A Presentation on the Book - Hinduism: The Eternal Tradition by David Frawley, explaining the aspects of Hinduism in a lucid manner, appropriate for modern and western audiences.
2. World is developing at a rapid pace. Each
and every sort of development is on its top.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11. • In this world along with technological challenge we
have to face challenge of global culture.
• For this we have to create a universal tradition that
can encompass all the diversities of human culture
both religious and secular.
But for this do we have to create a new religion??
OR
we already have???
12. To find the universal religion first
we must answer the question that
“What is Religion?”
13. What is religion
• Religion as a whole is not merely a belief
system but a way of life, a system of ethical,
mental and spiritual culture.
• Its main aim is to answer the ultimate
question of life and death.
• Its ultimate goal is to search the eternal truth.
14. Searching universal religion…
Lets see how many religions we have and how they
differ from each other
• Hinduism or Sanatan Dharma • Zoroastrianism
• Buddhism • Pagan Religion
• Jainism • Judaism
• Sikhism • Christianity
• Taoism • Islam
15. Sanatan Dharma or Eternal Tradition
• Sanatana Dharma as eternal tradition has no
specific origin in time. It is the oldest tradition.
• It is the mother of all religions.
• It is not a rigid religion. It is developed with
time. It has no set dogmas.
• Their was no sudden development like some
prophet came and said some words and those
words became a religious book and we started
following it.
• It is not a religion but a way of living.
16. Buddhism
•Buddhism contain much of the
greater Hindu tradition or
Sanatana Dharma. Like the use
of Sanskrit Mantras, Yoga
techniques, Vedic fire rituals,
Ayurvedic medicines and Vedic
astrology, and a common
iconography and temples with
Hindus.
•There is no conflict between
these two religions because
both emphasizes enlightenment
and self realization.
17. Jainism
•They have similar yogic
values, emphasize on non-
violence, rejection of
personal God.
•It can be seen as an aspect
of Hinduism because there is
no conflict between these
two religions
18. Sikhism
•Sikhism is originally a sect of
Hindus. It was a custom to
make the eldest son into a
Sikh or a defender of the
faith. This trend was to
counter the Islamic invaders.
19. Taoism
•Taoism is a religion of China.
Buddhism and Taoism in China
influenced each other
considerably and often merged
into a single unit.
•This religion also have
meditation much like Hindus
and Buddhists.
20. Zoroastrianism
•This religion is very similar to •Parsis in India are the
Vedic in language and followers of this religion.
concepts, particularly in its •During the Islamic quest,
emphasis on fire worship. they were driven out from
•It transferred it ideas to their own country Persia &
many western religions. took refuge in India.
21. Pagan Religions
•These religions have also
many thing common with
Hinduism. Both had
temples of Gods and
Goddesses many with
common name or
characteristics.
•Today's theology and
philosophy relies heavily
on Plato, Socrates and
Aristotle, who were Pagan
Philosophers.
22. Judaism
•It is a religion based on
theology.
•Judaism is an Abrahmic
religion. It is a theology more
than religion
23. Christianity
•Christianity is against images and idol
worship.
•It practice forceful conversion and send
missionaries for this purpose.
•It has some set dogmas which
everybody has to follow.
•According to Christian theology, be a
Christian or you will go to everlasting
hell.
24. Islam
•Islam is entirely based on life of
prophet Mohammed.
•Islam is more of a social
political movement than a
spiritual teaching.
•It emphasize the outer religious
identity more than the inner
quest.
•Islam has always practiced
forceful conversions.
25. The name
Hinduism
The name Hindu is a
foreign invention. Persians
were connected to India in
the part of Indus river. The
Sanskrit name of Indus,
Sindhu, gave rise to The
term Hindu. It is merely a
geographical term and
doesn’t represent Hindu
religion. Its true name is
Sanatana Dharma. Our
scriptures too do not
contain the term Hindu or
Hinduism
26. History of downfall of Hinduism in
India
• India was under Islamic rule for 500 years.
• Then for 200 years, under the rule of British.
• During this period, for 700 years continuously
Hinduism was actively suppressed.
• Hindus were often prevented, or at least
discouraged, from practicing their religion.
• After independence, Marxist and communist
was appreciated.
27. The result is that the view of
Hinduism taught in India is more
leftist than Hindu.
28. Hinduism- appeared on a verge of self-
destruction for the last few centuries.
Bur it is experiencing a new revival and
expanding its influence all over the
world with its teachings like Vedanta,
Yoga, Tantra and Ayurveda.
29.
30.
31. • The great sages of India have never regarded
themselves as limited to a belief that we call
Hindu, they have looked upon themselves as
followers of Sanatan Dharma, the universal
tradition.
• Hinduism contains the greatest diversity and
freedom in the spiritual life that can be found
in any religions on the planet.
32. • Theological ethics divide humanity into
believers & non-believers, which may be
Christians & heathens, Muslims & kafirs, or
people of God & people of devil.
• This division is between holy and unholy, as if
only the members of a particular religion can
be truly good & those of other beliefs must be
evil, however good they may be.
33. If there is one God or truth then
there cannot be two humanities,
the believers & non-believers.
If the reality is one then humanity
must also be one.
34. • Different spiritual tradition have created
different cultures.
• Yet the world’s richest and most spiritual is
probably that of India, which has placed the
greatest emphasis on spiritual realization.
• It contains art, music, poetry, philosophy,
medicine and astrology.
35.
36.
37.
38. All things in the universe are object
of worship once we recognize the
sacred presence which pervades all
things.
39. We should note that religions that
use images and icons of God have
not been more violent or sensual
than those who deny it.
40.
41. • Sanatan Dharma is not troubled by any
contradiction between one and many.
• It regards Many as various appearance or
manifestation of the One.
• It is not one in the sense of one thing opposed
to others but unity that includes diversity
without being limited by it.
42. • Hinduism does not require that we all have
the same view of Divinity but encourages
unique and diverse views.
• It says that something that is unique about
each person, which is their special connection
with the Divine.
There should be no standardized
religion for all.
43. Christianity, Islam, Judaism or even
Buddhism are based on the lives of Jesus,
Mohammed, Moses or Buddha
respectively. Their life is the model of
entire religion.
But Hinduism can not be explained in
simplistic manner because it contains the
mystery and complexity of life itself.
45. • Hinduism doesn’t differ
between human and supreme
power. It believes in Advaita
i.e.. Non Duality. It says that all
the beings are same and the
same power is in all of them.
•It doesn’t see nature as a
creation of God but it see it as
God itself.
•It doesn’t matter whether u
call God he, she ,it or by any
other name or u see God in
any form, because The
Supreme power is beyond
names and forms.
46.
47. •It doesn’t support militancy
and spread of religion through
force. True religion makes its
way by the force of truth.
•Advaita philosophy says
“Aham Bhramasmi”(I am
that) and one who follows
Hinduism cannot kill or hurt
anyone, not only human being
but any thing of nature.
•It is true that there is
violence in Hindu history but
the violence is defensive. You
will never find any scripture
promoting violence.
48. It believes in Karma-phal siddhanth ie. You have to pay
for what you do. It can also be related with one of the
Newton`s Law of Motion i.e.. Every action gives equal and
opposite reaction.
The soul must reap fruits of its action.
Their is a destiny and Karmic pattern in our lives which is
related with our previous physical and mental patterns.
But our Consciousness not being a product of time is
free.
49. Hinduism preaches that the truth is universal, but the ways to say the
truth may change. It doesn’t say that you have to believe in truth told
by others, but allows to know the universal truth by yourself, because
such truth is so subtle that it cannot be expressed in words.
Hinduism provides various methodologies to know the truth like
Yoga which is further divided into many categories according to
your abilities
50. Hinduism is not a religion of some preset
dogmas. Its universalism not merely accepts
all the things as they appear but has given a
right place for every aspect of life.
51. It shows the place for every spiritual practice
along with ways of life.
In this regard Hinduism is the religion of both
past and future
