the role of hindu dharma & our role in hindu dharma

The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu DharmaOutline:

Introduction of the topic and participants

Hindu Basics: Dharma & not religion

What is Dharma? What is Hindu Dharma?

What is unique about it?

What it can do for the modern world?

How to bring Hindu Dharma to maximum number of people?

Our Duties: Rnas, Ashrama dharma

What is my duty, dharma and what I can do for it? Individually? Collectively?

The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma

Introduction:

What is our organization?

It is a channel through which we are learning from and learning about our heritage for a

peaceful, harmonious, happy and prosperous life and also for a world beyond self which is also peaceful, harmonious and progressive.


Introduction:

What is its product and service we offer?

Hindu Dharma: Knowledge, tools

Hindu issues: Issues affecting the Hindus and action towards those


Introduction:

What is our role?

Be benefited by Hindu Dharma ourselves

Help others to get the same


Introduction:

As leaders of the organization it is absolutely necessary that we have the following:

We know the fundamentalsWe know how to implement them in daily lifeWe know how to articulate/present themWe, all the key players are on the same page We should be able to not only defend, but also remove ignorance from those who do not understand us and attack us


We feel the urge within.

We feel that we have the answer.

We are inspired and motivated

Yet at times we feel helpless.


We find ourselves to be stuck with our personal life and organizational details.

We feel that we the Hindus are weak and lacking some vital requirements.


We feel that the heritage which has allowed the descent of Ram, Sita, Draupadi, Krishna,

Buddha, Nagarjun, Aryabhatta ,Kanad, Panini, Patanjali, Mahavir ,Sankara, Madhava,

Chaitanya, Ramana, Ramakrishna , Vivekananda and Aurobindo are less relevant

to the world.


On one hand….On one hand…. We have a grand vision for the entire We have a grand vision for the entire

creation. creation.

We have most complete systems for the We have most complete systems for the evolution from animal to human to evolution from animal to human to

divine.divine.

We have lofty ideals such as “Ahimsha We have lofty ideals such as “Ahimsha parama dharmo.”parama dharmo.”


Our Vision includes…

Byakti/Individual:Byakti/Individual: Aham Brahmashmi

Samasthi/Samaj:Samasthi/Samaj: Sarve Sukhina santu, sarve santu niramayah

Sristhi/UniverseSristhi/Universe:Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam


But….Everyday Hindus are persecuted, tortured, Everyday Hindus are persecuted, tortured,

raped and killed in different parts of the world.raped and killed in different parts of the world.

Hindu population is shrinking (comparatively).Hindu population is shrinking (comparatively).

Hindu land is being lost.Hindu land is being lost.

Hindu culture is vanishing.Hindu culture is vanishing.


And….

Hindu ideas are being misused against the Hindu ideas are being misused against the Hindus.Hindus.

Hindu control & power is lost: e.g. Nepal, Hindu control & power is lost: e.g. Nepal, Bangladesh, Fiji, Trinidad, MauritiusBangladesh, Fiji, Trinidad, Mauritius

These are the ground realties.These are the ground realties.


We have a major challenge within:

The lack of articulation and application of what our great seers have presented and

done in past – from Sri Krishna to Chanakya to Sri Aurobindo.

We lack clear understanding, articulation, strategy formation, planning, resource

allocation and professional application Hindu vision for today.


Hindu Basics:

Before we talk about anything else, let us refresh our memory with the basics.


Hindu Basics: Source of the word ‘Hindu’?

What is Hinduism?What is Hinduism?The term was used by the Christian

missionaries. To them it was a strange tribalism and because Christianity was the

only ‘religion’ to them, any other ideas had to be an ‘ism’ so the called it Hindu-ism.

Other names?Other names?Sanatana Dharma, Vedic Dharma, Brahminism

or Brahminical Dharma or Just DharmaDharma


Hindu BasicsFor thousands of years of experimentation in all possible fields of human domain are

being done by the people of Bharat.

Bharat has a heritage that has developed a great spiritual culture, great traditions, unmatched artistic achievements, and

grand social, economic, political, health and educational systems from which all

nations have learned.


Hindu Basics

Hindu history is written with immense contribution to the world in the field of science, math, language and a glorious history of heroic valor without attacking

others. But the most important is its knowledge of the Self and the universe in

its Vedic and Vedantic treasure houses. All of these are part of what is called

Hinduism


Hindu BasicsHow the universe, a society, a system or a being is sustained depends upon certain

principles and laws. The eternal and unchanging rules of being, becoming and

sustaining, the order that holds things together is literally Sanatana (eternal)

Dharma (sustaining principles).


Dharma: DharmaDharma is a Sanskrit term, which literally is a Sanskrit term, which literally

means ‘means ‘that which holds togetherthat which holds together’ or ‘’ or ‘sustains sustains the natural order of thingsthe natural order of things’.’.

It refers to the universal It refers to the universal principlesprinciples and and lawslaws, , dutiesduties and and righteousnessrighteousness, which bring about , which bring about

peace, harmony and progress.peace, harmony and progress.According to Dharma, religion is one of According to Dharma, religion is one of

innumerable possible paths towards innumerable possible paths towards individual aspirationsindividual aspirations

It includes It includes morality, ethics & justicemorality, ethics & justice


Dharma:Dharma:

Taoism:Taoism: Tao is an emblem, meaning order, Tao is an emblem, meaning order, the whole, responsibility, efficiency. It is the the whole, responsibility, efficiency. It is the Responsible Efficient, Total Order, creations Responsible Efficient, Total Order, creations as a whole, the whole of what is, multiplicity. as a whole, the whole of what is, multiplicity.


Dharma:

““DhammaDhamma means (a) the state of nature means (a) the state of nature as it is, (b) the laws of nature, (c) the as it is, (b) the laws of nature, (c) the

duties that must be performed in duties that must be performed in accordance with the laws of nature, and accordance with the laws of nature, and (d) the results that are derived from the (d) the results that are derived from the fulfillment of such duties.”fulfillment of such duties.”

- Buddhadasa - Buddhadasa


Dharma:

"Twofold is the Vedic Dharma: Of the nature "Twofold is the Vedic Dharma: Of the nature of advancement in the world of action and of advancement in the world of action and

achievement (achievement (pravrttilaksanapravrttilaksana) and withdrawal ) and withdrawal or turning inward into the world of Spirit and or turning inward into the world of Spirit and Freedom (Freedom (Nivrtti-laksanaNivrtti-laksana), both of which are ), both of which are

the necessary means and counterparts of the the necessary means and counterparts of the world, leading directly to the attainment of world, leading directly to the attainment of secular welfare and prosperity (secular welfare and prosperity (abhyudayaabhyudaya) )

and Spiritual Good (and Spiritual Good (nihsreyasanihsreyasa) of all beings." ) of all beings."

- Acharya Sankara (Introduction to his - Acharya Sankara (Introduction to his commentary on Geeta).commentary on Geeta).


Dharma:

"Religion (Dharma) has made man what he is, and will make of this human animal a God. That is what religion can do. Take religion from human society and what will remain? Nothing but a forest of brutes." - Swami

Vivekananda.


Dharma:

"...is the manifestation of divinity already in man. It is being and becoming, not hearing and acknowledging." - Swami Vivekananda.

DHARMA <=> Sustenance, growth, evolution – DHARMA <=> Sustenance, growth, evolution – progress!progress!


Uniqueness:

The knowledge and systems are not based on ‘beliefs’ but through experiments and

experiences over thousands of years.

It is super-scientific

Modern science relies only on physical and sensory evidences.

Dharma is based on physical, emotional, intellectual and intuitive experiences and

needs.


Uniqueness:

These are not one-sided views as evident in other systems:

Not based on only one person or one group of people – prophets/theologians/secular scientist or economist or political person


Uniqueness:

-A worldview is complete if it is perceived through the eyes of all: physicists,

psychologists, mathematicians, biologists, social scientist, economics, artists and yogis

– based on all of them and more.

-These are applicable to all people of all times

-These are modifiable according to desh-kal-patra (place, time and context)


What Dharma can do for the modern world?

Peace, progress, harmony

Health: Physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual

Environment

Society, Politics, Economics

Science & Technology

Justice: Ethics, Morality and Law

Trade and Business


Contemporary religions like Christianity and Islam’s Theo-philosophical content is non-

confirming with the present scientific understanding of the universe.

Most of the latest theories in physics correspond to the world view visualized by

ancient Indian scriptures.


Last few years’ research has shown, many of the claims of Yoga and Ayurveda are truly

scientifically relevant.

Clinical trials by western medical institutes are proving the truth of some of the claims of

Hindu philosophy on the character of the body and mind and their close

interconnectedness - an idea that remained totally alien to modern medicine until recently.


So, how the creation would look like if we view it through the vision of Hindu Dharma?


Personal GrowthPersonal Growth: Spiritual, Mental, Emotional, Physical: Yoga

Application of Integral Yoga in the following spheres:

Family, Society | Education, Politics, Economics | Sciences

Ethics, Morality, Justice | Environment, Health | Spirituality

=Integral Humanism (IH)Understanding, feeling, application (IH)= Modern

Hinduism=Hinduness


What Dharma can do for the modern world?

It seems like the only way out to the current moral, judicial, environmental, economic

crisis in the world is the Dharmic way.

British Historian Arnold Toyenbee said: "Today we are still living in a transitional

chapter of the world's history, but it is already becoming clear that a chapter which had a

Western beginning will have to have an Indian ending if it is not to end in the self-destruction

of the race."



The challenge

First of all we the Hindus don’t understand it

If we understand it we do not practice it

If we practice it others don’t get it

If they get it, they don’t accept it

If they accept it they don’t practice it



The challenge

Then how the concepts of dharma is going to impact the world?

Well, it must start with us. We are just doing it, right now. Then, through our networking,

organization we will get there


How to bring Hindu Dharma to maximum number of people?

Organization, service

It is true that one plus one is two. We can start with ourselves. However, in the psychic world

the equation is not that long. Just few powerful minds or a critical mass can change

the thought process and direction of the world.


Why should we get into these activities? This is my life, what am I supposed to do with it ?

Let us first look into the things which makes us, the individuals HAPPY! According to

Hindu Dharma the happiness requirements are….


Happiness requirements:

The Purusharthas: Pursuits

1. We need 1. We need materials, possessions and wealthmaterials, possessions and wealth to sustain life - to sustain life - ArthaArtha

2. We have physical, mental & emotional 2. We have physical, mental & emotional desiresdesires and we need and we need satisfactionsatisfaction and and

happiness - happiness - KamaKama


Happiness requirements: The Purusharthas: Pursuits

3. We need to have some 3. We need to have some personal/social/spiritual personal/social/spiritual principlesprinciples to have an to have an

order, to achieve harmonious fulfillment of order, to achieve harmonious fulfillment of personal, social & globalpersonal, social & global needs - needs - DharmaDharma

4. Realize full potential of human beings, 4. Realize full potential of human beings, overcome the challenges of life and free overcome the challenges of life and free

oneself from problems of living in material oneself from problems of living in material world –detachment, freedom, liberation - world –detachment, freedom, liberation -

MokshaMoksha


Happiness requirements

Material Satisfaction (abhyudaya)abhyudaya)Is attained primarily by the first two (Artha

and Kama) Purushartas being satisfied.It is said that any average human being

cannot comprehend Dharma or Moksha until they experience Artha and Kama.

Siddharta Gautama or Lord Buddha was a prime example of one who possessed

immense wealth and lead a family life, but later realized that he must go and search for the understanding of Dharma and Moksha

(Nirvana)


What am I supposed to do now? What are our primary duties?

According to Hindu Dharma, we need to work on our Rnas…


Happiness requirements

Spiritual Salvation (Nihsreyasa)(Nihsreyasa)

Is provided by following one’s Dharma towards spiritual attainments and finally

attaining Moksha.

Saints and yogis through their own devotional faith and power attain the last two

purusharthas.

The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu DharmaRnas

RnaRna is usually translated as debts or obligations. It actually means duties in the life of a person following dharma (to sustain the

order – personal, societal, world).

Every Dharmic individual must discharge four pious obligations/duties.

They are deva rna (debt to the divine), pitri rna (debt to ancestors), rsi rna (debt to teachers

and seers) and bhutaa or manava rna (debt to humanity).


Rnas

Deva rnaDeva rna –our duties towards the divine, our deities and ishthas. We need to support the

institutions of worship, including the temples apart from worshipping and praying.


Rnas Rnas

Pitri rnaPitri rna - means our obligations, indebtedness and responsibilities towards all our ancestors, especially

to our father and mother. Apart from doing rituals such as tarpanas, if one takes care of their family and maintains the continuity of the institution of

family/parenthood – that is the best way to serve the ancestors.

Think of those who gave their lives to protect our heritage, land and dharma. We owe a lot to them. Only by remembering them and preserving their

memories, great sages, kings, scientists and above all, the heroes will be produced again.


Rnas

Rishi rnaRishi rna - Indebtedness towards the Rishis, Sages, teachers. seekers of truth, scientists.

We must take actions to preserve, protect and serve the institutions of education apart from following the teachings of the Gurus. Rsi Rna

entails to promote knowledge and wisdom, both scientific and spiritual by the acquisition

and dissemination of knowledge.


Rnas

Bhuta/Manava RnaBhuta/Manava Rna – It is Service to Mankind - by every type of seva or social service. It also means the welfare of all living and non-living

manifestations of Godhead – the entire creation.


But what is one’s Dharma in life?

Ashrama Dharma

Since the individual is the foundation for a harmonious society, the duties and

obligations are to be fulfilled during various stages of a person's life and are referred to as

varna-ashrama-dharma.


But what is one’s Dharma in life?

Ashrama Dharma

Brahmacharya: In the company of brahma – the creator; the ‘building phase’, the ‘Me, me’

phase

Garhasta: In home – the creative/prfessional phase – the ‘we we’ phase

Vanprastha; ‘ departure To the forest’, away from home, serve the society – ‘us us phase

Sannyasa: Alignment with the Sat (truth), ‘saging’


Ashrama DharmaBrahmacharya: Life’s phase for acquisition of

knowledge as a student : rsi rna

Garhasta: discharging family responsibilities as a householder :pitri rna

Vanprastha: devoting oneself to social service: manav rna

Sannyasa: renunciation of temporal desires to attain moksha: deva rna

Various samskaras (sacraments) are prescribed for each stage of life which emphasizes on particular

rnas


What is my duty and what I can do for it? Individually?

Dharmic Responsibilities: PersonalPersonal•Pay off all Rnas before leaving the

material world.•Rid yourself of any and all qualities that pull you down from mode of goodness.

•Seek the eternal truth and true goal of life•Use necessary and available means to

elevate your soul to divine consciousness•Merge into Brahman


What is my duty and what I can do for it Individually?

Dharmic Responsibilities: Social•Interact with everyone in society on an

honest and kind level•As a student or employee it is important to fulfill duties diligently for mutual betterment

•Help those in need to the best of your capacity as long as it is a Dharmic act

•If you have acquired some knowledge that may be useful to the society or world,

impart it to those who are keen to learn.


What is my duty and what I can do for it Collectively?

Manava DharmaAs human beings we all have a common

Dharma and that is to repay all the debts or rnas we incur after coming to this world.

As human beings we have the ability to make rational decisions. It is our Dharma to take a stand for the betterment of the world and do

our best to make a difference.


Dharma of the Pioneers

The leaders, the pioneers, the reformers and the social workers have a very unique role,

duties and dharma. They take up the role of a sevak, to serve others, the society (shudra), a protector (kshatriya), a trader (vaishya) and a teacher (brahmin) and at the same time they

are to discharge all the four rnas and also perform their ashrama dharma.

the role of hindu dharma & our role in hindu dharma

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