Religions and spirituality

Main articles: Religion in India and Indian religions

India is the birth place of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, collectively known as
Indian religions.[5] Indian religions, also known as Dharmic religions are a major form of world
religions along with Abrahamic ones. Today, Hinduism and Buddhism are the world's third- and
fourth-largest religions respectively, with over 2 billion followers altogether,[6][7][8] and possibly
as many as 2.5 or 2.6 billion followers.[6][9] India is also the birthplace for the Lingayat and
Ahmadiyya faiths.

India is one of the most religiously diverse nations in the world, with some of the most deeply
religious societies and cultures. Religion still plays a central and definitive role in the life of
many of its people.

The religion of 80% of the people is Hinduism. Islam is practiced by around 13% of all Indians.
[10]
Sikhism, Jainism and especially Buddhism are influential not only in India but across the
world. Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Judaism and the Bahá'í Faith are also influential but their
numbers are smaller. Despite the strong role of religion in Indian life, atheism and agnostics also
have visible influence along with a self-ascribed tolerance to other people.

According to Eugene M. Makar, an respected industry consultant, traditional Indian culture is

defined by relatively strict social hierarchy. He also mentions that from an early age, children are
reminded of their roles and places in society.[11] This is reinforced by the fact that many believe
gods and spirits have an integral and functional role in determining their life.[11] Several
differences such as religion divide the culture.[11] However, a far more powerful division is the
traditional Hindu bifurcation into non-polluting and polluting occupations.[11] Strict social taboos
have governed these groups for thousands of years.[11] In recent years, particularly in cities, some
of these lines have blurred and sometimes even disappeared.[11] Important family relations extend
as far as gotra, the mainly patrilinear lineage or clan assigned to a Hindu at birth.[11] In rural areas
& sometimes in urban areas as well, it is common that three or four generations of the family live
under the same roof.[11] The patriarch often resolves family issues.[11]