Questions from a Hindu in the West

[Guest guest]

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" sriram rao " <sriramraot

<vivekananda;

 

Dear Tanuja,

 

I am a 47 year old hindu living in Bangalore and

working as the CFO of a software company.

 

To answer all your questions in detail would take

several letters. Let me make a beginning.

 

1. Hinduism is not a religion like Christianity, Islam

etc. It does not have a founder. It is called the

'Sanatana Dharma' or 'eternal path'. All hindus are

really followers of the 'sanatana dharma'. The word

'Hindu' was coined by the muslims who invaded India

about 1000 years ago, to refer collectively to the

people who lived near the river 'Indus' (Sindhu). This

name was later popularised by the British when they

came to India 400 years ago.

 

2. What is the 'Sanatana dharma'? The sanatana dharma

started, perhaps 6000 years ago or earlier (no one

will ever know) as several people started questioning

their existence and started trying to seek an answer

to life and death. Different people gave their

opinions and interpretations based on their

experiences. These were largely oral traditons and

were passed on from generation to generation

orally.The names of these persons has never been

considered very important. Only their theories were

considered important. Hence, their names never came

down the centuries. Even the few names we know of, are

of no relevance as they are only a few among many such

wise people.

 

There cannot be any fixed time in history when these

'discoveries' or theories were first made. When did

scientific discoveries and inventions start? No one

can say. It can be as early as the first man who

invented the wheel or the one who discovered how to

make fire. Pythagoras and others were only the first

famous ones,but by no means, the first thinkers on

this planet.

 

Similarly, when did philosophical questioning start?

No one can say who the first person was who looked up

at the sky and wondered at his existence or when was

the first time that someone asked questions about

death & after life.

 

Theories (simple or complex) trying to explain life

and death have existed from time immemorial. These

theories and their related practices & customs,

conceived over centuries, by different people, are

collectively called the 'Sanatana Dharma' It is

eternally evolving and growing through the

contributions of every individual. It is the eternal

dharma (way of life) which has no beginning and no

end. It has existed as far back as man has existed and

will continue al long as man exists.

 

This is not different from the theories about our

physical world, in Physics, medicine and Cosmology

etc., which probably started as far back in time as

the first humans and will continue as long as humans

exist. All these theories collectively contain our

'knowledge' about the physical universe.

 

Similarly, the spiritual world has been analysed, just

as scientifically, by the ancient Indians and theories

were given by different people.

 

Depending on the nature of the person who gave the

theory, some of the theories and interpretations were

ritualistic & personal in nature, while others were

more philosophical and metaphysical (Upanishads).

 

These oral traditions were together called the 'Vedas'

which means 'knowledge'. These vedas were compiled in

writing around 1000 BCE by a person who is today

known as Veda Vyasa or 'Veda Compiler'.

 

3. These theories included ideas on karma (cause &

effect), rebirth, several planes of existence, one

universal spirit, theories of origin of the world

(cyclical) etc.

 

4. Subsequently, it was seen that the vedas were not

understood by all sections of society. Also, India

being a vast land, the people in different regions

were traditionally worshipping different 'gods' to

suit their environment and way of thinking. With an

effort to give people a common way of worship without

destroying any of their existing customs, and yet,

retain the fundamental theories of the vedas, the

different Puranas & the Mahabharata ( The Gita

included) were written around the same time. These

contain the metaphysical message of the vedas shrouded

in stories & myths, which have caught the imagination

of the people and have taught them the values of life

for centuries.

 

4. You need have no problem in keeping your head high.

Hindus are today respected all over the world. The

ideas contained in Theosophy (end 19th century) and

today's New Age groups are basically Indian in origin.

Karma, reincarnation and the concept of Universal

Consciousness (Brahman), which are basically Indian

ideas, are today accepted and discussed in all

metaphysical forums. Common people in the west, are

going through hypnotic regressions to know their past

lives. Meditations, yoga, healing techniques and

pranayama (breathing techniques), all of Indian

origin, are practiced by millions all over the world.

You have every reason to be very proud of such a

heritage.

 

That should do for a beginning, I think.

 

If you have any more questions, please feel free to

write to me either through the list or directly to my

e-mail address.

 

Thanks & regards.

 

Sriram

[Guest guest]

-

" Tanuja Adiani "

<vivekananda

Thursday, July 19, 2001 07:19

Re: Questions from a Hindu in the West

 

 

Dear Mr Rao,

Thank you for taking the time to explain to me all that you did. I do feel a

little less lost

Just one additional question. It might sound too detailed but it would be

kind of you to enlighten me. If the end point of the atman is to merge

with

Brahm then what is the beginning point of the atma? I mean to ask you if

the

atma is a part of paramatma and it has to merge with Him in the end then

why

did if get seperated from Him in the first place? I hope it's not a bother

to you,

Thank you once again.

Tanuja

[Guest guest]

Hello,

 

There is a FAQ on Hinduism at http://www.geocities.com/gokulmuthu/faq.html

It might help to clarify (or create) some confusion.

 

With regards,

Gomu.

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Hello,

 

There is a nice book titled " Advaita Vedanta and Modern Science "

at the following URL.

 

http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Cafe/9535/Vedanta/vedanta.html

 

The book nicely brings together both the concepts. It is a nice

book for people who ask about the origin of the universe, etc. The

answer in the book are satisfactory both from science and vedanta.

 

With regards,

Gomu.

 

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Email: gomu

Phone(Off): +91 44 4466448, 4466449

Phone(Res): +91 44 8140104

Webpage: http://www.geocities.com/gokulmuthu/

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