Hinduism is an indian religion and dharma, or way of life, widely practised in the indian subcontinent and parts of southeast asia. It refers to a dharma, a teaching, law or truth that exists in. Guided by the founder, satguru sivaya subramuniyaswami, the magazines editors, who are initiated monks of the kauais hindu monastery, collaborated with holy men and women and experts around the world in creating graphically rich guides to virtually. Hinduism teaches that names and forms are illusory and do not represent god or soul or eternal truths. Hinduism is an indian religion and dharma, or way of life, widely practiced in the indian subcontinent and parts of southeast asia. Santana dharma is not circumscribed by the confines of a single country. Sanatana dharma, meaning eternal or universal righteousness is the original name of what is now popularly called hinduism. He is one of the five primary forms of god in the smartha tradition, and the. Contrary to some of the current understanding and practices in society, women were treated fairly and equally in. Santana dharma is not a religion per say its a set of philosophical ideas which will help us achieve moksha or liberation. It calls itself as sanatana dharma, the eternal and universal truth that is relevant to all. Sanatanadharma, being transcendental, refers to universal and axiomatic laws that are beyond our temporary belief systems. Sanatana dharma comprises of spiritual laws which govern the human existence.
Understanding sanatana dharma hinduism is the oldest major religion. Hinduism in other words is defined as sanatana dharma. The eternal natural way is designed to be the first english language summa theologica, a theological summary, a systematic theological and philosophical exposition of the entirety of the sanatana dharma worldview. Hinduism is a religion, a word coined by westerners, for whom there was no exact english translation for dharma. Such a master was pujyasri chandrasekharendra sarasvati swami who has in the discourses constituting this book given an illuminating account of. At that time it was known as sanatan dharma or eternal religion. Those who do not like the name hinduism prefer to call it sanatana dharma. No one knows how this name came to be associated with hinduism. We have divided the articles of sanatana dharma in to two categories 1.
It was certainly not a popular name until the last few decades, or at the most a century. Santana dharma article about santana dharma by the free. Your definition of religion or english definition of religion is not in accordance with. Among other topics, about 116 categories, i write more on hinduism, the name given to santana dharma by the west. Sanatanadharma refers to the eternal occupation of the living entity. Different texts give different lists of the duties, but in general sanatana dharma consists of virtues such as. Is hinduism not a religion why is it called sanatana dharma. He is the supreme god within shaivism, one of the three most influential denominations of contemporary hinduism. Essential facts of sanatana dharma indiafactsindiafacts. It was used as a word denoting religious people of sanatana dharma. The basics of sanatan dharma what is sanatan dharma. Some of the other holy works and books of hinduism are stories and epic poems. Hinduism has been called the oldest religion in the world, and some practitioners and scholars refer to it as sanatana dharma, the eternal tradition, or the eternal way, beyond human history.
The santana dharma was pure vedic religion prior to the existence of the present day hinduism. Gods like shiva, vishnu are gods for all people and they are not exclusive to certain country or religion. The word dharma is found repeatedly throughout the entire corpus of the vedic scriptures, from the rg veda to the bhagavad gita. Feb 28, 2017 because hinduism is so open and diverse it can be difficult to actually define what it actually is. Hindu religion has no founder or origin thats why it is known as sanatana dharma. Perhaps hinduism should be called satdharma instead of sanatanadharma when iskcon founder srila prabhupada came to the west he used to say that he didnt preach hinduism but sanatanadharma. There is almost no scripture in the entirety of hinduism where one will not come across the word dharma as the preeminent name of the religion in question. Perhaps hinduism should be called satdharma instead of. They are the means to grasp the truths of our existence, but not the ends in themselves. Western term for the religious beliefs and practices of the vast majority of the people of india. If there is any word which should rightly be used to designate the faith. An allinone guidebook to the world of yoga, vedanta, meditation and hinduism.
To educate people regarding truth and to remove false belief, fabrications, myths that have haunted and degraded hinduism, to tell the exact meaning behind evey traditions and festivals accordingto hindu holy scriptures. Sanatana dharma has become a synonym for the eternal truth and. Hinduism beliefs and impressions introduction, sanatana. Hinduism is variously defined as a religion, set of religious beliefs and practices, religious tradition etc.
For his followers this came to mean eternal souls service to god krishna. Snatan dharma is not hinduism, and hinduism should not be renamed to sanatan dharma. The essence of it all can be summed up in tat tvam asi thou art that. Among the respected books are the four vedas, eleven upanishads, and eighteen puranas. Shiva shiva, meaning that which is not, also known as mahadeva great one is a popular hindu deity. Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition. A religion has a holy book and its believers must abide by its rules and have stern faith in it.
Is hinduism a culture of living more than just a religion. Hinduism is the third most popular religion with 900 million followers. The word sanatana is explained as that which has neither beginning nor end. Hindus can choose to be polytheistic, pantheistic, panentheistic, pandeistic, henotheistic, monotheistic, monistic, agnostic, atheistic or humanist. Hinduism is often referred to as sanatana dharma a sanskrit phrase meaning the eternal law by its adherents.
There is nothing eternal about this world, which is transient and destructible. It simply means eternal law or characteristic of human beings. We see that the religions with books have got the largest number of followers and those. What is the difference between sanatan dharma and hinduism as arya samaj does not want to be a part of sanatan dharma but still follows the vedas. We have been practising the law of worshipping mother nature from centuries. Hinduism is not a local formation or limited to one community of believers or practitioners. The word equivalent to religion in urdufarsi is mazhab. In the times of rama who came much before lord krishna existed dharma and only dharma. This book is a celebration of the tradition of sanatana dharma. Dharma the duty a hindu should perform in their life if a hindu is in the final stage of their life, they should give up their possessions and travel to temples to learn the scriptures. In hinduism truth is even more important than god, whose best definition is the eternal truth.
Sanatana dharma, which means the eternal or universal tradition, is the ancient name for what we today call the hindu religion. It calls itself as sanatana dharma, the eternal and universal truth that is relevant to all beings and arises from the cosmic mind itself. Hinduism includes a diversity of ideas on spirituality and traditions, but has no ecclesiastical order, no unquestionable religious authorities, no governing body, no prophet s nor any binding holy book. On the other hand, hinduism is intensely superstitious. Hinduism is an indian religion and dharma, or way of life, widely practiced in the indian. What is the difference between hinduism and sanatan dharma. Absolutely do not waste your money, its not a book, its a 29 page long bibliographyglossary and a few other pages trying. Hinduism was not a religion founded by any one person. Such a global projection of sanatana dharma does not deny the importance of hinduism as central to india, its culture, its past and its future. To educate people regarding truth and to remove false belief, fabrications, myths that have haunted and degraded hinduism, to tell the exact meaning behind evey traditions. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Sanatana dharma do not denote to a creed like christianity or islam, but.
I have found that the youngsters, the age group between 2035, are quite curious and want to know more about hinduism. Here is a test to know if you are already a follower of sanatana dharma, and are possibly just not consciously aware of it. As a religion or as a body of religious knowledge, beliefs and practices, hinduism is neither eternal nor constant. Hinduismabrief regional indianamerican community center. Why and what i write on hinduism sanatana dharma ramanis blog.
Who is a hindu and why are conversions not accepted in sanatana dharma. It was the way of life of the people living in the indian subcontinent, across the sindh river. Sanatana dharma is to human life what natural laws are to the physical phenomena. Hinduism sanatana dharma a short introduction hinduism is the oldest religion in the world. The teachings of hinduism were passed down from generation to generation in the form of vedas. Sanatana dharma or hinduism are mere names which we use for convenience to identify our faith. On the other hand, hindus esteem numerous sacrosanct works instead of. Sanatan dharma is a way of life what we are following is hinduism and not sanatan dharma. These ideas have been collated in scriptures such as vedas, upanishads, the bhagavadgita etc. Where 97% dire in india, 2% in nepal, and 1% dispersed around the world.
This video describes how it is not really a religion, but a dynamic culture founded on eternal. The titles hindu and hinduism, were first used by the persians, because they were on the opposite side of the indus river. Different texts give different lists of the duties, but in general sanatana dharma. The word dharma is referred as religion or way to liberation. Prominent themes in hindu beliefs include the four puru. Sanatana dharma the reality of hinduism srimad bhagavad gita. Perhaps hinduism should be called sat dharma instead of sanatana dharma when iskcon founder srila prabhupada came to the west he used to say that he didnt preach hinduism but sanatana dharma. Santana dharma synonyms, santana dharma pronunciation, santana dharma translation, english dictionary definition of santana dharma. The hinduism emphasizes on the santana dharma that is based on ritual and social observance and ascetic practices. It has spread globally, not because of conversion or coercion like many other religions, but because of migration of hindus from india to other parts of the world and also due to its ability to. Hinduism holy book important books and writings of hinduism sacred text of hinduism some important books and writings on hinduism hinduism does not possess a single holy book like bible in christianity and quran in islamic dharma. If you are looking for a single hinduism holy book like the quran or the bible you will be disappointed.
So when we speak of sanatanadharma it should be understood to have neither beginning nor end. In fact santana dharma is not a religion but our eternal relationship with god. Sanatana dharma is based on vedas and vedas can be read by all 7 billion people on earth. Let explain this sanatana is a word which means eternal.
One of the oldest living religions in the world, hinduism. Hinduism, sanatana dharma and india american institute of. So, santana dharma is moreover way of life than religion. Santana dharma definition of santana dharma by the free. To be precise, hinduism itself is a dharma but not simply religion.
Generic types of hinduism that attempt to accommodate a variety of complex views span folk and vedic. Shiva is regarded as one of the primary forms of god, and creator of shiva dharna true religion. It was a lifestyle that flourished in ancient indian subcontinent thousands of years ago, which later took the form of what is known today as hinduism. Since 1979 the international magazine hinduism today has been producing a treasury of educational features on all aspects of sanatana dharma. The majority of the vedas are considered the shruti, which is translated to that which is hard. Sanatana dharma is the original name of hinduism that is based on the vedas. Sanatana dharma, in hinduism, term used to denote the eternal or absolute set of duties or religiously ordained practices incumbent upon all hindus, regardless of class, caste, or sect. Hinduism holy book important books and writings of hinduism. Dharma central is designed to be a helpful resource for many of these hidden hindus to better understand, appreciate, and consciously practice the wonderful spiritual tradition that they are practically following. For a hindu unacquainted with the rudiments of sanatana dharma, this book will not only enlighten but also breathe meaning to the practices and beliefs he or she follows for those curious about hinduism the book will serve to inform and also facilitate in gaining a better understanding of hinduism. The term was used by gandhi in 1921 while describing his own religious beliefs. As a religion or as a body of religious knowledge, beliefs and practices. Sanatana dharma hinduism britannica encyclopedia britannica.
It is a task that can be accomplished only by a great master. On the other hand, hindus esteem numerous sacrosanct works instead of one holy book. The english word religion is a little different from sanatanadharma. Because hinduism is so open and diverse it can be difficult to actually define what it actually is. A religious, philosophical, and cultural tradition that developed in india with the composition of the vedas, characterized by belief in a supreme being. Most adherents prefer to call their tradition sanatanadharma rather than using the more recent term, hinduism, which they consider has sectarian connotations. Jun 28, 2017 to counter such attempts to limit hinduism and to bring its teachings out for the benefit of all, we need a revival of hinduism as sanatana dharma, the eternal or universal tradition, for the entire planet. To counter such attempts to limit hinduism and to bring its teachings out for the benefit of all, we need a revival of hinduism as sanatana dharma, the eternal or universal tradition, for the entire planet. Thus, sanatana dharma, which modern world popularly understand as hinduism, is a duty obliged to god that is shared by all from the lowest to highest creative beings. Does hinduism have a holy book like the bible or the quran. Conclusionthe perfection of renunciation text 66 sarvadharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja aham tvam sarvapapebhyo moksayisyami. Most interesting facts about hinduism sanatana dharma.
The vedas and these other works are further divided into two sections. The overall organizational outline of the book is a multipart structure. The terms hindu and hinduism are said to be a more recent development, while. The scriptures of the vedas are meant to guide hindu believers in their daily lives. If hindu is a collective term then surely buddhism, jainism, zoroastrianism and sikhism are hindus if hinduism never existed before the term was coinedcounts as different religions. Why and what i write on hinduism sanatana dharma ramanis. Hinduism and sanatana dharm by indrasen poola issuu. Santana dharma does not mean every aspect of hinduism is eternal or indestructible.
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