SPLASHES FROM HINDU MAHASAGAR 4 - Secularity of Hinduism by Chand K Sharma *** Jai Maharaj posts
and/or www.mantra.com/jai
Splashes from Hindu Mahasagar -- 4 - Secularity of Hinduism
Splashes from Hindu Mahasagar -- 4
Secularity of Hinduism
From its evolution, Hindu Sanatan Dharm has taken in its fold all
that has been created by The Master Creator. One may worship rivers,
lakes, trees, and stones. One may opt to worship living, non-living
things, or none at all! One may believe in formless God or symbols,
idols, or human manifestations. Even atheists are accepted within its
fold. Hinduism visualized every thing as manifestation of God, and
there are no evil creatures. Snakes and pigs are also close to Him.
Hinduism neither bound itself to monotheism, nor with multiplicity of
Gods and goddesses. The Supreme Being is not remembered by any
particular name, but more than thousands names have been attributed
to identify Him, and even many more may be acceptable.
There is a vast catalogs of scriptures to choose from in Sanskrit,
the mother language of the universe. Genuine translations in other
languages are also regarded as valid. The wisdom of learned sages
compiled in scriptures and ancient scientific literature has been a
source of inspiration for the entire humanity and has more to offer,
once it is deciphered and made use of. But even those who have not
read any of the scriptures, are also as much Hindus as those, who
compiled them.
Hindu Sanatna Dharm is a timeless faith, spanning the entire cosmos.
It has most fascinating history to offer to all the nations of the
world to identify their roots within its fold. The most abstract
philosophy of Vedas and Upanishads is universally applicable to the
entire mankind cutting across national barriers of race, color and
creed. It sees 'one-ness' in entire universe, and encourages every
one to attain total contentment -- as perceived by every individual
according to the attributes of his personality, while remaining
committed to the norms of society and environment, where one lives
in. It is the faith that practices 'live and let live' in letter and
spirit.
Without any compulsion one may perform rituals at any place, facing
any direction, at any time, and in any manner. A Hindu is free to
eat, wear and adopt any form of life style according to individual
traits. There are no fatwas or dictates from the clergy. Hinduism
never indulged in destruction of non-believers, or conversion of
others to its fold. It has been the religion that preferred religious
identity of a person on the basis birth, but its doors are open to
all those who volunteer to assimilate. It is a faith that propagated
"Vasudev Kutambkum" and treated entire universe as a large family,
much before various nations actually knew the existence of each
other. Hinduism is not restricted to any particular geographical
area, or period.
Hinduism has always been open to introspection, adoption and
tolerance towards dissent. From time to time, sages have questioned
the old dogmas, interpreted thoughts and have made additions, but all
of them originated on Indian soil within the framework of Hinduism.
This is the foundation of our mixed culture. It is a dynamic faith
constantly in pursuit of Truth.
With all the diversities allowed to its followers Hindu Sanatan Dharm
qualifies to be the true religion of the mankind. In brief any one
who subscribes to the philosophy of "Live and Let live" within the
constraints of local conditions is regarded as Hindu and is expected
to preserve and replenish the natural resources for the use of coming
generations. The Hindu culture that has been founded on this most
secular and universal concept of has the following salient features
that are common to all the off-shoots of Hindu religion:-
God is one.
Though God is formless but God can be identified with some icons as
well.
God appears on Earth in some form or the other. All forms bear His
reflections.
At least one among Lords Shiv, Ram, Krshn, Gautam Buddh, Mahavir, and
Guru Nanak is regarded as their life models to be adopted.
Hindus do not indulge in the destruction of symbols of any other
faith.
Hindus do not declare any holy war against non-believers.
Hindus treat whole world to be one family.
They revere noble persons as saints.
River Ganga in particular is regarded as a sacred river but all
rivers are respected.
Regard Tulsi plant to be sacred.
They associate Saffron color with wisdom, sagacity and spirituality.
Refrain from eating beef.
By and large Practice monogamy and do not divorce their spouse.
All of them are subjected to same civil code.
People all over India cremate their dead bodies and immerse the
remains.
They believe in re-birth after death.
Their pilgrimage places are situated in pre-partitioned India, Nepal
and Tibet.
Their festivals are related to climatic changes, events and
personalities within India. There are no festivals for crying or
breast beating in public.
All the versions of Sanatan Dharm harmoniously co-exist.
There is a free movement of individuals and no one persuades other to
convert.
Conversions are not sought.
Sanskrit is the mother of all Indian languages.
Hinduism has always kept itself updated with the changes in the
environment. Reformers emerged within Hinduism and we never imported
any saints from abroad. Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism are the
reforms on Hinduism. It was thus natural that Interpretations some
times differed, but these sects stand as extensions of Hinduism. The
idols of reformers have also been installed in Hindu temples. This is
the unity in diversity of Hindu culture and secularism.
It is history that Christianity and Islam intruded to clash with the
main stream of Indian culture. They did not believe in the concept of
secularism, tolerance, co existence, and even today they are busy
fighting like cats and dogs. As they were never a part of mainstream,
they remained aliens to Indian culture.
There is one more reality in lighter vain! Even God seems to be
biased against non Hindus. He is merciful and beneficial to Hindus.
He sends back Hindus to be re born immediately after death to enjoy
another life as well as do atonement for the faults of previous
birth. Even to the defaulter Hindus He gives them another chance to
be reborn as Muslims or Christians or even birds and animals. They
get a chance to do some good work and get converted to Hinduism in
their next life and to be reborn as Hindus after death. But for non
Hindus, there is no second chance. They remain confined to graves
after death till dooms day. And there is no life after dooms day as
some of alien scriptures say. Unless one does not opt to lie under a
grave till dooms day it is better to live Hindu way of life!
Chand K Sharma
End of forwarded message from Chand K Sharma
Jai Maharaj, Jyotishi
Om Shanti
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