On Hinduism

Hinduism is the oldest major religion. Hindus have scriptures, have temples in most countries and one in seven people on this earth is a Hindu. 

If you are trying to understand Hinduism with Abrahamic viewpoints, it will get confusing.  For example, Hinduism has 1) no founder, 2) has no beginning or projected end, 3) has no commandment but have Dharmic guidance, 4) has no central authority, like Pope, 5) has no apostle (to whom God talked to) but have many learned Rishis and Gurus, and 6) has not “The” Scripture like Torah, Bible and Koran, but have Veda, Upanishad, Gita, Ramayana, and more. 

The word “religion” comes from the Latin word Re-Ligare, meaning Re-connect with God.  That word serves the Abrahamic ideology that God and human beings are physically separate entities and will get re-connected on Judgment Day.  Contrary to that, fundamental Hinduism belief is–God and human beings are inseparable.  The day soul (Atman or God) leaves us, our worthless dead body remains.  In this respect, the word Re-Ligion is not technically applicable to the Hindu belief system. 

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In many senses, Hinduism is not a religion but it’s a righteous way of living. It’s originally called Sanatana Dharma, the law and order that holds value at all times for the entire mankind.  Anyone can follow the principles of Hinduism without being born as a HIndu. No one in a real sense is called a Hindu but you can practice the principles of Hinduism. By practicing principles you don’t become a Hindu but you have become a practitioner of principles of Hinduism. These principles can be anywhere from performing rituals for materialistic benefits to spiritual evolution of realizing Self. Hinduism embraces various philosophies and is also considered as the mother of all religions.

.Other reading material:

Relevant videos: Swami Chinmaya Nanda, Satguru Bodhinatha,

Contributor: Dilip Amin

Location of this post (3c): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/is-hinduism-a-religion/

Dharma is not the same as religion. Dharma has the Sanskrit root dhri, which means, “that which upholds”, “that without which nothing can stand” or “that which maintains the stability and harmony of the universe.” Dharma is often translated as laws and order by which this universe is sustained.

This dharma is not only limited to human beings. Fire’s dharma is to burn and a tree’s dharma is to bear fruits. This dharma principle also applies even to an inert material, like an electron’s dharma is to constantly moving in an orbit around proton and neutron. The day electrons decide to be a-dharmic and stop moving in that orbit, the world will fall apart in a second.

Dharma is the mode of conduct for an individual that is most conducive to spiritual advancement. Dharma encompasses ethics, morality, natural laws, conduct, etc. that is the most harmonious and aligned way to live as a society and on this planet. Dharma is, therefore, a conduct according to principles of universal order, social and moral conduct, that is righteous and takes an individual closer to divinity.

Abrahamic traditions are looking for a moral code. Dharma is searching for T/truth.

.Other reading material: Short answers to real questions about Hinduism, Rajiv Malhotra: Dharma is not the same as Religion, Rajeev Singh: What is Dharma?

Relevant videos: Swami Nikhilanand Hinduism Q & A: What Is Dharm,

Contributor: Dilip Amin

Location of this post (9a): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/what-is-dharma/

Yes and no. Some religions consider their God as being the “only” one. Anything else is false. Some reflect the flexibility of modern times and indicate that while others may choose to label it different, it is essentially the same “God”. So, it appears that the God-ful religions in their very own essence talk about their “different” and very “own” God. Hinduism, on the other hand, is a “God” less philosophy. There is all-pervasive energy and its creation.

Other reading material:

Relevant videos: Swami Nikhilanand Hinduism Q & A: Do Different Religions Have Different Gods

Contributor: Rajeev Singh

Location of this post (29a): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/do-different-religions-have-different-gods/