When I asked an Indian fellow what is the definition of being Hindu, he was taken aback. It took him few minutes of explanation to describe what being a Hindu meant to him. This came with a caveat that other Hindus may describe being Hindu differently. Also, the world Hindu was not even an Indian word- it’s a Persian word for people living beyond Indus (Sindhu) river!
Religion is a competitive business. It is a relentless process of influencing population and phasing out an alternative.
Organized religion is religion in which belief systems and rituals are systematically arranged and formally established. Organized religion is typically characterized by an official codification of rules and practices.
All Abrahamic religions - Judaism, Christianity and Islam are highly organized religions. Of these, Islam is organized in a socio-politico-military fashion with uniform rules, regulations and responsibilities while Christianity is organized more on social-political fashion. Judaism, being the oldest of all three is mostly socially and philosophically structured.
Eastern religions- all remarkably originating in India, are elastic social-cultural norms that never saw the need to be uniform during its ascent. Unfortunately, it couldn’t find the opportunity to be organized during its destruction by invading Muslims. What remained of this is a hodgepodge of beliefs, traditions, literature and identity.
This is all good and manageable as long it can survive. Lack of rigid rules gives space to new thinking and progressive society.
However, when such system is threatened, it is not easy to mount a united response. For instance, it is difficult to convert a Christian/Muslim to Hindu but much easier the other way around. In absence of clear rules, it is difficult to decide the response to say a destruction of a temple vs killing of a cow. A mob rule without clear mandate is not a good way to deal with systemic threat to religion.
Today, Hinduism is under grave danger- not so much from external enemies as nationalism will protect Indian boundaries. But the real danger to Hinduism comes from gradual dilution of Hindu values, tradition, language and cultural practices by coercion, manipulation and influence of other religions- most importantly Islam.
For instance: When Hindus wish each other “saal mubarak” for Diwali- New Year, a Persian-Arabic combination - for the most important Hindu festival- most don’t even know the correct Hindu greeting.
To many, this is not a big deal. But it is- as Jewish say, “how you handle small things will prepare you for the big things.”
Islam understands this very well. A Muslim will greet a Muslim in same words anywhere in the world regardless of their native language. Will follow the same diet, prayer, social rules etc.
As much as Hinduism is under threat, this is probably the only time in its entire history that almost 800 million people are alive to save it, protect it and possibly prepare it for coming centuries.
I strongly believe that Hinduism needs to define itself appropriately. There seems to be a clear need to codify basics, establish rules and laws, regulations, duties and long term vision of Hinduism. Geeta is just not enough to compete with bible or kuran.
A grand conclave needs to happen- May be at the holiest site of Hinduism. Just like in Roman era when they codified Christianity and wrote bible- almost 400 years after death of Jesus. Before that, Christianity was just like today’s Hinduism- with strong followers but weak set of guidelines.
All priests from all over India, Nepal and even Sikh, Jain and Buddhist monks need to be invited. The goal of such assembly should be to prepare complete architecture of Hinduism. It can follow Romans or even the writers of US constitution in how to do so. But at end of the day, it must clearly define and make every Hindu realize what it means to call himself/herself a Hindu.
Religion is a competitive business. It is a relentless process of influencing population and phasing out an alternative.
Organized religion is religion in which belief systems and rituals are systematically arranged and formally established. Organized religion is typically characterized by an official codification of rules and practices.
All Abrahamic religions - Judaism, Christianity and Islam are highly organized religions. Of these, Islam is organized in a socio-politico-military fashion with uniform rules, regulations and responsibilities while Christianity is organized more on social-political fashion. Judaism, being the oldest of all three is mostly socially and philosophically structured.
Eastern religions- all remarkably originating in India, are elastic social-cultural norms that never saw the need to be uniform during its ascent. Unfortunately, it couldn’t find the opportunity to be organized during its destruction by invading Muslims. What remained of this is a hodgepodge of beliefs, traditions, literature and identity.
This is all good and manageable as long it can survive. Lack of rigid rules gives space to new thinking and progressive society.
However, when such system is threatened, it is not easy to mount a united response. For instance, it is difficult to convert a Christian/Muslim to Hindu but much easier the other way around. In absence of clear rules, it is difficult to decide the response to say a destruction of a temple vs killing of a cow. A mob rule without clear mandate is not a good way to deal with systemic threat to religion.
Today, Hinduism is under grave danger- not so much from external enemies as nationalism will protect Indian boundaries. But the real danger to Hinduism comes from gradual dilution of Hindu values, tradition, language and cultural practices by coercion, manipulation and influence of other religions- most importantly Islam.
For instance: When Hindus wish each other “saal mubarak” for Diwali- New Year, a Persian-Arabic combination - for the most important Hindu festival- most don’t even know the correct Hindu greeting.
To many, this is not a big deal. But it is- as Jewish say, “how you handle small things will prepare you for the big things.”
Islam understands this very well. A Muslim will greet a Muslim in same words anywhere in the world regardless of their native language. Will follow the same diet, prayer, social rules etc.
As much as Hinduism is under threat, this is probably the only time in its entire history that almost 800 million people are alive to save it, protect it and possibly prepare it for coming centuries.
I strongly believe that Hinduism needs to define itself appropriately. There seems to be a clear need to codify basics, establish rules and laws, regulations, duties and long term vision of Hinduism. Geeta is just not enough to compete with bible or kuran.
A grand conclave needs to happen- May be at the holiest site of Hinduism. Just like in Roman era when they codified Christianity and wrote bible- almost 400 years after death of Jesus. Before that, Christianity was just like today’s Hinduism- with strong followers but weak set of guidelines.
All priests from all over India, Nepal and even Sikh, Jain and Buddhist monks need to be invited. The goal of such assembly should be to prepare complete architecture of Hinduism. It can follow Romans or even the writers of US constitution in how to do so. But at end of the day, it must clearly define and make every Hindu realize what it means to call himself/herself a Hindu.
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