What Makes a Hindu a Hindu?

[Aupmanyav]

The OP started off with a list of "bullet points" regarding what Hindus share .. I subscribe in part to number 6. But have some issues with it as well.

Om Namah Sivaya

Seems you have finally decided the matter for all times. Namah Shivaya

I believe in the infallible deliciousness of raspberry pie. I that in the Vedas anywhere?

I'm sure it is somewhere. I love Raspberries! Now I want some Raspberries...and pomegranate

Give me time, I will find raspberries and pomegranates, both for you, either in Vedas or in SrimadBhagawatham.

 

[NobodyYouKnow]

So I don't agree that all faiths can lead you to the same place. Obviously, I can't get to Christian heaven by practicing Hinduism. I don't even believe it exists. Nor can a Christian get to moksha. He doesn't even believe it exists.

The difference (one of the differences) between us, is that I do.

I think the terms 'Rapture', 'Grace', 'Moksha', 'Nibbana', 'nafs ul mumaina', 'Fana fi Allah', 'Satori', 'Samadhi' etc are all words used to describe exactly the same state of Being.

 

[Aupmanyav]

I believe that is the goal. Bit there are stages to get there. .. namely charya, kriya, and yoga .. Even the jnani who has practiced Siddhanta still does these three, but the simplistic Advaitan just cuts straight to the end goal, without taking the necessary steps to get there.

I wholly agree with this, Vinayaka. Like there is no Buddhism without practicing compassion. Similarly, as you said, Charya, kriya, and yoga, are essential even for jnanis in Hinduism. No dispute on this. How long one can avoid 'maya' without these.

 

[Aupmanyav]

He is an advaitan viashnava and so its what he knows.

How can he be an advaitin, if he is vaishnava?

 

[Aupmanyav]

"But that's NOT Hinduism."

That would be wrong. All you can say is "But that's is NOT my line (mata)." An advaitin cannot attack that.

 

[Aupmanyav]

.. believes in a religion which has originated in India; has Faith in karma, reincarnation, Vedas and existence of God.

That could be Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism too. I have faith in karma in this life only (since I do not believe in reincarnation), I have faith in Vedas as the history and belief of Aryans, but I have no belief in existence of Gods and Goddesses, though they are, for me, absolutely important culture figures for Hindus. Yes, I am a passionate Hindu. My family, however, is main-line polytheist Hindu, but perhaps not as passionately Hindu as I am.
p.s.- At the moment, there Ishta is Siddhivinayaka, and in the family, we call him 'Gannu Bhaiyya'.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Here's the thing for me about the Vedas...

I can't really say I consider them an authority because I haven't read them (I'm still looking for a coherent paper copy).

Vedas at 'sacred-text.com' are nice, that is unbiased translation, which is most important thing for me. Have a go at them. Sacred-Texts: Hinduism. Translation, Sanskrit, and Transliteration, though a bit dated. First verse of the first book of Vedas:

I Laud Agni, the chosen Priest, God, minister of sacrifice, The hotar, lavishest of wealth.
Worthy is Agni to be praised by living as by ancient seers. He shall bring hitherward the Gods.
अग्निमीळे पुरोहितं यज्ञस्य देवं रत्वीजम | होतारं रत्नधातमम ||
अग्निः पूर्वेभिर्र्षिभिरीड्यो नूतनैरुत | स देवानेह वक्षति ||
aghnimīḷe purohitaṃ yajñasya devaṃ ṛtvījam | hotāraṃ ratnadhātamam ||
aghniḥ pūrvebhirṛṣibhirīḍyo nūtanairuta | sa devāneha vakṣati ||

 

[Kalidas]

How can he be an advaitin, if he is vaishnava?

Same way that I'm an advaitan Shakta, baby steps dear baby steps

 

[Kalidas]

How can he be an advaitin, if he is vaishnava?

oops I'm a dumby I meant Shaivite. My apologies!

 

[Kalidas]

The difference (one of the differences) between us, is that I do.

I think the terms 'Rapture', 'Grace', 'Moksha', 'Nibbana', 'nafs ul mumaina', 'Fana fi Allah', 'Satori', 'Samadhi' etc are all words used to describe exactly the same state of Being.

I can agree to this. I just don't think God can be fit into a tiny box. God is much to large and powerful. Remember this and enver forget "God has no religion, only man does."

 

[Aupmanyav]

Then also, he cannot be an advaitin. The only acceptable word is 'Brahman'. Otherwise it would be sectarian.

 

[Kalidas]

Then also, he cannot be an advaitin. The only acceptable word is 'Brahman'. Otherwise it would be sectarian.

Maybe not an advaitan in the "doesn't worship Gods", but I don't see why someone cant be both. To know the truth and yet to continue to live life witht he knowledge in your head CAN coexist

 

[NobodyYouKnow]

Heck isn't it in the Gita when Krishna shows Arjuna his true form as the Universe itself?

Also, when Lord Krishna lied about stealing butter and He opened His mouth to Mother Yashoda to prove He didn't. lol

Jai Sri Krishna!

 

[ameyAtmA]

If one worships Vishnu, then he is in 'dvaita'. If I am Vishnu, why would I worship myself? Then, one would be a narcissist, worshiping himself/herself.

If I am in the jiva-consciousness and worship myself as Vishnu, then definitely I am a narcissist - but we cannot apply that to Vishṇu-tattva, where there is no ahaṃkār (ego).

Who is Rādhā? She is the form of Kṛṣṇa' s alhādini shakti (bliss potency). Rādhā is alhādini shakti of Kṛṣṇa the Shaktimān .

Rādhā worships Kṛṣṇa and chants Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa constantly
Kṛṣṇa worships Rādhā and chants Rādhe Rādhe constantly
Rādhā is none other than Kṛṣṇa Himself, expanded for prema-Leelā.

Rādhe Rādhe japo chale ayenge bihārī
rādhā meri chandā chakor hai bihārī
rādhāra-ni gangā to dhār hai bihārī
rādhārāni murali to tān hai bihāri
rādhā meri gori to sānwale bihārī
rādhārāni sāgar taranga hai bihārī
rādhārāni misrī to swād hai bihāri
rādhārāni kamal to sugandha hai bihāri
rādhārāni bholi bhāli chanchala bihāri
rādhārāni kanganā , nathali bihāri...

radhe radhe japo (Mṛdulkṛṣṇa Goswami style)
yet another version radhe radhe japo (Anuradha)

 

[NobodyYouKnow]

If one worships Vishnu, then he is in 'dvaita'. If I am Vishnu, why would I worship myself? Then, one would be a narcissist, worshiping himself/herself.

How can you be Vishnu when you are Siva?

Seriously though, it is all Leela. It is all Mithya.

When one is engaged in 'worshiping themselves' it's only the Ego that sees that practice as being narcissistic or in any way 'separating oneself' from Vishnu.

This is the challenge...to overcome the idea that you are 'worshiping yourself' in that moment where the 'worshiper' and the 'worshiped' become one.

It was also the only way I could love Siva and be Siva simultaneously.

Think about this, Aup - for Advaita to even exist as a separate philosophy from Dvaita, duality distinguishing the non-dual state exists!

For me, I exist between Advaita and Dvaita. One starts where the other ends.

Whatever your 'concept' of Brahman is, it is still a concept. You call the concept 'Brahman' and I call it 'Siva' - we are both correct according to Shankaracharya.

Sivoham Sivoham.

 

[Kalidas]

How can you be Vishnu when you are Siva?

Seriously though, it is all Leela. It is all Mithya.

When one is engaged in 'worshiping themselves' it's only the Ego that sees that practice as being narcissistic or in any way 'separating oneself' from Vishnu.

This is the challenge...to overcome the idea that you are 'worshiping yourself' in that moment where the 'worshiper' and the 'worshiped' become one.

It was also the only way I could love Siva and be Siva simultaneously.

Think about this, Aup - for Advaita to even exist as a separate philosophy from Dvaita, duality distinguishing the non-dual state exists!

For me, I exist between Advaita and Dvaita. One starts where the other ends.

Whatever your 'concept' of Brahman is, it is still a concept. You call the concept 'Brahman' and I call it 'Siva' - we are both correct according to Shankaracharya.

Sivoham Sivoham.

And I call it Kali and HK says Vishnu... Were all okay!

 

[NobodyYouKnow]

And I call it Kali and HK says Vishnu... Were all okay!

Yeah, but 'Kaliham' doesn't quite roll off the tongue though.

*I am probably the most staunch Advaitin on here. lol

 

[ameyAtmA]

Seriously though, it is all Leela. It is all Mithya.

Well, the world is mithya, not Divine Leelā

 

[Tarheeler]

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[MoonWater]

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