Hinduism (Vedic dharma or Sanatana dharma) encompasses many movements and traditions (sampradaya). Sampradaya is a denomination that shares a common ground of beliefs but embraces many different schools or lineages (parampara) inside its philosophical branches.

The many schools and diverse movements trace their origins from prehistoric times to only a few decades. Most are the natural evolution and reinterpretation of old Vedanta and Yoga precepts. Hinduism is recognized as a very dynamic religion, accepting and continuously transmuting new influences from inside and outside with equal ease and remarkable lack of conflict.

The presence of different schools and lineages should not be viewed as a schism. On the contrary, there is no animosity between them. Instead there is a healthy cross-pollination of ideas and logical

• • See the List of Hindu Sects.
  • See the Contemporary Hindu movements.

Hinduism, as most other major religions, has a great number of schools. Two major denominations are those of Vaishnavism and Shaivism, which differentiate groups based on their particular brand of monotheism. The two denominations incorporate Bhakti, active devotion.

Schools in Smartism

• • Advaita Vedanta, adheres to the teachings of Adi Shankara

Schools in Vaishnavism

• • Vishishtadvaita, commonly termed "Srivaishnavism", is the teachings of Ramanuja. Swaminarayan sampradaya is derived from it.

• • Dvaita, teachings of Madhva. Connected to it is Gaudiya Vaishnavism of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. ISKCON, the
    
    
    
    Hare Krishna movement, is its prominent part.

• • Dvaitadvaita, teachings of Nimbarka

• • Shuddhadvaita, teachings of Vallabhacharya

Schools in Shaivism

• • Saiva Siddhanta
  • Kashmir Śaivism
  • Virasaivism

Schools in Shaktism

• • Hindu Tantra

Schools in Javanese Hinduism

• • Agama Hindu Dharma

Philosophical Concepts

Major schools and movements of Hindu philosophy:

• • Samkhya
  • Nyaya
  • Vaisheshika
  • Purva mimamsa
  • Vedanta
  • Uttar Mimamsa
  • Advaita Vedanta
  • Vishishtadvaita, or qualified monism.
  • Dvaita, or strict dualism.
  • Integral Yoga
  • Yoga
  • Hatha yoga
  • Siddha Yoga