The Limits of Hinduism

[Aupmanyav]

One thing I'd like explained, is how an atheist can claim to be a Hindu. Why does some-one call themself a Hindu if they hold a position that is absent from shruti?

Easily done. 'Advaita'. Only one, and I am no God. I am a puff of energy which constitutes everything in the universe.

अर्वाग देवा अस्य विसर्जनेनाथा को वेद यताबभूव ll
"Arvāgh devā asya visarjanenāthā ko veda yataābabhūva ll"
The Gods are later than this world's production. Who knows then whence it first came into being?
(Nasadiya Sukta (Hindu Creation Hymn, 6th verse, second line, circa 1,000 BC or earlier than that)
Rig Veda: Rig-Veda, Book 10: HYMN CXXIX. Creation.

 

[Chakra]

Easily done. 'Advaita'. Only one, and I am no God. I am a puff of energy which constitutes everything in the universe.

अर्वाग देवा अस्य विसर्जनेनाथा को वेद यताबभूव ll
"Arvāgh devā asya visarjanenāthā ko veda yataābabhūva ll"
The Gods are later than this world's production. Who knows then whence it first came into being?
(Nasadiya Sukta (Hindu Creation Hymn, 6th verse, second line, circa 1,000 BC or earlier than that)
Rig Veda: Rig-Veda, Book 10: HYMN CXXIX. Creation.

Dear Aup-ji,
Advaita accepts God in the vyavahara level. Shankara was not an atheist, but a foremost Vaishnavite theist.

BTW, doesn't energy have qualities and properties?

Regards

 

[GoodbyeDave]

I think I understand. It depends on how you define God. Aupmanyav calls himself an atheist because he doesn't think the definition of God covers Brahman.But, with all due respect, that looks like an Abrahamic definition. Even if Shankara had not accepted that Vishnu was the manifestation of Ishana, no believer in brahman, even nirguna brahman, can really be called an atheist. A "western atheist" could not believe in brahman.

 

[Vinayaka]

I (and others) believe Aup is a theist.

 

[Aupmanyav]

But, with all due respect, that looks like an Abrahamic definition.

How come, David? Many Western atheists do not know Brahman in depth.

 

[Poeticus]

I (and others) believe Aup is a theist.

Agreed. He's a Secretheist (a theist in secret).

 

[Vinayaka]

Agreed. He's a Secretheist (a theist in secret).

Shhhh... he might hear us and go on one of those rants to explain us.

 

[StarryNightshade]

I (and others) believe Aup is a theist.

I don't think it ultimately matters what we think. Or, to be clear, I don't think it should matter.

 

[Poeticus]

I don't think it ultimately matters what we think. Or, to be clear, I don't think it should matter.

Don't worry. We are teasing Aup-dada like how Bhima's brothers teased him with food. Atheist or a Secretheist. He self-identifies as a Hindu, and has even admitted to being a folk-Hindu. Plus, he isn't afraid to loudly exclaim, Jai Shri Ram !

 

[Vinayaka]

I don't think it ultimately matters what we think. Or, to be clear, I don't think it should matter.

Of course it doesn't matter.

 

[StarryNightshade]

Don't worry. We are teasing Aup-dada like how Bhima's brothers teased him with food. Atheist or a Secretheist. He self-identifies as a Hindu, and has even admitted to being a folk-Hindu. Plus, he isn't afraid to loudly exclaim, Jai Shri Ram !

Ah, gotcha.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Poeticus, Vinayaka, I am a strong atheist (I see no possibility of existence of God or a tea-kettle revolving around the earth unless one has been dropped recently by the astronauts who are venturing out these days). However, Gods and Goddesses are part of my culture and tradition.

 

[Chakra]

Even if Shankara had not accepted that Vishnu was the manifestation of Ishana...

I'm guessing that you mean Isvara, not Ishana, since that is a name mainly for Shiva?

Regards

 

[Aupmanyav]

śivasya hridayam viṣṇur viṣṇoscha hridayam śivaḥ
"Vishnu is the heart of Shiva and Shiva is the heart of Vishnu"

Harihara. But every one is entitled to his opinion (mata).

 

[Jainarayan]

śivasya hridayam viṣṇur viṣṇoscha hridayam śivaḥ
"Vishnu is the heart of Shiva and Shiva is the heart of Vishnu"

Harihara. But every one is entitled to his opinion (mata).

I think we know that's how I see it. It is, of course, a minority view as are most views I hold.

 

[Chakra]

I am pretty sure that the view that "Shiva and Vishnu are equal parts of Brahman" is the most popular view nowadays, more popular than any deva-hierarchy view.

 

[Jainarayan]

I wonder if it's because there is so much more communication between people, sharing ideas, practices, beliefs.

 

[Chakra]

Probably. This view is a pretty recent one. It was probably done to avoid all the sectarianism that divided Hindus and create a "secular" view IMHO.

 

[atanu]

I had tried to collate view of teachers.

http://www.religiousforums.com/forum/3707223-post4.html

 

[Andal]

Namaskar,

In terms of beef eating- I have heard that Hindus in Indonesia do so.

I'm not sure there can be official limits because Hinduism isn't one tradition and all traditions have their qualifications.

In a broad sense I'd say those who accept the Vedas as truth are Hindu.

I tend not to get too tied up in worrying about who is or isn't Hindu. If one identifies as Hindu and has some semblance of a Dharmic way of life then in my mind they are Hindu.

I think it is important politically to identify as Hindu to secure rights and protection as is given to other faiths, for this I applaud groups like HAF.

The individual meaning of being Hindu I think varies and sometimes significantly between people

Aum Hari Aum!