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Author Topic:   Hinduism - basic facts
Moon666Child
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posted October 18, 2006 04:27 AM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I know not much people will be intrested to discuss about Hinduism because not many people know what it is all about. I shapp post in snippets to the best of my ability, so that if someone is intrested, they can get some insights!


Hinduism is also known as "Sanatana Dharma" to Hindus. In Sanskrit, the original language of India, 'Sanatana' means Everlasting and 'Dharma', by a crude translation, means Religion. The Everlasting Religion, Hinduism was founded, exists and flourishes in India.

What is Hinduism? Is it a religion or is it a culture? The truth is - it is both a religion and a way of life. India gave to the world the original, oldest and most profound philosophy of life. The brilliant ancestors of present-day indians explored the Truth behind our existence and gave several philosophies and theories to define the Truth. At the same time, they created a set of rules for "good living" on this earth. The philosophical concepts that Indians gave to mankind are eternal and constitute no religion by themselves. However, the rules for good or "Dharmic" living that they laid down constitute the Hindu religion. This article will refer to "Hinduism" for both the philosophy and the religion, for purposes of simplicity.

Sanatana Dharma does not have a starting point in history, does not have a founder, and has no Church. The sages who shaped the Hindu religion merely reiterated the teachings of the Vedas, the Hindu scriptures (most of which is unwritten). The Vedas are believed to have no origin. In ancient India, the Vedas formed the educational system and broadly comprised all the different spheres of life, such as spiritual, scientific, medical and so on.


Read More --> A SIMPLE INTRODUCTION TO A COMPLEX RELIGION

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The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it - Albert Einstein

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Moon666Child
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posted October 18, 2006 04:27 AM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Essence of Hindu Spirituality
Not going into the different sects which are there in Hinduism, but trying to analyze it from a principles point of view.

Universality: This is the first principle in Hinduism. Whether in science or in religion, any theory is considered good only if it is applicable universally. The presence of anomalies makes any theory incomplete. So Hinduism does not give any exclusive privileges to anyone. If it is possible for one to see God, it should be possible for all to see God. If one can be a son of God, any other person also should have the potential to be son of God. If Meera saw Krishna, I too should have the potential to see Krishna.(potential- meaning- may not be at the present time, but surely has a chance, provided he is determined).

Cause & Effect: Every action is a result of another action. Every result has a cause. So this principle is that if something happens, its not just that it generally happened, but happened due to a cause. Suppose if water is formed, it has not come into existence from no where, but has formed due to the presence of H, O and also some other conscious entity bringing them close. This principle results in what is called "Law of Karma".

Anubhuti: This is also the main idea in the Hinduism. It means experience/knowledge. The idea is that to know the reality, we ourselves should experience it, and not on some others experience. I cannot understand the God, until I myself experience it. A person who has seen a horse is trying to tell how a horse will be. But if I have never seen horse myself, my understanding of horse will not be complete, and I may even start to think of horse as donkey, coz I have only seen a donkey.

Now the whole of Hinduism can be divided into four approaches.

1. Jnana Yoga, The yoga of Knowledge. The philosopher, the thinker, who wants to go beyond what is visible, and understand the Reality.

2. Karma Yoga, the yoga of Action. Working in a unattached manner. Serving others, helping the poor etc.

3. Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of devotion. Faith and belief also may be a part of it, but the most essential part of this is unconditional love. Loving God, without expecting any results, just for the sake of love, like a mother loves her child etc.

4. Raja Yoga, the yoga of psychic control. Controlling the internal nature and the mind through practices like Meditation etc.


Whatever sect of Hinduism you take, it will be a combination of these four aspects. Only the proportions may vary. One can now easily see that due to this reason, sects are not seen as something problematic in Hinduism. Each person may have a different nature. One may be more emotional, another may be intellectual, some other hard working. So the respective aspects also should be in accordance to his internal nature. Only one has to be only careful about sectarianism.. thinking that he alone is unique, and others inferior. That’s why you can see that one personal may be a totally reasoning type, questioning even the existence of God, and another may be a totally devoted person, not bothered about any of the philosophies, and still both these extremes will live without any problem in Hinduism.

Now the next question is all these four yogas are entirely different, how can they be explained. Yes at a surface level, they are different. But if you see deeper, there is one element which is common to all of these: "The Idea of Freedom". Moksha, this is the Goal of every human knowingly or unknowingl

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The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it - Albert Einstein

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26taurus
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posted October 18, 2006 04:33 AM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thank you. Will try to read more when I have more time.

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sue g
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posted October 18, 2006 05:42 AM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
May I ask a questiom (and forgive me if this has already been covered and i missed it).

Do Hindus believe in the science of astrology. Are they they religion who before marriage of their people draw up birth charts to check compatibiliy....or is that the Sikh religion....

Thanks...

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Moon666Child
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posted October 18, 2006 11:02 AM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Yes, Hindus prepare the chart at the time of a person's birth and yes we do match the horoscope before marriage.

But nothing can beat the Karmic bondages. Freewill is to be proactively practised and that is what Hinduism say.

BTW: Hinduism is actually known as Sanathana Dharma. There are no set laws to be practiced, but a set of principles. Buddhism is actually a religion evolved out of Hinduism based on the Raja Yoga. Buddha is a God for Hindus, the 9th avatar of The Lord.

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The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it - Albert Einstein

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sue g
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posted October 18, 2006 12:11 PM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks Moon....!!

I was told this a while back by an Indian man:

"I am yet to study your chart, but you seem to be on something known as path of "bhakti" or love for love's sake". Hence you will find it tough to communicate with those who are highly intellect oriented. Intellect always produces ego, its the price of acquiring knowledge without the love emotion.

Look at the rituals you are doing for others and so on. Clearly a love based evolutionary path. But the price here is misunderstanding. Nine out of 10 people will misconstrue your statements"!

I noticed you mentioned the same word...bhakti..

How lovely...thanks....

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Moon666Child
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posted October 18, 2006 12:39 PM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Bhakthi is Devotion.

for a Hindu, what God he worship is secondary to the Self-Realization and Salvation he attains!

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The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it - Albert Einstein

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Lialei
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posted October 20, 2006 12:15 AM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thank you, Moon666Child.
Did you write that second part?
If so, I like the way you described Anubhuti.

Breaking free of the conditioning we aquire in our lives is so important for our journey.
As our own experience is our greatest teacher it seems.

Of course Hinduism is very worthy of discussion!
Which of the 4 approaches do you think you more aspire to from your nature? Or are you a balanced blend?
Wish I could better explore meditation.
I've earnestly applied to yoga. breathing focus and meditation in the past...but at this time in my life
I don't have the luxury of peace and quiet that's needed. One day, I hope to explore more.


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sue g
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posted October 20, 2006 04:48 AM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Aaahhh devotion....?

Thanks Moon....

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Bluemoon
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posted October 20, 2006 02:14 PM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

THanks so much, Moon.

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guy_me_19
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posted October 21, 2006 06:48 AM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
and by d way karma is a sanskrit word literally meaning work.. this li'l bit of info helps a lot in understanding d so-called law of karma.

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sue g
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posted October 21, 2006 08:17 AM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks guy me for that !!!

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Moon666Child
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posted October 21, 2006 01:02 PM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
For Hindus:
four stages of life:

* brahmacharga - school years - grow and learn
* grhastha - marriage, family and career
* vanaprastha - turn attention to spiritual things
* sanrgasu - abandon world to seek spiritual things

four purposes of life:

* dharma - fulfill moral, social and religious duties
* artha - attain financial and worldy success
* kama - satisfy desires and drives in moderation
* moksha - attain freedom from reincarnation

ten commitments: 1. Ahimsa - do no harm
2. Satya - do not lie
3. Asteya - do not steal
4. Brahmacharya - do not overindulge
5. Aparigraha - do not be greedy
6. Saucha - be clean
7. Santosha - be content
8. Tapas - be self-disciplined
9. Svadhyaya - study
10. Ishvara Pranidhana - surrender to God

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The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it - Albert Einstein

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Bluemoon
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posted October 22, 2006 07:34 PM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Those are the comandments we all should live by, moon. I keep a copy for myself.
Thanks!!

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Moon666Child
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posted October 23, 2006 01:10 AM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thos are not commandments buddy, but commitments.For eastern and nature based religions there are no commandments, but personal commiments.

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The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it - Albert Einstein

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Bluemoon
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posted October 23, 2006 08:14 AM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Sorry, I guess I was raised in Christianty. I like commitments much better that commandments. thanks, Moon!!

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Bluemoon
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posted October 23, 2006 05:11 PM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

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Bluemoon
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posted October 23, 2006 05:16 PM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

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Moon666Child
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posted October 25, 2006 02:22 PM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
[u]The sacred symbols: Om and Swastika[/u]

Om or Aum has been seen as the first manifestation of the unmanifest Brahman (the single Divine Ground / Universal Energy) that resulted in the phenomenal universe. Essentially, all the cosmos stems from the vibration of the sound 'Om'. Indeed, so sacred is it that it is prefixed and suffixed to all Hindu mantras and incantations. It is undoubtedly the most representative symbol of Hinduism. This syllable has no initial consonant. It is frequently used to represent three subsumed into one, a common theme in Hinduism. It implies that our current existence is mithya, or 'slightly lesser reality,' that in order to know the full truth we must comprehend beyond the body and intellect and intuit the true nature of infinity, of a Divine Ground that is immanent but also transcends all duality, being and non-being, that cannot be described in words. Within this metaphysical symbolism, the three are represented by the lower curve, upper curve and tail of the ॐ subsumed into the ultimate One, represented by the little crescent moon-shape and dot, known as chandrabindu. Essentially, upon moksha, mukti, samadhi, nirvana, liberation, etc. one is able not only to see or know existence for what it is, but to become it. In attaining truth one simply realizes fundamental unity; it is not the joining together of a prior manifold splitting. When one gains true knowledge, there is no split between knower and known: one becomes knowledge/consciousness itself. In essence, Om is the signifier of the ultimate truth that all is one.

The swastika (from Sanskrit svastika, from su "well", and asti "being", thus "good fortune" or "well-being") is an equilateral cross with its arms bent at right angles in either left-facing or right-facing direction. The earliest swastika symbols of the archaeological record date to the Neolithic age of the 5th millennium BC. It delineates a formation on the north face of Mount Kailash the pyramidal peak in Western Tibet not far from the Nepalese border that is viewed as the center of the earth by Hindus. Pilgrims recognize in it the universal symbol of prosperity, auspiciousness, and renewal. The four arms of the cross also stand for the four rivers that flow from Lake Mansarovar, the holy lake at the base of Kailash: the Indus, the Sutlej, the Brahmaputra and the Karnali. Their waters fertilize the land in several countries of the region, so though the sublime mountain is in one of the most desolate places on earth, it can be seen as the source of all-good. Hence the swastika is a life-giving mark which also stands for the union of opposites.

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The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it - Albert Einstein

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Bluemoon
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posted October 25, 2006 02:42 PM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Wow, interesting stuff, Moon.

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Moon666Child
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posted April 01, 2007 08:00 PM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Chanting of OM - for meditation

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Welcome to my blog The Rechargehouse!

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fayte.m
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posted April 01, 2007 09:15 PM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thank you.

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~Judgement Must Be Balanced With Compassion~
~Do Not Seek Wealth From The Suffering, Or The Dire Needs Of Others~
~Assumption Is The Bane Of Understanding~
}><}}}(*> <*){{{><{
~~~ ~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~
~~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~

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InLoveWithLife
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posted April 02, 2007 01:37 AM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks, I needed to read this.

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SattvicMoon
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posted May 25, 2007 02:56 PM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
[u]Dharma and Karma[/u]
Two concepts on which Hinduism is completely based upon are Dharma and Karma.

Here is what Dharma is all about.

Dharma is the path of righteousness and living one's life according to the codes of conduct. Dharma means "that which holds" the people of this world and the whole creation. Hinduism describes dharma as the natural universal laws whose observance enables humans to be contented and happy, and to save himself from degradation and suffering. Dharma is the moral law combined with spiritual discipline that guides one's life. Hindus consider Dharma the very foundation of life. The Atharva Veda describes Dharma symbolically: Prithivim dharmana dhritam, that is, "this world is upheld by dharma".

Hinduism accepts the concept of reincarnation, and what determines the state of an individual in the next existence is Karma which refers to the actions undertaken by the body and the mind. In order to achieve good Karma it is important to live life according to Dharma, what is right. This involves doing what is right for the individual, the family, the class or caste and also for the universe itself.

Dharma is like a cosmic norm and if one goes against the norm it can result in bad karma. So, Dharma affects the future according to the karma accumulated. Therefore one's Dharmic path in the next life is the one necessary to bring to fruition all the results of past Karma.

The term Dharma can best be explained as the "law of being" without which things cannot exist, just as the essential factor in human being is life - the Atman (Soul) without which one cannot exist. Therefore the Dharma of human being is Atman. And hence any good Atmic quality is Dharmic. Dharma therefore implies duty - a course of conduct.

Anything that helps human being to reach God is Dharma and anything that hinders human being from reaching god is adharma.

The essence of Dharma lies in possessing a certain ability, power and spiritual strength. Vedic Dharma is truthful because its basis is the unique combination of spiritual brilliance and physical prowess.

Hindu saints have classified all human aspirations under four broad categories: Dharma, Kama (desire), Artha (money) and Moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death). The practice of Dharma gives an experience of peace, joy, strength and tranquillity within one's self and makes life disciplined. Of these four values the majority of human beings pursue Artha and Kama, and the more sensitive individual pursue Dharma, while very few are conscious if the Moksha - ideal spiritual aspiration.

According to the Bhagavat Purana, righteous living or life on a Dharmic path has four aspects: austerity (tap), purity (shauch), compassion (daya) and truthfulness (satya); and adharmic or unrighteous life has three vices: pride (ahankar), contact (sangh), and intoxication (madya).

Manusmriti written by the ancient sage Manu, prescribes 10 essential rules for the observance of dharma: Patience (dhriti), forgiveness (kshama), piety or self control (dama), honesty (asteya), sanctity (shauch), control of senses (indraiya-nigrah), reason (dhi), knowledge or learning (vidya), truthfulness (satya) and absence of anger (krodha). Manu further writes, "Non-violence, truth, non-coveting, purity of body and mind, control of senses are the essence of Dharma". Therefore Dharmic laws govern not only the individual but all in society.

The purpose of Dharma is not only to attain a union of the soul with the supreme reality, it also suggests a code of conduct that is intended to secure both worldly joys and supreme happiness. Rishi Kanda has defined Dharma in Vaisesika as "that confers worldly joys and leads to supreme happiness". Hinduism is the religion that suggests methods for the attainment of the highest ideal and eternal bliss here and now on earth and not somewhere in heaven.

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SattvicMoon
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posted May 25, 2007 02:57 PM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
God in Hinduism is The Supreme - the universal energy that is everywhere and in everything but cannot be contained by anything or anyone which is Paramatman, the Supreme Self or God. The different deities worshiped are different aspects of this Supreme Being which is formless, genderless and doesn't have anything associated with it but Oneness.

The three major aspects of God are the Thrimurthy, or the Trinity - Brahma - the creator, Vishnu - the Lord of the Now or Present, and Shiva - the Lord of what is beyond material realm. The powers of these deities which are inseparable from them - just as the power of fire to burn cannot be separated from fire itself. This power or the energy is what Hindus worship as Durga or Kali or the female deity. The masculine entities are like the container, and the female entities are the power which gives value to that container. None exist without the other.

In Hinduism, Divine Mother called Shakti (Durga or Kali) is the first manifestation of Divine Energy / The Supreme Being. Thus with the name of Divine Mother comes the idea of energy, omnipotence, omnipresence, love, intelligence, and wisdom. Just as a child believes its mother to be all-powerful, and capable of doing anything for the child, a devotee believes the Divine Mother to be all merciful, all-powerful and eternally guiding and protecting him with her invisible arms. By worshiping God as the Divine Mother, a Hindu can more easily attribute Motherly traits to the Lord, such as tenderness and forgivingness. The natural love between a Mother- and her- child is the best expression of the Lord's unconditional love for- us as children of God. In the most representative Hindu view, the universe is the manifestation of the creative power (Shakti) of Brahman, whose essence is absolute existence, consciousness, and bliss (or in Sanskrit, sat-chi t-ananda). Since all created forms proceed from the womb of the mother, the creative power Shakti) of God is recognized by Hindus as the female principle or t he motherly aspect of nature. In this sense we are all children of the Divine Mother. We are contained by Her before our - manifestation and nourished by Her throughout our existence.

Well, that is the best I can help with for now!

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