Hinduism encompasses many movements and schools fairly organized within Hindu denominations. A denomination shares a common ground of beliefs but embraces many different movements and schools inside its philosophical branches.

Basic overview

Contemporary Hinduism is traditionally divided into four major denominations: Śaivism, Shaktism, Vaishnavism, and Smartha.

Hinduism is a very rich and complex religion. Each of its four denominations share rituals, beliefs, traditions and personal Gods with one another, but each denomination has a different philosophy on how to achieve life's ultimate goal (mokśa, liberation) and different views of the Gods. Each follows different methods of self-realization and worships different aspects of the One Supreme God. However, each respects and accepts all others, and conflict of any kind is rare. Among Hindu followers as a whole, there is a strong belief in there are many paths leading to the One God or the Source, whatever one chooses to call that ultimate Truth.

An established philosophical school within a denomination is called a sampradaya and a traditional lineage of teachers from any sampradaya is a parampara.

The presence of different denominations and schools within Hinduism should not be viewed as a schism. On the contrary, there is no animosity between the schools. Instead there is a healthy cross-pollination of ideas and logical debate that serves to refine each school's philosophy. It is not uncommon, or disallowed, for an individual to follow one school but take the point of view of another school for a certain issue.


Vaishnavism

Vaishnavas worship Vishnu, or Krishna and his avataras (especially Rama) as the supreme deity. This is the largest denomination.

Vaishnava sampradayas:

* Madhvas - followers of Madhavacharya
* Shri Vaishnavas, followers of Ramanujacharya
* Rudra Vaishnavas, followers of Vallabhacharya
* Nimbarka Vaishnavas
* Gaudiya Vaishnavism, followers of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. They are connected to Madhva sampradaya.

Modern Vaishnava groups attached to the main sampradayas:

* Swaminarayan - Ramanuja sampradaya; although they are slanted towards Vaishnavism, Swaminarayan also believed in a Smarta view; he adopted panchadevata system. (five forms of God, as per Smarta theology.
* International Society for Krishna Consciousness - Madhva / Gaudiya Vaishnava sampradaya
* Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mission - Madhva / Gaudiya Vaishnava sampradaya


Śaivism

Śaivites are those who primarily worship God Śiva as Supreme God, both Immanent and Transcendent.

Śaivism embraces at the same time Monism and Dualism. It focuses on yoga, meditation and love for all beings.

Major theological schools of Śaivism include Kashmir Śaivism, Śaiva Siddhanta and Virasaivism.

To Saivites God Śiva is both with and without form; He is the Supreme Dancer, Nataraja; He is the linga, without beginning or end.

* Siddha Yoga
* Lingayats in Karnataka



ALSO LOOK HINDU POPULATION AROUND THE WORLD