Hindu Beliefs

{article1293|Hinduism} embraces a great diversity of beliefs, which can be initially confusing to Westerners accustomed to creeds, confessions, and carefully-worded belief statements. A person can believe a wide variety of things about God, the universe and the path to liberation and still be considered a Hindu.

Still, there are some beliefs common to nearly all forms of Hinduism that can be identified. These fundamental Hindu beliefs may include:

• the authority of the {article287|Vedas} (the oldest Indian sacred texts) and sometimes of the Brahmans (priests);
• the doctrines of {article1310|samsara} (an enduring soul that transmigrates from one body to another at death, based on the law of {article1506|karma}) and {article443|moksa} (liberation from this cycle)
• belief in an Ultimate Reality or Supreme Being ({article1182|Brahman}) who created and pervades the universe

Note that a specific belief about God or gods is not considered one of the essentials in Hinduism. Most Hindus are devoted followers of one of the principal gods ({article1384|Shiva}, {article1064|Vishnu} or {article1575|Shakti}), and often others besides. Most Hindus regard these as manifestations of Brahman, the one Supreme Being.

Hindus may be polytheistic, monotheistic, or monistic [all reality is one]. There are even orthodox Hindus who are atheistic. Many Hindus believe there is one God (Brahman) who can be worshipped in many forms.¹