean by Brahman, how the Upanishads describe it, and how different schools understand its relationship with the self and the world.
- Atman: the Eternal SelfWhat Hindus mean by Atman, the true self, how the Upanishads describe it, and how it relates to Brahman, the body and the mind.
- Dharma: Duty, Righteousness and Cosmic OrderThe meaning of dharma in Hinduism, from the cosmic order of the Vedas to personal duty, the stages of life and the dilemmas of the Bhagavad Gita.
- Karma: Action and ConsequenceWhat karma really means in Hinduism, the different kinds of karma, how it relates to rebirth, and common misunderstandings of the idea.
- Samsara and Moksha: Rebirth and LiberationHow Hindus understand the cycle of birth, death and rebirth, and the different paths to moksha, liberation from that cycle.
- The Trimurti: Brahma, Vishnu and ShivaWhat the Trimurti is, how the three gods represent creation, preservation and destruction, and how different Hindu traditions understand it.
- Avatars: God's Descent to EarthWhat an avatar is in Hinduism, why God takes form in the world, the ten avatars of Vishnu, avatars of other deities and modern ideas about avatars.
- Maya: Illusion and the Power of AppearanceWhat maya means in Hinduism, from the magical power of the Vedic gods to Advaita's doctrine of illusion, and why other schools disagree.
- Ahimsa: Non-violenceThe meaning of ahimsa, non-violence towards all living beings, in Hindu scripture and practice, its link with vegetarianism, and its influence through Gandhi.
- The Four Aims of Life (Purusharthas)Dharma, artha, kama and moksha: the four legitimate goals of human life in Hinduism, and how they are meant to be balanced.
- The Four Stages of Life (Ashramas)The four ashramas of Hindu tradition, student, householder, retiree and renunciant, their duties, their history and how they apply today.
- Varna, Jati and CasteA balanced guide to varna, jati and caste: what Hindu scriptures say, how caste developed in Indian society, the experience of Dalits, reform movements and caste today.
- The Four Yugas and Hindu CosmologyHow Hindus understand time: the four yugas from the golden Satya Yuga to the present Kali Yuga, the days of Brahma and the endless cycles of creation and dissolution.