Hinduism - Basics & FAQ
Preface:
Collection of FAQs to understand basics of Hinduism - a collection of facts as shared by my friend, Shri Sai, a vivid forum contributor in Tamil 'Thuglak' magazine. Entire collection here and the following pages in several parts, due to volume of information, are fully attributed to Shri Sai. His various sources are attributed 'then and there' where relevant. Have a pleasant reading-cum-learning, readers!!
- Singai Sivas
**********************************************************************************
Jai Ganesha,
The objective of this e-mail series is to bring awareness of Sanatana Dharama by explaining the basic concepts by various great sadgurus and spiritual leaders. Sanatana Dharama is the third most popularly followed dharma (religion) in the world, with over a billion adherents. It is also considered the oldest dharma that is still followed today. In the United States alone, over one million people identify as Hindus, and that number is rapidly growing. As Hinduism embraces a variety of cultural practices and beliefs and has no unifying religious authority, it is often difficult to understand the essential beliefs of Sanatana Dharama.
The goal of this should be twofold. The first goal is to spread awareness throughout the Hindu community and to teach both Hindus and non-Hindus about Sanatana dharma (will be explained later). The second is to help the Hindus themselves better understand their own dharma. With due respect to all the religions, please do understand the series of e-mails I would be sending on a regular frequency is not to prostilitize an individual as it has no place in the history of Hinduism but to have a better understanding/awareness of the ancient Sanatana Dharama in the world.
In this modern world, there are a lot of atrocities/exploitation committed in the name of religion/spirituality and Sanatana Dharama is no exception to it. This is caused mainly by unawareness of the people who seek to attain god but fall in the hands of wrong people and undergo a lot of physical/emotional turmoil. The key thing is to acquire the correct knowledge from the great gurus, archive all the knowledge acquired and pass them on to the next generation and ensure whatever little we acquire is transmitted upon to them in an appropriate manner.
1. What is the aim of Hindu religion?
The aim of Hindu religion is Self-realization (Atma-Jnana), or God-realization (Brahma-Jnana), the knowledge of oneness. Various terms, all leading to the same goal of Oneness, can be used to state this aim:
a. Intuition of the Reality - Brahma-anubhava
b. Insight into the Truth - Brahma-darshana
c. Contact with the Supreme - Brahma-sampsparsha
d. Direct apprehension with the Reality - Brahma-sakshatkara
Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ - Fundamental Concepts), Chinmaya Mission
DONE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. What is the Hindu concept of God?
God is 'Brahman', the One, the changelesss Truth or Reality. As 'Brahman' cannot be conceived by the intellect, it cannot be defined; it cannot be indicated. (More on this later)
With respect to creation, God is the changeless Substratum supporting the changing universe. Example: The god of waves is the ocean; the god of ornaments is gold; the gold of pots is mud; the god of shirts is cotton. God is thus the cause and effect. The effect is nothing but the cause in another form. And if the cause is removed, the effect ceases to exist.
Hinduism also refers to God as the Trinity of Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the sustainer), and Shiva (the destroyer). God is the supremely intelligent, ultimate Cause from which the entire universe has emerged, in which the universe exists, and into which it eventually dissolves.
It is important to note that Hinduism is not polytheistic (belief in many gods, each a seperate entity). Based on various schools of Hindu philosphy, Hinduism can be called as monotheistic (belief in one God, manifesting different powers in different powers in different forms, where there is a dualistic relationship between God and the individual) or monoist (belief in one God expressing as all forms, where God alone is or Oneness alone is, and all the creation is but a manifestation of one Reality).
Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ-Fundamental Concepts), Chinmaya Mission
DONE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Why is Hindu religion called Sanatana Dharma and who founded it?
Sanatana means 'eternal'. Dharma is a word that defies exact translation in English or any other language, but can be said to mean 'the values of life that sutains us'. Therefore, Sanatana Dharma is that religion which is based on life's eternal (universal) values.
By its literal meaning alone, it is clear that Sanatana Dharma is not a religion founded by any historical figure. It is based on eternal truths - principles and values of life - that hold true for all people, in all places, at all times - past present, and future.
Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ-Fundamental Concepts), Chinmaya Mission
DONE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Explain in detail the meaning of the word Dharma.
In the progress of Indian philosphical thought, the word Dharma has acquired such a comprehensive and complex significance that it is almost impossible to define or articulate it in any other language. One description of dharma is "the law of being". The essential characteristic of a thing, without which it cannot remain as that thing, is its dharma.
Example - The sweetness of sugar, the luminosity of the sun, the heat of the fire, the coolness of water, and the divine spark of Existence in the human being.
Dharma can be viewed on two levels - cosmic and individual. On the cosmic level, the dharma of totality is called 'Sanatana Dharma', which is eternal and common to all individuals, at all times. On the societal level, Sanatana Dharma translates into a code of fundamental values that govern our daily lives (discussed in detail later). On the individual level, a person's svadharma (own dharma) is based on his stage and position in life, and on his own vasanas (inherent tendencies).
Dharma is ethics and religion combined. In general, it stands for all those ideals purposes, influences institutions, and ways of conduct that shape the character and evolution of a person, both as an individual and as a member of soceity. Dharma is the law of right living, the observance of which fulfills two objectives: happiness in life and liberation from all bondage.
Dharanat Dharmam, "That which sustains dharma" (Mahabharata). Mahabharata, which is a veritable enclyopedia of Indian wisdom, culture, and tradition, emphatically states, "Nobody has ever violated the principles of dharma without ultimately courting disaster". The text further states that adharma (unethical action) may carry a man to heights of power and prosperity for a time, but these gains are all temporary and eventually lead to his downfall.
Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ-Fundamental Concepts), Chinmaya Mission
DONE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. What are some fundamental doctrines of Hinduism?
a. The Vedas are the ultimate scriptural authority - The Vedas are divine sources of knowledge that reveal the eternal truth.
b. The Self is One, and is independent of the body, mind, and intellect - The human being is, in essence, neither the gross physical body, nor the subtle mind and intellect, but something beyond them. He is the 'Atman', or the self, the real Being behind the apparent individual.
c. The doctrine of Karma - The law of karma (the law of casuality) states that we are the creators of our own destiny. Our present condition is due to our past conduct, and our future state will be based on our past and present thoughts and actions.
d. The doctrine of reincarnation - The essential Self is, by nature, divine, pure, perfect, infinite and free. It was never created and therefore will never die. However, the individual being (Jivatman) that one presently thinks oneself to be, due to ignorance, passes from body to body (reincarnates in different forms) in its onward journey to the realization of its perfection. This has been explained more in detail in Chapter 2 of The Holy Geeta by Swami Chinmayananda.
e. The existence of God as the creator, sustainer, and destroyer, with reference to the world of names and forms -
God manifests Himself as the creating and preserving power of the whole universe, and unto Him, the universe returns. The entire phenomenal world rises, exists, dissolves, and again rises in Him. The three functions of creation, preservation, and dissolution are but different aspects of the same supreme Being. When we think of Him as the creator, we call Him 'Brahma'; when we think of him as the preserver, we call him 'Vishnu'; and when we think of him as the (constructive) destroyer, we call him 'Shiva'.
Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ-Fundamental Concepts), Chinmaya Mission
DONE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Why does Hinduism say that human being is, in essence, divine (Atman)?
Hindus believe that the human being is essentially divine. Every human being - irrespective of caste, creed, color, gender, etc. can attain the knowledge of this truth and makes his life an expression of it. Perfection is not only open to all, but it is the very nature of all. It has only to be unfolded, revealed. There is no such thing as spiritual death.
The Vedas logically and conclusively prove that the essence of every human being is the one 'Atman' (Self). Logical thoughts reveals that the human being is not the body, the mind, or the intellect. He is something beyond these instruments, functioning through the body, the mind, and the intellect.
This is evident in our daily usage of such expressions as "my body", "my mind", etc. If I am the owner if the body, mind, etc., I must be other than the body, mind, etc.
Example - The statement, "This is my car" clearly shows that I am not the car, for it is an object of my perception.
When I apply the same thought process to "my body", "my mind", etc, I will conclude that the body, mind, etc. are my possessions, not my true being. By identifying with my instruments and related objects or persons, I will reach my essential Source, which cannot be denied or negated. For further study, see Self Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.
Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ-Fundamental Concepts), Chinmaya Mission
DONE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. What are the two doctrines of karma and reincarnation, and why do Hindus believe in them?
Hindus believe in the two doctrines of karma and reincarnation because these doctrines not only logically explain unusual occurences, but also shed light on life's day-to-day events. Hindus do not consider life and death to be mutually exclusive, but as interwined and inseparable, like two sides of the same coin. If there are disparities between two individual at birth, and as we see that there are, then the cause these disparities must have preceded birth.
Karma - The word karma means 'action'. In accordance with the cosmic laws of karma, each individual reaps the fruits of his actions, performed in this life or in former lives. This logically explains, the disparities in creation, that is, between
various individuals' environments and situations. No deed, small or great, good or bad, can be without an effect-this the law of karma, the law of casuality.
Karma is not fate. Fate implies the helplessness of human being to determine his own destiny. The law of karma states that the individual is the creator of his own destiny because his concious choices in life determine his actions and the fruits thereof.
Reincarnation - Hindus believe that the 'Jiva', or the individual being, travels from life to life, acquiring bodies and environments best suited to exhaust his 'Vasanas', or innate tendencies that are expressed as desires, emotions, and actions. The exhaustion of 'Vasanas' allow the 'Jiva' to reach the ultimate goal: complete freedom from the cycle of birth and death through the realization of his true nature as the Self, or 'Brahman'.
Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ-Fundamental Concepts), Chinmaya Mission
DONE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preface:
Collection of FAQs to understand basics of Hinduism - a collection of facts as shared by my friend, Shri Sai, a vivid forum contributor in Tamil 'Thuglak' magazine. Entire collection here and the following pages in several parts, due to volume of information, are fully attributed to Shri Sai. His various sources are attributed 'then and there' where relevant. Have a pleasant reading-cum-learning, readers!!
- Singai Sivas
**********************************************************************************
Jai Ganesha,
The objective of this e-mail series is to bring awareness of Sanatana Dharama by explaining the basic concepts by various great sadgurus and spiritual leaders. Sanatana Dharama is the third most popularly followed dharma (religion) in the world, with over a billion adherents. It is also considered the oldest dharma that is still followed today. In the United States alone, over one million people identify as Hindus, and that number is rapidly growing. As Hinduism embraces a variety of cultural practices and beliefs and has no unifying religious authority, it is often difficult to understand the essential beliefs of Sanatana Dharama.
The goal of this should be twofold. The first goal is to spread awareness throughout the Hindu community and to teach both Hindus and non-Hindus about Sanatana dharma (will be explained later). The second is to help the Hindus themselves better understand their own dharma. With due respect to all the religions, please do understand the series of e-mails I would be sending on a regular frequency is not to prostilitize an individual as it has no place in the history of Hinduism but to have a better understanding/awareness of the ancient Sanatana Dharama in the world.
In this modern world, there are a lot of atrocities/exploitation committed in the name of religion/spirituality and Sanatana Dharama is no exception to it. This is caused mainly by unawareness of the people who seek to attain god but fall in the hands of wrong people and undergo a lot of physical/emotional turmoil. The key thing is to acquire the correct knowledge from the great gurus, archive all the knowledge acquired and pass them on to the next generation and ensure whatever little we acquire is transmitted upon to them in an appropriate manner.
1. What is the aim of Hindu religion?
The aim of Hindu religion is Self-realization (Atma-Jnana), or God-realization (Brahma-Jnana), the knowledge of oneness. Various terms, all leading to the same goal of Oneness, can be used to state this aim:
a. Intuition of the Reality - Brahma-anubhava
b. Insight into the Truth - Brahma-darshana
c. Contact with the Supreme - Brahma-sampsparsha
d. Direct apprehension with the Reality - Brahma-sakshatkara
Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ - Fundamental Concepts), Chinmaya Mission
DONE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. What is the Hindu concept of God?
God is 'Brahman', the One, the changelesss Truth or Reality. As 'Brahman' cannot be conceived by the intellect, it cannot be defined; it cannot be indicated. (More on this later)
With respect to creation, God is the changeless Substratum supporting the changing universe. Example: The god of waves is the ocean; the god of ornaments is gold; the gold of pots is mud; the god of shirts is cotton. God is thus the cause and effect. The effect is nothing but the cause in another form. And if the cause is removed, the effect ceases to exist.
Hinduism also refers to God as the Trinity of Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the sustainer), and Shiva (the destroyer). God is the supremely intelligent, ultimate Cause from which the entire universe has emerged, in which the universe exists, and into which it eventually dissolves.
It is important to note that Hinduism is not polytheistic (belief in many gods, each a seperate entity). Based on various schools of Hindu philosphy, Hinduism can be called as monotheistic (belief in one God, manifesting different powers in different powers in different forms, where there is a dualistic relationship between God and the individual) or monoist (belief in one God expressing as all forms, where God alone is or Oneness alone is, and all the creation is but a manifestation of one Reality).
Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ-Fundamental Concepts), Chinmaya Mission
DONE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Why is Hindu religion called Sanatana Dharma and who founded it?
Sanatana means 'eternal'. Dharma is a word that defies exact translation in English or any other language, but can be said to mean 'the values of life that sutains us'. Therefore, Sanatana Dharma is that religion which is based on life's eternal (universal) values.
By its literal meaning alone, it is clear that Sanatana Dharma is not a religion founded by any historical figure. It is based on eternal truths - principles and values of life - that hold true for all people, in all places, at all times - past present, and future.
Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ-Fundamental Concepts), Chinmaya Mission
DONE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Explain in detail the meaning of the word Dharma.
In the progress of Indian philosphical thought, the word Dharma has acquired such a comprehensive and complex significance that it is almost impossible to define or articulate it in any other language. One description of dharma is "the law of being". The essential characteristic of a thing, without which it cannot remain as that thing, is its dharma.
Example - The sweetness of sugar, the luminosity of the sun, the heat of the fire, the coolness of water, and the divine spark of Existence in the human being.
Dharma can be viewed on two levels - cosmic and individual. On the cosmic level, the dharma of totality is called 'Sanatana Dharma', which is eternal and common to all individuals, at all times. On the societal level, Sanatana Dharma translates into a code of fundamental values that govern our daily lives (discussed in detail later). On the individual level, a person's svadharma (own dharma) is based on his stage and position in life, and on his own vasanas (inherent tendencies).
Dharma is ethics and religion combined. In general, it stands for all those ideals purposes, influences institutions, and ways of conduct that shape the character and evolution of a person, both as an individual and as a member of soceity. Dharma is the law of right living, the observance of which fulfills two objectives: happiness in life and liberation from all bondage.
Dharanat Dharmam, "That which sustains dharma" (Mahabharata). Mahabharata, which is a veritable enclyopedia of Indian wisdom, culture, and tradition, emphatically states, "Nobody has ever violated the principles of dharma without ultimately courting disaster". The text further states that adharma (unethical action) may carry a man to heights of power and prosperity for a time, but these gains are all temporary and eventually lead to his downfall.
Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ-Fundamental Concepts), Chinmaya Mission
DONE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. What are some fundamental doctrines of Hinduism?
a. The Vedas are the ultimate scriptural authority - The Vedas are divine sources of knowledge that reveal the eternal truth.
b. The Self is One, and is independent of the body, mind, and intellect - The human being is, in essence, neither the gross physical body, nor the subtle mind and intellect, but something beyond them. He is the 'Atman', or the self, the real Being behind the apparent individual.
c. The doctrine of Karma - The law of karma (the law of casuality) states that we are the creators of our own destiny. Our present condition is due to our past conduct, and our future state will be based on our past and present thoughts and actions.
d. The doctrine of reincarnation - The essential Self is, by nature, divine, pure, perfect, infinite and free. It was never created and therefore will never die. However, the individual being (Jivatman) that one presently thinks oneself to be, due to ignorance, passes from body to body (reincarnates in different forms) in its onward journey to the realization of its perfection. This has been explained more in detail in Chapter 2 of The Holy Geeta by Swami Chinmayananda.
e. The existence of God as the creator, sustainer, and destroyer, with reference to the world of names and forms -
God manifests Himself as the creating and preserving power of the whole universe, and unto Him, the universe returns. The entire phenomenal world rises, exists, dissolves, and again rises in Him. The three functions of creation, preservation, and dissolution are but different aspects of the same supreme Being. When we think of Him as the creator, we call Him 'Brahma'; when we think of him as the preserver, we call him 'Vishnu'; and when we think of him as the (constructive) destroyer, we call him 'Shiva'.
Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ-Fundamental Concepts), Chinmaya Mission
DONE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Why does Hinduism say that human being is, in essence, divine (Atman)?
Hindus believe that the human being is essentially divine. Every human being - irrespective of caste, creed, color, gender, etc. can attain the knowledge of this truth and makes his life an expression of it. Perfection is not only open to all, but it is the very nature of all. It has only to be unfolded, revealed. There is no such thing as spiritual death.
The Vedas logically and conclusively prove that the essence of every human being is the one 'Atman' (Self). Logical thoughts reveals that the human being is not the body, the mind, or the intellect. He is something beyond these instruments, functioning through the body, the mind, and the intellect.
This is evident in our daily usage of such expressions as "my body", "my mind", etc. If I am the owner if the body, mind, etc., I must be other than the body, mind, etc.
Example - The statement, "This is my car" clearly shows that I am not the car, for it is an object of my perception.
When I apply the same thought process to "my body", "my mind", etc, I will conclude that the body, mind, etc. are my possessions, not my true being. By identifying with my instruments and related objects or persons, I will reach my essential Source, which cannot be denied or negated. For further study, see Self Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.
Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ-Fundamental Concepts), Chinmaya Mission
DONE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. What are the two doctrines of karma and reincarnation, and why do Hindus believe in them?
Hindus believe in the two doctrines of karma and reincarnation because these doctrines not only logically explain unusual occurences, but also shed light on life's day-to-day events. Hindus do not consider life and death to be mutually exclusive, but as interwined and inseparable, like two sides of the same coin. If there are disparities between two individual at birth, and as we see that there are, then the cause these disparities must have preceded birth.
Karma - The word karma means 'action'. In accordance with the cosmic laws of karma, each individual reaps the fruits of his actions, performed in this life or in former lives. This logically explains, the disparities in creation, that is, between
various individuals' environments and situations. No deed, small or great, good or bad, can be without an effect-this the law of karma, the law of casuality.
Karma is not fate. Fate implies the helplessness of human being to determine his own destiny. The law of karma states that the individual is the creator of his own destiny because his concious choices in life determine his actions and the fruits thereof.
Reincarnation - Hindus believe that the 'Jiva', or the individual being, travels from life to life, acquiring bodies and environments best suited to exhaust his 'Vasanas', or innate tendencies that are expressed as desires, emotions, and actions. The exhaustion of 'Vasanas' allow the 'Jiva' to reach the ultimate goal: complete freedom from the cycle of birth and death through the realization of his true nature as the Self, or 'Brahman'.
Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ-Fundamental Concepts), Chinmaya Mission
DONE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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