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Principles
and Practice of Hindu Religion A
Comprehensive Study of the Ancient Tradition and
the Perennial Philosophy |
Chapter
- II : The Essentials of the Hindu Traditions | A
Short Note on the Basic Aspects of Hindu
Religious Beliefs and
Practice in the Evolution of the Spirit and the Culture |
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Lesson
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23 : Faiths, Beliefs and Doubts
Among Hindus Doubts,
Reasoning, Analysis and Questions! |
In
a religious practice following a faith and texts that are revealed rather
than rational thinking, questioning can not take place, as inquiry is taboo and
doubts are irreverent, unacceptable and they will be considered blasphemous. The
spirit of inquiry, doubts and questioning are the very foundation of science,
technology, literature and any historical investigation. In a true perspective,
questioning indicates modesty and ignorance, whereas total acceptance of what
is said indicates that you are sure of what you are learning, or may be just a
blind faith of a dogma. "So it is Written; so it shall be Done." Hinduism,
from ancient days, permits its devotees to study the teachings, accept different
meanings and interpretations, question, reason and analyze what is being taught
as Truth. This has given a greater understanding and improvement of the religious
practice and made the faith and the teachings stronger. It accepted adjustments
to accommodate these new ideas and made Hinduism much stronger faith among its
followers. |
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Any theory
proposed by the Hindu leaders that was not accepting "God" as supreme was
rejected. Strong objections and alternate thoughts and beliefs, at times, created
splinter groups and new religious branches. Often the conflicts occurred between
the various paths of approach to Vedic teachings and interpretations. Often when
rituals became popular to lead to a blind following, philosophy and principles
had to be established. As early as in the period of Srimad Bhagvat Gita, Sri Krishna
objected to pure ritualistic practice and put the philosophy in the forefront.
Later Gautama Buddha revealed the same and opposed to rituals. He also opposed
the concept of God and teachings of Vedas and this lead to the start of Buddhism.
As his teaching were becoming popular, some Hindus started accepting Him for His
good teachings of ahimsa. He became one of the ten important Incarnations of Mahavishnu.
About the same time, Sri Mahavira established a faith as Jainism. Both these religions
accepted a Master and his teachings without accepting or describing the form of
a Supreme Divine force as God or prescribing any "Vedic rituals" to Him. |
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Sanãthana
Dharma ãsthra |
| Lessons:
- 17
, 18 , 19 , 20
, 21 , 22 , 23
, 24 , 25 , 26
, 27 , 28 , 29
, 30 , 31 , 32
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