Indian Culture-general Discussions - II

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<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>WHAT MAKES HINDUISM DIFFERENT AND UNIQUE</b>

By Prof. Bharat J. Gajjar

                               

This article is about the difference between Hinduism and other religions.  Before you read this article please put down on paper what you think are the most unique aspects of Hinduism that no other religion has. 
1) All religions tell you what you should think and believe.  Hinduism is the only religion that gives you complete freedom of thought and beliefs.  You can believe anything you like including non-belief in God, and nobody will object. 

2) If there is a problem in life, there is no one book to give you all the answers like the Christian’s Bible and the Muslim’s Koran.  Most Hindus would probably go to the Bhagavad Gita or ask their heart. 

3) Hindu’s have many religious books and many more will still be written while other religions have only one. 

4) Most religions believe in the Father or male form of God or no-form, in Hinduism there is a male form of God as well as female or no-form “Om”. 

5) In most religions God is up in Heaven whereas Hindus believe everything is God and God is everything. 

6) All religions believe in the Devil or Satan except Hindus who believe there is no Satan or Devil but that there are Rakshasha which are a type of living entity in the mode of ignorance. 

7) Some religions believe that animals have no souls or even humans, but Hindus believe not only humans have souls but also all living being have souls which are part of God.  And Hindus believe it is a sin to kill animals. 

8) Only Hindus can say “I am Brahman, I am God” and nobody will object.  Or say “Aham Brahma Asmi” (I am Brahma, spirit or part of God).

9) Christianity believes that every human being is a sinner whereas Hindus believe every human being is divine. 

10) Other religions promote a belief that each person only has one life.  Hindus believe in reincarnation and karma, meaning that every human being is in charge of his own destiny. 

11) Some religions promise you Heaven if you’re Baptized. They believe that heaven and hell are permanent but Hindus believe that Heaven and Hell are not permanent because they are part of the material world. The Goal of Hindus is to merge with God, which is Moksha or to serve God in the spiritual world.

12) Hindus are very loving and never invaded any other country.  Slavery has never been a significant part of Hindu Culture or history however the Caste System prevails (many do not believe in the Caste System anymore.)

13) Other religions say that all humans are at the same level of consciousness, but as Hindus believe in Karma, every human being is believed to be at different levels of consciousness, and one day we will all arrive at the same level of Godliness. 

14) Other religions believe that God has come on earth only one time and that is final, Hindus believe that God has come on this earth many times before and will come in the future whenever He or She is needed. 

14) Other religions do not believe in idols, but Hinduism allows the use of Murthis to help focus the mind and love God. 

15) Other religions emphasize love or brotherhood while the Hindu religion emphases Dharma and Truth. 

16) Other Religions were started by a divine man, but Hindus believe Sanathan Dharma (Eternal Religion-Hinduism) was started by God and that God will come whenever human beings need him/her. 

17) Other Religions have only one name of God; Hindus have many names and forms of God. 

18) Other Religions remain the same while Hinduism is constantly changing. 

19) Christians believe in faith alone and it is a belief system, while Hindus believe in work alone, which means Jnana Yoga (knowledge), Bhakti Yoga (devotion), Raja Yoga (meditation), Karma Yoga (service), and HathaYoga (health).

20) Other religions are simple and one dimensional, while Hinduism allows a third dimension including mysticism such as astrology, Kundalini etc. 

21) Other religions believe in conversion and uniting the world in their faith, Hindus do not believe in conversion, and believe we are all one, and allow unity in diversity.  Hindus respect all religions. 


22) Other Religions believe that nature and animals are for them to use, Hindus believe that nature and animals Godly and some worship rivers such as the Ganges and some worship cows, etc.


Any religion that believes in Om, Reincarnation or Karma is the Hindu Religion and that includes Jains, Buddhist and Sikhs.  Whoever says, “I’m Hindu,” is Hindu, but orthodox Hindus say “if anybody believes in divinity of Vedas is a Hindu”, as the Vedas are the word of God to a Hindu. 


If you know something unique about the Hindu religion that I missed please let me know so we can add it.  Please note: that the great historian, Arnold Toynbee said, “The world will realize that the only way to salvation for mankind is the Hindu way.”   


Prof. Bharat J. Gajjar

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