WHAT DOES HINDUISM STAND FOR Aryanism Vedic culture or modern Hinduism is a way of life.
1. WHAT DOES HINDUISM STAND FOR?
Hinduism is, basically, the modern name for the Vedic way of
life, especially the spiritual path usually associated with India. Previously,
those who followed the Vedic system were also called Aryans. It is often
considered that the Vedic Aryans were a race of people. However, Aryan actually
means a standard of living, an ideal. It was the Sanskrit speaking people of
thousands of years ago that gave the word arya to signify a gentleman, an ideal
person, someone on the path of purity. It was a term meant for those who were
on the cutting edge of social evolution. Another way of interpreting the word
aryan is that ar also means white or clear. Ya refers to God. Ya also refers to
Yadu, or Krishna. Thus, aryan means those who have, or are developing, a clear
path or a clear consciousness toward God.
In this way, we can understand that Aryanism, Vedic culture,
or modern Hinduism, is a way of life. It is not a race of people or merely a
sectarian creed or religion. It belongs to no particular country or race. It is
a path that upholds a code of conduct which values peace and happiness and
justice for all. Thus, it is a path open for all who want to be trained to be
happy with simple living and high thinking, while engaged in proper conduct, a
moral life, and selfless service to humanity and God. Therefore, anyone who
wants to live in such a manner may be called an Aryan, a member or follower of
the Vedic culture, no matter from which race or country a person may come.
So what does it mean to follow this Vedic Aryan path? It
generally means to learn the ways of a spiritually progressed person. This
includes understanding one's spiritual identity, knowing that he or she is not
the temporary body but is spirit soul, that there is karma or reactions for
one's activities, and rebirth in another life after death in which one reaps
the reward or punishment for his or her own good or evil thoughts, words, and
deeds. By having a solid understanding of such spiritual knowledge, there is
automatically a respect for all others regardless of race, sex, position, or
species. This brings a moral and peaceful social behavior in everybody toward
everyone. By having respect for everyone's spiritual identity, this also brings
an innate happiness in us all. We can understand that we are only visiting this
planet for a short time, and that we are all in this together. In other words,
my contribution to your well-being, especially spiritual well-being, will be an
automatic contribution to my own existence. In this way, society at large is in
a state of constant improvement. Thus, together we all work toward attaining a
clean mind and a pure heart. That is the goal of the Vedic Aryan way of life,
and all those who seriously follow it.
Not everyone, however, wants to reach this stage of life or
follow this path. That is why the Vedic system installs rules for moral
behavior and regulatory sacraments and practices beginning from the prenatal
stage all the way through death. Of course, many of these moralistic rules are
also quite common in other forms of religion and behavior. However, anybody who
is unwilling to follow such rules for a balanced moral standard is dubbed a
non-Aryan, which simply indicates one who is not so civilized. Such a person is
not on the spiritual path of life, regardless of what other standards or
principles of etiquette he may follow. So a person who lacks spiritual
tendencies and acts on the bodily platform of existence, willing to do whatever
he likes, or who thinks he is a white body, or a black body, or from this country
or that, and who holds loyalty only to that conception and shows it by
criticizing everyone who is not like him, is a non-Aryan. He is one who works
against the standards of Hinduism, even he if calls himself a Hindu, or
anything else for that matter. In this way, we can see the need to return to
the Vedic standards of life through authentic spiritual education.
Therefore, the Sanskrit word Aryan means a way of life that
aims at the elevation of everyone in society to a higher level of
consciousness, as we find in the broadest foundation within Hinduism. It means
to assist ourselves through a disciplined and godly life to understand the
purpose of our existence as well as to become a spiritually realized person. It
means to recognize the divinity in each of us. It means to perceive the divine
energy that permeates the creation, knowing that we and all others are but
manifestations of the Divine, the same Supreme Creator, Father of all. It also
means that we help every other individual soul understand this, because by
helping others we help ourselves. That itself is a natural state of being when
we can perceive God as the Supersoul, Paramatma, within everyone. All of this
is encouraged by, and increases, a natural faith in an all-pervading Supreme
Being. Such faith and focus on the Supreme can elevate us to return to our real
spiritual home after death, that one infinite and eternal existence, which is
one of the most important goals of the Vedic lifestyle. Once we are relieved of
the body, or the bodily concept of life, then there is no longer any question
as to what and who we really are. Offering this opportunity to society for
reaching that level of understanding is one of the most important purposes of
the Vedic path. This is the essence of what Hinduism stands for. Now let's consider the following points as to
the advantages of the Vedic path.
2. HINDUISM IS THE OLDEST LIVING CULTURE IN THE WORLD.
Look around. Do you find any other culture that has lasted
as long as the Hindu or Vedic culture? Do you see any other culture that after
no less than 5,000 years, if not much longer, is still thriving and dynamic,
practicing many of the same traditions as it did from thousands of years ago?
Sure, you have other old cultures, like the Egyptian, the Inca, Maya, Aztec,
all of which go back about 5,000 years, but none of these are still living
cultures. They are all gone, leaving us but remnants and artifacts to figure
out what really was their culture.
For the Vedic civilization, it is not something that we really
need to decipher from old remnants. The traditions and practices that you
presently see have been going on for many thousands of years. Its history is
well documented in the Puranas, much of which even historians have not
researched as well as they should. Through such study it is obvious that the
Vedic society has a prehistoric origin. While most of the "living"
cultures that we find today, and the most popular religions, are a modern
creation in the sense that they have only come about within the past 1400,
2000, and 2500 years with the advent of the Muslim, Christian, or Buddhist
religions. However, the Vedic culture goes back much farther. Many scholars
have noted the antiquity of the Vedic civilization. For example, in his
Discourse on Sanskrit and Its Literature, given at the College of France,
Professor Bournouf states, "We will study India with its philosophy and
its myths, its literature, its laws and its language. Nay it is more than
India, it is a page of the origin of the world that we will attempt to
decipher."
In this same line of thinking, Mr. Thornton, in his book
History of British India, observed, "The Hindus are indisputably entitled
to rank among the most ancient of existing nations, as well as among those most
early and most rapidly civilized. . . ere yet the Pyramids looked down upon the
Valley of the Nile. . . when Greece and Italy, these cradles of modern
civilization, housed only the tenants of the wilderness, India was the seat of
wealth and grandeur."
The well-known German philosopher Augustus Schlegel in his
book, Wisdom of the Ancient Indians, noted in regard to the divine origin of
Vedic civilization, "It cannot be denied that the early Indians possessed
a knowledge of the God. All their writings are replete with sentiments and
expressions, noble, clear, severely grand, as deeply conceived in any human
language in which men have spoken of their God. . ."
Max Mueller further remarked in his India--What It Can Teach
Us (Page 21), "Historical records (of the Hindus) extend in some respects
so far beyond all records and have been preserved to us in such perfect and
legible documents, that we can learn from them lessons which we can learn
nowhere else and supply missing links."
On the antiquity of the Vedic society, we can respect the
number of philosophies, outlooks on life, and developments in understanding our
purpose in this world that has been imbibed and dealt with during the course of
its existence. Through all of this, it has formed a commentary and code on all
aspects of life and its value, the likes of which can hardly be found in any
other culture today. Thus, with age comes wisdom. And the nature and depth of
the Vedic wisdom can hardly be compared with anything else that is presently
available. Anyone who has taken a serious look at it will agree. It is
universally applicable to all.
3. THE VEDIC LITERATURE IS THE OLDEST AND MOST COMPLETE
SCRIPTURES FOUND ANYWHERE. It is agreed by any scholar of history or religion
that the earliest spiritual writings that can be found are the Vedic samhitas,
such as the Rig-veda. In History of Ancient Sanskrit Literature (page 557), Max
Mueller observed, "In the Rig-veda we shall have before us more real
antiquity than in all the inscriptions of Egypt or Ninevah. . . the Veda is the
oldest book in existence. . ."
In the same book (page 63) Max Mueller also noted, "The
Veda has a two-fold interest: It belongs to the history of the world and to the
history of India. In the history of the world the Veda fills a gap which no
literary work in any other language could fill. It carries us back to times of
which we have no records anywhere."
The Rig-veda, as old and profound as it, nonetheless,
represents only a portion of Vedic thought and wisdom. It was further expanded
and explained in numerous other portions of Vedic literature. The whole library
of ancient Vedic texts covers a wide range of contemplation, experience and
learning in regard to an extraordinarily diverse number of topics.
To explain briefly, we first find the most ancient four
Vedic samhitas, namely the Rig, Sama, Yajur, and Atharva Vedas. Then there is
the Brahmanas, treatises explaining the techniques of the rituals in the Vedas,
and the Aranyakas, further explanations for those renunciants who live in the
forest. After this we find hundreds of Upanishads, the foremost of which are
108, out of which eleven are the most famous, such as the Katha, Mundaka,
Brihadaranyaka, Shvetashvatara, Prashna, Chandogya, and others. These continue
to elaborate on the Vedic spiritual truths. The Vedanta Sutras are also codes
that contain the essence of spiritual truths that require fuller explanations
by a spiritual teacher.
Beyond these are the Itihasas, or the histories, which are
contained in such large volumes as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, of which
the famous Bhagavad-gita is a chapter. These contain not only an immense
library of stories and moral principles, but some of the loftiest spiritual
teachings that anyone can find. Furthermore, they can act as guidebooks for
one's life, as well as explain the step by step processes for achieving one's
own spiritual enlightenment. This is also true of the Puranas, out of which
there are 18 greater or Maha Puranas and another 18 lesser or Upa Puranas.
There are also many regional or Sthala Puranas. All of these give many stories
of the past histories of the world, and even the universe, as well essential
spiritual teachings that are universal in nature that everyone could benefit by
studying.
We also find additional Sutras, books of codes that explain
such things as rules for householders, as in the Griha-Sutras, or codes of duty
and other topics. The Vedangas contain the auxiliary sciences, such as
phonetics, grammar, astronomy, etc. Then there are the Upavedas, or lesser
Vedas, which deal with the arts and sciences such as dancing and music
(Gandharva-veda), holistic health (Ayur-veda), or the art of war, and even
architecture. Beyond this there are thousands more books that are the books of
great spiritual masters and Vedic teachers that are commentaries on the
original Vedic texts. All of these are in pursuance of the Vedic path.
In this way, within the Vedic scripture, one can find music,
dance, art, biographies on great saints and personalities, and stories that
contain every level of emotion. They also exhibit lessons of truth, etiquette,
philosophy, and examples of how others have lived and attained the heights of
spiritual consciousness and freedom from further material birth.
The most important books for spiritual instruction, as most
everyone will agree, are the Bhagavad-gita and Srila Vyasadeva's own commentary
on the Vedic texts, the Bhagavat Purana. He was the original author of the
essential Vedic scriptures. These will bring anyone to various levels of
spiritual knowledge, the likes of which surpass conventional religious
principles. The Bhagavat Purana brought out everything that Vyasadeva neglected
to explain in his previous writings. Therefore, anyone who studies Vedic knowledge
should not neglect reading the Bhagavat Purana, also called the
Srimad-Bhagavatam.
Through this short review of the Vedic texts, one can get an
idea of how thorough and comprehensive is this science. These scriptures reveal
the form of God, His personality, the loving nature of God, His greatness,
mercy and compassion like no other scripture available. It also shows the
unique paths to God in ways that are far more detailed and beyond anything that
other scriptures present. Everyone, no matter whether they are religionists,
philosophers, politicians, artists, celebrities, or renounced swamis, will
appreciate and benefit from the continued study of this most ancient, sacred,
and most complete of all spiritual literature. Therefore, those who are devoted
Hindus and practitioners of the Vedic system never give up the reading and
study of the Vedic literature, knowing that newer and loftier levels of
understanding and perceptions into the secrets of life are awaiting them.
Naturally, there is wisdom and understanding available
through all of the great books and religions. But to fathom the vast depths of
Vedic knowledge is to flow through such a grand gallery of realizations and
levels of consciousness that a person can merely get a glimpse of the innumerable
considerations that have been made within the development of the Vedic
lifestyle regarding all aspects of life. It has been said that the Vedic
scripture remains ever fresh with newer and newer realizations, insights and
wisdom. Thus, it could be advised that a person can spend a lifetime reading
and studying the Vedic scripture and never end in finding newer and higher
levels of understanding.
4. THE VEDIC PATH HAS A MOST DEVELOPED AND COMPLETE
SPIRITUAL PHILOSOPHY. As we can see from the previous description of the Vedic
scripture, the Vedic philosophy is the most extensive you can find anywhere. It
covers so many aspects of life, both material and spiritual, that it is more
comprehensive than any other philosophy or lifestyle that you can find. So many
viewpoints on life, the material manifestation, God, and our spiritual nature
have already been thoroughly considered and thought out that there is little,
if anything, that the Vedic philosophy has not already dealt with and spoke
about. Everything is there, more of which than most people are aware. Because
of this it has attracted thinkers and philosophers from all over the world and
from all points in time. The West in particular has, and still does, look to
India for the loftiest spiritual knowledge, and for what the churches or
synagogues have not delivered. This may include practical spiritual guidance in
self-discovery, an integrated world view, spiritual and emotional fulfillment,
and even true mystical or spiritual experiences. The spiritual processes that
are explained in the Vedic teachings go far beyond the conventional idea, as
presented by most religions, that people should merely have faith and pray to
God for forgiveness of their sins in order to be delivered to heaven.
Naturally, we all have to be humble before God. That is what is encouraged and
developed. This is especially in the loving devotional path, wherein a person
can purify his or her consciousness through the spiritual practices that are
fully explained in the Vedic teachings, even though this takes time and serious
dedication and sincerity.
The point is that the Vedic process does not discourage one
from having his or her own spiritual realizations, which are often minimized,
neglected or even criticized in other religions, which often teaches that the
church alone is what maintains your connection with God. But in the Vedic
system it is taught that we are all spiritual and loving parts of God, and
automatically have a relationship with Him. Therefore, such experiences are considered
a proof that the process is successful at helping one elevate his or her
consciousness. One's consciousness resonates at various frequencies, depending
on the level of one's thoughts, words, and actions, as well as the images and
sounds that one absorbs through contact with objects and activities. By
learning how to undergo the proper training, one can include the practices that
will bring one's consciousness to a level in which one can perceive that which
is spiritual. The more spiritual you become, the more you can perceive that
which is spiritual. The whole idea is to bring one to perceive his or her
spiritual identity and relationship with God. Thus, it must be a scientific
process, used under the guidance of a spiritual master, for it to be successful.
If the process is not complete or if the student is not serious, then of course
the results will not be as expected. Yet, if the proper spiritual process is
explained correctly, and the student is sincere in his or her efforts, the
effects will be there. This is why for thousands of years philosophers and
spiritual seekers from around the world have come to India, or have been
influenced by the Vedic system: It gives practical results when properly
performed.
5. THE VEDIC LITERATURE OFFERS MORE INFORMATION ON THE
SCIENCE OF LIFE AFTER DEATH, KARMA AND REINCARNATION. Sure, all religions
indicate there is life after death. However, they normally offer only the most
basic understanding that if you are good and a believer, maybe you will go to
heaven. And if you are predominantly bad, you will go to hell. But only the
Vedic philosophy offers detailed information on how exactly this works, and how
we create our future with every thought, word and deed. And how that future may
not only be in a heavenly world or on a hellish planet, but how it can be
another life similar to what we are experiencing now on this earthly globe.
After all, we can look around this planet Earth and see that
some people live a nice heavenly existence. They may live in beautiful weather
and landscapes, in pleasant surroundings, and in a lovely house, with plenty of
money, etc. While someone else, may live
in a country torn by war, with famine and drought all around, dealing with
disease and poverty, and so on. Or we can see that even within the same family,
someone may be born and become educated, wealthy and accomplished, while a
sister or brother may be born blind, deformed, uneducated, and grow to have a
hellish life filled with difficulty. Why is there such a difference? The fundamental
religions may give only basic answers, like it is the will of God. Yet the
Vedic knowledge can go into great details to explain how such occurrences are
arranged by nature to provide the necessary facilities for each individual to
have what he or she desires and deserves according to their past actions, words
and consciousness.
6. THE VEDIC PHILOSOPHY OFFERS A MOST COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING
OF GOD AND THE SPIRITUAL DIMENSION. In all of the religious books one can
gather, you will find nowhere else but in the Vedic texts such a complete
description of the Supreme Being and the spiritual dimension. Nowhere else is
the understanding given that God is an impersonal force (the Brahman
effulgence, in which God displays His potency of existence/eternality), as well
as Paramatma, the localized incarnation known as the Supersoul in everyone's
heart (in which God displays His potency of existence and knowledge), and,
ultimately, Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality who creates this world and
overlooks all things (in which God displays His potencies of existence,
knowledge and pleasure pastimes). Nowhere else is there offered such a complete
understanding of all aspects of God, from His impersonal characteristics to His
individual and supreme nature.
Nowhere else can you find such details of God's personality,
what He looks like, how He lives and sports with His friends, or that He even
DOES have friends and sports with them. Nowhere else can you find that God has
devotees who play the parts of parents and relatives, but in a perfect
spiritual family. Nowhere else but in the Vedic texts, especially in the likes
of the Bhagavat and Vishnu Puranas or Mahabharata, can you see how God takes
care of His friends and devotees, how He reveals Himself, how He engages in the
most loving pastimes with those who love Him most, or even that you CAN engage
in loving pastimes with God. Nowhere else is it explained how God, through His
causeless mercy, descends into this world to exhibit His pastimes in order to
give us a chance to learn how to become attracted to Him.
Furthermore, nowhere else are there such elaborate
explanations of the spiritual world and what goes on there, or how we can truly
enter that region, and what the areas are that surround the cosmic creation.
Also, nowhere else can you find such detailed descriptions of how the universe
was created. Often you will find in a scripture a simple allegory for people to
believe that gives only the slightest ideas of how the worlds were created. But
in the Vedic literature, there are complex explanations of how and when things
took place in order to manifest the universe as we see it now. [My book,
"How the Universe was Created," gives these details.]
For these reasons, anyone of any religion can study the
Vedic scripture to add to whatever spiritual understanding they already have.
Or if they don't have any spiritual understandings, then you just found the
mother lode, the main vein of spiritual knowledge of which all others are but
portions.
7. HINDUISM AND THE VEDIC LITERATURE HAS MANY DIRECT WORDS
AND INSTRUCTIONS FROM GOD. The Vedic literature is filled with stories and
conversations of instruction, and many of those instructions are given directly
by God or one of His many incarnations. Other spiritual paths may provide a few
commandments that are said to be given by God, or books given by His
representatives or prophets. And these certainly can be helpful for the
guidance of mankind. However, no where else but in the Vedic scripture do we
find such a collection of direct instructions given by Lord Krishna, Lord
Vishnu, or the Lord's other forms that direct us in explicit methods of
reaching spiritual realizations and perfection.
No where else can you find such lofty and spiritual advice
as that related in books like the Bhagavad-gita, or the Bhagavat Purana and
other numerous Vedic texts. No culture or religion has anything that compares,
or that go far beyond basic moralistic rules to provide the higher principles
of direct spiritual realization. These instructions are a scientific process in
which the results are assured to cleanse our minds and purify our hearts, if we
sincerely follow the formula. Therein lies the doorway through which we can
perceive our own spiritual identity and then the numerous aspects of the
Absolute Truth.
8. THE VEDIC PATH OFFERS THE MOST LOVING AND BEAUTIFUL FORMS
OF GOD. Not only does the Vedic literature describes the innumerable aspects of
God, but also relates the knowledge of the numerous incarnations and forms of
God. In these incarnations He performs innumerable pastimes for multiple
purposes. Out of all these, which are completely spiritual in nature, we find
such beautiful attributes and forms as Lakshmi and Vishnu, or Sita and Rama,
and Sri Sri Radha and Krishna as the most sublime. In fact, the forms of Radha
and Krishna have been described at length for Their superb qualities and
features of incomparable beauty. Plus, the depth of Lord Krishna's loving
nature and pastimes with His closest associates is like none found elsewhere.
There is no other culture or spiritual path that has any such knowledge of God,
or that can present such loving and beautiful forms of God who displays such
deep and nectar-like pastimes and personality. Therefore, the Vedic process
offers the deepest insights into the most confidential forms and loving
disposition of the Supreme Lord. These pastimes often cannot be understood by
those who view the Supreme as an angry and jealous God, as some religions do.
They do not know the more sublime nature of spiritual relations with the
Supreme because there is no information about it found elsewhere.
9. THE VEDIC CULTURE HAS SOME OF THE GREATEST SPIRITUAL
TEACHERS AND MASTERS THAT YOU CAN FIND. In any of the authorized sampradayas,
or lines of disciplic succession, you can find greatly learned and fully
realized spiritual masters. These lines of gurus and disciples include the
Brahma, Sri, Shiva or Kumara sampradayas. In these lines, the highest levels of
spiritual knowledge have been carefully handed down from person to person, guru
to disciple. Therein we have received the blessings and elaborate instructions
from such teachers, as well as witnessed their lifestyle and numerous miracles,
as some people would call them. The histories and biographies of such saints
and teachers show their ability to affect others, and provide examples of how
some have entered directly into the spiritual dimension, or even communed with
God on a regular basis.
They are the living proof that the Vedic system and
spiritual methodology works for anyone who takes it seriously. Whether one is
reaching toward attaining the highest levels of love of God, or simply for
moksha, liberation, and higher levels of spiritual understanding, the great
sages and teachers of the Vedic path have shown how it is indeed possible. They
have not only taught by example of what is possible when one attains spiritual
perfection in this life, but some have left vast written instructions on how we
can do the same. All we have to do is follow in their footsteps.
10. VEDIC CULTURE OFFERS A MOST DIRECT PATH TO PERSONAL
SPIRITUAL REALIZATIONS AND ENLIGHTENMENT. The Vedic process, Sanatana-Dharma,
directly teaches what the spirit soul is and what are your spiritual nature and
position. Such teachings are easily found in the Bhagavad-gita and other
important Vedic scripture. It then provides the system which engages you in the
activities that awaken your perception of this. The key is that it prepares
your consciousness, through various practices, to operate on higher levels of
reality, and ultimately on the spiritual strata. This increases your awareness
and allows for the ability to perceive the higher planes of existence that
pervade this multidimensional universe. In this way, the more spiritual you
become, the more you can detect that which is spiritual. Through this means of
continual development, spiritual life no longer remains a mystery, but becomes
a reality to experience. This is why Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad-gita
that this spiritual knowledge of the Vedic system is the king of education, the
most secret of all secrets, and the perfection of religion because it gives
direct perception of the Self, the soul, by realization. It is eternal and
joyfully performed.
11. BECAUSE HINDUISM IS ONE OF THE MOST EXPRESSIVE PATHS, IT
IS ALSO ONE OF THE MOST EMOTIONALLY FULFILLING. There are some religions that
make no hesitation about stifling music and other forms of art because they
think that it is too sensual. Others simply may not utilize much of it except in
songs. However, the ancient Vedic path incorporates many forms of
self-expression. The idea is that it can be used in the service of the Supreme,
and, thus, becomes a means for focusing one's attention and consciousness on
God. Thus, it becomes a spiritual energy and a tool for expressing and raising
one's devotion to the Lord.
Prayer for example, has been an integral part of the Vedic
system since time immemorial. The Vedic literature is full of devotional and
descriptive mantras, verses and prayers. These are not only utilized in one's
daily devotions and meditations, but they are also incorporated into devotional
songs. There are all kinds of music within the Vedic culture. Anyone who even
begins to listen to the Indian style of music will quickly notice that it is
quite different from other forms and is a complete science by itself. Not only
are there numerous forms of instruments, but also very different styles of
music and devotional songs that are used in worship, dance, drama, or in
ceremonies.
There are also numerous forms of expressive ritual and
ceremony. Many of these are conducted inside the temples, and many are
performed outside or in the open allowing for all to participate. Some are only
performed by priests while people watch with great enthusiasm.
Many of these ceremonies have also been moved to include
dance. Such dances often utilize old movements and expressions that have been
passed down through many generations, while others are based on the artist's
own interpretation of an ancient legend. There are also numerous plays and
dramas that involve the stories of the Lord, as taken from the ancient Puranic
legends. These are prominently performed over holidays or during festivals.
Such plays and dance also use many forms of make up, costumes, and ornaments to
better present the emotions, characters, and general performance of the drama.
Some of these use a few actors, while others use large acting troupes. There
are also numerous festivals in Vedic culture. These vary in expression according
to locality, or upon which of God's forms the festival focuses.
Much can also be said about the art work that is found
within Vedic culture. There are not only ornaments, jewelry, but also a wide
variety of painting styles that are used in the worship and display of the
forms and pastimes of the Lord. Painting and sculpture are like sciences unto
themselves in the way such artists are trained. Nonetheless, any artist has
full opportunity to express his or her devotion to God through this art. Thus,
such art and expression becomes a means for one's personal spiritual insights,
realizations and enlightenment.
In this way, there are numerous forms of expression that are
used in Hinduism, making it one of the most emotionally rewarding and
expressive spiritual paths that you can find.
12. HINDUISM, VEDIC CULTURE, OFFERS A SCIENTIFIC WAY OF
LIFE, FROM DIET, LIFESTYLE, DAILY SCHEDULE, ETC. With all the topics that are
covered in the Vedic scripture, it provides the means for a most well-rounded
and balanced lifestyle, both materially and spiritually. For example, in regard
to meditation, it recommends that the best time to do so is in the early
morning during the brahma-muhurta hour, which is just before sunrise. Why?
Because this is best since it is before the business and noise of the day
begins. It is just after getting rest, arising during the time when satya-guna,
the mode of goodness, is prominent, and before the mind is disturbed by so many
thoughts of the day.
Regarding diet, it is recommended that you eat your biggest
meal while the fire of digestion is at is peak, which is usually around noon or
shortly thereafter. This is also when the sun is at its highest. This helps
relieve one from indigestion and associated diseases.
Diet is also further divided not only by different foods at
certain times of the day, but also by whether the food is in the mode of
goodness (sattvic), passion (rajasic), or darkness (tamasic). Foods in goodness
are vegetarian (fruits and vegetables) that promote health, peace of mind,
happiness, and enlightenment. Rajasic foods are often based on taste and can be
spicy. These lead to mental agitation, passion, and disease. Tamasic foods
include those that are old, often of little taste, stale, of little nutritional
value, and can lead to delusion, laziness and sleep. So simply by the study of
food one can direct the diet toward a happier and more peaceful life.
In regard to the way to divide one's existence, there are
four ashramas of life. We are students in the first part of our life, called
the brahmachari ashrama for men. In the second part of our life most people are
married householders, called the grihasta-ashrama. After we have associated
with our wife and had children that have grown and married, then it is time to take
up the retired order of life, the vanaprastha- ashrama, and begin to relieve
ourselves of the responsibilities of married life. Then when we are ready,
usually before we are too old, it is suggested that we take up the renounced
order of life, sannyasa-ashrama, so that we can devote ourselves completely to
reaching God after death. In this way, by following these ashramas, or orders
of life, we not only have a fulfilling material existence, but also reach
spiritual perfection so as to not waste this valuable form of human life.
These are just a few examples of how the Vedic recommended
lifestyle and science is meant to help one live a balanced existence for
happiness and progress both materially and spiritually.
13. ANYONE IN ANY POSITION CAN BE A HINDU AND PRACTICE AND
BENEFIT FROM THE VEDIC TEACHINGS. It does not matter whether one is in a high
class or low class position, wealthy or poor, educated or uneducated, old or
young, man or woman, anyone can plug into some portion of the Vedic teachings
and participate. This will benefit one in any number of ways. If one wants to
be healthier, happier, more peaceful, more enlightened spiritually, a person
can find that the Vedic path can do this.
It also does not matter whether one is Indian or a Westerner
born outside India, one can still adopt the Vedic teachings or incorporate them
into his or her life for so many benefits. There are no limitations in the
Vedic teachings regarding who can join in. All that is required is sincerity.
Sincerity is the essence of purity. With that one's progress is assured.
Sanatana-Dharma means the eternal nature of the soul. Each
and every being is a soul, so this includes everyone. Thus, each person is
entitled to participate in this universal process regardless of whatever their
temporary position is at present, and make genuine spiritual progress.
14. THE VEDIC PATH VIEWS ALL RELIGIONS AS TRUTH, OR PORTIONS
OF THE ONE TRUTH, AND WAYS OF SALVATION. There is no discrimination toward
other religions in Hinduism. Hinduism views all authentic religions with a
potential to raise the consciousness of its followers to a higher level of
understanding God, themselves, and humanity. This is merely one of the
beautiful aspects of Hinduism; that it provides the greatest latitude of diversity
in the ways of understanding God. That is why you can mix Hindus with anyone,
and they can peacefully coexist, just as you presently have Hindus, Buddhists,
Jains, Sikhs, and others all living together peacefully. But as soon as you mix
those of other religions who are dogmatic in their views, there is trouble. The
reason is that there is no room for diversity of thought in such people. They
think that in the eyes of God no one else is saved. They think they must
"save" everyone by making everyone else just like them. And the way
that is done is by converting all others to their own dogmatic beliefs. Thus,
they give no credence or understanding toward any religion but their own.
The world could be a peaceful place if it were not for the
constant attempt by various groups to control and convert. It is on this
account that there have been so many years of bloodshed, slaughter and torture
to force others to be of only one religion. Such religions cause themselves not
to be united with God, but to stand separated from God for not providing the
way to see the spiritual nature and Divinity in all beings. Such religions
actually create disharmony between man and God because of forcing their
followers to focus on our superficial differences rather than our deeper unity
and commonality as beings of one common God.
In this way, Sanatana-Dharma is not a religion that stands
separate from others. It is not that Hinduism or Vedic culture opposes other
spiritual paths. But it represents and provides the means through which anyone
can attain the highest spiritual understanding possible. It helps one
understand who and what we really are, above and beyond all the
superficialities that are often found in the fundamental and materialistic
religions. Therefore, once again, anyone, no matter what religion or culture
one may be, can still use the Vedic path to increase his or her overall
understanding of him or herself, the universe, and God, and awaken our natural
spiritual love for one and all.
15. HINDUISM, VEDIC CULTURE, DOES NOT PRESENT GOD AS A
HINDU, MUSLIM, CHRISTIAN, OR SIKH GOD. Since Vedic culture is universal in
nature, it does not present a God in a regional theme, or belonging to a
"chosen" people. Nor do we find God in the Vedic understanding to prefer
a certain people. What you do find is a God who is loving to one and all, and
especially to His devotees. What we find is a God who rewards one's love with
love, according to their surrender and loving mood, regardless of region, race,
or even species.
It is this sort of God who is truly universal, and not
subject to regional ties or local constrictions, but who extends Himself to one
and all. It is this kind of God who is found in any and all religions, the
understanding of Whom is limited only by the lack of knowledge within any
particular religion or people. If all such people could expand their awareness
of the greatness of God, then surely such mature persons would see the same God
everywhere, in all religions. This fullness of awareness would lead to God as
we know Him as described in the Vedic scripture.
16. THIS IS WHY HINDUS, THE FOLLOWERS OF THE VEDIC PATH, CAN
LIVE PEACEFULLY WITH THOSE OF OTHER RELIGIONS. Since Hindus in general, and
those with a mature understanding of God as mentioned in the previous point,
are more aware of the many different aspects of God, and see the same God in
all religions, there is no friction between them and those of other distinct
faiths. They can live peacefully with others without the need to feel that
everyone else is doomed to hell, or must be converted to be "saved."
Hindus recognize the same God though worshiped in many ways. Thus, what is the
difficulty? There is no problem. This is true of sincere worshipers of any
religion. A sincere and mature Christian can easily get along with a sincere
Hindu, who can easily get along with a sincere and mature Muslim, who can get
along with a sincere Sikh, Buddhist, and so on.
This is quite different from those fundamental people who
label God according to their faith, or who become defensive when apparent
differences arise. This is what causes superficial distinctions and
designations that grow into religious differences that for a spiritually mature
person do not exist. It is only a lack of spiritual and Godly awareness and understanding
that keep people pointing fingers at each other and from cooperating and
respecting each other. A true religionist can easily recognize another's
devotion to God without getting caught up in what may seem to be external
differences. It is the essence of spiritual life that matters. That is our
focus.
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