Hinduism in the United States

Hinduism is the fourth-largest religion in the United States, comprising 1% of the population, the same as Buddhism and Islam. The majority of American Hindus are immigrants, mainly from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, with a minority from Bhutan, Pakistan, Afghanistan and other countries.

The number of Hindus living in the United States did not grow substantially until the passage of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. Prior to 1965, fewer than 50,000 Hindus from India had immigrated to the United States. As a result of U.S. immigration policies in favor of educated and highly skilled migrants, Hindu-Americans are the most likely to hold college degrees and earn high incomes of all religious communities in the United States.

Many concepts of Hinduism, such as meditation, karma, ayurveda, reincarnation, and yoga, have been adopted into mainstream American beliefs and lifestyles. Om is a widely chanted mantra, particularly among millennials and those who practice yoga and subscribe to the New Age philosophy. According to the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life survey of 2009, 24% of Americans believe in reincarnation, a core concept of Hinduism. The Hindu practices of vegetarianism and ahimsa are also becoming more widespread.