Culture of India
Culture of India
The culture of India is the way of life of the people of India. India's languages, religions, dance,
music, architecture, food, and customs differ from place to place within the country. The Indian
culture, often labeled as an amalgamation of several cultures, spans across the Indian
subcontinent and has been influenced by a history that is several millennia old.[1][2] Many
elements of India's diverse cultures, such as Indian religions, yoga and Indian cuisine, have had
a profound impact across the world.
Religions
India is one of the most religiously diverse nations in the world, with some of the
most deeply religious societies and cultures. Religion plays a central and definitive
role in the life of many of its people.
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. Atheism and agnostics also have
visible influence in India, along with a self-ascribed tolerance to other people.
The Hindu religion has many schools, each with their own unique views.[11] For
example, according to Yogavasistha, a spiritual text of the Advaita school of Hindu
religion, the values of the liberated (Hindi: जीवन्मुक्ति), self-actualised human being,
may be summarised as follows:[12][13][14] "Pleasures do not delight him; pains do not
distress. Although engaged in worldly actions, he has no attachment to any object.
He is busy outwardly, yet calm inwardly. He feels free from restrictions of
scriptures, customs, age, caste or creed. He is happy, but his happiness does not
depend on anything else. He does not feel needy, proud, agitated, troubled,
depressed or elated. He is full of compassion and forgiveness even to those who
mean him harm. He does the right thing, regardless of the pressures. He is patient,
perseverant, and without any impurity in his heart. He is free of delusions, he does
not crave for anything. His sense of freedom comes from his spirit of inquiry. The
fruits of his inquiry are his strength, intellect, efficiency and punctuality. He keeps
company of wise and enlightened persons. He is content."
There is significant historical discourse in India on the notion, relevance, and the
existence and non-existence of God. Dharmakirti, for example, in the 7th century
wrote in Pramanavarttikam:[15][16]
ndia's diversity has inspired many writers to pen their perceptions of the
country's culture. These writings paint a complex and often conflicting
picture of the culture of India.