Re: The Hindu Jesus?
Hinduism, on the other hand, has always been peaceful. India has never invaded other countries, nor did we even expell our Muslim or Christian colonizers by force. Not trying to gain some moral high ground here. But I do think that Hinduism has some important spiritual elements that these Middle Eastern religions are missing.
Namaste Sanjaya.
The funny thing is I don't feel you are in any way setting up a moral plinth for Hinduism to somehow "rise" above other religions. The word religion does not even do justice to what it encompasses, anyway. I much prefer its proper term Sanatana Dharma, the Eternal Law, Truth and Way. What need for the title "religion", which in these days connote so many negative qualities in the Western world? I find that is the true beauty of Sanatana Dharma - because it is simply the universal truth, it is found in every religion, which explains its tolerance for other faiths.
A true Hindu recognises God's presence everywhere, even in the religions that insults or attacks his own beliefs. It recognises the unity that exists in diversity, and some of the scriptures even seem to revel in it as being an essential part of our existence (e.g., Shvetashvatara Upanishad)! It has a spiritual equanimity that allows it to recognise not just the eternal law, Dharma, but also Svadharma, the individual's own duty or personal way. The Bhagavad Gita even says in one of the early chapters "competition in another's dharma breeds fear and insecurity" (B.G. 3:35), and that it is far better for a person to discover his own personal way and to let that spiritual practice flourish than for him to tie himself to one that feels alien to him. Can you imagine that? The Gita is probably one of the truly unique holy scriptures in the world that it would actually tell its readers who are not Hindu "go your own path, and go with all your heart". Such beneficence and consideration for the welfare of people from different faiths! Few other spiritual teachings can show the same nobility of mind to know that there is One in Many, and not worry about what his Christian or Muslim neighbour is worshipping, and whether he is doing it properly!
The Western religions like Christianity and Islam seem to rely on having to persuade you to listen to them. But for a few, rare denominations, many of them have an "all or nothing" approach to their faith, in that their scriptures are unidirectional, rigid and infallible. The former two characteristics are more likely due to the original, ritualistic aspects of its creed, but the former creates a problem in that it assumes nothing else can be true, and it cannot be challenged. To challenge it is to be a heathen, an idolater, an infidel. These people cannot be tolerated by these religions, who seem bent on having their followers as unquestionably loyal to their God. Whereas questions, hesitations and qualms are all encouraged to be shared in the East, quest for knowledge is frowned upon in the West. This must be the reason Hinduism has survived for so many thousands of years and is still in practice today. I find it, along with other Eastern traditions like Buddhism and so on, have the capacity to endure not because they rely on an external force (missionaries and evangelists) to spread its message, but because it relies on an internal one (the individual). Eastern religions, to me, seem put the responsibility squarely on the shoulders of its followers. You have to make the discoveries yourself. You have to pursue the Truth. No one else will (or can) do it for you. It is your personal journey to God or discovering your Real Nature that can ultimately instil a far greater sense of devotion, fulfilment and joy in your heart.
"Watch your thoughts, they become words.
Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch your habits, they become your character.
Watch your character, it becomes your destiny."
ॐ गं गणपतये नमः
Om Gam Ganapataye namah
लोकाः समस्ताः सुखिनो भवन्तु ।
Lokaah SamastaaH Sukhino Bhavantu
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