Brahmism

/ˈbrɑːmɪzəm/ noun

Definition

The religious and social system of Brahminism, centered on the Vedas and the authority of Brahmin priests in Hindu society.

Etymology

From Sanskrit 'Brahma' (the creator deity) + '-ism' (belief system). The term evolved in English during colonial India to describe the ritualistic Hindu practices dominated by the Brahmin caste.

Kelly Says

Brahmism literally means 'the system of Brahma,' but it became the word outsiders used to describe something that actually has thousands of years of internal complexity—kind of like how 'oriental' was an external label for incredibly diverse Eastern cultures.

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