To choose a dharmic religion

[Secret Chief]

I chose Hinduism.

Shocked. Shocked I tell you.

 

[robocop (actually)]

If you had to convert to a dharmic religion, which religion would you choose?
Sikhism, Hinduism, Jainism or Buddhism?

Well I'm already a Jainist, I was very impressed by a Sikh I met, I've read the Mahabharata, and I'm impressed with the peacefulness of Buddhism.

If my church allows me I'll probably choose all of them!

 

[Link]

Sikhism if I had no choice.

 

[mangalavara]

I think Sikhism requires you to learn the Gujarati language to read and listen to recitations from their holy book, the Adi Granth

The Gurū Granth Sāhib is written in the Gurmukhi script. The language is Punjabi and some others, I think.

 

[Truthseeker]

If you had to convert to a dharmic religion, which religion would you choose?
Sikhism, Hinduism, Jainism or Buddhism?

I'm already a Hindu and Buddhist as a Baha'i.

 

[Aupmanyav]

If you had to convert to a dharmic religion, which religion would you choose?
Sikhism, Hinduism, Jainism or Buddhism?

Absolutely your choice. Get more information on them. IMHO:
Hinduism: Mainly Theist. Has an atheist version too. Strong on philosophy.
Budhism: Atheist. Has theistic versions too. Strong on philosophy.
Sikhism: Mainly theist. But at depth, non-dual. Strong on social service.
Jainism: Atheist. Strange on Cosmogony. Strong on non-violence and non-possession.

I try not to restrict myself to the cultural/religious borders established by a particular tradition and culture when it comes to finding "the right Faith".
I believe this is the best way to learn about the Omnipotent and Transcendent God/Force that matters to me.

Borders in Dharmic religions are very soft. No visa requirements.

Are threats involved?!

Threats in Dharmic religions, no. They are gentle reminders, persuations towards what is humane to do (your duties, 'dharma').

 

[Aupmanyav]

I think Sikhism requires you to learn the Gujarati language to read and listen to recitations from their holy book, the Adi Granth, ..

As Mangalavara said, Punjabi and not Gujarati. But English translations are available on internet. One can be a Sikh without having a hair-bun and a turban or a knife (kirpan). Many overseas Sikhs have short hair because of various reasons (they may not want to stand out).

I'm already a Hindu and Buddhist as a Baha'i.

Yeah, you are, though you do not consider Krishna as God and consider Buddha as messenger of a God, in difference to believer of these religions. You also say that the message of Krishna and Buddha has been corrupted and the latest version from Allah was brought by a 19th Century Iranian.You have the same view of other religions as well.

 

[RestlessSoul]

I love the Bhagavad Gita, and the Dhammapada, so I take something from both these texts with me on my spiritual journey, while remaining in the loosest, non denominational sense, a Christian.

Having turned my back on Christianity nearly 40 years ago, I find myself increasingly being drawn back there, but half expect to find Jesus and the Virgin Mary sitting beside Krishna, in a dream had by the Buddha.

 

[firedragon]

If you had to convert to a dharmic religion, which religion would you choose?
Sikhism, Hinduism, Jainism or Buddhism?

Your definition of Dharmic religion seems like any Indian religion. Or do you have another definition?

 

[firedragon]

I'm already a Hindu and Buddhist as a Baha'i.

Which type of Hindu. Vaishnava? Saivam? Do you follow Atta/Athman or anatto/anathman? Do you believe in the Thauthisa?

Please elaborate how you are a Buddhist, Hindu, as a Bahai in this context.

Thanks.

 

[SalixIncendium]

If you had to convert to a dharmic religion, which religion would you choose?
Sikhism, Hinduism, Jainism or Buddhism?

Why would one have to convert? If your beliefs are yours. Either they align with one of these or they don't.

Why adjust your views to align with those of a religion.

I identify as Hindu, because Hinduism is the religion that best aligns with my worldview. When I began identifying as Hindu, nothing about my views changed from before I identified as such.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Well I'm already a Jainist, I was very impressed by a Sikh I met, I've read the Mahabharata, and I'm impressed with the peacefulness of Buddhism.

If my church allows me I'll probably choose all of them!

So your church dictates how you should believe?

 

[SalixIncendium]

I'm already a Hindu and Buddhist as a Baha'i.

And I'm confident other Baha'i might agree with you. However, I doubt most Hindus or Buddhists would.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Your definition of Dharmic religion seems like any Indian religion. Or do you have another definition?

Yeah, 'Dharmic' or 'Indic' indicates four religions which have their origin in India.
All religions have their duties. Some require worship of God/Gods/Goddesses, others may not require that.

 

[The Crimson Universe]

So, if you want plenty of gods, you're probably better of with Hinduism

A couple of schools of Hinduism like Samkhya and Advaita has nothing to do with Gods or devas. Just saying.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Also Vaisheshika (the so-called Indian atomic theory) or Poorva Mimamsa (all that you require is to perform your rituals correctly).

 

[The Crimson Universe]

Also Vaisheshika (the so-called Indian atomic theory) or Poorva Mimamsa (all that you require is to perform your rituals correctly).

Aren't those rituals of poorva mimamsa directed towards various gods?
Its actually the uttara mimamsa or the knowledge portion that don't give importance to gods or rituals.

 

[firedragon]

Yeah, 'Dharmic' or 'Indic' indicates four religions which have their origin in India.
All religions have their duties. Some require worship of God/Gods/Goddesses, others may not require that.

I understand.

I just wished a clarification from the poster.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Aren't those rituals of poorva mimamsa directed towards various gods?
Its actually the uttara mimamsa or the knowledge portion that don't give importance to gods or rituals.

"The school of Mīmāṃsā consists of both atheistic and theistic doctrines, but the school showed little interest in systematic examination of the existence of Gods. Rather, it held that the soul is an eternal, omnipresent, inherently active spiritual essence, and focused on the epistemology and metaphysics of dharma. For the Mīmāṃsā school, dharma meant rituals and social duties, not devas, or gods, because gods existed only in name. The Mīmāṃsakas also held that Vedas are "eternal, author-less, and, infallible", that Vedic vidhi, or injunctions and mantras in rituals are prescriptive kārya or actions, and the rituals are of primary importance and merit. They considered the Upaniṣads and other texts related to self-knowledge and spirituality as subsidiary, a philosophical view that Vedānta disagreed with."
Mīmāṃsā - Wikipedia

 

[The Crimson Universe]

For the Mīmāṃsā school, dharma meant rituals and social duties, not devas, or gods

What were those rituals like? I mean what kind of practices were involved?

If their mantras were not directed to gods, then for what purpose were they recited?