Hindu denominations

Hindu denominations, '' sampradayas'', traditions, movements, and sects are traditions and sub-traditions within Hinduism centered on one or more gods or goddesses, such as Vishnu, Shiva, Shakti and so on. The term ''sampradaya'' is used for branches with a particular founder-guru with a particular philosophy.

Hinduism has no central doctrinal authority and many practising Hindus do not claim to belong to any particular denomination or tradition. Four major traditions are, however, used in scholarly studies: ''Vaishnavism'', ''Shaivism'', ''Shaktism'' and '' Smartism''.Lance Nelson (2007), An Introductory Dictionary of Theology and Religious Studies (Editors: Orlando O. Espín, James B. Nickoloff), Liturgical Press, , pages 562–563 These are sometimes referred to as the denominations of Hinduism, and they differ in the primary deity at the centre of the tradition.SS Kumar (2010), Bhakti — the Yoga of Love, LIT Verlag Münster, , pp. 35–36. A notable feature of Hindu denominations is that they do not deny other concepts of the divine or deity, and often celebrate the other as henotheistic equivalent. The denominations of Hinduism, states Lipner, are unlike those found in major religions of the world, because Hindu denominations are fuzzy with individuals practising more than one, and he suggests the term "Hindu polycentrism".

Although Hinduism contains many denominations and philosophies, it is linked by shared concepts, recognisable rituals, cosmology, shared textual resources, pilgrimage to sacred sites and the questioning of authority.

Typology

The word ''Hindu'' is an exonym. This word ''Hindu'' is derived from the Indo-Aryan and Sanskrit word ''Sindhu'', which means "a large body of water", covering "river, ocean". It was used as the name of the Indus River and also referred to its tributaries. The actual term 'hindu' first occurs, states Gavin Flood, as "a Persian geographical term for the people who lived beyond the river Indus (Sanskrit: ''Sindhu'')". Hindus are persons who regard themselves as culturally, ethnically, or religiously adhering to aspects of Hinduism. Historically, the term has also been used as a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier for people living in the Indian subcontinent. In the 18th century, European merchants and colonists began to refer to the followers of Indian religions collectively as ''Hindus'' until about mid 20th century. Hindus subscribe to a diversity of ideas on spirituality and traditions, but have no ecclesiastical order, no unquestionable religious authorities, no governing body, no prophet(s) nor any binding holy book; Hindus can choose to be polytheistic, pantheistic, monotheistic, monistic, agnostic, atheistic or humanist.

Hinduism as it is commonly known can be subdivided into a number of major currents. Of the historical division into six darsanas (philosophies), two schools, Vedanta and Yoga, are currently the most prominent. Classified by primary deity or deities, four major Hinduism modern currents are Vaishnavism (Vishnu), Shaivism (Shiva), Shaktism (Shakti) and Smartism (five deities treated as same). These deity-centered denominations feature a synthesis of various philosophies such as Samkhya, Yoga and Vedanta, as well as shared spiritual concepts such as moksha, dharma, karma, samsara, ethical precepts such as ahimsa, texts ( Upanishads, Puranas, Mahabharata, Agamas), ritual grammar and rites of passage.

Six generic types (McDaniel)

McDaniel (2007) distinguishes six generic types of Hinduism, in an attempt to accommodate a variety of views on a rather complex subject:
* Folk Hinduism, based on local traditions and cults of local deities and extending back to prehistoric times, or at least prior to written Vedas.
* Shrauta or "Vedic" Hinduism as practised by traditionalist brahmins ( Shrautins).
* Vedantic Hinduism, including Advaita Vedanta ( Smartism), based on the philosophical approach of the Upanishads.
* Yogic Hinduism, especially the sect based on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
* "Dharmic" Hinduism or "daily morality", based on Karma and upon societal norms such as Vivāha (Hindu marriage customs).
* Bhakti or devotionalist practices

Sampradaya

In Hinduism, a ''sampradaya'' ( IAST ') is a denomination. These are teaching traditions with autonomous practices and monastic centers, with a guru lineage, with ideas developed and transmitted, redefined and reviewed by each successive generation of followers. A particular guru lineage is called '' parampara''. By receiving diksha (initiation) into the ''parampara'' of a living guru, one belongs to its proper ''sampradaya''.

Number of adherents

There are no census data available on demographic history or trends for the traditions within Hinduism.

According to Gavin Flood, the Shaivism and Shaktism traditions are difficult to separate, as many Shaiva Hindus revere the goddess Shakti regularly., Quote: "it is often impossible to meaningfully distinguish between Saiva and Sakta traditions". The denominations of Hinduism, states Julius Lipner, are unlike those found in major religions of the world, because Hindu denominations are fuzzy with individuals revering gods and goddesses polycentrically, with many Shaiva and Vaishnava adherents recognizing Sri (Lakshmi), Parvati, Saraswati and other aspects of the goddess Devi. Similarly, Shakta Hindus revere Shiva and goddesses such as Parvati (such as Durga, Radha, Sita and others) and Saraswati important in Shaiva and Vaishnava traditions.

Main denominations

Vaishnavism

Vaishnavism is a devotional stream of Hinduism, which worships the god Vishnu as the Supreme Lord ( Svayam Bhagavan). As well as Vishnu himself, followers of the denomination also worship Vishnu's ten incarnations (the Dashavatara). The two most-worshipped incarnations of Vishnu are Krishna (especially within Krishnaism as the Supreme) and Rama, whose stories are told in the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, respectively. The adherents of this sect are generally non-ascetic, monastic and devoted to meditative practice and ecstatic chanting. Vaishnavites are deeply devotional. Their religion is rich in saints, temples and scriptures.

Among Historical Vishnuism are known the Bhagavatism, Pancharatra and Vaikhanasa traditions.

The major living Vaishnava ''sampradayas'' include:
* Sri Vaishnavism ( Sri-Vaishnava Sampradaya/Sri Sampradaya/ Iyengars/ Vishistadvaita) is associated with Lakshmi. The principal acharyas are Ramanujacharya and Vedanta Desikan. Sri subsampradayas:
** Thenkalais. Manavala Mamunigal's sect is the oldest Vaishnava sect in India. This sampradaya was followed by Vyasa, Parasara, Bodhayana. The lineage of Acharya is Lord Narayana, next Lakshmi and then Vishweksenar, Nammalwar, Nathamuni, Uyyakondar, Manakal Nambi, Alavandar, Periya Nambi, Ramanujacharya and finally Vedanta Desikan as per the Vadagalai sampradaya.
** Vadakalais
*** Munitraya
* Ramanandi Sampradaya, also known as the Ramayat Sampradaya or the Ramavat Sampradaya adheres to the teachings of the Advaita scholar Ramananda. This is the largest monastic group within Hinduism and in Asia, and these Vaishnava monks are known as ''Ramanandis'', ''Vairagis'' or ''Bairagis''.
* Brahma Sampradaya is associated with Vishnu, who is the Para-Brahma (Universal Creator), not to be confused with the Brahma deity. The founder of this sampradaya was the Dvaita Vedanta philosopher Madhvacharya. Its modern form is Haridasa and Sadh Vaishnavism.
** Gaudiya Vaishnavism ( Chaitanya Sampradaya) is associated with Brahma Sampradaya, and is associated with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (Gaurangacharya):
*** Brahmanic traditional lineages
**** Sri Caitanya Prema Samsthana
*** Gaudiya Math reform lineages
**** Gaudiya Mission
**** Gaudiya Vedanta Samiti
**** International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)
**** ISKCON Revival Movement
**** Science of Identity Foundation
**** Sri Caitanya Sangha
**** Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math
**** Sri Sri Radha Govindaji Trust
**** World Vaisnava Association
*** Manipuri Vaishnavism is a regional form of Gaudiya Vaishnavism and continues to be followed across Manipur with well-defined traditions and devotional practices.
* Kumara Sampradaya ( Nimbarka Sampradaya) is the tradition associated with Four Kumaras and the principal acharya Nimbarkacharya.
* Rudra Sampradaya. The principal acharya is Vallabhacharya, the founder of Pushtimarg tradition.
* Warkari Sampradaya, adheres to teaching of prominent bhakti saints of Maharashtra like Namadeva, Jnaneshwara, Eknath, Tukaram as well as Changadeva, Muktabai, Gora Kumbhar, Savata Mali, Narahari Sonar, Janabai, Sena Nhavi and Kanhopatra. The Warkari Sampradaya promotes the worship of god Vithoba, which is a manifestation of Krishna.
Minor and regional Vaishnavite schools and the principal acharyas connected with them are:
* Balmikism, linked to sage Valmiki.
* Ekasarana Dharma ( Asomiya Vaishnavism), adheres to the teachings of Srimanta Sankaradeva.
* Kapadi Sampradaya.
* Mahanam Sampradaya, adheres to the teachings of Prabhu Jagadbandu who is considered to be the incarnation of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu the founder of Gaudiya Vaishnavism considered to be an avatar of Radha Krishna.
* Mahanubhava panth, adheres to the teachings of Sarvajna Shri Chakradhara.
* Odia Vaishnavism ( Jagannathism), the regional cult of the god Jagannath as abstract form of Krishna.
* Pranami ( Pranami Sampradaya), adheres to the teachings of Devachandra Maharaj.
* Radha Vallabh Sampradaya.
* Ramsnehi Sampradaya.
* Vaishnava-Sahajiya ( tantric).
** Baul.
* Swaminarayan Sampradya, adheres to the teachings of Sahajanand Swami, otherwise known as Swaminarayan.

Shaivism

Shaivas or Shaivites are those who primarily worship Shiva as the supreme god, both immanent and transcendent. Shaivism embraces at the same time monism (specifically nondualism) and dualism. To Shaivites, Shiva is both with and without form; he is the Supreme Dancer, Nataraja; and is linga, without beginning or end. Shiva is sometimes depicted as the fierce god Bhairava. Saivists are more attracted to asceticism than devotees of other Hindu sects, and may be found wandering India with ashen faces performing self-purification rituals. They worship in the temple and practice yoga, striving to be one with Shiva within.

The major schools of Śaivism include:
* Saiva Siddhanta, adheres to the teachings of Tirumular/Sundaranatha ( Nandinatha Sampradaya, the monistic school) or of Meykandadeva ( Meykandar Sampradaya, the dualistic school).
** Saiva Siddhanta Temple in United States.
* Shiva Advaita, adheres to the teachings of Nilakantha (Srikantha) and Appayya Dikshitar.
* Kashmir Shaivism, adheres to the teachings of Vasugupta and his disciplinic lineage, including Abhinavagupta.
* Pashupata Shaivism, adheres to the teachings of Lakulisa.
* Aghori.
* Kapalika.
* Nath