Shaivite Hinduism

Shaivite Hinduism Quick Facts

Formed	150 BCE
Origin	India
Followers	220,000,000
Deity	Shiva
Sacred Texts	Vedas, Bhagavad-Gita, Upanishads
Headquarters	None

Shaivite Hinduism

Shaivite Hinduism Overview

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Shaivite Hinduism, also known as Shaivism, is - along with Vaishnavism, Shaktism, and Vedanta - one of the principle forms of the tradition. The origins of the tradition are difficult to determine, but the tradition can certainly be traced to the Vedas; it is often understood to be the oldest of the major Hindu traditions. The distinct sectarian worship of Shiva, and the specific philosophical and devotional structures of Shaivism, probably did not emerge until sometime between the 2nd century BCE and the 2nd century CE. Shaivas, as the name implies, focus on the god Shiva as the supreme deity, although other deities are not excluded from the tradition. Shiva is worshipped in a variety of forms, some of the most common of which are: the so-called destroyer (and purifier) of the world at the end of the cosmic cycles; the great ascetic and meditator; the lord of humans and animals; and the symbolic lingam (the embodiment of generative power). In addition to a rich and varied devotional system, Shaivite philosophical and theological systems are extremely important in the broad Hindu context, and include the Shaiva Siddhanta, Shaiva Advaita, and Pashupata schools, among many others.

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Glossary

Shaivite Hinduism

Shaivite Hinduism Quick Facts

Shaivite Hinduism

Shaivite Hinduism Overview

-- Shaivite Hinduism Beginnings

-- Shaivite Hinduism Influences

-- Shaivite Hinduism Founders

-- Shaivite Hinduism Scriptures

-- Shaivite Hinduism Historical Perspectives

-- Shaivite Hinduism Early Developments

-- Shaivite Hinduism Schisms, Sects

-- Shaivite Hinduism Exploration, Conquest, Empire (incl. violence, persecution)

-- Shaivite Hinduism Missions, Spread, Changes, Regional Adaptations

-- Shaivite Hinduism Modern Age

-- Shaivite Hinduism Sacred Narratives

-- Shaivite Hinduism Ultimate Reality and Divine Beings

-- Shaivite Hinduism Human Nature and the Purpose of Existence

-- Shaivite Hinduism Suffering and the Problem of Evil

-- Shaivite Hinduism Afterlife and Salvation

-- Shaivite Hinduism Sacred Time

-- Shaivite Hinduism Sacred Space

-- Shaivite Hinduism Rites and Ceremonies

-- Shaivite Hinduism Worship and Devotion in Daily Life

-- Shaivite Hinduism Symbolism

-- Shaivite Hinduism Leadership/Clergy

-- Shaivite Hinduism Community Organization and Structure

-- Shaivite Hinduism Principles of Moral Thought and Action

-- Shaivite Hinduism Vision for Society

-- Shaivite Hinduism Gender and Sexuality

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