HINDUISM The Eternal Tradition(Sanatana Dharma)

Presentation based on a book by David Frawley (Vamadev Shastri)

Development of World

World is developing at a rapid pace. Each and every sort of development is on its top.

• In this world along with technological challenge we have to face challenge of global culture.

• For this we have to create a universal tradition that can encompass all the diversities of human culture both religious and secular.

But for this do we have to create a new religion??OR

we already have???

To find the universal religion first we must answer the question that

“What is Religion?”

What is religion

• Religion as a whole is not merely a belief system but a way of life, a system of ethical, mental and spiritual culture.

• Its main aim is to answer the ultimate question of life and death.

• Its ultimate goal is to search the eternal truth.

Searching universal religion…Lets see how many religions we have and how they differ from each other

• Hinduism or Sanatan Dharma• Buddhism• Jainism• Sikhism• Taoism

• Zoroastrianism• Pagan Religion• Judaism• Christianity• Islam

Sanatan Dharma or Eternal Tradition• Sanatana Dharma as eternal tradition has no

specific origin in time. It is the oldest tradition. • It is the mother of all religions.• It is not a rigid religion. It is developed with

time. It has no set dogmas.• Their was no sudden development like some

prophet came and said some words and those words became a religious book and we started following it.

• It is not a religion but a way of living.

Sanatana Dharma

Buddhism•Buddhism contain much of the greater Hindu tradition or Sanatana Dharma. Like the use of Sanskrit Mantras, Yoga techniques, Vedic fire rituals, Ayurvedic medicines and Vedic astrology, and a common iconography and temples with Hindus.•There is no conflict between these two religions because both emphasizes enlightenment and self realization.

Jainism•They have similar yogic values, emphasize on non-violence, rejection of personal God. •It can be seen as an aspect of Hinduism because there is no conflict between these two religions

Sikhism•Sikhism is originally a sect of Hindus. It was a custom to make the eldest son into a Sikh or a defender of the faith. This trend was to counter the Islamic invaders.

•Taoism is a religion of China. Buddhism and Taoism in China influenced each other considerably and often merged into a single unit.

•This religion also have meditation much like Hindus and Buddhists.

Taoism

Zoroastrianism•This religion is very similar to Vedic in language and concepts, particularly in its emphasis on fire worship.•It transferred it ideas to many western religions.

•Parsis in India are the followers of this religion.•During the Islamic quest, they were driven out from their own country Persia & took refuge in India.

Pagan Religions•These religions have also many thing common with Hinduism. Both had temples of Gods and Goddesses many with common name or characteristics.•Today's theology and philosophy relies heavily on Plato, Socrates and Aristotle, who were Pagan Philosophers.

Judaism•It is a religion based on theology.

•Judaism is an Abrahmic religion. It is a theology more than religion

Christianity•Christianity is against images and idol worship.•It practice forceful conversion and send missionaries for this purpose.•It has some set dogmas which everybody has to follow.•According to Christian theology, be a Christian or you will go to everlasting hell.

•Islam is entirely based on life of prophet Mohammed. •Islam is more of a social political movement than a spiritual teaching.•It emphasize the outer religious identity more than the inner quest.•Islam has always practiced forceful conversions.

Islam

The name HinduismThe name Hindu is a foreign invention. Persians were connected to India in the part of Indus river. The Sanskrit name of Indus, Sindhu, gave rise to The term Hindu. It is merely a geographical term and doesn’t represent Hindu religion. Its true name is Sanatana Dharma. Our scriptures too do not contain the term Hindu or Hinduism

History of downfall of Hinduism in India

• India was under Islamic rule for 500 years.• Then for 200 years, under the rule of British.• During this period, for 700 years continuously

Hinduism was actively suppressed.• Hindus were often prevented, or at least

discouraged, from practicing their religion.• After independence, Marxist and communist

was appreciated.

The result is that the view of Hinduism taught in India is more

leftist than Hindu.

Hinduism- appeared on a verge of self-destruction for the last few

centuries.

Bur it is experiencing a new revival and expanding its influence all over

the world with its teachings like Vedanta, Yoga, Tantra and

Ayurveda.

• The great sages of India have never regarded themselves as limited to a belief that we call Hindu, they have looked upon themselves as followers of Sanatan Dharma, the universal tradition.

• Hinduism contains the greatest diversity and freedom in the spiritual life that can be found in any religions on the planet.

• Theological ethics divide humanity into believers & non-believers, which may be Christians & heathens, Muslims & kafirs, or people of God & people of devil.

• This division is between holy and unholy, as if only the members of a particular religion can be truly good & those of other beliefs must be evil, however good they may be.

If there is one God or truth then there cannot be two humanities,

the believers & non-believers.

If the reality is one then humanity must also be one.

• Different spiritual tradition have created different cultures.

• Yet the world’s richest and most spiritual is probably that of India, which has placed the greatest emphasis on spiritual realization.

• It contains art, music, poetry, philosophy, medicine and astrology.

All things in the universe are object of worship once we recognize the

sacred presence which pervades all things.

We should note that religions that use images and icons of God have not been more violent or sensual

than those who deny it.

Diversity and Freedom

• Sanatan Dharma is not troubled by any contradiction between one and many.

• It regards Many as various appearance or manifestation of the One.

• It is not one in the sense of one thing opposed to others but unity that includes diversity without being limited by it.

• Hinduism does not require that we all have the same view of Divinity but encourages unique and diverse views.

• It says that something that is unique about each person, which is their special connection with the Divine.

There should be no standardized religion for all.

Christianity, Islam, Judaism or even Buddhism are based on the lives of Jesus,

Mohammed, Moses or Buddha respectively. Their life is the model of

entire religion.

But Hinduism can not be explained in simplistic manner because it contains the

mystery and complexity of life itself.

Tradition of Sanatan Dharnma

• Hinduism doesn’t differ between human and supreme power. It believes in Advaita i.e.. Non Duality. It says that all the beings are same and the same power is in all of them.•It doesn’t see nature as a creation of God but it see it as God itself.•It doesn’t matter whether u call God he, she ,it or by any other name or u see God in any form, because The Supreme power is beyond names and forms.

•It doesn’t support militancy and spread of religion through force. True religion makes its way by the force of truth. •Advaita philosophy says “Aham Bhramasmi”(I am that) and one who follows Hinduism cannot kill or hurt anyone, not only human being but any thing of nature.•It is true that there is violence in Hindu history but the violence is defensive. You will never find any scripture promoting violence.

It believes in Karma-phal siddhanth ie. You have to pay for what you do. It can also be related with one of the Newton`s Law of Motion i.e.. Every action gives equal and opposite reaction.

The soul must reap fruits of its action.

Their is a destiny and Karmic pattern in our lives which is related with our previous physical and mental patterns.

But our Consciousness not being a product of time is free.

Hinduism preaches that the truth is universal, but the ways to say the truth may change. It doesn’t say that you have to believe in truth told by others, but allows to know the universal truth by yourself, because

such truth is so subtle that it cannot be expressed in words.

Hinduism provides various methodologies to know the truth like Yoga which is further divided into many categories according to

your abilities

Hinduism is not a religion of some preset dogmas. Its universalism not merely accepts all the things as they appear but has given a

right place for every aspect of life.

It shows the place for every spiritual practice along with ways of life.

In this regard Hinduism is the religion of both past and future