A Hindu is an adherent of Hinduism, a major world religion originating on the Indian subcontinent. Here are some key points about Hinduism:
- Origins: Hinduism originated around the Indus Valley near the River Indus in modern-day Pakistan.
- Sacred Texts: Hinduism has a rich collection of sacred texts in Sanskrit and vernacular languages. These texts served as a vehicle for spreading the religion to other parts of the world.
- Global Presence: From about the 4th century CE, Hinduism had a dominant presence in Southeast Asia, lasting for more than 1,000 years.
- Adherents: In the early 21st century, Hinduism had nearly one billion adherents worldwide and was the religion of about 80 percent of India’s population.
- Distinctive Regional Manifestations: Despite its global presence, Hinduism is best understood through its many distinctive regional manifestations.
In a definitive sense, a Hindu (or Sanatan) is any person who believes that abiding by the Law of Karma and the Five Precepts, and practicing Karma, Bhakti, or Gyana yoga, the soul can attain Moksha (spiritual progress). A Hindu is one of the members of the Ārya Samudāy.