List of Hindu sects
From open-encyclopedia.com - the free encyclopedia.
Hinduism like any other major religion has many sects or denominations.
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Vaishnavism
Vaishnava worship Vishnu and his avatars (especially Rama and Krishna) as the supreme deity. This is the largest Hindu denomination.
Vaishnava Sects
Sects which are Vaishnava, but are not mainstream Vaishnava include:
- International Society for Krishna Consciousness
- Swaminarayan sect
- Gaudiya Vaishnavism
Saivism
Saivites are those who primarily worship God Siva as Supreme God, both Immanent and Transcendent.
Saivism is the oldest sect of Hinduism, both Monistic and Dualistic, focusing on yoga, meditation, and love for all beings.
God Siva is both with and without form; He is the Supreme Dancer, Nataraja; He is the linga, with no beginning or end.
Shaktism
Shaktas worship Shakti, the divine Mother, in any one, or many of her forms (Kali, Durga, etc.).
Smartism
Smartas has free rein to choose whichever Hindu deity they wish to worship. It is a liberal and ecclectic sect.
Balinese Hinduism
Balinese Hindus follow a sect of Hinduism which once flourished on the nearby island of Java. The formal name for the sect which Balinese Hindus follow is called Agama Hindu Dharma.
