hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~~
namasté
If one looks to the world, about 8 in 10 people identify with a religious group, so says the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life¹.
Now if one thinks about this 8 out of 10 people that no doubt is a fine majority. Yet if we look around the world we see strife. How can this be ? How can one's religion not muster enough good-will that would bring some semblance of peace to the world ? Something is missing. Here's some of my opinions on this matter.
The list above looks like reasonable assumptions, yet no matter what religion one practices, if one is completely attached to thinking they are the body and it is the final reality, then one is no less living in the herd (paśavya¹). And what is this ? Pravṛttimārga - active or worldly life , occupancy about the business and pleasures of the world.
- identify with a religious group does not suggest one practices the principles of that religion
- practicing a religion inadequately is like not practicing it at all
- the pride that one's religion is superior to another's magnifies differences
- the motivation to 'recruit' more into a religious group suggesting bigger is better is a political mind set and not spiritually relevant
- To recruit others, thinking you are saving them, is the fault of pride and ignorance
Now one needs to note that we must live in this world, function within it, and enjoy what it has to offer, but not be captivated by it. Why so?
Because more often then not you will be disappointed. You wanted X to occur and Y shows up; You pointed out A, but you got B. Your expectations are not met. But I digress.
If the very essence of the word religion is accomplished, then there is nothing to fear and each religion will bring one to the proper door step.
Why then yajvan is sanātana dharma so attractive to you ? Because it suggests snāta... This word we know means bathed , washed , cleansed or purified from. Yet to it means one who has finished his religion. It wishes to bring to end religion for the practitioner. And what would that be ? Svādhisthāna means being stationed and delighted in one's own Self. Of what use is there for religion if one is grounded in one's own Self ? Religion would be as useful as a wicker basket for carrying water.
iti śivaṁ
words and reference sites:
- Pew Research study can be found here: http://www.pewforum.org/2012/12/18/g...andscape-exec/
- 97% of all Hindus live in the world’s three Hindu-majority countries ¹(India, Mauritius and Nepal)
- paśu or paśúnā - any tethered animal, singularly or collectively
- 'a herd '; 5 kinds are enumerated , " men , kine , horses , goats and sheep "
- paśutā - the state of an animal
- paśutva - (with māheśvara-s and pāśupata-s) the being the individual soul
- paśavya - belonging to a herd; a herd or drove of cattle
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