SPLASHES FROM HINDU MAHASAGAR 3 - Importance of Religion by Chand K Sharma *** Jai Maharaj posts
and/or www.mantra.com/jai
Splashes from Hindu Mahasagar -- 3 - Importance of Religion
Splashes from Hindu Mahasagar -- 3
Importance of Religion
Every one wants to 'Live'. Even a worm turns when interfered with or
threatened. A docile cow also defends with her horns. Animals eat
other animals for food, but once their hunger is satisfied and there
is no threat of life, animals do not kill others unnecessarily. They
let others co-exist, as the stronger would kill the weaker whenever
there will be need for food or threat to life. It is here that humans
differ with animals. Human may observe restraint before killing
others for food when hungry or threatened and exploit other options.
They let others live.
The concept of 'let live' is marginally different from concept of
'CO-EXISTING'. Where as animals instinctively 'co-exist', humans
evolved ethical codes to pursue 'LIVE' and 'LET LIVE' implying no one
should take the share of the other, another's life, and resources.
Humans have made it their duty not to kill others but to let others
also live, even while suffering from hunger or facing threat.
Progressive ethnic groups have always-preferred vegetarianism over
non-vegetarianism since vegetarianism truthfully facilitated the
concept of 'live and let live' in more effective manner.
The code of 'let-live' varied in societies all over the world keeping
in view the geographical, political, and economic conditions, as well
as the state of emotional, psychological and civilization awareness
of the groups. These ethical standards later got merged with
religions. All religions primarily stress adherence to its ethical
standards that lay down rules for regulating relationships within the
group. Family is considered to be the smallest group; persons of same
religious community formed the largest group. Religions thus
regulated relationships between humans, animals, and environment.
The animal world, plants and other celestial bodies perform their
functions without any discrimination. Sun, Air, Water, Clouds, and
Moon share their properties universally without any fear or favor.
Birds and animals also perform their instinctive functions without
any bias. It is only humans who perform their functions by choice and
exercise selectivity in distribution of their properties. As all
living things are ecologically depend ant upon each other and co-
exist, observance of the religious codes has been the responsibility
of human beings only.
Competition and animosity between religions were later development.
It led to conflicts, bloodshed and wars whenever one religion tried
to usurp the area of another religion. People living under different
environments grouped themselves into different ethnic societies,
countries, and religious communities. They were identified by some
name that later came to be known as their religion. As long as they
observed their codes within the boundaries of their environment,
their relations remained harmonious but once they crossed boundaries
and came in clash with different environments it led to disharmony
and conflicts.
The ethical code of religion that emerged in India was Sanatan Dharm
the first religion for the entire mankind. Other religions originated
after wards and had many similarities with Sanatan Dharm. Commonly
they were referred today as paganism. Sanatan Dharm is also
identified as Hinduism. Hindus practiced 'live and let live', in
letter and spirit according to the conditions and constraints of
living environment so that its resources could continuously be
replenished for the use of future generations. Hindus regard all
living creatures to be the manifestation of God, entire universe as a
large family through the doctrine of "Vasudeva Kutumbakam."
From the very beginning Hindus laid greater importance on Human
beings towards the preservation of environment. Yagya aimed at
purification of air. In furtherance of the same animals and useful
plants such as Peepal, Beil, Tulsi, Banyan were also to be loved,
nurtured, and even worshiped. Sources of water such as Rivers and
oceans, mountains and other elements of nature are also respected as
gods and goddesses.
Hindus recognized the animals' right to co-exist with men and
incorporated them into history. Even Pig and snakes hated in other
faiths have found a respectable place in Hindu history, since no one
is under rated. Many animals are associated with Gods as their
carriers. Some animals were given the status of Gods and goddesses to
impress the Omnipresence of the Almighty. The animals were given
prime position in art and architecture also. The emperors, kings and
queens adopted different animals as their emblems as well as on
flags. Embossing these emblems also minted coins.
Hinduism considers that man is potentially divine and not a sinner.
Hence even the worst of sinners also finds a place in its bosom. He
has not committed any sin but only mistakes. By declaring that the
whole universe is but the projection of the Cosmic Mind, and that a
fundamental thread of unity passes through the innumerable and
diverse manifestations in it, Hinduism carries conviction to the
modern scientists also.
Hinduism is very liberal. As per the tenants of Hinduism God is not
pleased with any form of clothing, food or rituals. Even if someone
does not read any scripture, performs no rituals, and does not
worship God in any form -- he still remains a Hindu as long as he is
performing work schedule of his duty according to his Dharm -- the
local ethical code. The roles in dharm continue varying. A person may
be a father, a husband, a son, a warrior, teacher or a servant. As
long as he performs his duties on the basis of LIVE AND LET LIVE he
pleases the God.
Hinduism has always kept itself updated with the changes in the
environment. Hindus never imported any saints from abroad since
reformers emerged within Hinduism. Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism are
the off shoots of 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.
Religions originated from one environment shall have similarities and
tolerant attitudes towards other faiths in spite of diversities. This
is the unity in diversity of Hindu culture. Hinduism tolerated
dissent in thought as well as in action. Only Muslims and Christians
had their religious origins outside India and in different
environment. Thus they did not join the main stream and clashed with
Hinduism due to their own ideologies of intolerance and Jihad.
Whereas Islam is unthinkable without Prophet Mohammad, his sharia and
Quran same way as Christianity is unthinkable without Christ, his
gospel and the Bible: Hinduism does not restrict its followers from
questioning religious dogmas. It is a faith in a particular prophet
and book, which makes a man Muslim or Christian. In contrast a Hindu
is free to accept God in any form; the person is encouraged to
identify himself with the God without any intermediary.
Religion thus establishes man made relationships. God is not
concerned who believes or disbelieves his existence. Non-believers
also have to live in His domain. One may go on arguing the existence
of God supported by tools of rationality provided by science for any
length of time, but when rationality ends, faith automatically
starts. When actions and efforts do not bring desired results,
instead of getting frustrated we leave that to be 'the will of God'.
When we are helpless and no one is in sight, we recoup our confidence
by leaning on God. What ever is unknown and undiscovered by mankind
is considered to be in the knowledge of God. When no one is around,
God is supposed to be there to give us company. What more we want?
The buck stops there. Without Him there will be nothing but
loneliness, insecurity, hopelessness and frustration.
A person inherits his parentage, name, country and Religion at birth.
The package consists of fond memories of ancestors, their beliefs,
customs and traditions all packed in to the religion. Though
circumstances may force him to adopt a new nationality but the link
with ancestors is continued through the religion. Religion thus
establishes and regulates the relation ship of persons living dead
and those to follow. This magnificent heritage of realizations,
thoughts and beliefs has been passed on to us in the form of our
literature, and we need preserve, continue updating and pass the same
to future generations. We are free to accept or reject the research
work already done by our ancestors in the form of complied literature
available to us today, add on to it or start fresh with some new
approach. In whatever way we may look at, our literature is the
record of development of human race and its thinking process. We are
proud of it that as Hindus from India, we are the authors,
preservers, and custodians of human history. This is where the
importance of religion lies in the scientific age of reality.
Chand K Sharma
End of forwarded message from Chand K Sharma
Jai Maharaj, Jyotishi
Om Shanti
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