Hinduism is not a JUST a Way OF Life by Poojya Gurudev

[Guest guest]

Namaste Sri Krishna Prasad:

 

Thanks for bringing the video clip of Gurudev Swami Chinmananadaji's

video clip to the attention of the list. I have just changed the

subject title a little to reflect what Swamiji discusses in the clip

about Hinduism.

 

The statement that Hinduism represented by its true identity –

Sanatana Dharma is the way of life is quite precise. It should be

followed by the cautionary corollary – " It is not just like any other

religion such as Christianity or Islam with strict static rules and

regulations for how to lead our life. " Swamiji in the clip

implicitly explains that one needs to be careful while making a

description of what Hinduism means. Swamiji is fully aware that the

Sanatana Dharma is an eternal religion – with no exact date of its

origin. Swamiji also points out in the clip the dynamic aspect of

Hinduism – that it embraces and tunes the ways of life that is

suitable for time and environment.

 

I am bringing these additional point as a clarification what you have

brought out and not to be considered as a criticism to your posting.

 

Here are some book references to websites that discuss on the line of

thought expressed here.

 

Books:

Hinduism Doctrine and way of life by Rajaji , Published by Bharatiya

Vidhya Bhavan, Bombay, 1959

" Hindu Way of Life " by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Londion, 1927

" Fundamentals of Hindu Faith and Life " Dr. C. P. Ramaswamy Iyer,

Madras, 1959

 

Web Sites:

http://hinduism.suite101.com/article.cfm/hinduism__a_holistic_way_of_l

ife

" Hinduism is not just a theology. It is a holistic way of life. That

it includes mythology and philosophy is apparent even to the casual

follower. But Hinduism also encompasses disciplines like culture,

health, sociology, governance, science, warfare and a lot more.

The disciplines are in a sense distinct but inseparable. The

situation can be pictured as follows. Consider the disciplines as

strands of wool of different colors. Then mentally twist the strands,

bundle them, tangle them and knot them into a ball. Hinduism is the

entire multi-colored ball. The different strands can be clearly

visible but cannot be separated from each other. What this means to

us is that we cannot discuss any of the disciplines in isolation

because it is necessarily influenced by others. "

http://hinduism.about.com/od/basics/a/hinduism.htm

" Hinduism is a unique faith! The most obvious misconception about

Hinduism is that we tend to see it as just another religion. To be

precise, Hinduism is a way of life, a dharma. Dharma does not mean

religion. It is the law that governs all action. Thus, contrary to

popular perception, Hinduism is not just a religion in the tradition

sense of the term. Out of this misinterpretation, has come most of

the misconceptions about Hinduism. "

 

Note: Members feel free to correct me if I am wrong in my

interpretation and thanks in advance.

 

With my warmest regards,

 

Ram Chandran

 

 

advaitin , " Krishna Prasad " <rkrishp99

wrote:

>

> Hari OM!

>

> Dear all,

>

> Hinduism is not a Way OF Life Poojya Gurudev Removes the

misconception in

> this Video

>

> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKBMDzK-7_0

 

>

[Guest guest]

advaitin , " Ram Chandran " <ramvchandran

wrote:

> The statement that Hinduism represented by its true identity –

> Sanatana Dharma is the way of life is quite precise. It should be

> followed by the cautionary corollary – " It is not just like any other

> religion such as Christianity or Islam with strict static rules and

> regulations for how to lead our life. " Swamiji in the clip

> implicitly explains that one needs to be careful while making a

> description of what Hinduism means. Swamiji is fully aware that the

> Sanatana Dharma is an eternal religion – with no exact date of its

> origin. Swamiji also points out in the clip the dynamic aspect of

> Hinduism – that it embraces and tunes the ways of life that is

> suitable for time and environment.

 

 

Some thoughts.

 

I think a couple of distinctions is that Hinduism is decentralized and

not linear. The word's primary utility is in the modern contexts where

religion is identified with centralization based on scripture or

prophet; it serves to distinguish us from the dominant creeds of the

day. For that purpose alone, we can make a list of " beliefs " and

compare/contrast; but if we are not clear, we can be pulled into a trap

that Hinduism is also another top-down religion and attacked in their

contexts that are not really applicable to us.

 

Earlier forms of centralization are the sampradayas; here again they

each represented a certain " matha " /opinion on the Vedas. Hinduism can

accomodate such strains but is not restricted to such. A Hindu can be

ignorant of the Gita and Veda, belong to no formal sampradaya, follow

some tradition of tree-worship in a village, and be a perfect Hindu.

For our stress is dharma, which leads to moksha [i got this from a

lecture of Sw. Dayananda Saraswathi, mentioned by my cousin]. It would

be wrong to try and directly link his life as a consequence of some

quotation of the Vedas; whereas with the sampradaya hindus this can be

done more successfully. Rather in his life is the Vedic ideal expressed

as it has permeated unseen through Bharatha. We cannot start at the

Vedas and come down; we must start with the tree and guess at how the

fence guided it: for the latter, as Swamiji says, is either absorbed

into the culture or is ever so subtly elastic as it governs -- it

cannot be linearly traced.

 

[PS. In my opinion, the prophetizing cult tendencies that we see more

these days are imitations of foreign creeds that mislead both Hindus

and non-Hindus. The religion again can accomodate such according to the

needs, but Hindus should be aware that they don't define the Sanatana-

Dharma.]

 

 

thollmelukaalkizhu

[Guest guest]

Hari OM!

 

Dear RamChandraji,

 

Namaskarams!

 

Thanks for the clarifications. And this gives more insite to my limited knowledge

 

May GOD Bless

 

With Love & OM!

 

Krishna Prasad

On Fri, Jul 25, 2008 at 7:06 AM, Ram Chandran <ramvchandran wrote:

 

 

 

 

 

Namaste Sri Krishna Prasad:Thanks for bringing the video clip of Gurudev Swami Chinmananadaji's video clip to the attention of the list. I have just changed the subject title a little to reflect what Swamiji discusses in the clip

about Hinduism. The statement that Hinduism represented by its true identity – Sanatana Dharma is the way of life is quite precise. It should be followed by the cautionary corollary – " It is not just like any other

religion such as Christianity or Islam with strict static rules and regulations for how to lead our life. " Swamiji in the clip implicitly explains that one needs to be careful while making a description of what Hinduism means. Swamiji is fully aware that the

Sanatana Dharma is an eternal religion – with no exact date of its origin. Swamiji also points out in the clip the dynamic aspect of Hinduism – that it embraces and tunes the ways of life that is suitable for time and environment.

I am bringing these additional point as a clarification what you have brought out and not to be considered as a criticism to your posting.Here are some book references to websites that discuss on the line of

thought expressed here.Books:Hinduism Doctrine and way of life by Rajaji , Published by Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan, Bombay, 1959 " Hindu Way of Life " by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Londion, 1927 " Fundamentals of Hindu Faith and Life " Dr. C. P. Ramaswamy Iyer,

Madras, 1959Web Sites:http://hinduism.suite101.com/article.cfm/hinduism__a_holistic_way_of_life " Hinduism is not just a theology. It is a holistic way of life. That

it includes mythology and philosophy is apparent even to the casual follower. But Hinduism also encompasses disciplines like culture, health, sociology, governance, science, warfare and a lot more.The disciplines are in a sense distinct but inseparable. The

situation can be pictured as follows. Consider the disciplines as strands of wool of different colors. Then mentally twist the strands, bundle them, tangle them and knot them into a ball. Hinduism is the entire multi-colored ball. The different strands can be clearly

visible but cannot be separated from each other. What this means to us is that we cannot discuss any of the disciplines in isolation because it is necessarily influenced by others. " http://hinduism.about.com/od/basics/a/hinduism.htm

" Hinduism is a unique faith! The most obvious misconception about Hinduism is that we tend to see it as just another religion. To be precise, Hinduism is a way of life, a dharma. Dharma does not mean religion. It is the law that governs all action. Thus, contrary to

popular perception, Hinduism is not just a religion in the tradition sense of the term. Out of this misinterpretation, has come most of the misconceptions about Hinduism. " Note: Members feel free to correct me if I am wrong in my

interpretation and thanks in advance.With my warmest regards,Ram Chandranadvaitin , " Krishna Prasad " <rkrishp99

wrote:>> Hari OM!> > Dear all,> > Hinduism is not a Way OF Life Poojya Gurudev Removes the misconception in> this Video> > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKBMDzK-7_0

> -- http://www.chyk.net

Smooth roads never make good drivers. Smooth seas never makegood sailors. Clear skies never make good pilots. A problemfree life never makes a strong and good person. Have a toughbut winning day ahead! Be strong enough to accept the

challenges of life. Do not ask life, 'Why me?' instead say,'Try me'. " Hindu civilization is something of which I am very proud of.If that is evidence of my being 'communal',then my inner voice tells me, 'SO BE IT' "

Krishna PrasadDare to give up the comfort of the 'known' and venture into the 'unknown' The more we know, the more we will come to realize what we do not know.If we want to achieve our true potential and live life to the fullest.

As Poojya Gurudev said it, "Open your eyes. Burst your shell. Spread your wings and fly!"Swami ChinmayanandaHate not the sinner - hate the sin; and always hate the sin even with an excess of hatred. "

[Guest guest]

advaitin , " putranm " <putranm wrote:

>

> advaitin , " Ram Chandran " <ramvchandran@>

> wrote:

> > The statement that Hinduism represented by its true identity –

> > Sanatana Dharma is the way of life is quite precise. It should be

> > followed by the cautionary corollary – " It is not just like any other

> > religion such as Christianity or Islam with strict static rules and

> > regulations for how to lead our life. " Swamiji in the clip

> > implicitly explains that one needs to be careful while making a

> > description of what Hinduism means. Swamiji is fully aware that the

> > Sanatana Dharma is an eternal religion – with no exact date of its

> > origin. Swamiji also points out in the clip the dynamic aspect of

> > Hinduism – that it embraces and tunes the ways of life that is

> > suitable for time and environment.

>

>

> Some thoughts.

>

> I think a couple of distinctions is that Hinduism is decentralized and

> not linear. The word's primary utility is in the modern contexts where

> religion is identified with centralization based on scripture or

> prophet; it serves to distinguish us from the dominant creeds of the

> day. For that purpose alone, we can make a list of " beliefs " and

> compare/contrast; but if we are not clear, we can be pulled into a trap

> that Hinduism is also another top-down religion and attacked in their

> contexts that are not really applicable to us.

 

Here is a very nice video " Hinduism in India " . A young girl gives a first hand

account of

being Hindu.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSpsIKVW0z4 & feature=related

 

thollmelukaalkizhu