08-16-2005, 05:46 PM
A crude attempt at laying the framework, so we can proceed with discussions in appropriate bins <!--emo&
--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->.
<i>Esho Asvattah Sanatanah - KU</i>
Hinduism, as we all know it, is based on principles (Tattvas) and not on persons (purushas). The spiritual scientists (Rishis) are seers, saints sages who embodied the tattvas, and they are just that. Thus hinduism is a-paureshaya. The eternal verities (Sanatana tattvas) are the paths to reach the eternal truth (satya), . Unlike other fixed religions, it is not a faith (mata) but it is tattva and satya (investigated realizable ultimate truth) and its practical application in life (As you said it carl - Dharma-grihastha dharma, kshatriya dharma, etc. and differ from society to society and much more). Yes, if you include just "ethics and duties" of Manava dharma alone devoid of satya and tattvas, then Sanatana Dharma can include anyone and everyone (including some hindus).
It is under this Sanatana Tattvas, we can see vaishanava, shaiva, shakta etc philosphies but all under one umbrella.
Whoever claims to have "faith" in fixed religion (Creator in Heaven, etc) and practises it, cannot be called a sanatani, although sanatana dharma does not exclude them in principle, it is time for people who have been living and practising (knowingly or unknowingly.. hence the bins) it - giving life to those very principles - to raise their awareness(es). So, historically that has been only Hindus and not others (who have left it either by choice or forced or other varieties).
<b>So, Sanatanis are Hindus and Hindus are Sanatanis. </b>
If this bin is used for Tattva discussions as well, then we can merge the older philosophy thread with this as well or continue in the relevant thread - Your call (actually let other mods weigh in on this <!--emo&
--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tongue.gif' /><!--endemo-->).
That said, let's just keep it simple, so everyone knows what the heck we are talking about here <!--emo&--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Cheers
--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->. <i>Esho Asvattah Sanatanah - KU</i>
Hinduism, as we all know it, is based on principles (Tattvas) and not on persons (purushas). The spiritual scientists (Rishis) are seers, saints sages who embodied the tattvas, and they are just that. Thus hinduism is a-paureshaya. The eternal verities (Sanatana tattvas) are the paths to reach the eternal truth (satya), . Unlike other fixed religions, it is not a faith (mata) but it is tattva and satya (investigated realizable ultimate truth) and its practical application in life (As you said it carl - Dharma-grihastha dharma, kshatriya dharma, etc. and differ from society to society and much more). Yes, if you include just "ethics and duties" of Manava dharma alone devoid of satya and tattvas, then Sanatana Dharma can include anyone and everyone (including some hindus).
It is under this Sanatana Tattvas, we can see vaishanava, shaiva, shakta etc philosphies but all under one umbrella.
Whoever claims to have "faith" in fixed religion (Creator in Heaven, etc) and practises it, cannot be called a sanatani, although sanatana dharma does not exclude them in principle, it is time for people who have been living and practising (knowingly or unknowingly.. hence the bins) it - giving life to those very principles - to raise their awareness(es). So, historically that has been only Hindus and not others (who have left it either by choice or forced or other varieties).
<b>So, Sanatanis are Hindus and Hindus are Sanatanis. </b>
If this bin is used for Tattva discussions as well, then we can merge the older philosophy thread with this as well or continue in the relevant thread - Your call (actually let other mods weigh in on this <!--emo&
--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tongue.gif' /><!--endemo-->). That said, let's just keep it simple, so everyone knows what the heck we are talking about here <!--emo&
--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo--> Cheers