Hinduism

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This article deals with Hinduism as it relates to NationStates. For more general information, see the Wikipedia article on this subject.

Hinduism is the most widely practiced religion in Navi Bharat. The religion is viewed by Navi Bharatis to be divided into two sects (a misnomer given the thousands of sects present in Hinduism), Vedanta Hinduism and Traditional Hinduism.

Hinduism is also practiced in The Most Serene Republic of Love and esterel and The Boeotian Republic of Athens and Midlands. In Love and esterel, Hindus divinities are widely more considered as avatar of “The Eternal Way" than gods. Love and esterel hindus temples are famous and admired for their kitsch decorations.

A large number of the people of India also practices Hinduism.

Vedanta Hinduism

Vedanta Hinduism is the most commonly practiced sect of Hinduism in Navi Bharat. It is a very liberal sect of Hinduism, appealing heavily to middle and lower class Navi Bharatis, and frequently taking in converts from all other religions. It is heavily grounded in the principles of jnanta yoga- enlightenment through the destruction of ignorance. Vedanta Hinduism is liberal, giving, charitable, and very open to new ideas. Many young Navi Bharatis are drawn to the ideas of the Vedanta. In India itself, this super-sect would comprise most of the Smarta, Advaita Vedanta, and some Shaivist traditions.

The most common and established sect of Vedanta in Navi Bharat is the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, which still has direct links to its source in India. The sect was founded by Swami Vivekananda in Calcutta, India in 1903, and is devoted to spreading the message of the Vedanta, charity, social justice, and pacifism. The religion has a political wing, within the Social Democratic Party, which works for greater education, social welfare, and environmentalist causes. They are also well-known patrons of the arts.

There is a smaller sect of Vedanta, Vivekavaanism, which is homebred in Navi Bharat. This sect rejects the social and political ramifications of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, and is more heavily devoted to mysticism and monasticism. They openly reject politics and place much more emphasis on finding self-balance.

Vedanta differs from Traditional Hinduism by being far more liberal, more devoted to philosophy than open God-worship, and more ready to challenge Hindu norms and adapt. It also allows full conversion.

Traditional Hinduism

Traditional Hinduism runs as a close second to Vedanta Hinduism in practice in Navi Bharat. It is practiced heavily by the Gujurati population of Navi Bharat. It is a more organized tradition than Vedanta, grounding itself more heavily in bhakti yoga- the yoga of worship. It is a more conservative variety of the religion, based moreso on respect and pride. This tradition would incorporate most Vaishanvist and Shaivist traditions.

Traditional Hinduism in Navi Bharat is divided into hundreds of sects devoted to many different gods, saints, and manifestations, to a point where no clear 'majority' sect exists. Besides, most sects don't even consider themselves sect, just part of a greater Hindu whole. Traditional Hindu temples don't often accept converts.

The Traditional Hindus are politically split between the Social Democratic Party and the Army of Vishnu, and are either politically centrist or right-wing and nationalist. Traditional Hinduism is losing support throughout the country, and many Traditional Hindu temples are accept Vedanta principles in their worship and sessions.