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Hinduism |
| Hindu Religion is like a Banyan tree with many branches and roots. The branch of a banyan tree develops its own roots when it is fully grown. The branches of Hinduism such as Vaishnavam, Shivam, Sakthism, Jainism, Buddhism, etc. have developed their own deep roots. Though there are many branches, roots, leaves and flowers, the banyan tree is only one! Hinduism, like the banyan tree is a single unified entity with diversified beliefs and customs. Hinduism strongly emphasizes swadharma (Values based on individual beliefs). Hindu faith is often known as "Sanaatana Dharma" (that which is ancient and eternal). Hindu Dharma requires Hindus to respect and sustain their environment! Dharma is a pledge to lead a harmonious life without disturbance to peace in the nature! Hindu Scriptures Hindu Scriptures are broadly classified into Sruti (heard and transmitted), Smriti (remembered and collated), Itihaasa (epics), Purana (stories and values) and Aagma (temple related rules for prayers, rituals and construction). Vedas constitute Sruti. The four Vedas: Rig, Saama, Yajur and Atharva are treasured as the most ancient heritage and Hindus believe that Vedas are eternal and never created! The subject-matter of Vedas is classified into three categories: Karma, Upasanaa, and jnana. Karma discusses obligations of each individual. Upasanaa provides guidance for divine communion and worship. Jnana is the philosophical disquisition about Brahman, the supreme reality. These philosophical discussions in the last portions of each Veda are known as Upanishads. Scriptures, compiled by the great sages, Yajnavalkya, Manu and Parasara are known as Smriti . Itihasa comprises of the two epics: Ramayana and Mahabharata written respectively by sages Valmiki and Vedavyasa. Vedavyasa also wrote the eighteen Puranas and eighteen Upa(sub)-puranas. Each purana emphasizes a specific Hindu value and dramatizes a story with a virtuous hero, an evil villain, and supporting characters on either side! In general, the hero is a favored deity, who represents the Supreme Reality and others become demigods and play subordinate roles. Aagmas define elaborate rules for temple construction and rules for conducting rituals and prayers in the temple premises. Relevance of Temples in Hindu Religion and Culture Throughout Indian history, temples have exercised an enormous influence on religious and social life, and traditions. Famous Hindu temples such as Somanathpur had enormous wealth and became targets of foreign invasions. The Hindu temple is a place of worship like any other but it has unique features that elevate it to a greater spiritual excellence and appreciation. Orthodox temples are built according to Aagmas and the sacred ones are located in higher altitudes on top of hills. Elevated temples symbolize the importance of spirituality over worldly life. Kings and rich citizens in the community provided generous funds to the construction and maintenance of temples. Temples have contributed to the employment of architects, artisans, sculptors, and laborers. The shrines and icons have given peace to the frustrated minds. Music, dance and fine arts programs including religious and musical discourses staged in the temples have encouraged musicians, dancers, dramatists, artists and religious scholars. The granaries of temples were used to feed the hungry, and temple buildings have provided shelters to both scholars and students. Some temples were equipped to provide medical services to the sick, elderly, and disabled. Thus, temples have provided a variety of religious and social services and reinforced economic and social welfare of the Indian society. Hindu temples in the U.S. and Canada act as cultural ambassadors and provide spiritual and educational services to the Indian Community. The temple also portrays God in the cosmic form. The statue of Nataraja (dance pose of Lord Siva) is a well known example for the artistic, scientific and philosophical significance of idols. Hundreds of articles and books have been written about the significance of the Nataraja's dance posture. In the PBS show, COSMOS, Professor Carl Sagan asserts that the dance of Nataraja signifies the cycle of evolution and destruction of the cosmic universe (Big-Bang Theory). The dance statue of Nataraja is a symbolic representation of Vedanta. The dwarfish demon crushed under the feet represents the demonic ego, which prevents humans to attain the inherent peace and bliss within. The ego should be crushed to regain the Supreme Bliss! A more complete description is beyond the scope of this article, and is therefore omitted. Hindu Philosophy in a Nutshell Vedanta, the starting premise of Hindu Religion, asserts that Brahman (the abstract God) is the Absolute Truth. Brahman has multiple roles to play: the creator, the maintainer, and the destroyer all in one. Vedanta states that the universal soul, Brahman is eternal and the individual human soul, Atman ultimately unifies with Brahman. Advaita implies the ultimate identity of Brahman (Universal soul) and Jivatman (human soul). Dwaita opposes advaita on almost all points and maintains an ultimate diversity of Brahman and Jivatman. Visistadvaita (qualified non-duality) maintains a crucial differentiation as well as a fundamental identity. The Hindu philosophy and logic provide unassailable strength to the concept of the fundamental unity in the worship of a multitude of gods. Hinduism is highly individualistic and Hindus love the freedom to worship their personal choice of an icon to visualize the abstract Brahman. That explains the rapid growth of temples, gods, and rituals across India and beyond. Even illiterate villagers are proud and enthusiastic to elaborate on stories about their temple gods and their significance. Such stories invariably are more adventurous and heroic than "Superman" episodes, but with a divine touch. The temple epitomizes God in a spiritual form and the various parts of his body symbolizes philosophical concepts. It serves as the symbolic link between Human and God, between Material and Spiritual and between Obvious and Ideal. Names of the miscellaneous segments of the temple designate different organs of the human body (garbhagraha (Sanctum Sanctorium) represents the human heart). Purpose of Hindu Symbolism The symbolism in Hinduism is analogous to the modern communication methods adopted by the computer industry. They both adjust to the diverse tastes and needs of the world. Only a small segment of the general public look for sophistication and special features. The common folk who are in the majority, demand simple illustrations and practical examples rather than lengthy logic! The computer industry employs creative graphic displays of "icons" to satisfy the general public. Hindu symbolism seems to imply that it does not believe in a one-size-fits-all theory! Artistic temples with idols, heroic stories, and colorful rituals demonstrate this fact. Educated Hindus may grasp a lot more from such symbolism, and unravel philosophical and spiritual truths of Vedanta. Puranic stories create role models by dramatization of legendary events to preserve social ethics (Dharma). An ideal spouse, parent, offspring, or teacher is orchestrated to help the society to conduct its daily duties (nithya karma). Hinduism has perfected the art of symbolism as a powerful media to teach complex philosophical ideas to the common man. The communication of values using the puranic stories in Hinduism, resemble the case study procedures in business management institutions. Karma Theory "Karma Theory" in Hindu Religion has lots of resemblance to modern economic theory. According to Karma theory, "good" and "bad" can be accumulated and a net balance can be maintained. If the net balance is positive (more "good" and less "bad") then the person is rewarded with good deeds. If the net balance becomes negative, the person is punished with bad deeds. Karma theory assumes more than one life, and an individual can choose to make sacrifices in the present life to gain better life during next birth! When a person lives a sinful life, then he is likely to get an inferior life during the next birth. The economic theory rationalizes the personal "saving" and "borrowing" behavior of the public. Those who save have to make sacrifices during the current time in order to live comfortably during another time. Those who borrow money also accept the outcome from such actions! It is quite reasonable for some one to ask the validity of karma theory. Who keeps the account of 'good' and 'bad?' There are several explanations for those inter generational accounts and transactions! Let me try to explain my viewpoint on karma theory. I believe that there are no external judges! Time is a human concept and in "pure religion", there is no time! Once we include time, we all experience birth and death at every instant! Our behavior can't be predicted for the next moment. We do remember what we did yesterday. We do recognize that whatever we experience today is influenced by what we did before! Karma theory implies that what we do today has strong influence on what is going to happen tomorrow! If we clean our house today it will have a cleaner look than otherwise. Also a dirty house today will be also dirtier tomorrow! Karma theory, like the modern economic theory, rationalizes the human behavior in a nutshell. |
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