ClassificationDharmic religion
Scripture
Vedas- Traditions: Smriti literature (Itihasa & Puranas — Mahabharata, Ramayana, Puranas)
- Exegesis: Vedanta, Mimamsa, and later philosophical commentarial traditions (e.g., Shankara, Ramanuja, Madhva)
Primary philosophical schools
Classical orthodox (āstika) systems:
- Vedanta — nondual and qualified nondual metaphysics (Brahman–Atman)
- Samkhya — dualism of consciousness and matter
- Yoga — meditative discipline (Patanjali)
- Nyaya — logic and epistemology
- Vaisheshika — atomistic metaphysics
- Mimamsa — ritual and scriptural interpretation
Later major Vedanta sub-schools:
- Advaita
- Vishishtadvaita
- Dvaita
Theology
Pluralistic — includes monotheistic, henotheistic, panentheistic, polytheistic, and nondual (monistic) schools
Region
Primarily South Asia (India, Nepal), with historical and modern presence in Southeast Asia and global diaspora
Language
Primarily Vedic and Classical Sanskrit (with later scriptures and traditions in many regional languages)
Territory
Indian subcontinent (with global diaspora communities)
Founder
No single founder — developed gradually through many sages (rishis) and teaching lineages
Origin
c. 1500–500 BCE (Vedic period roots, with earlier cultural precursors)
Place of Origin
Northwestern Indian subcontinent
Separations / Related Traditions
Buddhism
Jainism
Sikhism
Number of followers
est. 1.2–1.3 billion (individually referred to as Hindus)