Why Be A Hindu:
The Advantages of the Vedic Path
Written as a short guide to promote and preserve the genuine purpose, values
and understanding of Hinduism, the Vedic spiritual process.
Stephen Knapp
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 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
understanding, 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
describe 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 has 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 is the spirit soul 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 SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT.
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.
17. HINDUISM HAS NO CONCEPT OF JIHAD, HOLY WARS, CRUSADES, OR MARTYRDOM ON
ITS BEHALF.
Unlike other religions that tend to
be extremists or exceptionally dogmatic in its views, Hinduism, or Vedic
culture, has no concepts that relate to being a martyr, as found in Christianity,
or the Islamic jihad. These are not ideas that make much sense to the Hindu.
Why? Because for Hindus spiritual life is not about fighting others for the
supremacy of one religion over another. Hinduism treats all religions with
respect because it has its own sense of security and strength in its approach
to God, which is the hallmark of a mature spiritual path. Religion and any
spiritual process is to help an individual better understand who he is and what
is his or her relation to God, and what is his purpose in the universe. If a
person is truly trying to progress in this way, then of what purpose is there
in participating in a holy war, or to die becoming a martyr for a cause
fighting against another religion? This is not the purpose of any spiritual
path. This is why there is not much discussion in the Vedic literature to
demean other religions, nor is there any campaign against any so-called
"false gods" as you find in the more rigid or dogmatic religions.
The reason for this is not that Hinduism
is not interested in "saving" people. The reason is that the Vedic
culture allows anyone the freedom to undergo whatever may be necessary for
their own spiritual development and particular realizations. The Vedic
literature, if studied to its fullest depths, supplies all a person needs in
order to understand the highest levels of spiritual Truth. Nonetheless, if a
person still has different avenues to investigate in spiritual matters, the
Vedic culture allows that person to do so, even if the person may risk
undergoing a slow process to the highest levels of spiritual realizations. This
is a personal choice for everyone. Therefore, forceful conversions or
tyrannical religious rule or competition amongst religions make no sense to the
Hindu. What makes sense is the freedom for each individual to reach an
appreciation of everyone being a spiritual being, all going back to God, but at
their own pace. Nonetheless, the Vedic spiritual teachers always try to
encourage everyone toward the best use of their time and energies in their
spiritual pursuits. That is how people are guided in the Vedic culture, as
opposed to forceful conversions or dogmatic regulations.
Religions that view other spiritual
paths as competitors will never understand the Vedic path, which is more open.
They will only hold on to their fear that makes them think that only their way
is the right way, and all other paths lead to hell, as if they need some
reassurance that they are correct. Hinduism does not have such fear of being
wrong. Followers of the Vedic path acquire their own spiritual realizations
that assure them of their own progress. That is the sign of real spiritual
advancement when the change of consciousness is directly perceived. That is the
difference between the Vedic path and the more fundamental and fear-based
religions that depend on mere blind faith in the process, without experiencing
any perceptive results in one's change of awareness and consciousness.
For Christianity, only when they
accept the value of other religions, and the right of others to follow the
creeds and processes of their choice, can the universal love as taught by Jesus
Christ truly illuminate from their churches and pulpits. Then they can get
along with those of other religions without the condemnation that all others
are going to hell. After all, no truly loving God will cast His children into
an eternal hell without the chance of correcting themselves. Therefore, the
Vedic culture offers a deeper understanding of the true loving nature of God
than the religions that are merely based on fear of God.
18. FOLLOWERS OF VEDIC PHILOSOPHY DO NOT TARGET OTHERS FOR CONVERSION.
Hindus do not take it upon
themselves to convert others to Hinduism. They never target a certain religion
or faith to be subject to their criticism or attempts to be converted to
Hinduism. They feel that the focus of any spiritual path should be on God, not
on making or accumulating converts like some network marketing scheme that
counts profits in terms of the quantity of followers it has. The effort should
be in giving high quality spiritual education and, thus, by purity, inspire
others to go toward God. Therefore, they have no motive to spread hate or lies
or discord amongst any other community or religion. On the other hand, it is seen
that Christians often view Hindus as pagans or heathens, meaning, in essence,
that they are Godless and doomed to hell, and must accept God in the form of
Christianity in order to be "saved." Muslims also view Hindus as
idolaters or polytheists, and thus damned per the descriptions of the Koran, or
so they say. Yet, Hindus are free from any such doctrine or attitude toward
Islam or Christianity. Nonetheless, when Hindus begin to react to this constant
criticism of their religion by such dogmatists, it is primarily an angry
backlash and a defense of their culture rather than an attempt to start
friction or trouble with those of other faiths. After all, how long can Hindus
continue to be as tolerant as they have been toward those of other religions
who are so aggressive in their attempts to make converts and who take advantage
of this tolerant attitude? It should be expected that sooner or later Hindus
will no longer tolerate this never ending bombardment of propaganda against
Hinduism that is used to sway more people toward misunderstanding what Hinduism
or Vedic culture is in an effort to make converts.
We should point out that real
Hinduism, Vedic culture, is a most broad-minded and gentle way of life, and is
not interested in campaigning for making converts. It is not part of the Hindu
values to indulge in violence. Hinduism lets anyone choose the path they wish
to take. However, we will find more and more cases where Hindus will speak out
and react against the deliberate use of lies and demeaning propaganda that is
used to spread strong misunderstandings of what the Vedic path really is. If
missionaries of other religions are purposely creating harm to Hinduism, then
the Hindus have the right to protect themselves and their culture. In India we
find that such tensions often take place in the tribal areas more than in the
urban areas where access to legal ramifications is easier, and where there is
greater scrutiny of public pressure. Ultimately, there would be peace among all
religions in India and elsewhere if there was not the constant attempt by
certain faiths who continually campaign to convert others to their way of
worship.
19. HINDUISM ACCEPTS THAT EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE ONE'S OWN PATH TO
ENLIGHTENMENT OR SALVATION.
An example of this is the Kumbha
Mela festival, which recently took place in Allahabad in January, 2001. There
were more than 71 million people attending through its duration, and 5,000
different ashramas or schools of philosophy at the festival, all with
similarities with one another, yet with particular distinctions as well. Yet,
they all got along and cooperated and respected each other in their
participation of this holy festival. You cannot find such a huge gathering
amongst those of any other religion.
There are different sects in Islam,
and many different denominations in Christianity, all with their differences
and criticisms of each other. So much so that wars between two major sects in
Christianity (Catholics and Protestants) have been killing each other for
hundreds of years. They are highly critical of each other and also get upset
when one makes converts from the other side, even though both are Christian
paths. However, you will never find this within the ranks and genuine schools
of Vedic culture.
20. HINDUISM OFFERS A UNIVERSAL GOD AND CONSCIOUSNESS, BEYOND A MERE LOCAL
TRADITION.
Often you find a religion based on
the history, background and needs or development of a regional people. But in
the Vedic culture we find a universal history not only involving the people of
India, but other areas of the world, as well as other planets and different
dimensions of the universe. Thus the spiritual teachings that the Vedic
philosophy provides are universal, for all living beings.
The Vedic path is not based on blind
faith in a regional understanding of God, or the history of a particular
people. It is based on the understanding that Vedic philosophy is a part of the
natural laws that exist throughout the creation. Thus, they are universal laws
and principles that are applicable to all. By following these natural
principles, as outlined in the ancient Vedic texts, one can acquire a higher
level of understanding and consciousness in which a person can directly
perceive the spiritual nature of everyone and all that exists. Through this
means, a person can perceive his or her own spiritual identity, and one's unity
with all of creation. Therefore, the Vedic philosophy is a universal approach.
The Vedic doctrine also is beyond
merely using and basing its outlook on locality. It is not merely Indian. Even
though many of the events, such as those found in the Mahabharata and
the Puranas, took place in India, and numerous Vedic personalities and
incarnations of God had pastimes in India or live there, many of it's concerns
spread outside India, and even to other planets. However, the teachings and
philosophy are based on the science of the soul, which includes us all.
Therefore, this knowledge of the soul is not limited to a particular region or
locality. It is universal.
This also goes with knowledge of
God. The Vedic outlook explains that God is not God for a particular region or
area. Or that the people of a certain area must conform to a particular code of
conduct or worship. God is not a Jewish God who chooses a special people to be His
own. You will not find that in the Vedic tradition. In the Vedic texts you will
find God who is a loving God, concerned with everyone, and not just humans, but
those on other planets, those existing in the bodies of other species, even
those in other universes. It doesn't matter where you are, or in what body you
exist. God is concerned for you and wants you to know that, which is why He
appears in this world and sends so many messengers all over the universe.
Furthermore, Hinduism is not based
solely on one personality or teacher. It is not like Catholicism which has one
pope who is said to be the sole authority over all other Catholics who must
obey the dictates of this one man. Hinduism can and does accept the teachings
of numerous spiritual guides. Even if a person is initiated by a particular
spiritual teacher or guru, it is often seen that the disciples, once having
clearly understood the teachings of their own master, may also consider the
teachings of other advanced devotees or masters in their sampradaya, or
disciplic line of authorities. In fact, it is recommended that to be sure of
following the spiritual path correctly, any instructions should be compared to
a system of checks and balances. These are guru (the spiritual master), sadhu
(other spiritual authorities), and Shastra (the instructions in the
Vedic texts). If these all line up with the same instruction, then there is no
problem. If any one of them differs, then it should be investigated as to the
reason why. If something is off track or not correct, then it should be
adjusted. This is how one can always be sure that he or she is following the
proper spiritual methods without going too far the wrong way, or without being
misguided by a guru who may not be as pure or advanced as people may think.
Thus, the Vedic system again provides a means for assuring yourself of the
authority and potency of the method and teacher you accept.
21. HINDUISM PROMOTES SEEING GOD IN ALL LIVING BEINGS.
Without a doubt, the Vedic scripture
provides descriptions and narrations meant to help one increase his or her
awareness of God in all beings. Anyone who studies the essential Vedic texts
will soon see a difference in his or her recognition of how God is within
everyone, accompanying the jivatma (individual soul) as the paramatma
(Supersoul). You will never find anywhere else the information on the Supersoul
as we find in the Vedic texts. This information helps us see the Divinity
within all living beings and how everyone is a part of the Supreme in spiritual
quality. Such an awareness and perception will naturally increase our respect
and concern for all living creatures. We will realize that all life is sacred.
We will more clearly understand how our love for God will be exhibited by how
much we care and cooperate with others.
22. IN HINDUISM YOU CAN ASK ALL THE QUESTIONS YOU WANT WITHOUT BEING
CONSIDERED A BLASPHEMER OR A DOUBTING PERSON.
This is something that many of us do
not think about. However, in some religions you cannot even ask too many
questions without your own faith being called into consideration. In some
religions, if you ask too many questions it is thought to be challenging, which
means that you doubt the religion. While in Hinduism you can ask all the
questions you want because it is considered a part of one's spiritual process
of understanding.
Much of the Vedic literature was
written in a question and answer process between student and teacher. Thus,
therein we find hundreds of thousands of questions and answers, all of which
deal with innumerable topics or various views of understanding and describing
the Absolute Truth and the means to perceive it. Having your questions answered
is a natural way to increase your spiritual understanding and faith, and
eradicate your doubts. However, in some religions asking too many questions is
taboo, or improper, partly because it can reveal how little is really
understood in a fundamental or elementary religion, and how they still expect
blind faith to be the major qualification of their followers. Thus, genuine
spiritual understanding in such religions is not increased unless the people
look elsewhere for fuller answers to the deeper questions.
23. HINDUISM IS LIKE THE MILLION DOLLAR CULTURE.
The reason why the Vedic philosophy
is the million dollar culture is because just as when a millionaire
automatically has all his ten dollar problems solved, so one who follows the
Vedic philosophy has all his ten dollar questions answered. There are so many
cultures and religions in the world, all of which may offer basic moralistic
rules if not higher spiritual knowledge. But such paths often deal only with
the ten dollar questions, and sometimes with difficulty. The Vedic system,
however, goes much more deeply into dealing with more advanced levels of
spiritual understanding. Thus, it is like the million dollar philosophy which,
because of its depth of awareness and insight, already incorporates all these
10 dollar questions. In this way, it is not necessary to be distracted by 10
dollar religions or philosophies when you already have one worth a million
dollars as we find in the Vedic knowledge.
As a Hindu, we do not need to be
saved from what is already saving us, from what is already delivering us to a
higher level of consciousness, a higher level of spiritual understanding. All
we have to do is go deeper into the Vedic path, the Vedic literature, the Vedic
system. That will do more for us than comparing Hinduism with other religions,
or considering how some other religion will provide us with better material
facility or something, while placing God as secondary.
24. THE VEDIC PROCESS OFFERS THE EASIEST PATH BACK TO GOD.
Of course, this point may seem like
it is merely a matter of opinion, but if we analyze things we can see that the
Vedic system can be very easy and trouble free. It is merely a matter of love.
That is the main thing.
Love is the most natural emotional
need and longing any of us have. Simply dovetailing and realigning our love
toward God is the easiest process for spiritual development. All religions
explain this. However, the most personal aspects of the Vedic teachings go into
the greatest details of how to develop this loving tendency toward God, and how
such an eternal loving relationship with the Supreme Being is manifested and
maintained. The Vedic descriptions of the pastimes of the Supreme Lord are like
none found anywhere else, along with explanations of His friends and relatives,
His personality, His dress and appearance, and so much more, all of which are
provided to invoke our loving attraction to this Supreme object of our
affection. The easiest part of the Vedic system that helps us accomplish this
is through the process of bhakti-yoga (the yoga of awakening our loving
devotion to God) and harinam (associating with God through the chanting
of the Lord's holy names). It has been shown many times, and by many great
sages, and through the instructions in the Vedic scripture, that our natural
and continuous loving propensity, when directed toward God, is not only the
means but also the end of the path. Such love becomes the impetus to always
think of God, which is the easiest and most constant form of meditation. This
is what purifies our heart, delivering us to the freedom from the cycles of
repeated birth and death, and to our eternal home in the spiritual sky. The
spiritual world is that place wherein our natural spiritual love can manifest
to its fullest and most unlimited degree.
25. HINDUISM ADVOCATES A UNIVERSAL RATHER THAN A SELF-CENTERED
CONSCIOUSNESS.
As explained earlier, the Vedic philosophy
is a universal philosophy. It asserts that every individual is a part of the
universe and in microcosm represents the macrocosm. A thorough study of Vedic
astronomy will reveal that the universal form is also inside our body, and that
the body represents the cosmos in miniature. In such a light, it can also be
understood that man cannot be separate from family, society, country, or the
universe itself. In other words, he or she is a multidimensional being who is
connected in many ways to the multidimensional universe. A universal
consciousness means that we perceive this connection, and how we are related to
each and every being in some way. Therefore, our actions are connected to those
around us, even to the plants and animals. Thus, it is recommended that we act
as proper caretakers of all other living entities so that we do not do anything
that will wrongly effect or create harm, even unknowingly, to others, which
would only be reflected back on ourselves. Therefore, whatever we do will have
a direct or no less than subtle effect on all and everything around us. This
understanding also promotes the fact that we need to remember that we are all
stewards and caretakers of the planet, the land, each other, and all creatures.
In Western countries people are
brought up in the idea of consumerism. This is the basis in which people tend
to think of themselves and their own happiness first. In Vedic society, people
are raised to see things differently, to see that everyone shares in the
results of other's actions, and that everyone shares in looking after the needs
of others before considering one's own. However, this is not as noticeable as
it used to be due to the people falling away from the Vedic system and being
more attracted to the principle of consumerism of the West.
26. HINDUISM PROMOTES THE CAUSE OF REAL CARE AND CONCERN FOR OTHERS.
By understanding our spiritual
nature, and being able to perceive that nature in all other living beings, we
naturally care for and are concerned about all others. This does not only mean
the material benefits, such as making sure the hungry are fed, or the poor are
clothed. But this also extends to the care for the soul. Naturally, it can be
difficult to take care of the material or bodily needs of all other living beings.
However, the point is that as long as we have these material bodies, there will
be a constant drive to care for the problems that our material body will create
for us. Therefore, by giving everyone the chance to advance spiritually can
also help each person to solve this problem. Once a person has made enough
spiritual advancement that they no longer need a material body and become free
from any continued rounds of birth and death, then all such problems will
naturally be solved. This is the true care and concern of the Vedic system.
Some people may nonetheless
criticize Hinduism for what appears to be the issue of the untouchability of
the low castes, the disrespect for widows, poverty, etc. However, these issues
are not so much the problem or product of the Vedic system in as much as they
are social issues that have developed because of society falling away from the
Vedic path. To explain briefly, the caste system as we see it today is a
perverted remnant from the varnashrama system of the Vedic culture. Varna
is a legitimate Vedic system by which a person is recommended for a type of
work and social service according to his or her mental and intellectual
caliber, ability and tendencies. Thus, if a person showed a proclivity for
study and religious pursuits, then he may be trained to be a Brahmin. If he
exhibited a talent for business, then he may be trained to be a Vaishya. A
child of feeble intellect that preferred performing menial tasks would then be
trained in the ways of serving those in the higher varnas, as a Sudra.
Nonetheless, his dignity was preserved and he had full rights as any other
person.
However, the caste system we see
today is that if you are born in the family of a Brahmin, then you are accepted
to be a Brahmin. And if you are born in a Sudra family, then that is where you
remain. Thus, through the years, the higher castes have shown an attitude of
exclusivity above the lower castes. There is no justification for this, since
it is clearly taught in the Vedic literature, such as the Bhagavad-gita
and Bhagavat Purana that everyone is born in ignorance. Thus, everyone
is at first a Sudra until it is determined what mental or intellectual
tendencies and abilities a person has. Only then may it be determined what varna
or caste a person is likely to belong. In other words, just by being born in
the family of a doctor does not mean that you are automatically a doctor. You
must be trained, tested and qualified. If you do not become qualified, then you
are no doctor, but must be something else. Similarly, if you are born in a
Brahmin family, but go out smoking, drinking, eating meat, etc., then you are
no Brahmin, but you actually have a low-caste mentality. Furthermore, in the
true Vedic varnashrama system, even if you were born in a low-caste
family, if you exhibited good intellectual ability, then you were not forced to
remain in the low-caste category. You could be trained for other purposes and
skills.
These problems would all be resolved
if people would actually study more seriously the Vedic literature and regain
the spiritual standards that more strictly follow the Vedic path. Then there
would certainly be more of the genuine care and concern that the Vedic system
promotes. This would naturally be there if we all saw each other as spiritual
beings but merely in different types of bodies. With this sort of spiritual
perception, we all lose sight of the materialistic distinctions between us and
easily become more loving, caring, and cooperative with everyone.
27. WITH OR WITHOUT A CHURCH OR INSTITUTION, HINDUISM SHOWS AND ESTABLISHES
THAT EVERYONE HAS A PERSONAL AND INDEPENDENT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, WHICH ONLY
NEEDS TO BE REAWAKENED.
This is an important point. There
are other religions that teach that your only connection with God is through
the church, or the institution, without which you are excommunicated or
eternally damned. Unlike this, the Vedic system teaches that everyone is a
spiritual being, and, thus, automatically a part of a loving God with an
eternal relationship with Him. This relationship only has to be reawakened,
which is the purpose of the many instructions given by God in the Vedic texts.
It is also the purpose of the spiritual teachers who try to help everyone
revive this eternal but dormant relationship. To rejuvenate such a relationship
simply depends on one's sincerity to advance by following these instructions.
It is not subject to an institution or a pope who alone claims to be in touch
with God and knows the ultimate truth, upon whom we all are dependent, and who
can dictate restrictions as he likes. In fact, any spiritual teacher is only as
good to the degree in which he is at being a representation of God's love for
us, or at being a transparent medium for the spiritual instructions of God and
the previous acharyas or authorities.
The church or institution also is
only good to the degree in which it represents the genuine spiritual tradition,
as found in the Vedic system. If there is any blockage or ulterior motive in
the spiritual teacher or institution in this transference of love and
knowledge, then it may actually misrepresent God's true message and mislead
people in their search for God's love.
In this way, a church or
establishment is meant to provide the proper facility and opportunity for
people to advance and experience God's love. Without a connection to a church
or organization does not mean that a person is eternally condemned or will
never have a chance of revitalizing one's relationship with God. An
organization is not, nor can it ever be, the controller of whether a person has
a relation to God, or goes to heaven or hell. This is completely dependent on
the individual soul and his or her consciousness or sincerity. The fact is that
since we are all spiritual beings, everyone has a personal relationship with
God, and no one else can interfere with that. It only needs to be revived,
which is the purpose of the Vedic process.
28. IN ESSENCE, HINDUISM, THE VEDIC SYSTEM, OPENS THE DOOR TO THE REAL
MEANINGS OF LIFE.
After practicing and living by the
principles of the Vedic philosophy, you can bring a perceptive and obvious
change in your life, as well as into your own sphere of influence. By beginning
to awaken your awareness of your spiritual identity and your relationship with
the Supreme, you can easily feel a new level of happiness, peace, and
contentment. You will have a clearer understanding of who you are, where you
have come from, and your purpose in life. You will have a better focus on why
we are here and what needs to done while living in this material world. Little
things that you may have taken so seriously, that may have bothered you will no
longer have the same affect on you. You will see with a clearer view of what
really matters in life, and the superficialities that are not important. You will
see that there is only one universal religion, and that is Sanatana-Dharma,
awakening the natural proclivity and needs of the soul, and regaining our real
spiritual identity and relationship with God. It is merely a matter of learning
how to love and serve God. That is the heart of the Vedic path.
(More
information is provided at: http:// www.stephen-knapp.com.)
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