Brahmanism

Second of the great religions of India. A modification of Vedism, it developed progre ively, separating itself more and more from the primitive religion, until it had little in common except the Vedas, which it retained as the basis of its belief. It is characterized by the institution of a clergy and the division of the people into castes, the priests or Brahmans ranking first. Ab. 400 or 300 B.C., a reform or renovation of the belief was brought about by the rapid extension of Buddhism. In this modification the claims of the priests were still further exaggerated, and many conce ions made to popular superstitions. The two rival trinities of Siva and Vishnu were fused into one, the Trimurti, in which was joined Brahma, the principal personage of both, and Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva became the symbol of the new faith. There are 20 sects of Vishnu and 9 of Siva, and the religion is profe ed by over 200,000,000 Hindoos.