Why Hinduism?

[Omkara]

Immanence of God and ontological dependence of the universe on God is a given in Hinduism. Monism is not.

 

[Jainarayan]

The first is good news, since I'm not too sure about the second!

Remember in the Bhagavad Gita Sri Krishna says:

"Furthermore, O Arjuna, I am the generating seed of all existences. There is no being--moving or unmoving--that can exist without Me. 10.39

But what need is there, Arjuna, for all this detailed knowledge? With a single fragment of Myself I pervade and support this entire universe." 10.42

Couple this with the message of the Upanishads, and we can see why everything is God, God is in everything: aham brahmasmi, tat tvam asi.

 

[Ravi500]

I have come to the conclusion that I'm an ex-Christian. But I think one needs to be something, and not just make up a private religion. If an ex-atheist went to a Christian and asked why they should accept Christianity, they would get a detailed answer. So if you are asked why one not born a Hindu should consider the religion, what would you say?

Hi David,

The Vedas have stated thus...

Krinvanto Vishwam Aryam -- Make the whole world noble .


So the vedic teachings themselves have focussed on spreading vedic culture and civilization all over the world to ennoble the world. And many Hindu sects , enlightened masters and saints are working on this at the moment.

The Vedas are the divine Revelations of God, which were obtained by the Rishis in deep meditation.

They are the spiritual heritage of all mankind inherited from the Divine.

And I would add to this that all the spiritual wisdom in this world, belonging to all religious traditions, inherited from the Divine, are the heritage of all mankind.

Ultimately the conversion is not from this religion to that religion, but conversion of the brute to human, and the human to divine, which is the goal of religion and spirituality.

I believe that a good christian is better than a bad hindu, or a good Muslim is better than a bad Buddhist.

Ultimately it is one's character, wisdom and level of awareness/mindfulness that is the benchmark of true spirituality.

If Hinduism helps you to achieve these even without you having to convert to Hinduism, then it has done its duty and achieved its goal.

If however you are a convert to Hinduism and move away from the above qualities mentioned, then Hinduism has but badly failed in its duty .

:namaste

 

[Aupmanyav]

What about this one?

कुवित्षिवस्रेगलस्यापामिति

Stumped.

 

[Aupmanyav]

The first is good news, since I'm not too sure about the second!

Some of us are 100% sure about this.

Science: There is nothing else in the universe other than 'physical energy'. That get to be seen as 'mass' (things). Therefore all living things and all inanimate things are constituted by one entity. 'Sarve Khalu Idam Brahma' (all things here are Brahman)

 

[Aupmanyav]

aham brahmasmi, tat tvam asi.

1. I am Brahman. 2. That is what you are (or in Olde English "Thou art that").
For David, if he has not come across these sayings.

 

[GoodbyeDave]

And I would add to this that all the spiritual wisdom in this world, belonging to all religious traditions, inherited from the Divine, are the heritage of all mankind.
I believe that a good Christian is better than a bad Hindu, or a good Muslim is better than a bad Buddhist.

Very true!. I think it was Frithjof Schuon who said that every religion is a revelation of God, but the Divine is infinite and we are finite, so every religion preserves a part of that revelation. Some of us find it easier to relate to some parts than to others, just as some are drawn to bhakti and others to jñana.

 

[ShivaFan]

Hi David,

The Vedas have stated thus...

Krinvanto Vishwam Aryam -- Make the whole world noble .


So the vedic teachings themselves have focussed on spreading vedic culture and civilization all over the world to ennoble the world. And many Hindu sects , enlightened masters and saints are working on this at the moment.

The Vedas are the divine Revelations of God, which were obtained by the Rishis in deep meditation.

They are the spiritual heritage of all mankind inherited from the Divine.

And I would add to this that all the spiritual wisdom in this world, belonging to all religious traditions, inherited from the Divine, are the heritage of all mankind.

Ultimately the conversion is not from this religion to that religion, but conversion of the brute to human, and the human to divine, which is the goal of religion and spirituality.

I believe that a good christian is better than a bad hindu, or a good Muslim is better than a bad Buddhist.

Ultimately it is one's character, wisdom and level of awareness/mindfulness that is the benchmark of true spirituality.

If Hinduism helps you to achieve these even without you having to convert to Hinduism, then it has done its duty and achieved its goal.

If however you are a convert to Hinduism and move away from the above qualities mentioned, then Hinduism has but badly failed in its duty .

:namaste

Wow Ravi, you literally moved me with this. I am pretty much a "who cares?" sort of unemotional type of Hindu (though a "softie"), but this did ring my bell and heart. You are truly a joyous Hindu, thank you for being born at this time since folks like me can be coincidently audience to posts like this.

You should write some poetry and songs for us! I bet you can!

OM Namah Shivaya