Hinduism: A religion that can't be defined

[Wannabe Yogi]

This is a fun article with some ABCs of Hinduism

I thought of revisiting my own conception of Hinduism to arrive at the following ABC verse on Hinduism.
A: Altruism or happiness of all or "Loka Samastha Sukino Bhavantu. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti"
B: Being an atheist or a non-religious person is also being a Hindu - It is a way to life -an unorganized but inclusive religion
C: Choices exist of deities, scriptures and tenets as an unorganized religion
D: Devoid of any one order, institution or controlling authority for all Hindus
E: Evolution to soul-consciousness through multiple paths - an abstract concept without a personal god is the underlying idea

I liked this definition of Hinduism.
It is a way to life -an unorganized but inclusive religion

http://www.merinews.com/article/hinduism-a-religion-that-cant-be-defined/15882866.shtml

Any comments ?

 

[Sumit]

Hinduism is very vast as Ocean. And that is why it is called a way of life. Combining each and every religion of world cannot be compared with it's vastness. It is the oldest and still being practiced. Hinduism was attacked from time to time but it still survives (for detailed info read -- Islam Watch - "History of Jihad against the Hindus of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh" by History of Jihad. It is religion with hundreds of sages and thousands of books and philosophies. Every person is free to choose his/her path and pray their deity. With so many sects within Hinduism all are in harmony with each other. Also we find "monotheism in polytheism" here. Means all people pray different deities but still they believe that all are same.

 

[Vinayaka]

It's tough. There are a few common beliefs that probably 90% of Hindus. I never say 'all' as Sumit just did. I don't believe that last sentence.

Here is a list of 9 common beliefs. Curious to see if everyone here believes in them.

Basics of Hinduism

 

[atanu]

It's tough. There are a few common beliefs that probably 90% of Hindus. I never say 'all' as Sumit just did. I don't believe that last sentence.

Here is a list of 9 common beliefs. Curious to see if everyone here believes in them.

Basics of Hinduism

I agree to this. The differences are there due to differences in individual perceptions and due to the very nature of the Word. In present day, atheists may also call themselves Hindus, but atheists do not ascribe to many of the nine points listed above. To qualify, I may say that the theistic Hindus hold the listed nine points to be true.

Does every one agree?

 

[Gaura Priya]

I agree with the second list wholeheartedly, but the first one is somewhat amiss. Vaishnava Hinduism is quite organised in terms of theological standing, and I certainly as a Vaishnava do not have choice in Scriptures and what constitutes and avatara.

I think that it is a misconception to even claim that Hinduism is disorganised... we have the Veda, consisting of a multitude of Scriptures, different religions under the umbrella of Hindu culture (Shaktam, Vaishnavam, Shaivam, Smartam, Ganapatyam and Sauram), and the ultimate singularity of God.

 

[Maija]

“If I were asked to define the Hindu creed, I should simply say: Search after truth through non-violent means. A man may not believe in God and still call himself a Hindu. Hinduism is a relentless pursuit after truth... Hinduism is the religion of truth. Truth is God. Denial of God we have known. Denial of truth we have not known.”
― Mahatma Gandhi

 

[Sha'irullah]

When I tried "being a Hindu" I tried finding a definition of what Sanatana Sharma is and what it is not. After 6 agonizing months I quit because my headaches became to painful . Sanatana Dharma is as high as the sky, deep as the ocean and vast as the universe. One would have better luck shooting ants while blindfolded 50 miles away then placing a definitive label on Sanatana Dharma.

The way I viewed it was that the qualification for being labelled "Hindu" was to have a soul, a good spirit and a loving heart.

In regards to the organization of Hinduism I agree with Gaura Priya. Hinduism indeed has a lot of holy books, scriptures, oral traditions and varying schools of thought but it is not disorganized. Hinduism is just a pluralistic theology that heavily varies do to personal interpretation, religious code, practices, clergy dogma, and rational output. Just because Hinduism has 6,000 different variants and flavors does not make it disorganized. It just makes it "highly seasoned" if you know what I mean

 

[bp789]

Out of curiosity, if someone was to ask you what do Hindus believe in, how would you explain that? I'm not sure how I would even start answering because each Hindu believes in something different.

 

[Me Myself]

I d say this happens with most religions that have so many ranches at end up being more of a tree, and then a forest, and then a...

Basically. Hnduism is the way a compendiun of different religions are called, having in common some "characters" as in characters of a story.

The things this characters do the roles the play, the shift, sometimes so similar and sometimes so apart.

Hinduism is music without a sheet.

 

[Vinayaka]

Out of curiosity, if someone was to ask you what do Hindus believe in, how would you explain that? I'm not sure how I would even start answering because each Hindu believes in something different.

I've been asked. Have you? I generally limit the first bit of a discussion to a belief in God, karma, reincarnation, and moksha. But as with the previous links posted in this thread, there are some commonalities that 90% of Hindus would agree to.

 

[Satyamavejayanti]

=Wannabe Yogi;3270948]This is a fun article with some ABCs of Hinduism

Yes i would agree that Sanatna Dharmah is undefined, but we all have our own definition of what it means to each individual.

to me personally.

Sanatna Dharma is respect, respect for people older then myself, people my age and younger, respect for my MatrBhoomi, KarmBhoomi and Janmbhoomi, respect the Purohits, Pundits, babas, swamis and archaryas, respect from the great Yogis and rishis and experience their experiences for my self and absolute respect for Ishwar.

Sanatna Dharma is Love, love first and foremost My Self, then family and community, love my nation and culture, love the language, Love all living beings see my self in all and absolute Love for Krishna.

Sanatna Dharma is Knowledge, Knowledge of the past, present and the future, knowledge of the cycle of life, knowledge of the Universal mother Prakriti, knowledge of the Atman and Knowledge of "TAT",that which just is.

Sanatna Dharma advises on how to remove the obstacles in life which stop me being happy, advise on how to utilize this universe for the benefit of all, advise that death is just a effect of life, advise on un-attached selfless action (yagna), advise on how to perform proper Karma and advise on how to gain Moksha, advise on how to respect, Love and Learn.

OHM TATH SATH

 

[mohinishaktidevi]

Hinduism is not the same thing as the "tao".
To understand Sanatana Dharma IMO I must start with the sheer literal words, and then search the Vedas to find the proof of it's promise.

Dharma is the noun.
Sanatana is the adjective.

There is all sorts of prescribed duties for all stations in life.

Which of the Dharmas is Sanatana for the soul?

The clues are found in the Hindu Scriptures.

Dharma that is sanatana is defined in the Vedas.
All other dharmas are not sanatana.