|
1).
When and where did Hinduism originate?
‘Hindu’ religion or
Hinduism is the present day name of an ancient religion that has
been present in India for at least seven thousand years (perhaps even
longer). Some people prefer to call it ‘Vedic religion’ while others
call it ‘Sanatan Dharma (eternal religion)’ but
presumably at that time no other religion
was present except the one
that the people of the ancient India followed.
If there were other religions then they are either lost in time or
merged together to form what is now seen as modern day Hindu religion.
Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and even the
ancient religion of Egypt and China appeared much later. So for the
people of this ancient land there was perhaps just ‘this religion’ and if there
was a name to that religion then perhaps that name is
also lost or warped
during these thousands of years. Over last several hundred years Persian
and Arabics called native people of India as Hindus and British later
gave the official name ‘Hindu’ to those people of India who were not
Muslims. So for all practical purposes in modern times ‘Hinduism’ is the
name of ‘that ancient religion’ and present day Hindus are the proud
followers of that religion and heritage.
Return to beginning of the
page
2.
What are the sacred scriptures/books of Hinduism?
There are many sacred
scriptures in Hinduism. To name a few of the important one -
-
Vedas - Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda,
Atharva Veda
-
Upanishads
-
Dharma Shastra
-
Itihasas Ramayana, Mahabharata
(including- Geeta)
-
Puranas
-
Agamas
-
Darsanas
-
Brahma Sutras
For details on these scriptures please go
to
Hinduism section
Return to beginning of the
page
3).
What is the meaning of ‘Life’ and ‘Death’ for a Hindu?
A very important
assumption in all Vedanta (Hindu) philosophy is that man suffers from
bonds and attachments in the course of his life in this world. This is
said to be 'samsara', which involves being caught in an endless cycle of
births and deaths. The quest therefore is to seek a way out of this
bondage, to break the cycle of rebirths and attain moksha (liberation).
The most important issues in Vedanta have to be understood with respect
to what constitutes bondage and what constitutes liberation. The Advaita
School is of the view that knowledge (Gyana) of man's true nature is
liberation. Bondage arises from ignorance (avidya) of man's true nature,
and therefore removal of ignorance roots out this bondage. Liberation is
therefore nothing more or nothing less than man knowing his true nature.
This true nature is his innermost essence, the Soul (Atman), which is
nothing other than God (Brahman). He who knows this, not merely as
bookish knowledge, but through his own Experience, is liberated even
when living. Such a man is a ‘jivanmukta’, and he does not return to the
cycle of rebirths. Once you experience the ‘knowledge’ the difference
between ‘observer’ and ‘observed’ ends and observer becomes observed and
vice versa. All questions cease to exist as observer becomes one with
observed. According to Advaita School, what is called the universe is in
reality a manifestation of God (Brahman). Similarly, what is called the
body (jiva) is in reality, the Atman (soul), which is also nothing other
than Brahman (God) itself. The real jiva is the Atman (soul), which is
unchanging, ever free, and identical with Brahman (God). This is said on
the basis of upanishadic (Hindu scriptures) passages where the Atman
(soul) is explicitly equated with Brahman (God). The many-fold universes
and the individual self, which considers itself bound, are both
superimposed upon that Transcendental Reality which is Brahman. Once the
superimposition is understood for what it is, the individual is no more
an individual, the universe is no more the universe - all is Brahman
(GOD). So for a Hindu life (birth) and death are nothing more and
nothing less, then the eternal cycles of immortal soul (Atman) changing
from one form to another and ultimately getting liberated from this
cycle when Atma (soul) gets the knowledge that it is nothing but Brahman
(God), taking different manifestations.
Return to beginning of the
page
4)
How does a Hindu avoid tragedy? How does Hinduism provide for a sense of
security against the unknown?
A knowledgeable Hindu
will not be afraid of tragedy because he knows that he is part that
indestructible ‘Brahma’ (God) and all the tragedies as well as happiness
that appear are just because of Avidya and Maya (illusion that is
inherent to creation). As said before a knowledgeable Hindu will not be
afraid of ‘Unknown’ because for him nothing is ‘unknown’ – everything
including you are manifestation of God, so he is not afraid. Hindu
religion accepts that all people are not born philosophers and
knowledgeable and some people might need help in form of prayers and
rituals. Things like Astrology and religious rituals are to help people
who do not have higher knowledge. Less knowledgeable Hindus will pray to
God seeking God’s protection against unknown by using certain religious
rituals. Astrology can help in fore seeing a tragedy. But you need to
take guidance from a good astrologer (there are many fraud astrologers
also, so beware!!!). Practical experience of many people suggests that a
very good astrologer can predict with a certainty of 80-90 percent (some
will dispute this claim). Many Hindus also believe that tragedy can be
avoided if you have true faith in God and a true prayer always helps.
Return to beginning of the
page
5). What are moral
codes and ethics for Hindus?
Hindus place greater emphasis on the
attitude of the mind rather than on postulation of the elaborate
theories of what is right and what is wrong. Hindu religion is very
flexible and tolerant. It gives certain guidelines for moral behavior
and expects that a good Hindu will follow them.
· Morality proceeds
from the inner spirit of man. In Hindu view, one's motive is as
important in the performance of an action as the action itself. When the
heart is pure and free from lust and greed, whatever one does to perform
one's duties has a high moral value.
· Harmlessness to all creatures is the
highest morality.
There are four sources
of right conduct:
1) Vedas
2) The Smriti
(secondary scriptures)
3) The conduct of wise
persons
4) Individual's own
judgment. - In times of confusion and crisis regarding what is right and
what is wrong, one's own conscience is the sole guide. "In times of
doubt, one must decide using one's own good sense." An individual is
ultimately responsible for his own actions, i.e. the Law of Karma. He is
also responsible for the actions of others if he induces or forces them
to perform such actions. Hindus declare that loyalty to one's moral
values is the highest loyalty, and of all the losses, loss of one's
character and loss of judgment are the worse.
Yamas and Niyamas - Moral and Ethical
Ideals of Hindus
1.Ahimsă (non-injury) - Don't harm others
by word, deed or thought.
2.Satya (truthfulness) - Refrain from lying
and betraying promises.
3.Asteya (nonstealing)
- Don't steal, covet or enter into debt.
4. Brahmachărya - Observe celibacy when
single, and faithfulness in marriage.
5. Kshamă (forgiveness) - Restrain from
intolerance and ill will.
6. Dhriti (firmness) - Overcome fear,
indecision, and fickleness.
7. Dayă (compassion) - Conquer callous and
insensitive feelings.
8. Ărjava (honesty) - Renounce fraud,
cheating and stealing.
9. Mităhăra - Refrain from overeating and
consuming meat.
10. Shaucha (purity) - Observe purity of
the body, mind and intellect.
11.Hrî (remorse) - Be modest and show
remorse for misconduct.
12. Santosha
(contentment) - Don't be a slave to the senses. Seek joy and serenity in
the Self.
13. Dăna (giving what you have to others)-
Give generously without thought of reward. The more you give, the more
you get.
14. Ăstikya (faith) - Have unwavering faith
in God's grace.
15. Pűjana (worship)- Perform daily worship
and meditation.
16. Shravana (hearing of scriptures) -
Study scriptures, listen to the teachings of the wise, and faithfully
follow guru's advice.
17. Mati (cognition) - Sharpen the
intellect with guru's guidance.
18. Vrata (sacred vows) - Observe
scriptural injunctions faithfully.
19. Japa (chanting) - Chant God's names and
sacred mantras daily.
20. Tapas (austerity) -
Perform sădhana (spiritual discipline) as outlined by the guru.
Return to beginning of the
page
6).
Why are there so many Gods in Hinduism?
It is a misconception
amongst non-Hindus that Hindus worship millions of Gods. The truth is
that according to Hinduism nothing but that one and only one ‘God’
(called Brahm by Hindus) exists. There can be millions and billions of
manifestations of that God and during ‘His’ cosmic dance that ‘one self’
observes ‘His’ infinite manifestations. In simple words Hindus consider
everything ‘living’ and ‘non-living’ as manifestation of ‘God’ and are
therefore free to worship ‘God’ in any form. A Hindu can thus worship
God in any of ‘His’ infinite manifestations (Sakara Brahm) or can
worship a formless God (Nirakar Brahm).
Return to beginning of the
page
7)
Why Hindus practice caste system?
The present day caste
system is one of the evils that had crept into Hindu society. It is more
of a social problem then a religious. Caste system has no place in Hindu
philosophy because as mentioned before this philosophy believes that
nothing but that Brahm (God) exists. Everything including human being is
manifestation of Brahm (God). And God can never have a lower or higher
caste.
But since caste system is a reality of
Indian society let us just examine how it came into existence:
Rig Veda recognizes
that every human being has different capability. Some people are better
in academics, other are good warriors, some are better in commerce and
economics and still others are good craftsmen or manual workers. Any
modern day scientist will testify that every individual has a different
genetic makeup. This does not prevent a person born to athletic parents
from becoming a doctor or a scientist. So according to Rig Veda people
should recognize their capabilities and chose a profession according to
that. An academician (Brahmin) is in no way superior to an artesian or
manual laborer (Sudra). They are just different in their working
capability. Caste was meant to be a guideline for people to choose their
profession and was not meant to be a stigma attached to a person due to
his birth. The present day caste system came into practice much later.
Just two examples
should be sufficient to show that caste was not an evil stigma in
ancient Hindu society as it is today in modern India –
1)
Lord Krishna who is
considered an incarnation of God by Hindus, was born in Yadu Vansha
(considered a ‘backward caste’ now days). During his life Krishna was
revered by all including so called ‘superior Brahmins and Kshatriyas’.
He is worshipped in modern day India by all the castes.
2) Ramayana
considered to be amongst the holiest of all holy books in Hindu religion
was written by – Sage Valmiki. Valmiki was born in what is now day known
as schedule caste family (lower caste). Ramayana occupies a place of
prime importance in every Hindu family and all Hindus revere Sage
Valmiki.
Needless to say that
modern day leaders of Independent India have increased the divisions in
Hindu society for their own political gains.
Return to beginning of the
page
8). Why Hindus
consider cow as a sacred animal?
Indian society in
ancient times was primarily an agrarian society. Cow milk was used for
children and in some cases replaced mother’s milk. Bulls were used to
plough the fields. Cow therefore was an important part of every
household. So there is little surprise that in a culture where
everything in nature is considered as manifestation of God, an important
animal like cow was (and still is) considered sacred and became part of
Hindu mythology and religion
Return to beginning of the page
|
