Working With Diversity in Northern Ireland - for local health and social services staff providing information, practical advice, guidance and examples of best practice on equality and diversity under Section 75 legislation. Working With Diversity in Northern Ireland - for local health and social services staff providing information, practical advice, guidance and examples of best practice on equality and diversity under Section 75 legislation. Working With Diversity in Northern Ireland - for local health and social services staff providing information, practical advice, guidance and examples of best practice on equality and diversity under Section 75 legislation. Working With Diversity in Northern Ireland - for local health and social services staff providing information, practical advice, guidance and examples of best practice on equality and diversity under Section 75 legislation.
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Religious Belief » Hinduism » History

History

Hinduism is believed by many to be the oldest living religion. The word 'Hindu' is Persian for 'Indian'; believers themselves speak of their belief as sanatana-dharma, the eternal teaching. Their beliefs are very much entwined with their way of life.

Hinduism is an umbrella-term covering different philosophical schools of thought and systems of belief. There is a wide diversity in belief and practice but a key belief is that there is one God who appears in a large number of forms. There is also a belief in a number of demi-gods and demi-goddesses.  Hindus believe that the atma, spirit, of a person is separate from their physical body and that this energy leaves the body at death and goes on to another life. It is the actions of the person in their life, that determine the nature and circumstances of their next life. The ultimate aim is to escape the cycles of birth and death. 

There are around 800 million Hindus world–wide and Hinduism is the most widespread religion in India.

 
N. Ireland
In Northern Ireland the Hindu community comprises of those that attend The Indian Community Centre and Temple and the Hare Krishna movement (or International Society for Krishna Consciousness). These two communities work closely together. The Indian Community Centre congregation comprises about 250 extended families (around 800 people) residing mainly within the greater Belfast area. The total Hindu community probably numbers up to about 1,000 individuals, including members of the Vaishnava (Hare Krishna) tradition. 

The Indian Community Centre and Hindu Temple is in Clifton Street, close to Carlisle Circus in North Belfast. There are two Hare Krishna Temples in Northern Ireland, one in Dunmurry and one on Inis Rath Island in Upper Lough Erne. This community organises an excellent 'Food for Life' programme which distributes food aid to underprivileged people across Belfast. 

All the Hindu Temples in Northern Ireland host religious services, marriages and a great number of festivals throughout the year.

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