HINDUISM �BASIC PRINCIPLES

HINDUISM �BASIC PRINCIPLES

1. HINDUISM BASIC PRINCIPLES Dr.T.V.Rao MD

2. Hinduism is Sanatana Dharma Hinduism is a term that was given much later. Many people who follow “Hinduism” refer it to as ‘Sanatana Dharma’ meaning the eternal law or truth. Also Hinduism is considered more as a way of life than religion by people who believe it.

3. Hinduism as the “meta-religion ” That is why Swami Vivekananda calls Hinduism as the “meta-religion” – the superset of the essence of all other religions. He says that understanding the principles of Hinduism will help a Christian to be better Christian and a Muslim to be a better Muslim.

4. Dharma Dharma - Hindu dharma includes the religious duties, moral rights and duties of each individual, as well as behaviors that enable social order, right conduct, and those that are virtuous.

5. Artha Artha - is objective and virtuous pursuit of wealth for livelihood, obligations and economic prosperity.

6. Kama . Kama - means desire, wish, passion, longing, pleasure of the senses, the aesthetic enjoyment of life, affection, or love, with or without sexual connotations. It is healthy and essential for life unless it effects Dharma, Artha and Moksha.

7. Moksha- Moksha- Most important goal, liberation from suffering. Attained through self-realization of comprehending nature of one’s soul or of one’s union with God which liberates one form samsara.

8. Karma Karma – knows as action or “moral law of cause and effect”.

9. Heaven and hell The doctrine of karma says that one has to face the consequences of merits and demerits of this birth in future births. One has to face the consequences of bigger demerits and merits in the same birth. According to his karma, man gives rise to so many merits and demerits that it becomes impossible to face their consequences in the same birth.

10. . Samsara Samsara – Cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth. Liberation from samsara through moksha ensures lasting happiness and peace.

11. Yoga Yoga - is a Hindu discipline which trains the body, mind and consciousness for health, tranquility and spiritual insight.

12. The aim of life is to realize God. Everyone is after security ( artha ), happiness ( kama ) and peace (dharma). Real unconditional and permanent security, peace and happiness cannot come from anything finite. They can come only from the Infinite

13. There are several ways to realize God. Every individual has to discover God for himself. The factors in this exploration are the social circumstance, body, mind, intellect, emotions, etc. As all these are different for different people, every individual has a unique path to realize God

14. What is Culture of Hinduism