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The Smarta Tradition
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There is a fourth mainstream Hindu community. For
Concepts
its emphasis on smriti, its followers are known as
Practice
Smartas. They are traditional, very strict about rules
Lifestyle
Tradition
Historical Perspective
and regulations, and emphasise the universality of
Hinduism by distancing themselves from the
exclusive worshippers of Vishnu, Shiva or Devi.
Doctrine and Scripture
They worship five deities Vishnu, Shiva, Devi,
Movements and Leaders
Ganesh, and Surya, as introduced by Shankara.
The Four Main
The ten orders of sannyasa (dasanam), founded by
Denominations
Shankara, also follow the same system of
Vaishnavism
panchopasana (five types of worship). Some of
Shaivism
these sannyasis (renunciates) tend towards special
Shaktism
veneration of Shiva, of whom Shankara is
The Smarta Tradition
considered an incarnation.
Founders and Theologians
The Bhakti Saints
The Reform Movements
Socio-Political Movements
Recent Spiritual and Cultural
Leaders
Modern Hindu Groups and
Leaders
Famous Women within
Hinduism
Hinduism in Britain Today
Extras
Adi Shankara (or Shankaracharya), who is reputed to
have started the system of worshipping five deities. He
is founder of the Advaitin School of Vedanta philosophy
(monism), which underpins the widespread notion that
all deities are equal.
The Smarta tradition is a relativiely new
development in Hinduism. Many Hindus may not
strictly identify themselves as Smartas but, by
adhering to Advaita Vedanta as a foundation for
non-sectarianism, are indirect followers.
Nonetheless, other traditions dispute the claim that
the notion of an impersonal God is the only basis for
non-sectarianism. These controversies over the
nature and identity of the Absolute were
spearheaded by prominent theologians.
Main Writings
Vedanta Sutra
Upanishads
Shariraka Bhasya
Madhva (or Madhvacharya). There has been some
tension between the various denominations and schools
of thought, most often between Vaishnavas and
Shaivas/Shaktas. There has also been much theological
controversy. Discussion and debate is an important and
welcomed aspect of Hinduism. Madhvacharya was a
Vaishnava theologian and most strongly contested
Shankara's monistic doctrine. Madhva propounded that
Vishnu is Supreme. Some teachers within the Shaivite
and Shakti traditions have also propounded that their
respective worshippable lords are the Supreme (God).
Smartas consider all deities equal, simply different
attributes of an impersonal Supreme.
Important Places
Badrinatha
Puri
Sringeri
Dvaraka
Kanchipuram
Quote
"In these three worlds, it is only the association of saintly people that serves as the boat to carry
one across the ocean of repeated birth and death."
Adi Shankaracharya
Personal Reflection
What do we know of religious disagreements, similar to those between Madhva and
Shankara?
When is it appropriate to express these differences, and in what manner should it be done?
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"Heart of Hinduism" is Copyright: ISKCON Educational Services, 2004
