What Is Hinduism
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Thank you for that Layna, this clears much of the confusion, and again the language is very admirable and austere
There is some interesting and inspiring stuff in the bhagavad gita. ! I like the chapter that speaks about the "three divisions of faith", explaining how every act can be done either out of goodness, passion, or ignorance.
can anyone explain who or what Baghwan is? Is it a diety or the name of God in Hinduism.
Ask wiki.
Bhagavan, also written Bhagwan or Bhagawan, from the Sanskrit nt-stem bhaga-vant- (nominative/vocative Bhagavn) literally means "possessing fortune, blessed, prosperous" (from the noun bhaga, meaning "fortune, wealth", cognate to Slavic bog "god", and hence "illustrious, divine, venerable, holy", etc.
In some traditions of Hinduism it is used to indicate the Supreme Being or Absolute Truth, but with specific reference to that Supreme Being as possessing a personality (a personal God). This personal feature indicated in Bhagavan differentiates its usage from other similar terms such as Brahman, the "Supreme Spirit" or "spirit", and thus, in this usage, Bhagavan is in many ways analogous to the general Christian conception of God.
Bhagavan used as a title of veneration is often translated as "Lord", as in "Bhagavan Krishna", "Bhagavan Shiva", "Bhagavan Swaminarayan", etc. In Buddhism and Jainism, Gautama Buddha, Mahavira and other Tirthankaras, Buddhas and bodhisattvas are also venerated with this title. The feminine of Bhagavat is Bhagawat and is an epithet of Durga and other goddesses.
The title is also used as a respectful form of address for a number of contemporary spiritual teachers in India.
http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhagavan
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I think Hinduism is a very interesting religion.
before I became Muslim I had looked into the wisdom of Hinduism and had asked my friend about some of the Hindu "Pillars" of faith.What I concluded from my search was that Hundus to me was a similar religion to anyother Polytheistic Religion.
The Belief in a ONE SUPREAME or Leader god, that had become overshaddowed by 360 (or a large number) of Other Gods.The belief in Interecession, where Instead of Praying to the Supreame God, you must pray to his Associate gods instead.
When I was studing a Pegan religion I was told by my "Teachers" that I couldnt pray to the Supream god because that was a very worthy position that can only be done after achieving High Ranks by first praying to his associates. So basically, I was told that God was too busy for me so I need to talk to his friends instead.
In hindism, I learned that there are many Festivals and Rituals that deal with many hadith like histories of creatures (or gods).
For instance, The Elephant god had his head cut off accidentily by shiva and used an Elephant head to replace his lost head.There was alot of things that seemed incredibly forighn and illogical...Like hearing the story of Ra in egypt who lost his eye, or in German with Odin who lost it in Battle, or hearing the story of Zues and Madousa.
All of these seemd to me like human innovations and fabels of illogical and fallable gods. Once again in all religions...some humans find it nessesary to pray to Accociate gods rather then the supreame Creator.
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I think Hinduism is a very interesting religion.
So do I. But then I find religions in general interesting.
What I concluded from my search was that Hundus to me was a similar religion to anyother Polytheistic Religion.
The Belief in a ONE SUPREAME or Leader god, that had become overshaddowed by 360 (or a large number) of Other Gods.Yeah, I think all religions have been distorted more or less. That's why I said that it's important to look at the original scriptures and not only at how the followers of a particular religion define or practice it.
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Salaam,
yes, we shouldn't mock other religions just because we don't believe what they do & think we're right & they're wrong. Remember there is no compulsion in religion. My nan is Hindu & I have Hindu friends who I grew up with who needless to say weren't too happy when I 'reverted' to Islam, lol, but they got over it soon enough.
Isn't Hinduism one of the oldest religions? It's still going strong & I respect that even though it isn't for me.
Peace out. -
Yeah I love hindu/indian culture.
I disagree with the Shirk part, and the Animal/creature/human type Gods... (and that is why I cannot be a Hindu)
But As far as the Apperience, festivals, Values, etc...I reallly like seeing it.
Also, I love the fact that I can go to a Hindu Resturaunt and Eat all their food as a Muslim (there is no Pork, and mostly vegitarian Cusine).
There are a lot of Common Values we as Muslims and Hindus Share.btw...My favorite food is Indian food (I love Naan bread!) eat
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Selam
I agree with the above. We are all to quick to ridicule others but we must remember one thing
4911 O you who believe, let not any people ridicule other people, for
they may be better than they. Nor shall any women ridicule other
women, for they may be better than they. Nor shall you mock
one another, or call each other names; miserable indeed is the
name of wickedness after attaining faith. And anyone who does
not repent, then these are the transgressors.Peace
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Salaam, yeah the Hindu's I know have a lovely culture, lovely food, mmmm eat
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Hi Munzir,
I believe we should look at other religions the same way we expect people to look at ours. Calling Hindus polytheists and cow worshippers is the same as people calling Muslims Muhammad-worshippers, wife-beaters etc. without bothering to find out what the scripture actually says.
The Bhagavad Gita speaks of ONE God only
Know that these two (my higher and lower Natures) are the womb of all beings. So, I am the source and dissolution of the whole universe.
There is nothing higher than me! All this is strung on me as clusters of gems on a string.
I am the sweet fragrance in earth and the brilliance in fire, the life in all beings; and I am austerity in ascetics.
Know me as the eternal seed of all beings; I am the intelligence of the intelligent; the splendour of the splendid objects am I!
Verily this divine illusion of Mine made up of the qualities (of Nature) is difficult to cross over; those who take refuge in me alone cross over this illusion.
Verily the reward that accrues to those men of small intelligence is finite. The worshippers of the gods go to them, but my devotees come to me.
And undivided, yet he exists as if divided in beings; he is to be known as the supporter of beings; he devours and he generates also.
That, the Light of all lights, is beyond darkness; it is said to be knowledge, the Knowable and the goal of knowledge, seated in the hearts of all.
peace
bravo THat is very true. My last post referred to the majority of Hindus and not the true Monotheist Hindus
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Same here, I cook it all the time. Just had a friend over for dinner last night, we had lentil daal with fried onions on top, a cauliflower curry and basmati rice. Yummy. eat
Indian snacks especially the sweet ones are delicious. eat
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The Divisions of Faith
Arjuna said, O Krsna, what is the situation of one who does not follow the principles of scripture but who worships according to his own imagination? Is he in goodness, in passion or in ignorance?
The Supreme Lord said, according to the modes of nature acquired by the embodied soul, one's faith can be of three kinds -- goodness, passion or ignorance. Now hear about these.
According to one's existence under the various modes of nature, one evolves a particular kind of faith. The living being is said to be of a particular faith according to the modes he has acquired.
Men in the mode of goodness worship the demigods; those in the mode of passion worship the demons; and those in the mode of ignorance worship ghosts and spirits.
Those who undergo severe austerities and penances not recommended in the scriptures, performing them out of pride, egoism, lust and attachment, who are impelled by passion and who torture their bodily organs as well as the Supersoul dwelling within are to be known as demons.
Even food of which all partake is of three kinds, according to the three modes of material nature. The same is true of sacrifices, austerities and charity. Listen, and I shall tell you of the distinctions of these.
Foods in the mode of goodness increase the duration of life, purify one's existence and give strength, health, happiness and satisfaction. Such nourishing foods are sweet, juicy, fattening and palatable. Foods that are too bitter, too sour, salty, pungent, dry and hot, are liked by people in the modes of passion. Such foods cause pain, distress, and disease. Food cooked more than three hours before being eaten, which is tasteless, stale, putrid, decomposed and unclean, is food liked by people in the mode of ignorance.
Of sacrifices, that sacrifice performed according to duty and to scriptural rules, and with no expectation of reward, is of the nature of goodness.
But that sacrifice performed for some material end or benefit or preformed ostentatiously, out of pride, is of the nature of passion, O chief of the Bharatas.
And that sacrifice performed in defiance of scriptural injunctions, in which no spiritual food is distributed, no hymns are chanted and no remunerations are made to the priests, and which is faithless--that sacrifice is of the nature of ignorance.
The austerity of the body consists in this worship of the Supreme Lord, the brahmanas, the spiritual master, and superiors like the father and mother. Cleanliness, simplicity, celibacy and nonviolence are also austerities of the body.
Austerity of speech consists in speaking truthfully and beneficially and in avoiding speech that offends. One should also recite the Vedas regularly.
And serenity, simplicity, gravity, self-control and purity of thought are the austerities of the mind.
This threefold austerity, practiced by men whose aim is not to benefit themselves materially but to please the Supreme, is of the nature of goodness.
Those ostentatious penances and austerities which are performed in order to gain respect, honor and reverence are said to be in the mode of passion. They are neither stable nor permanent.
And those penances and austerities which are performed foolishly by means of obstinate self-torture, or to destroy or injure others, are said to be in the mode of ignorance.
That gift which is given out of duty, at the proper time and place, to a worthy person, and without expectation of return, is considered to be charity in the mode of goodness.
But charity performed with the expectation of some return, or with a desire for fruitive results, or in a grudging mood, is said to be charity in the mode of passion.
And charity performed at an improper place and time and given to unworthy persons without respect and with contempt is charity in the mode of ignorance.
From the beginning of creation, the three syllables -- om tat sat -- have been used to indicate the Supreme Absolute Truth . They were uttered by brahmanas while chanting Vedic hymns and during sacrifices, for the satisfaction of the Supreme.
Thus the transcendentalists undertake sacrifices, charities, and penances, beginning always with om, to attain the Supreme.
One should perform sacrifice, penance and charity with the word tat. The purpose of such transcendental activities is to get free from the material entanglement.
The Absolute Truth is the objective of devotional sacrifice, and it is indicated by the word sat. These works of sacrifice, of penance and of charity, true to the absolute nature, are performed to please the Supreme Person, O son of Prtha.
But sacrifices, austerities and charities performed without faith in the Supreme are nonpermanent, O son of Prtha, regardless of whatever rites are performed. They are called asat and are useless both in this life and the next.
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