Hinduism and India's Decline

[suresh]

Friends,

How is everyone? It's been a while since I've posted here.

I want to post something regarding Hinduism and its influence, if any, on India's decline. This may sound rather controversial and even anti-Hindu, but trust me, it is not. It's pretty straightforward.

That said, let's see if some aspects of Hinduism have been responsible for India's problems.

#1 Vague and Abstract Philosophical Ideas, which only produce confused individuals with zero practicality.

#2 Ahimsa, Tolerance, and the rest, which perhaps resulted in weakness, collective apathy to pressing problems.

#3 Too much idealism, far less realistic and practical. Concepts like 'oneness', 'illusion' etc. have done more harm than good.

#4 Karma, often leading to a fatalistic outlook, inertia.

#5 Emphasis on Dharma, ethics etc. that are irrelevant to the real world in which we're living. This has made Hindus gift everything away to invaders, including land, property etc. No wonder, India happens to be the only nation in the world that seeks presidential pardon on behalf of terrorists!

#6 Totally disorganized: No centralized command, no proper organizational structure. Makes Hindus easy targets.

#7 Lack of Political Ideology: Proper governance is based on a political ideology, and because Hindus lack one, they have no clue as to how to rule over a nation. Not surprising that India has been ruled by foreigners, and even today in a so-called independent India, people don't mind a foreigner ruling the nation. This is clearly because Hinduism is divorced from the real world, of which politics is an important component.

These are some of the flaws I can think of. Let's discuss this rationally, and without getting upset. It's not my intent to bash Hinduism. I just feel these are the areas where Hinduism needs to improve.

Suresh

[TatTvamAsi]

Friends,

How is everyone? It's been a while since I've posted here.

I want to post something regarding Hinduism and its influence, if any, on India's decline. This may sound rather controversial and even anti-Hindu, but trust me, it is not. It's pretty straightforward.

That said, let's see if some aspects of Hinduism have been responsible for India's problems.

#1 Vague and Abstract Philosophical Ideas, which only produce confused individuals with zero practicality.

#2 Ahimsa, Tolerance, and the rest, which perhaps resulted in weakness, collective apathy to pressing problems.

#3 Too much idealism, far less realistic and practical. Concepts like 'oneness', 'illusion' etc. have done more harm than good.

#4 Karma, often leading to a fatalistic outlook, inertia.

#5 Emphasis on Dharma, ethics etc. that are irrelevant to the real world in which we're living. This has made Hindus gift everything away to invaders, including land, property etc. No wonder, India happens to be the only nation in the world that seeks presidential pardon on behalf of terrorists!

#6 Totally disorganized: No centralized command, no proper organizational structure. Makes Hindus easy targets.

#7 Lack of Political Ideology: Proper governance is based on a political ideology, and because Hindus lack one, they have no clue as to how to rule over a nation. Not surprising that India has been ruled by foreigners, and even today in a so-called independent India, people don't mind a foreigner ruling the nation. This is clearly because Hinduism is divorced from the real world, of which politics is an important component.

These are some of the flaws I can think of. Let's discuss this rationally, and without getting upset. It's not my intent to bash Hinduism. I just feel these are the areas where Hinduism needs to improve.

Suresh

Namaste Suresh,

#1. Understanding Sanathana Dharma is difficult for 99% of people (duffers). It talks about the nature of reality in philosophical terms however there have been a myriad of interpretations for the last 2 centuries that help the layman understand it better. The only principle a 'non-Hindu' needs to know about "Hinduism" is that Brahman IS! There is nothing else that has absolute reality. End of story. The ten arms and five heads part comes after that.

#2. Ahimsa: This is again highly misinterpreted and grossly misunderstood by most Hindus themselves! Ahimsa does NOT mean putting up with constant aggression, denigration, and blatant attack on one's culture and identity! That is cowardice. Ahimsa is avoidance of violence voluntarily! Meaning, avoid causing harm intentionally physically, emotionally, and mentally! Most Hindus think it means show your left cheek if you get slapped on your right! Your notion of collective apathy is absolutely correct! I would go further and add that most Hindus are indifferent to what's happening to their society, culture, 'religion' etc. by external forces.

#3. Idealism: Sanathana Dharma is very practical and gives an optimistic and descriptive 'manual' on how one should go about one's duties not only in this life, but for the future as well! Varnashrama Dharma is integral to Sanathana Dharma and therefore it beautifully describes how one should live one's life; regardless of where & when one is born. The philosophical principles are deep, however Sanathana Dharma, unlike Buddhism, doesn't ask you to go sit under a tree and do tapasya for the rest of your life; unless you are ready! It is so pluralistic that it incorporates people at all levels of spirituality; ritualistic, intellectual, philosophical, practical (Karma Yoga), devotional, and even atheists! Therefore, it caters to people from different walks of life. An investment banker @ Goldman Sachs does not need to throw away his Gucci suit and donate his Ferrari to practice "Hinduism". An avadhUta does not need to shave and have matted hair to practice tapasya!

#4. Karma: The current interpretation of the word in the Western world is distorting the real meaning and purpose. For example, the significance of karma is invalid if you believe that you live only one life. Of course, if you are someone like Uday Hussein murdering many people and taking pleasure in causing harm, it may come back in the same lifetime; as it did for him! This is only the practical understanding of karma. The cycle of 'apparent causation', as I like to call it, involves karma and actually an integral part of the atman's evolutionary journey. I think karma beautifully describes the effects of cause and effect and its implications on one's life, a practical aspect, and is far from having a 'fatalistic approach' etc.

#5. Dharma: The notion of dharma is very complex and can have several nuancial differences. Dharma is integral to Sanathana Dharma as well because it talks about the underlying order of the nature of reality! How one should be in accordance to that order is what is described as Svadharma! The goings on in India are based on gross misinterpretations and lack of understanding of the principle of dharma! Dharma does not ever mention 'gifting away everything to invaders' or 'pardoning terrorists' or any such thing. The fact is, the common Hindu of today has become such a scapegoat and target for attack that it is extremely difficult and a steep uphill battle to defend onself on even simple ideas, let alone in politics etc. Due to the Kali Yuga, most people are leading quite adharmic lives and therefore that could be a reason why many problems are arising throughout the world.

#6. Organization: One of the great things about Sanathana Dharma is that it IS disorganized from an external viewpoint! It seems like anyone can believe what they want to and can pretty much act without following a 'book' of rules and code of conduct etc. However, nothing is farther from the truth! This is because, in accordance with one's Svadharma, the organization of one's philosophical beliefs comes from within! If we had a centralized system akin to Christianity & Islam, heaven forbid, "Hinduism" will be an Abrahamic faith with multi-armed deities! The 'beliefs', after supposedly reading the scriptures (Vedas & Upanishads) will soon become a realization than a set of quirky 'faith-based' nonsense! The quest to realize one's true nature is what "Hinduism" is about. The last thing it needs is for some doddering old coot to tell people what to do and how to behave etc. All of that comes from within; depending on what level one is at!

#7. Political Ideology: Please tell me you have al least heard of Chanakya's Arthashasthra? From antiquarian times, followers of Sanathana Dharma led and lived in accordance to dharma; and what was good for their kingdom(s). The monarchical system was the norm because as per Sanathana Dharma, those in power and wealth should protect the helpless and innocent in their kingdoms. Most kings were dharmic and lived according to strict adherence of Varnashrama Dharma! When everyone lives according to their Svadharma, the society as a whole benefits. This is a far cry nowadays with Brahmins drinking alcohol and eating meat but at least the principles were laid down long ago. Since Rama was the epitome of enforcing dharma in his kingdom, his subjects never saw suffering and pain! Furthermore, this is why when kings waged wars and 'took over' other kingdoms through the Aswamedha, dharma was always adhered to; meaning they didn't take unfair advantage or kill anyone unnecessarily. With the advent of the muslims in the 8th Century CE, this type of dharmic warfare was mistaken as weakness by the invaders and therefore they were able to easily defeat the Hindu 'enemy'.

The most important problem, in my opinion, with "Hinduism" is that most Hindus know very little or nothing about their 'religion'! This is recipe for disaster when any 'outsider' attacks or even questions any principles of Sanathana Dharma. The pseudo-secular Hindus, along with Christians and Muslims are mostly anti-Hindu as they know that many Hindus are 'weak' (read: PUSSIES) and will not react violently! Take this example: M.F.Hussein (I wonder what "MF" stands for ), drew a naked painting of Durga and was given an award by the PM of Andhra Pradesh; a dalit anti-Hindu blackguard! Can you imagine ANYONE, even Christians, drawing a naked picture of Allah or Muhammad and being left alive, let alone being given an award; and that too by a Muslim Country?? This sort of scant regard and blatant indifference of Hindus is appalling and disturbing.

However, regardless of all of that, once anyone who open-mindedly reads about "Hinduism" sees the profundity of the philosophy behind it and has nothing but praise towards Sanathana Dharma and India! Many of the great thinkers of the past few centuries are good examples; Einstein, Jung, etc.

Subham.

[sarabhanga]

namaH aste !

Vague and Abstract Philosophical Ideas, which only produce confused individuals with zero practicality.

Too much idealism, far less realistic and practical. Concepts like 'oneness', 'illusion' etc. have done more harm than good.

Emphasis on Dharma, ethics etc. that are irrelevant to the real world in which we're living.

Lack of Political Ideology.

Abstract philosophical ideas are only vague for those who do not understand them, and abstract philosophy represents the discourse of philosophers, which was never intended for unmediated transmission to the general public. And that is a major purpose of the guru, who explains the abstraction in practical terms that apply specifically to the individual. There is only one ultimate abstraction, but its practical application is infinite (only becoming zero in the absence of a guru). And Hindu dharma is replete with arthashAstra and smRti which are certainly not irrelevant to the real world!

Ahimsa, Tolerance, and the rest, which perhaps resulted in weakness, collective apathy to pressing problems.

ahiMsA is only half of the yama, which is fully realized as ahiMsAsatyAste ~ and this remains unknown without correct yoga dIkshA, which can only be obtained from yama. And yama, being generally regarded as “death”, is avoided by all but the vAnaprasthin (who seeks only yama) and the saMnyAsin (who knows only yama).

Karma, often leading to a fatalistic outlook, inertia.

karma is dharma for all, and the essence of good karma is only kAma. And only the avadhUta has no karma, for his karma has been resolved to its source. There is no excuse for inertia.

Totally disorganized: No centralized command, no proper organizational structure.

You are totally forgetting the shaÑkarAcAryAs and their maThAs, and the nAgAs and their mADIs !


And the solution to all such perceived flaws is found in just one word ~ sadguru, which assumes the affirmation of pañcaguru (which is the dIkshA of saMnyAsAshrama).


ahiMsA satyA aste !

[sarabhanga]

It is a rare student who will approach a guru for knowledge of yama, with almost all requests being made for siddhi or moksha. But the preliminary wisdom is absolutely required for the final understanding, so the guru has only two choices. He could remain silent, or he could obligingly give his graduation speech, as the ultimate conclusion of his own life’s striving and the holy grail of every spiritual quest.

Graduation cannot be had without initiation, and it is the initiating speech of yama which should be requested from the sadguru before any thought of siddhi or moksha. And anyone who sincerely approaches a sadguru with the proper question will receive the full answer to all questions once he truly knows yama (which demands saMnyAsa).

[suresh]

Namaste TTA and Sarabhanga,

Both of you say (in different words):

#1 Hinduism is 99% misunderstood
#2 This misunderstanding is the real culprit

Granted misunderstanding of Hinduism is the real problem, rather than Hinduism itself. But the fact that Hinduism gives such wide scope for misunderstanding can be treated as a fundamental flaw within Hinduism. Which again makes Hinduism the culprit, rather than its alleged misunderstanding.

[sarabhanga]

The fact that Hinduism gives such wide scope for misunderstanding can be treated as a fundamental flaw within Hinduism. Which again makes Hinduism the culprit, rather than its alleged misunderstanding.

Namaste Suresh,

There is no scope for persistent misunderstanding when one has an appropriate guru. And in every case of misunderstanding the most likely culprit is either the lack of a guru or inattention to the words of one’s guru.

gurorvAkyam sadAsatyam satyam ekam parampadam

[sm78]

Namaste TTA and Sarabhanga,

Both of you say (in different words):

#1 Hinduism is 99% misunderstood
#2 This misunderstanding is the real culprit

Granted misunderstanding of Hinduism is the real problem, rather than Hinduism itself.

So lets work towards removing these misunderstandings rather than having misgivings about dharma.

The history and politics of bhArata has not been really in control of its well wishers for variety of reasons. But since now we are supposedly independent we can atleast try to rectify the past.

[Bob G]

Hello Suresh,

"But the fact that Hinduism gives such wide scope for misunderstanding can be treated as a fundamental flaw within Hinduism. Which again makes Hinduism the culprit, rather than its alleged misunderstanding"

Replacing the word Hinduism with (Supreme)-Mahadeva in your text above we then have the text below:

But the fact that (Supreme)-Mahadeva gives such wide scope for misunderstanding can be treated as a fundamental flaw within Mahadeva. Which again makes Mahadeva the culprit, rather than His alleged misunderstanding...
Is this an aspect of your pov or belief? To me, such could be logically extrapolated from what you are apparently saying. (?)

Om

[Nuno Matos]

Namaste Bob

"
But the fact that (Supreme)-Mahadeva gives such wide scope for misunderstanding can be treated as a fundamental flaw within Mahadeva "

Mahadeva has no flaws as it is the supreme god. It is Brahma that make mistakes including Shiva mistake of wanting to eradicate mistakes.

" Which again makes Mahadeva the culprit, rather than His alleged misunderstanding..."

Well I cant agree with that as Shiva penance for cutting the fifth head of Brahma is well know.

[sarabhanga]

Namaste Nuno,

brahma is flawless, but brahmA (from the unborn perspective of brahma) is fatally flawed. brahma is nara (rudra or shiva) and brahmA is nArAyaNa (rudrA or bhairava); and brahma is pañcamukha, while brahmA is caturmukha.

The mAyA of jA (the illusion of creation) is avidyA from the perspective of aja. Indeed, both avidyA and vidyA become “avidyA” from that ultimate perspective ~ which makes any discussion ultimately futile. But bhairava has sole responsibility for his own creation, which he carries as the fifth head of brahma (figuratively severed in the very process of creation) for so long as he wanders (i.e. for all of time). And he can only be relieved of this burden when he wakes from the virtual sleep-walking of his prAjña state.

bhairava measures the earth for as long as it lasts, but in the end he returns (with the essence of his creation in his hand) to the aja realm of shiva’s kAshi. And at the extremity of pralaya he offers his fruition (figured as a human skull) into the pool of his own dissolution (kapAlamocanam).

The brahmahatyA of bhairava is the origin sin of division, which is creation itself. And after the bhairavayAtanA (self-inflicted by the will of shiva) the sin is absolved and the purified creation becomes resolved to its source.

yama is banished from kAshi, for his services are no longer required, and bhairava takes his rightful place.