Youth Sections
"The Braves Arise " |
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anatana Dharma, popularly called Hinduism, is the third most practiced religion, mostly dominant in the country of India. It is the oldest known religion to exist with no one founder or time when it started. This religion is a simple yet complex one. Because of this, there are many misconceptions and misunderstandings of what Hinduism really is. It can be difficult and confusing to comprehend, but after understanding what this religion truly is, it will give you a whole different understanding and perspective.
Many non-Hindus believe that Hinduism is polytheistic. However, this understanding is actually misunderstanding and thus false. Hindus believe in one Reality, which is called by Sanskrit word Brahman. Brahman is the Supreme Being in Hinduism, which may be said to be the God of other religions. Hindus believe that Brahman takes three main forms (deities). These are known as Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Brahma is the creator of this universe/world, Vishnu is the preserver of this universe/world, and Shiva is the destroyer of this universe/world. These three deities (gods) are in actuality three different forms of the same Reality, Brahman as mentioned above. Thus, Hinduism believes in one Supreme Being, but calls it by various names. To further help with this understanding, imagine someone you know who has different roles in life. For example, he (she) may at one moment be a doctor, while another moment a parent, at another time a president of a corporation, may be a volunteer etc. Now in each task this person participates in, he (she) may change clothing. Most people may not wear the same clothing they do at their job as they would when they come home or volunteer over the weekends. Also, this person may have various nicknames or titles such as Doctor, Dad, President, Mr. or Mrs. Or may have even casual nicknames by which friends may call this person. For example, my name is Vivek. However I have multiple nicknames. Friends call me a nickname, coaches call me a different nickname, parents call me something else, grandparents call me something else, but in the end I am the same person. Likewise, Brahman is one but takes various forms. This may not be exactly like the analogy used above (because God cannot be described in words and transcends human understanding), but it helps to explain why Hindus don’t limit the ultimate reality (Brahman) to only one name or one form. Another common misunderstanding about Hinduism is that Hindus worship animals. This is not true. Hindus do not worship animals, but respect these life forms. Many people believe that Hindus more than any other animals worship cows. It is true that Hindus revere cows more than other animals because of what the cow does to sustain human life. When a baby is born, it first breast feeds in order to develop proper bone structure and receives enough nutrients (such as calcium) in order to maintain proper health. However, after the stage of breast feeding, these little children drink milk out of a bottle. Well here is where a question arises. Where does this milk come from that these young children drink? Most milk comes from cows. Cows help humans at a young age develop into a strong healthy adult. Many people drink milk daily in order to receive nutrients and calcium just as we did at a younger age. If a cow is gradually helping us from a young age to support our lives and become healthy, then why should we in turn hurt these living creatures? Another popular misconception about Hinduism is that Hindus worship idols and believe these idols to be God. This again is not true. Hindus keep idols of God in a temple or at home and use them as symbols to concentrate on God when they pray or worship. Just as Christians have a statue of Jesus on a cross or a necklace to show their symbolic appreciation of God, Hindus do the same but with miniature statues. When Hindus pray, they want to make sure their mind doesn't wander and is in full focus of the Supreme Being. Having an idol in front of him helps a Hindu to have a mental picture to concentrate on during prayer and worship. Hindus do not regard idols as God, but use them to ensure that their full attention goes to God. To simplify this further, imagine you are away from parents, friends, or family. Most people keep a picture of whoever they may not be with in order to always keep them in their heart. Well does that mean that the picture is the actual person? No. The picture helps you get a mental picture of who you are actually thinking of. The role of an idol of God is thus the same as that of a picture of a loved one. Next, a question popularly asked is why do Hindus use a Swastika sign? Isn't this the symbol of the Nazis? Well actually, the swastika first originated from India approximately 3000 years ago (Indus Valley Civilization) and was used as a symbol of goodness in life. Swastika is a Sanskrit word which literally means “to be good” ("su" means "good," "asti" means "to be," and "ka" is a suffix). Swastika has also been used by many cultures in the past 1000 year or so. When Hitler came to power in 1933, Swastika was incorporated into the Nazi party flag, which was made the state flag of Germany during Nazism. Hence, the Swastika has become strongly associated with Nazism and related ideologies such as fascism and white supermacism. This is an unfortunate development and a negative connotation of Swastika. However, Hindus have a pure and positive connotation of the ancient Swastika symbol, which shouldn’t be confused with its negative connotation later implied by Hitler’s use of the symbol. Hindus are generally vegetarians. This is widely questioned by many people. Most Hindus are vegetarian not that it's absolutely required, but by choice. They believe that animals are a living creature, created by God. It's been proven that animals can feel emotions and pain. So Hindus don't understand why people should kill and slaughter animals, when they can feel pain and suffer. They can have a family and feel sadness. Hindus believe animals have feelings, which has been practically proven. They do not understand why God would tell us to eat animals. If God created these living creatures in order for humans to consume, then why would God give them the feeling of pain? Why would God let them suffer and feel sadness when being captured and taken away from a family or pack? Hindus believe that animals are created to have a life and not to be purposefully killed and eaten by humans. If God wanted these creatures to be eaten, then why did nature create fruits and vegetables that humans can live a healthy life from and without hurting animals? As mentioned earlier, Hindus revere animals and all other living creatures. Along with the topic of animals, Hindus believe animals have a soul. This is not believed by some other religions such as Christianity. Hindus have pondered the thought "what makes something have a soul?" Well Hindus came to the conclusion that we know for sure Humans have a soul. So why don't animals? Animals as well as humans, bleed, eat, drink, breath, mate, have families, live, feel pain, feel emotion etc. Hindus believe that animals have soul but is not as evolved as a human soul. This brings us to the concept of reincarnation in Hinduism. Hinduism believes that time is not linear; it is basically cyclic. In nature we see time (days, months, and years) repeats in cycles. Seasons follow in cycles. Human body’s vital functions such as breathing and heartbeat also go in cycles. Hindus say that this cyclic pattern also applies to the human life as well as the creation. Thus Hindus believe that creation doesn't have an absolute beginning or end, but appears in infinite cycles. We know from science that matter (or energy) can neither be created nor destroyed. It can only be transformed from one state to another. The human soul is conscious energy and thus indestructible. After a person dies, Hindus cremate the body. This is because we burn the body which no longer has any significance and let the soul free. The soul moves on. But then the question arises, where does the soul go? Well Hindus believe in the concept of Karma and rebirth. Karma is the belief in which the universe acts upon your life in a way that you deserve. As you sow, so shall you reap. Hindus believe that if you have done good deeds throughout your life, then your soul will be reborn to have good life as a reward. However, if you do bad deeds throughout your life, your soul will be reborn to have a less fortunate life as a consequence. This cycle of birth and death repeats until the soul continuously purifies itself by adopting a spiritual lifestyle on earth and thereby attains spiritual perfection. What is the definition of Hell and Heaven in Hinduism? Hell and Heaven are not physical places, nor are they permanent abodes. They are astral regions where a soul remains for a temporary period before it finds a suitable body, based upon its past deeds performed on earth, for its rebirth on earth. Astral regions, Hindus say, are vibratory regions where the soul enjoys (temporarily) the rewards of its past good deeds or suffers (temporarily) punishment for its past bad deeds. Hindus reject the idea that the loving God would create an eternal hell for its children on earth. Hindus believe that the Law of Karma is the just law that punishes the individuals for bad deeds only until they realize their eror and turn towards goodness. Ultimately, Hell and Heaven are the experiences individuals undergo here on earth until they seek and realize God. Realization of God is called Moksha in Hinduism. Moksha means total freedom from physical limitations and eternal life of peace and bliss with God, which may be called the eternal Heaven. Hindus believe that an individual is not a sinner. He (she) is potentially divine, but commits sin because of his (her) ignorance of his (her) own true nature. Hindus consider knowledge as the supreme purifier and lay emphasis on education, both worldly and spiritual. One of the religious goals of Hindus is to provide the highest education to their children. The main purpose of the Hindu religious life is to be good, to do god, and spread goodness on earth. This goal can be achieved by work, worship, and selfless service to all forms of life, which includes human, animal and plant. Another main teaching of Hinduism is that it respects all religions. Hindus believe that all religions are different paths to the same God. Hinduism says that all religions are like various rivers all leading to the same ocean. Hindus do not believe someone should be considered wrong or be punished for what he (she) believes in. God created us all and gave us choices on what to believe. Why would God punish us if our beliefs differ? What if we do all good deeds throughout life, help others, and do all good to this Earth, would we still go to Hell for all eternity? Hinduism believes that there is no right or wrong, there are just different paths. Two paths may lead to the same park; one may have a lake on by the side and the other may just have trees. One may like to walk by the lake, the other may want to walk by the tress. Just because one person says that the right path has a lake and another person says the right path has trees, it all ends up to the same place. So why should different little beliefs separate us from all believing in the same entity, God? Hindus respect every religion and just see them as different ways to the same ultimate being, God. Lastly, Hinduism is free, fair, and all inclusive tradition. Hindus accept everyone and anyone can become a Hindu. Hinduism provides various ways of prayer and worship to suite the devotee’s personality and his (her) yearning for God. No religion is right or wrong, they are just different ways to approach the same God. Respect towards all God’s creatures, reverence for all faiths, treading the path of non-violence and non-injury, and performing selfless work for humanity are the major tenets of Hinduism. Hindus deeply believe that the world is just one family of God. Hindu vision is universal. One of the popular prayers which millions of Hindus sing every day is: “May all in the world be happy; may all in the world be prosperous and may none suffer.” |
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Vivek Pandit is 14 years old and is in the ninth grade at Grapevine High School in Dallas. He is the son of Dr. Rajiv and Priya Pandit of Dallas. Vivek has been regularly attending DFW Hindu Temple Sunday School since he was 4 years old. Vivek studies in all honors advance placement classes, achieved top ten GPA last year, participates in honors band and plays football at school. |
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Well done Vivek. You made is so simple for readers to understand the bottom line of our Sanatan Dharma.
Added By Raj Ambardar
Thank you so much for this great article of yours! You relieve me from searching from one site to the other. God bless you more!
Added By josefina justo
The comments by aadil and sohil are so profoundly ignorant and tacky. Advocates of religion based tribalism seeking to eliminate alternative religious identities are no friends of peace. An arabic speaking god who sounds like a conservative Arab man from the 7th Century is NOT part of ethic Indian religious heritage. Kudos to the young author for such a beautiful piece. Well done.
Added By Ash G
a 9th class kid should be reading theory of evolution and and esitiens articals not wate his time on unproven mytical indoctrinated religious sermons.
Added By Praful Muju
Wonderfully written for all ages.My grand children 2 in States and 2 in Canada have been told that Vivek's explination of Hinduism is a must read
Added By Beni Kaul
The write-up is an answer to all the misconceptions about Hinduism.About the symbol Swastika, i would like to add that Swastika is the Yantrik symbol of Lord Ganesha,as well. A cow is revered as the "Kamadhenu" in Hinduism. I rate this article as +A,for a student of the 9th grade. Dr Chaman Lal Raina
Added By Chaman Lal Raina
Great job. Succinct, comprehensible and erudite. Thank you. Omanand Koul
Added By Omanand Koul
we all should feel proud of you. You have explained thought in a very proper and simple way. mohini
Added By mohini padroo
Very well explained article on Hinduism. God bless you.
Added By chandra Ganju
I am now much more educated thanks viv 😉
Added By Sam Greer
It is brillant.... it become easy for me to expalin to someone about hindusim especially my little one. Thank you Vivek for making it simple. Best wishes Dev Dhar
Added By Devki Nandan Dhar
brother please watch the video "SIMILARITIES BETWEEN HINDUISM AND ISLAM" by Dr zakir naik on you tube thanks may ALLAH give us the right path and will do good deeds for hereafter
Added By AADIL HUSSAIN
a great presentation of a great religion. it is time to integrate this with acceptance and seeing good in other faith. our action should say what we mean and understood. since the sanatana dharma is way it is called the east and west need to create a universal harmony. your presentation is excellent.
Added By hasmukh shah
Wonderful! That it is coming from Youth... we need more like Vivek. Kudos for writing such an article. Now go deeper into the meaning of Swa-Astika meaning "I AM that Existence" its beautiful. Swa - means "Self" & Astika is one who knows with full awareness that "I Exist!" On the same token "Nastika" is one who is ignorant about his own existence, lives in denial and waste away his Life in ignorance of the Self!
Added By Nikhil Mehta
hey very nice to go through this article very well explained and really got to know what really hinduism is.. but my que is if u believe that there can be any path to the god then why hindu can't take a path that muslims follow
Added By sohil khan
Vivek is hot for 14, great guy!
Added By Michael Scott
Very well written article.Congratulations .I wish all young people understand Hindu religion as Vivek does. PL Raina Atlanta
Added By PL Raina
Your write up and grasp of hinduiasm was outstanding,you have put your thoughts eloquently.we are proud of your generation to continue the spiritual journey at this early stage. God blass you.
Added By Chand Bhan
It is a very nice and uplifting to know so much depth of knowledge about Hinduism from a teenager. God Bless!
Added By Dr. Vijay Dhar