The State of Being, that helps a person know themselves, is a Hindu god; not a person; not a superhuman- The State of Being
Communal riots, lynchings, untouchability, rapes, purity tests of women, homophobia etc. Why do these happen in the name of Hinduism if it is laudably evolving and liberal in Philosophy, Science, Societal Principles, Women Representation and Inclusivity?
The condition is that the religion must be understood firmly, deeply and wisely. That is why I said that to speak for religion, one requires profound understanding. To speak against it, utter ignorance suffices (here)
WHAT SUSTAINS A RELIGION ?
Religion must encourage enquiry, critical analyses and debate. Rather than silence them, Religion must welcome questions and scepticism, and provide answers. Religion must evolve with its followers, and social and political structures, with Dharma at its Heart.
Essentially, this is the difference between Religion and Cult.
As a matter of fact, Hinduism does provide me the freedom to scrutinise, interpret and debate its various Values, Teachings and Facets. Most importantly, to share my analyses with others.
WHO IS THE CULPRIT THEN?
Human Thought.
Discriminatory and inharmonious beliefs are the result of a bigoted, prejudiced and warped thought scheme. These then translate into actions, shaping a continuum of beliefs completely different from the original beliefs.
WHAT MUST WE DO TO NEVER HAVE COMMUNAL RIOTS ?
“However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act upon them?” -Gautam Buddha
Posting on social media can only do so much. We must begin with working on our Actions.
1. Do Not Flame The Division
Peace, Self-restraint and Unity- remember these to defeat a violent, coercive and discriminatory Thought Scheme.
Do not let the divisive behaviour of some induce the same in us. Victory is in rebuking their claims even if it feels like they are lifting our community over the other.
Remember, all it took Nature was a virus, and Diwali, Eid, Christmas etc. all stand cancelled.
2. Be Mindful of The Mob
WHAT IS GOD (especially in Hinduism)?
God is Dharma. God is the personification of Energy in the form of you and me, practising Ethically/Lawfully/Morally/Dutifully Compassionate and Right Actions for making the world better and fair. (you may read PARTS I-IV, especially PART III, to speak for this).
Remember this every time a mob or society wants you to do something in 'God's Name'. It could even be a social media mob.
Click here to know the truth of sexism in Hinduism.
3. Take Back Our Strength- DO NOT FUEL INTER-RELIGIOUS DIVIDE
Separate religion from political conversations. When you find a politically-driven, socially-cultivated action to be discriminatory or dictatorial, call it out.
But do not call it induced by a religion, and do not share and forward such posts. People take from religions what they want to justify doing (revise here, here, and here).
When you do this, you take the power away from the DIVIDERS. They can no more run you and the vote-bank for their interests then.
This way we will not be divided by institutions of faith that we cannot see. Rather are united by the strength that we do.
Consequently, we can work together on issues that matter- unemployment, inequality, health and education infrastructure, hunger, poverty, sexism & sexual assaults (gender-equal), climate change & its aspects, humanitarian crises etc. Do not let the Dividers DISTRACT AND DIVIDE us.
Click here to read about Homosexuality, Casteism and Tradition in Hinduism.
4. Never Humiliate or Mock Faith, its Values and Believers
Stop focusing on the TRP-driven negativity and fights (which sell more than their positive counterparts). You would realise the Immense Good and Kindness around us.
Honour and value people for the Good that they do. Do not demean or mock them for the Faith that they abide by.
A case in point is Hindutva. If you do not already know-
Hindutva is a political ideology (of division). Contrarily, Hinduism is a way of life, a millennia-old institution of Thought Experiment, Logic and Action- all of which I have described in Parts I to IV. Hindutva does not correspond with Hinduism at all.
But you would not know it unless you explore depths of these concepts. Just because you do not understand it, does not mean it is superstitious. Revise Quantum superposition and Schrodinger's Cat! Or give a read to this astronomer's plans about humans outliving Earth, Sun and the Universe!
Click here to read what Ancient Hinduism says about Modern Science!
Click here to know why Hinduism is monotheistic and sans idol worship.
5. Be Less Materialistic
Sounds like a sermon? But it is true. When materialism decreases, we realise our real goals, and that the ultimate one is 'Permanent Happiness (Param-Anand)' That is when we get to look Within, and know of our Connection with Everything. (revise here)
You know what that does? That eliminates the concept of Yours and Mine, Them and Us etc. It bestows us with an abundance mindset.
After all, the basic necessities are SAME for everyone in the world.
CONCLUSION TO THE SERIES
Next time you think you are raising a ground-breaking question on Religion, ask someone from the higher contemplative order. Do not ask those who look for a messiah or God in a mortal (a politician, celebrity, self-styled fake gurus, foretellers, 'divine beings' driven in Rovers and BMWs etc.). And certainly not those who support violence, division, hostility, supremacy or discrimination of any kind.
Failing to realise the temple that their body is, they fight for building concrete temples. They are the ersatz ‘saviours’ of Hinduism who have never truly understood it, but take umbrage on a well-made, differently shot scene on screen. They are insular minds that cannot comprehend different perspectives.
Instead of reinstating culture and values, this saviour complex is frightening youth away, who now consider everyone ‘religious’ to be lower primates.
I am still learning, and as I do more I may be able to reason better for and against everything expounded upon by me in this series.
Finally- Question, Probe, Think, Reflect, Infer and Build your version of Dharma, with or without the Absolute Energy. Just never fall for opportunistic gimmicks that try to do it for you.
Bhagwad Gita illuminates on three ways of Being One With Truth of Existence- Action (Karma Yoga), Devotion (Bhakti Yoga), and Knowledge (Gyan Yoga).
Pick yours.
“5% of the people think; 10% of people think they think and the other 85% would rather die than think.” – Thomas A Edison
