Tag: Faith

In my previous blog, I introduced ‘Hinduism’. Conclusively, it is a mosaic of different sampradayas or faiths, each being outgrowths of the original. This is the only culture where a person may follow the paths of knowledge, action or devotion in accordance with his or her aptitude and interest. This democratic approach in matters of faith and practice is truly a distinctive feature of Hinduism.

Now let’s see what defines a Hindu. A geographical definition would be ‘One who is born in Bharat (India)’. Another familial statement would be ‘One who is born to Hindu parents’. A genetic inheritance definition would be ‘One who is born into the fourfold caste system’. It has been factored that what whatever definition there could be, but the one who had faith and belief in one Supreme Divine Reality (Paramátmá) is principally a Hindu.

Core Beliefs and Principles:

1. One Supreme Divine Reality: The Rig Vedas says “Truth is one, but the wise describes it in many ways”. There is only one Supreme Paramátmá or Bhagwan (God)
2. The Authority of the Vedas: These are the ancient shastras revealed by Paramátmá or Bhagwan to the enlightened rishis of India. Vedas are used as a reference point for creation, maintenance, and transformation of traditions.
3. Avatáraváda: The principle that Bhagwan or God himself takes birth on earth in human and other forms.
4. Atman (Soul): It is unborn, eternal and indestructible inner self. The Atman is sat (eternal), chitta (consciousness) and ánanda (bliss).
5. Karma: The universal law of Cause and Effect according to which a person is responsible for his or her actions and their effects.
6. Punarjanma: Linked to Karma, Punarjanma is the principle of reincarnation or rebirth in which the Atman (soul) passes through many births to attain spiritual enlightenment or moksha.
7. Murti-pujá: A belief that God manifests in a murti (image) through which he can be worshipped and adored through acts of devotion.
8. Guru-shishya Parampará: Through the God-realised living guru the disciple realises the highest spiritual wisdom and attains moksha.
9. Four Purushárthas: Endeavours or goals of life, namely, dharma (staying faithful to one’s moral duties), artha (acquiring wealth), káma (fulfilling one’s desires) and moksha (acquiring final liberation).
10. Ahimsa: Hindus love and respect all life forms as they believe God pervades all living (human, animals, plants) and non-living (mountains) things and hence they generally practice ahimsa or nonviolence.
11. Varnáshrama Dharma: An organised social structure for the harmonious progress and development of individuals and society defines duties and responsibilities of Hindus in relation to their four varnas (classes) and four ashramas (stages of life). Varna included the Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras, whereas the Ashramas meant, Brahmacharya (student wedded to celibacy), Gruhastha (householder), Vánaprastha (retired life) and Sannyás (ascetic life).

In conclusion, what qualifies a Hindu is his or her belief in One Supreme Paramátmá – who manifests in many forms – and the Authority of the Vedas.

(Credit: Excerpts from the book, ‘Hinduism An Introduction’ by Sadhu Vivekjivandas)

Introduction

The history and traditions of Hinduism are both ancient and timeless. It’s practitioners traditionally called it Sanatana Dharma, or the Eternal/ Ancient religion – considered by its believers and practitioners to be the world oldest living dharma or religion that originated from the Indian subcontinent. It is also the worlds most diverse religion other than being the oldest of all world religions. Hinduism embraces the worship of many deities, who are believed to be manifestations of the supreme God. Hinduism is a grand mosaic of various sampradayas (a tradition handed down from a founder through successive spiritual gurus), philosophies, mandirs (temples), shastras (sacred text), sadhus, devotees, holy places, rituals, and festivals.

Hinduism derives its name from the ancient Persians from Persia (now Iran) who called the river Sindhu – that flows through modern-day Pakistan – as Hindu, due to the differential pronunciation of ‘S’ as ‘H’. Subsequently, as a result of this linguistic practice, the people living on the eastern banks of river Sindhu came to be known as Hindus. Later the British developed the term Hinduism (the earlier religion of Aryans) to describe the various religious traditions they encountered and experienced across the country. After the Persians, the Greeks called the river Hindu (which is Sindhu), ‘Indos’ and the people, ‘Indoi’. In English, the words ‘Indos’ and ‘Indoi’ became Indus and Indians respectively.

In the next blog, I will write about Hinduism and its core beliefs and principles.

(Credit: Excerpts from the book, Hinduism An Introduction by Sadhu Vivekjivandas)