Hinduism. The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. 2002

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The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. 2002.

Hinduism


A religion of India that emphasizes freedom from the material world through purification of desires and elimination of personal identity. Hindu beliefs include reincarnation. (See Brahmins, pariah, Vishnu, and yoga.)	1
‡ Traditionally, Hinduism was linked to the caste system—a division of Indian society into several rigid groups, with members of a higher caste holding power over those of a lower.	2
‡ The sacred writings of Hinduism include the Vedas (which contain the Upanishads) and the Bhagavad Gita.	3

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. Edited by E.D. Hirsch, Jr., Joseph F. Kett, and James Trefil. Copyright © 2002 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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