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Re: REQUEST : soc.religion.hindu FAQ?
mitra Pradip:
That was an excellent description of the
the Hindu Dharma...all the best to you
and hope that you contribute more to
SRH
danyavaad
Sudheer
Pradip Gangopadhyay wrote:
>
> From: Todd Smith <tsmith@admin.fsu.edu> wrote:
>
> >(I apologize for such a simplistic question)
> >Would someone please direct me to (or e-mail me) the Frequently Asked
> >Questions for this newsgroup?
> >Or, could someone tell me about (or e-mail me) basic information on
> >Hinduism?
> >I understand Hindus can be very diverse in their beliefs, but would still
> >enjoy a concise treatment of Hinduism.
>
> Dear Sri Smith,
> It is indeed true that Hindu beliefs are diverse. However, there are
> some basic concepts accepted by the vast majority of Hindus. These are:
>
> 1. The major scriptures are the Vedas (specially the Upanishads), the
> Bhagavad Gita, and the Brahma Sutras. Different Hindu sects may have
> additional scriptures.
>
> 2. The existence of an Ultimate Reality called BRAHMAN. What Brahman is can
> not really be described. All Hindu sects agree that all that can be said about
> Brahman is that Brahman is sadchidanand (existence-knowledge-bliss). There are,
> however, differences among Hindu theologians about whether this Reality is
> Impersonal or Personal. However, most Hindus except for athiests believe in
> this Reality. Sri Sankara is a believer in the Impersonal Reality. He accepts
> that there are Personal forms of Brahman but considers them to be inferior to
> the Impersonal Reality. Sri Ramanuja, Sri Madhva etc only accept the Personal
> form of Brahman. Sri Ramakrishna accepts both Personal and Impersonal Reality.
> The analogy used by Sri Ramakrishna is that of the world's oceans. The world's
> oceans contain both the formless, colorless water and icebergs (in Arctic and
> Antartic oceans). Similarly Brahman is both Personal and Impersonal and the
> Personal is not inferior to the Impersonal. The Personal form serves the needs
> of the Bhakta (devotee) while the Impersonal form is for the Jnani (those who
> use the path of knowledge). The various Hindu gods and godesses are different
> Personal forms of the One Reality. Different Hindu sects worship different
> Personal Forms of Brahman.
>
> 3. The vast majority of Hindus also believe that this Ultimate Reality has an
> individual aspect called ATMAN. It is the presence of this Atman, the immanent
> divine, that makes us (jivas) conscious. There are, however, profound
> differences among Hindu theologians about the precise relation between
> Brahman and Atman. Sri Sankara argues that Atman and Brahman are the same
> Reality. Sri Ramanuja's position is that Atman and Brahman are different but
> form an indissoluble unity. The analogy is to a fruit where Brahman may be
> thought of as the seed and Atman as the flesh and skin of the fruit. Sri
> Madhva considers Atman and Brahman to be eternally different. Sri Ramakrishna
> considers these 3 views to be correct for different levels of evolution of
> jivas. When the jiva starts to think about God, he or she thinks god to be
> distant and then Sri Madhva's position is justified. When the jiva makes
> progress in realizing God and can see the Personal form of God then
> Sri Ramanuja's description is appropriate. When the jiva experiences the
> Impersonal Reality then all duality vanishes and Sri Sankara was describing
> this experience.
>
> 4. Since man (jiva) is conscious due to Atman, man is potentially divine.
> Jivas commit sin because they are unaware of the divine Atman. This lack of
> awareness of the divine within is due to Maya. Maya may be thought of as the
> power of the Divine. Even though a man may commit henious sin his Atman is
> unaffected by it. Thus most hindus do not believe in eternal heaven or hell.
> (Sri Madhva does believe in eternal hell - the only Hindu theologian to
> believe so). Upon death the jiva enters the astral world and remains there till
> it reincarnates in accordance with the law of Karma. The law of Karma is the
> law of cause and effect. It is the divine law of justice by which an individual
> creates his own destiny through thought, word and deed.
>
> 5. The vast majority of Hindus believe that the ultimate goal of human life is
> the direct experience of God. Only then can you free yourself from the cycle
> of birth and death (called Samsara). There is no concept of Savior. You have
> to free yourself by your own effort. No savior can help you achieve God
> realization without your personal effort.
>
> 6. A spiritually awakened Master (Guru) is essential for God realization.
> The other requirements for God realization are good conduct, purification
> of the mind, yoga and meditation. There may be some Hindu sects who do not
> accept the requirement of a Guru.
>
> Regards
>
> Pradip
>
> --
> ---------------------------------------------------
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