Many recent speeches by various self-professed saviours of Hindu faith, would have us believe that Hinduism is under threat today. And I for one, believe that Hinduism is under threat today.
Hinduism or sanatan dharma is one of the oldest religions in this world. It has survived in the face of significant challenges to its existence. When the persuasiveness of Buddhism overcame the shortcomings in Hinduism, kings (Ashoka) and peasants alike flocked to this simpler middle path, devoid of rituals and discrimination.
At this opportune time, Adi Shankracharya came forth to rescue Hinduism.
Adi Shankracharya found Hinduism to be under threat, not only from outside, but more importantly from within. Yet, he did not raise a sword against Buddhism. Instead, he raised a sword against the sectarianism within Hindus.
His greatest contributions include the fact that he united the different voices of Hinduism. He espoused a much purer form of vedic thought which addressed several of the shortcomings of the religion. He was able to revive Hinduism, not by fear-mongering but by bringing out unique aspects of Hinduism. He was able to restore Hinduism to its glory and hence had people flock back to embrace the religion of their forefathers. He did so not by threat of force but by cleansing Hinduism is many of its ills.
Today, once again, Hinduism faces grave threats. However, the threat, unlike what the self-professed guardians would have us believe, is from within. The threat is more from such guardians and their blind, ignorant followers than from anyone or anywhere else.
In their zeal to 'protect' Hinduism, they have forgotten the fundamental teachings of Hinduism, which were gifted not so long ago to the world by none other than Swami Vivekananda.
In his speech to the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, Swami Vivekananda said: "As the different streams having their sources in different places all mingle their water in the sea, so, O Lord, the different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee."
This is the core of Hinduism - universal acceptance and tolerance. Hinduism accepts that there is no one way to God and acknowledges different paths to the same goal. By violating this core of Hinduism, these guardians are creating a far bigger threat to Hinduism than the ones they claim to defend it against. These self-professed guardians forget that they are no Adi Shankracharya or Swami Vivekananda.
Hindus, as of course all Indians and people of the world, would be much better served by remembering the closing lines from Swami Vivekananda's Chicago speech, which are so relevant as if he were speaking them today:
"Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with violence, drenched it often and often with human blood, destroyed civilisation and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now. But their time is come; and I fervently hope that the bell that tolled this morning in honour of this convention may be the death-knell of all fanaticism, of all persecutions with the sword or with the pen, and of all uncharitable feelings between persons wending their way to the same goal."
Hinduism or sanatan dharma is one of the oldest religions in this world. It has survived in the face of significant challenges to its existence. When the persuasiveness of Buddhism overcame the shortcomings in Hinduism, kings (Ashoka) and peasants alike flocked to this simpler middle path, devoid of rituals and discrimination.
At this opportune time, Adi Shankracharya came forth to rescue Hinduism.
Adi Shankracharya found Hinduism to be under threat, not only from outside, but more importantly from within. Yet, he did not raise a sword against Buddhism. Instead, he raised a sword against the sectarianism within Hindus.
His greatest contributions include the fact that he united the different voices of Hinduism. He espoused a much purer form of vedic thought which addressed several of the shortcomings of the religion. He was able to revive Hinduism, not by fear-mongering but by bringing out unique aspects of Hinduism. He was able to restore Hinduism to its glory and hence had people flock back to embrace the religion of their forefathers. He did so not by threat of force but by cleansing Hinduism is many of its ills.
Today, once again, Hinduism faces grave threats. However, the threat, unlike what the self-professed guardians would have us believe, is from within. The threat is more from such guardians and their blind, ignorant followers than from anyone or anywhere else.
In their zeal to 'protect' Hinduism, they have forgotten the fundamental teachings of Hinduism, which were gifted not so long ago to the world by none other than Swami Vivekananda.
In his speech to the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, Swami Vivekananda said: "As the different streams having their sources in different places all mingle their water in the sea, so, O Lord, the different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee."
This is the core of Hinduism - universal acceptance and tolerance. Hinduism accepts that there is no one way to God and acknowledges different paths to the same goal. By violating this core of Hinduism, these guardians are creating a far bigger threat to Hinduism than the ones they claim to defend it against. These self-professed guardians forget that they are no Adi Shankracharya or Swami Vivekananda.
Hindus, as of course all Indians and people of the world, would be much better served by remembering the closing lines from Swami Vivekananda's Chicago speech, which are so relevant as if he were speaking them today:
"Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with violence, drenched it often and often with human blood, destroyed civilisation and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now. But their time is come; and I fervently hope that the bell that tolled this morning in honour of this convention may be the death-knell of all fanaticism, of all persecutions with the sword or with the pen, and of all uncharitable feelings between persons wending their way to the same goal."
1 comment:
Bang on!!
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