Why Hinduism?

[firedragon]

I don’t know if I chose Hinduism or it chose me, or rather, God chose me. In my case God is Vishnu in his Krishna form. I was Catholic from birth, born into an Italian-American family. But from the time I was an early teen I was drawn to Hinduism and India. I had no problem believing in multiple deities as manifestations of one God, despite what Christianity teaches. I even considered Jesus to be what we call ishta-devata, “chosen [form of] God”, among many manifestations, or avatars.

The ontological philosophy I adhere to as a Vaishnava (devotee of Vishnu) is called Vishishtadvaita, “advaita (oneness) with qualifications”. All diversity subsumes to the whole. Simply put, think of what the waves are to the ocean, heat and light are to the sun. They exist yet are dependent on their source for their existence.

Do I believe that God is a blue dude with four arms? No, that is just the image that (partly and inadequately) describes his powers and attributes… a picture is worth a thousand words.

I must admit I have had a "vishishta" liking to visit, learn about and know India and Hindu philosophy for a long time as well. Yet I very rarely meet an Italian American catholic converting to Hinduism. I am very happy to make your acquaintance.

I am interested in knowing a little about your particular tradition. What's the distinction of your? You called it Vishistadvaita. That actually would mean "distinct oneness", special/separate from normal/cloven/particular. Sorry I am ignorant on this distinction. Thanks for giving me an example of the ontology you speak of. So light is a separate existence from the sun, but it's existence depends on the Sun. That's the ontological nature of light. How is that understanding of it's ontology different from other advaita schools of thought?

Only if you have some time. Thank you so much Jainarayan.

 

[sayak83]

@sayak83

Is it possible for you to direct me to a sanskrit text on this?

You want pure Sanskrit or bilingual?

 

[sayak83]

@sayak83

Is it possible for you to direct me to a sanskrit text on this?

Here is a freely available (if older) bilingual edition
https://www.holybooks.com/wp-content/uploads/Brihadaranyaka-Upanishad.pdf

 

[firedragon]

You want pure Sanskrit or bilingual?

Anything is fine Sayak. Sorry if I am troubling you.

 

[firedragon]

Here is a freely available (if older) bilingual edition
https://www.holybooks.com/wp-content/uploads/Brihadaranyaka-Upanishad.pdf

Ah. Thank you so much. Really appreciate it Sayak.

 

[firedragon]

@sayak83

Bloody hell. This is a full book. Fantastic.

 

[Jainarayan]

I must admit I have had a "vishishta" liking to visit, learn about and know India and Hindu philosophy for a long time as well. Yet I very rarely meet an Italian American catholic converting to Hinduism. I am very happy to make your acquaintance.

I am interested in knowing a little about your particular tradition. What's the distinction of your? You called it Vishistadvaita. That actually would mean "distinct oneness", special/separate from normal/cloven/particular. Sorry I am ignorant on this distinction. Thanks for giving me an example of the ontology you speak of. So light is a separate existence from the sun, but it's existence depends on the Sun. That's the ontological nature of light. How is that understanding of it's ontology different from other advaita schools of thought?

Only if you have some time. Thank you so much Jainarayan.

I don’t spend a lot of time pondering the philosophical schools anymore. I used to, and it drove me crazy. Vaishnavas are largely drawn to bhakti: devotion, devotional activities (chanting and singing devotional song and prayers), trying to live righteously (though all Hindus do). We don’t spend a whole lot of time in meditation trying to understand our relationship with God other than a loving devotion.

The Vishishtadvaita philosophy says we are indeed all one, we are one with God. We are the same in quality but not in quantity … we are small pieces of God yet still connected. Like the waves being small pieces of the ocean. We have no existence on our own. That’s the difference between the Hindu philosophies of Advaita and Vishishtadvaita, and the Abrahamic concept of God and the soul. They are eternally distinct and separate.

Advaita and Vishishtadvaita are pantheistic and panentheistic at the same time. Everything is God (sarvam khalvidam brahma … “all this is verily Brahman”). God transcends time and space yet is immanent. Bhagavad Gita 10.20-42 describes this. Krishna details all the things, attributes and qualities he is as Brahman. Then he finishes by saying “But what need is there … for all this detailed knowledge? With a small fragment of Myself I pervade and support this entire universe “.

 

[Vinayaka]

I don’t spend a lot of time pondering the philosophical schools anymore. I used to, and it drove me crazy. Vaishnavas are largely drawn to bhakti: devotion, devotional activities (chanting and singing devotional song and prayers), trying to live righteously (though all Hindus do). We don’t spend a whole lot of time in meditation trying to understand our relationship with God other than a loving devotion.

The Vishishtadvaita philosophy says we are indeed all one, we are one with God. We are the same in quality but not in quantity … we are small pieces of God yet still connected. Like the waves being small pieces of the ocean. We have no existence on our own. That’s the difference between the Hindu philosophies of Advaita and Vishishtadvaita, and the Abrahamic concept of God and the soul. They are eternally distinct and separate.

Advaita and Vishishtadvaita are pantheistic and panentheistic at the same time. Everything is God (sarvam khalvidam brahma … “all this is verily Brahman”). God transcends time and space yet is immanent. Bhagavad Gita 10.20-42 describes this. Krishna details all the things, attributes and qualities he is as Brahman. Then he finishes by saying “But what need is there … for all this detailed knowledge? With a small fragment of Myself I pervade and support this entire universe “.

For a guy who doesn't ponder philosophy much, the time that you did has served you well. You know a ton more than I do. But then, I guess for awhile you were interested. I've never been interested. Just give me a bag of flowers, and I'll make a mala, or let me have a quiet time at the temple.
BTW, an interesting license plate at the temple a few days back ... somebody all the way to here from New Jersey. Of course I thought of you. I hung around outside (landscaping) for awhile hoping to greet them, but they were in no hurry to come out. Instead I met a young couple from Kumbakonam, and it turned out we some trivial stuff in common.

 

[firedragon]

I don’t spend a lot of time pondering the philosophical schools anymore. I used to, and it drove me crazy. Vaishnavas are largely drawn to bhakti: devotion, devotional activities (chanting and singing devotional song and prayers), trying to live righteously (though all Hindus do). We don’t spend a whole lot of time in meditation trying to understand our relationship with God other than a loving devotion.

The Vishishtadvaita philosophy says we are indeed all one, we are one with God. We are the same in quality but not in quantity … we are small pieces of God yet still connected. Like the waves being small pieces of the ocean. We have no existence on our own. That’s the difference between the Hindu philosophies of Advaita and Vishishtadvaita, and the Abrahamic concept of God and the soul. They are eternally distinct and separate.

Advaita and Vishishtadvaita are pantheistic and panentheistic at the same time. Everything is God (sarvam khalvidam brahma … “all this is verily Brahman”). God transcends time and space yet is immanent. Bhagavad Gita 10.20-42 describes this. Krishna details all the things, attributes and qualities he is as Brahman. Then he finishes by saying “But what need is there … for all this detailed knowledge? With a small fragment of Myself I pervade and support this entire universe “.

Very interesting Jainarayanan. Thank you so much.

 

[Jainarayan]

For a guy who doesn't ponder philosophy much, the time that you did has served you well. You know a ton more than I do. But then, I guess for awhile you were interested. I've never been interested. Just give me a bag of flowers, and I'll make a mala, or let me have a quiet time at the temple.
BTW, an interesting license plate at the temple a few days back ... somebody all the way to here from New Jersey. Of course I thought of you. I hung around outside (landscaping) for awhile hoping to greet them, but they were in no hurry to come out. Instead I met a young couple from Kumbakonam, and it turned out we some trivial stuff in common.

Thanks. Being the nerd I am, my idea of not delving into something is someone else’s idea of going in depth. To your credit, your practical and devotional experience and knowledge is light years ahead of mine. Two brains combined that are a force to be reckoned with. And it would be hilarious if I recognized the visitors. I was buying flowers in the store after work. The floral employee asked something… I forgot just what it was… to which I responded they are for my prayer and worship rituals. She said that’s funny because a woman comes in regularly to buy flowers for the temple she goes to. The only temple within a reasonable distance is mine. Another “haha” if I recognized her. For having over one billion adherents, Hinduism sure is a small community.

 

[Jainarayan]

Very interesting Jainarayanan. Thank you so much.

You are welcome.

 

[Vinidra]

I'm a Shakta Hindu, of no particular school of Shaktism. I just worship the Mother of the Universe, in the forms of Kali, Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Durga.

I'm a panentheist. I believe the Mother contains the universe (or multiple universes, whatever the case may be) and also exists beyond it/them. Everything emanated from Her, and ultimately, it will all return to Her.

Edit: I just realized I didn't actually answer the question! Sorry! I chose Hinduism because it fit with my view of the universe and satisfactorily answered any questions I had about it all.

 

[Aupmanyav]

That's bogus. It could be a name of someone, but it has a meaning. It means good dharma. Su or is prefix that makes any general term "good". Like sugantha, Gantha meaning smell.

I see a problem by the use of 'su'. Yes, it means good, but it is never used in combination with 'dharma'. What is used by us is 'dharma', 'adharma' (not 'dharma') and 'Swadhama' (One's own 'dharma'). There is no 'bad dharma', bad/evil cannot be 'dharma', therefore, there was never a need to use the term 'sudharma'.

 

[Aupmanyav]

@sayak83
Bloody hell. This is a full book. Fantastic.

@firedragon , find a shorter, scholarly disposition of Vishisht Advaita, i.e., the philosophy of Ramanuja here in Surendranath Dasgupta's book "History of Indian Philosophy", Part III. (Yeah, it still is big, 230 pages, but it amy not be necessary to go through the whole chapter. Bascally, you want some description better than what is given in Wikipedia - Vishishtadvaita - Wikipedia).
A History Of Inidan Philosophy : Surendranath Dasgupta : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

The link will open to the relevant chapter (XX). The book can be downloaded in PDF format.

 

[PearlSeeker]

@firedragon

"Dharma" has many meanings. It depends a lot on context. In some circunstances it should indeed be translated as "religion" - but certainly not of an Abrahamic flavor.

"In classic antiquity, religiō broadly meant conscientiousness, sense of right, moral obligation, or duty to anything."
(Wiki, from: Charlton T. Lewis, An Elementary Latin Dictionary, religiō)

Abrahamic religions are different because they have a fixed and exclusive belief system but a big part of this religions is also vocation/duty/moral law. For example in Christianity human vocation is love. It's God's will for us, God's vision that brought us to life.

For this purpose we are given time, place, talents, gifts, meetings with people... (the stage of vocation). Love requires free will, creativity, dialogue and personal experience. Every action is irreplaceable and unrepeatable... That's why I like the word "vocation" more than "duty". Love is universal and personal. Isn't this the same as āśrama dharma and svadharma?

 

[shunyadragon]

Why is there never popcorn around when the conversation calls for it?

Make your own. Not microwave
Make enough for everyone...

 

[shunyadragon]

The question is universal. Why does anyone believe any one belief over any other?
Since human choices are dominantly based on one's heritage, or the choices that seem right to oneself at the time, All choices of one or the other are subjective choices and reject universal human expression. of the human desire for a sense of community and belonging.

 

[shunyadragon]

There are not any objective arguments to support the 'Why?' of belief in any one ancient religion or belief system over the many diverse conflicting choices. As reflected in the responses to 'why?' most simply respond by describing what they believe, and not an argument 'Why?'.

 

[Bharat Jhunjhunwala]

I don’t know if I chose Hinduism or it chose me, or rather, God chose me. In my case God is Vishnu in his Krishna form. I was Catholic from birth, born into an Italian-American family. But from the time I was an early teen I was drawn to Hinduism and India. I had no problem believing in multiple deities as manifestations of one God, despite what Christianity teaches. I even considered Jesus to be what we call ishta-devata, “chosen [form of] God”, among many manifestations, or avatars.

The ontological philosophy I adhere to as a Vaishnava (devotee of Vishnu) is called Vishishtadvaita, “advaita (oneness) with qualifications”. All diversity subsumes to the whole. Simply put, think of what the waves are to the ocean, heat and light are to the sun. They exist yet are dependent on their source for their existence.

Do I believe that God is a blue dude with four arms? No, that is just the image that (partly and inadequately) describes his powers and attributes… a picture is worth a thousand words.

Good explanation of the pictures. The.
Why hinduism? Because it takes us to God Without brining in exclusive rights and without condemning other religions. Of course, today's practice is different.