What is Lingayatism?
Lingayatism is a distinct Shaivite religious tradition in India.
Its worship is centered on Hindu god Shiva as the universal god in the iconographic form of Ishtalinga.
The adherents of this faith are known as Lingayats.
Lingayats, along with Shaiva Siddhanta followers, Naths, Pashupaths, Kapalikas and others constitute the Shaivite population.
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Who founded Lingayatism?
Lingayatism was founded by the 12th-century philosopher and statesman Basava and spread by his followers, called Sharanas.
What does Lingayatism emphasize?
Lingayatism emphasizes qualified monism and bhakti (loving devotion) to Shiva, with philosophical foundations similar to those of the 11th–12th-century South Indian philosopher Ramanuja.
Lingayatism rejects any form of social discrimination including the caste system and authority of Vedas and Puranas.
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What is Satsthalasiddhanta?
Lingayatism teaches a path to an individual’s spiritual progress, and describes it as a six-stage Satsthalasiddhanta. This concept progressively evolves:
1 . the individual starts with the phase of a devotee,
2 . the phase of the master,
3 . the phase of the receiver of grace,
4 . Linga in life breath (god dwells in his or her soul),
5 . the phase of surrender (awareness of no distinction in god and soul, self),
6 . the last stage of complete union of soul and god (liberation, mukti).
Thus bhakti progresses from external icon-aided loving devotional worship of Shiva to deeper fusion of awareness with abstract Shiva, ultimately to advaita (oneness) of one’s soul and god for moksha.
Who are Veerashaivas?
The terms Lingayatism and Veerashaivism have been used synonymously, and Lingayats also referred to as Veerashaivas.
Why some Lingayats have sought legal recognition of Lingayatism as a religion distinct from Hinduism?
Lingayatism is often considered a Hindu sect because it shares beliefs with Indian religions, and their beliefs are syncretistic and include an assemblage of many Hindu elements, including the name of their god, Shiva, who is one of the chief figures of the Hindu pantheon. Its worship is centred on Hindu god Shiva as the universal god in the iconographic form of Ishtalinga.
However some Lingayats have sought legal recognition as a religion distinct from Hinduism.They say that Lingayats had been neither part of the Hindu religion nor were a synonym for the Veerashaiva sect.
In which regions of India Lingayatism is influential?
Lingayat scholars thrived in northern Karnataka during the Vijayanagara Empire (14th–18th century).
Contemporary Lingayatism is influential in South India, especially in the state of Karnataka.
Lingayats have been estimated to be about 16% of Karnataka’s population and about 6-7% of Maharashtra’s population.
External link: https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Lingayatism
