HINDUISM (A Small Right-up)

HINDUISM
ramamohanraocheruku.blogspot.com/2019/06/hinduism-small-right-up.html

Hinduism at the out set is not a religion like Christianity or Islam. It is the way of life which is rightly coined as 'Dharma'. We are neither ignorant of it's advices and values. It will not give any dictum to the followers  like Bible and Quran of Christians and Muslims. A person, to know about Santana Dharma should first have patience and then the perseverance or tenacity to understand the deep meaning in it. The following are a handful of advices to those who have that inquisitiveness.

1. Hindus have to understand the fundamental concepts underlying the “religion” called Hinduism. To do this they have to understand the basic Sanskrit words (which are generally untranslatable into English).

2. At the second level they should be able to defend their religion and way of life by providing well-informed arguments. One should be able to argue with a Christian Evangelist, A Mullah, and A Marxist-Atheist, a media-made intellectual and should also to be able to advise a seeker who wants to return home into the Hindu fold. 

3. At the third level, for example, instead of agitating for a ban of books like those of Wendy Dungier, a scholarly criticism is a more appropriate response supported by organizations such as ICHR (Indian Council of Historical Research)

Main Vocabulary connected to our Dharma is given here under.

1. Dharma, mata, karma, janma, daiva, Ishta-daiva, kaala -- in relationship to an Individual

2. Jagat, manas, buddhi (viveka), citta, atma, jiva, Iswara, Paramatma -- as related to the awareness, knowledge and wisdom

3. Veda, Upanishad, Vedanga, Darsana, Smriti, Itihasa, Purana – Religious literature

4. Purusharthas - Goals of life – - dharma, artha, Kama, moksha

5. Means to achieve the goals of life - tapas, yajna, yoga, bhakti, upasana, puja, tirtha-yatra, seva (service)

Points of contest and debate with critics of Hinduism

1. Murti-puja (iconic worship), wrongly called idolatry

2. Polytheism vs. Monotheism

3. Many paths as suited an individual’s evolutionary status and taste.

4. Varnasrama-vyavastha, translated and interpreted wrongly as caste system and untouchability.

5. Bharat-Matha, Hindutva, Socialism and Secularism and such other grossly misrepresented concepts.

6. Individual, social and political dimensions of religion. Religion also has regional, national and international dimensions.

7. Intimate relation between language and religion 

Reading and listening are the two major implements to take us closer to our dharma. Above these two there is one which is your Vichakshana, Vivechana or buddhi that will lead you to the right assessment on the strength of which you can put forth your proposition before anybody of the other religion and can successfully argue with him. Abusing others will not bring any laurels to our Dharma. This is the most fundamental point one should remember.
Swasti.