Editing Indian religions (section)

=== Similarities ===
[[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]], [[Jainism]], and [[Sikhism]] share certain key concepts, which are interpreted differently by different groups and individuals.{{sfn|Sherma|Sarma|2008|p=239}} Until the 19th century, adherents of those various religions did not tend to label themselves as in opposition to each other, but "perceived themselves as belonging to the same extended cultural family."{{sfn|Lipner|1998|p=12}}

==== Dharma ====
{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2021}}
[[File:2019 Jan 15 - Kumbh Mela - Devotee Reading Holy Booklet at Prayagraj Kumbh Mela.jpg|thumb|A devotee facing the [[Ganga]], reading a stack of holy books ("Chalisa" of various god) at the Kumbh Mela]]

The spectrum of these religions are called Dharmic religions because of their overlap over the core concept of [[Dharma]]. It has various meanings depending on the context. For example it could mean duty, righteousness, spiritual teachings, conduct, etc.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}

==== Soteriology ====
Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism share the concept of [[moksha]], liberation from the cycle of rebirth.{{sfn|Tiwari|1983|p=210}} They differ however on the exact nature of this liberation.{{sfn|Tiwari|1983|p=210}}

==== Ritual ====
Common traits can also be observed in ritual. The head-anointing ritual of ''[[abhiseka]]'' is of importance in three of these distinct traditions, excluding Sikhism (in Buddhism it is found within [[Vajrayana]]).<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Others |first=Muzaffar H. Syed & |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Sy5gEAAAQBAJ |title=History of Indian Nation: Ancient India |date=2022-02-20 |publisher=K.K. Publications |page=358 |language=en |access-date=1 December 2023 |archive-date=23 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923090519/https://books.google.com/books?id=Sy5gEAAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}</ref> Other noteworthy rituals are the cremation of the dead, the wearing of vermilion on the head by married women, and various marital rituals.<ref name=":0" /> In literature, many classical narratives and purana have Hindu, Buddhist or Jain versions.<ref group=web>cf. ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]'', s.v. "Jainism > Jainism, Hinduism, and Buddhism"</ref> All four traditions have notions of ''[[karma]]'', ''dharma'', ''[[samsara]]'', ''moksha'' and various ''forms of [[Yoga]]''.<ref name=":0" />

==== Mythology ====
[[Rama]] is a heroic figure in all of these religions. In Hinduism he is the God-incarnate in the form of a princely king; in Buddhism, he is a [[Bodhisattva]]-incarnate; in Jainism, he is the perfect human being. Among the Buddhist [[Ramayana]]s are: ''Vessantarajataka'',<ref>Pollock, P. 661 ''Literary Cultures in History:''</ref> [[Reamker]], [[Ramakien]], [[Phra Lak Phra Lam]], [[Hikayat Seri Rama]], etc. There also exists the ''Khamti Ramayana'' among the Khamti tribe of Asom wherein Rama is an [[Avatar]] of a Bodhisattva who incarnates to punish the demon king Ravana (B.Datta 1993). The ''Tai Ramayana'' is another book retelling the divine story in Asom.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}