The Sanatan Dharma the World's Oldest Religion?

[Rainbow Mage]

I've often heard this claim repeated, which I admit, it likely is true. Hinduism is very old. Does anyone really have evidence Hinduism is the oldest? Like I've also seen Hindus claim that their religion influenced all the Pagan and Abrahamic traditions of the world as well. I can see the influence in Christianity, but not really Judaism and Islam, which I consider adharmic. Also I can sort of see it in Pagan circles as well, but to what extent did the Sanatan Dharma influence these religions? Like I can look at the concept of Ma'at in ancient Egypt and the brand of asceticism that existed among certain poets like Ptah-hotep and such, but does this mean that Hindus influenced ancient Egypt?

 

[Riverwolf]

I, personally, simply believe the Sanatana Dharma to be beyond -isms. I.E., it goes beyond the body of religions labeled "Hindu" IMO.

Saying something is the "world's oldest religion" is a rather major claim. I think it's more accurate to say that Hindu religions are among the world's oldest surviving religions.

 

[Rainbow Mage]

So you think the Sanatan Dharma is not limited to Hinduism alone? That's what I believe personally . Do you lend any weight to these claims then that Hinduism influenced other world religions?

 

[Rainbow Mage]

Like I said, you see Hindu influence strong with Christianity. Christians believe the same about Jesus practically that Hindus believe about Lord Krishna, Christ is all in all, all one in Christ, etc. Also they sing these hymns about being in the presence of God, feeling him within, and such.

 

[Riverwolf]

So you think the Sanatan Dharma is not limited to Hinduism alone? That's what I believe personally . Do you lend any weight to these claims then that Hinduism influenced other world religions?

I think eastern religions in general did influence somewhat other religions, but let's not forget that other religions influenced Hinduism, as well. For example, Hinduism adapted the concepts of ahimsa and idol worship from Jainism, and Buddhism helped bring the more philosophical aspects of Hinduism to the limelight.

However, we are in disagreement that Judaism and Islam are inherently adharmic. Judaism stresses family values, which is present in Hinduism, and Islam is, at its core, all about Bhakti.

 

[Rainbow Mage]

Well the reason I consider Judaism adharmic is because it puts no emphasis on spirituality or attaining something higher then what we have here. It's all about morals and becoming a better person in this life, but it offers no real way to ascend this physical existence, it keeps you trapped in the cycle of rebirth, and that is why I call it adharmic.

 

[Rainbow Mage]

The reason I call Islam adharmic is because they're too carnal with the ideas about going to a paradise where they have sex with virgins over and over. Isn't the point to get away from carnality and the pleasures of this life to attain the higher place? But Islam thinks you get virgins and rivers of wine.

 

[AxisMundi]

I've often heard this claim repeated, which I admit, it likely is true. Hinduism is very old. Does anyone really have evidence Hinduism is the oldest? Like I've also seen Hindus claim that their religion influenced all the Pagan and Abrahamic traditions of the world as well. I can see the influence in Christianity, but not really Judaism and Islam, which I consider adharmic. Also I can sort of see it in Pagan circles as well, but to what extent did the Sanatan Dharma influence these religions? Like I can look at the concept of Ma'at in ancient Egypt and the brand of asceticism that existed among certain poets like Ptah-hotep and such, but does this mean that Hindus influenced ancient Egypt?

The Sanatan Dharma is fifth century BCE I thought.

If correct, there are plenty of older religons.

BTW, the oldest continuious, surviving religion belongs to the Australian Aborginal peoples, which is estimated at app. 65 thousand years of age.

 

[Rainbow Mage]

What about the Native Americans?

 

[Riverwolf]

Well the reason I consider Judaism adharmic is because it puts no emphasis on spirituality or attaining something higher then what we have here. It's all about morals and becoming a better person in this life, but it offers no real way to ascend this physical existence, it keeps you trapped in the cycle of rebirth, and that is why I call it adharmic.

Most popular religions are like that, including popular Hinduism. Most Hindus, from what I've heard, still pray for material things and goodness in this life.

The reason I call Islam adharmic is because they're too carnal with the ideas about going to a paradise where they have sex with virgins over and over. Isn't the point to get away from carnality and the pleasures of this life to attain the higher place? But Islam thinks you get virgins and rivers of wine.

Not from what I've seen in the Qur'an; the goal is to reunite with God. I'm not even sure the whole virgin thing is even in the Qur'an, as it makes no sense from an "eternal paradise" perspective, but more like the heaven described in Hindu scriptures, where it's just a temporary vacation while you exhaust all the good karmas from the previous life.

Besides, even from these two traditions, we've got the Kabbalah for Judaism, and Sufism for Islam; both of which are nearly identical to Hindu mysticism about reuniting fully with God.

 

[Riverwolf]

The Sanatan Dharma is fifth century BCE I thought.

If correct, there are plenty of older religons.

Hinduism as it is now is certainly a comparatively contemporary thing, and can probably date back to about that time (being heavily influenced by Buddhism and Jainism). However, it's roots go back FAR further than recorded history; I've heard of an image dating back to about 11,000 B.C.E. of a woman with a forehead dot, as well as an image of what modern Shaivites will claim to be Shiva. (I haven't looked into that, yet, though.)

There's also several Vedic hymns that date back to antiquity, one of which over 7,000 years ago. (Based, from what I've heard, on astrological events from that time spoken of in the hymn.) There's also a hymn (or many, not sure) to the river Saraswati, which doesn't exist anymore.

Even if you believe in the Aryan Invasion Theory (which, from what I've seen, has good arguments from both sides, so I'm currently neutral on the debate), it would still go back to circa 1500 B.C.E.

BTW, the oldest continuious, surviving religion belongs to the Australian Aborginal peoples, which is estimated at app. 65 thousand years of age.

Got me there. (Frankly, I'm not surprised.)

 

[AxisMundi]

What about the Native Americans?

Well, estimates place the migration as occuring anywhere from 12 to 60 thousand years ago, so it is difficult to say exactly.

 

[Valjean]

In the millions of years hominids have been here on Earth, don't you think there were a few religions developed that might predate Sanatana dharma?

 

[Riverwolf]

In the millions of years hominids have been here on Earth, don't you think there were a few religions developed that might predate Sanatana dharma?

From what I know, religious tendencies didn't show up in hominid behaviors until relatively recently. (I think neanderthals and cro magnuns - us - were the first by burying our dead.)

 

[Madhuri]

BTW, the oldest continuious, surviving religion belongs to the Australian Aborginal peoples, which is estimated at app. 65 thousand years of age.

And they came from South East Asia.
That is where religion seems to originate. In fact the Aboriginal beliefs include reincarnation, deities, spirits/energies etc. that are not too far removed from Hindu concepts.

 

[Riverwolf]

And they came from South East Asia.
That is where religion seems to originate. In fact the Aboriginal beliefs include reincarnation, deities, spirits/energies etc. that are not too far removed from Hindu concepts.

It's possible that the aboriginal religions of Australia and India both stem from the same root.

 

[Madhuri]

It's possible that the aboriginal religions of Australia and India both stem from the same root.

I think that is highly possible. Like I said, it seems that the origins of religious activity that we are aware of stem from South east Asia.

 

[Valjean]

From what I know, religious tendencies didn't show up in hominid behaviors until relatively recently. (I think neanderthals and cro magnuns - us - were the first by burying our dead.)

Who's to say? Even so, such examples predate Hinduism by 100,000 years.

And then there's the 'religious' awe and excitement observed in chimps at a particularly lovely grove or waterfall.
Religion could be very, very old.

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

I've often heard this claim repeated, which I admit, it likely is true. Hinduism is very old. Does anyone really have evidence Hinduism is the oldest?

I believe that Hinduism can be traced to the Neolithic. But the religions of the Australian Aborigines might go back to 40,000 bc. I think it is safe to say that Hinduism is the oldest living major tradition in use today that follows a book.
I think that when you are talking about beliefs during prehistory it's very hard to say what came first.

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

I think eastern religions in general did influence somewhat other religions, but let's not forget that other religions influenced Hinduism, as well. For example, Hinduism adapted the concepts of ahimsa and idol worship from Jainism, and Buddhism helped bring the more philosophical aspects of Hinduism to the limelight.

I do believe that Jainism and Buddhism were an influence on Hinduism. But Ahimsa can be found in the Vedas

Protect both our species,two legged and four legged. Both food and water for their needs supply. May they with us increase in stature and strength.-Rig Veda Samhita 10.37.11

And the Vedas also talks about the sage Devala who made a living by making idols.-kathaka samhita 22.11

So both things were present early on in Hinduism.