Indian religions are not based on fears, but on uderstanding the nature, the matter and their relationships with the universe. There are many similarities between Christianity and Indian religions, because Indian religions with Hinduism ( or Sanatan Dharma) are the core. That was explained to the West first by Raja Rammohan Roy, who has influenced some of the greatest minds of the West ( Emerson, Humboldt, Whitman and a few others).
RE:RE:Hinduism is the origin of all other religions
by Imaan on Apr 25, 2008 07:19 PM Permalink
Roy did his elementary education in the village school in Bengali, his mother tongue. At the age of 12, Roy went to a seat of Muslim studies in Patna where he mastered Persian and Arabic. His knowledge of Arabic enabled him to read the Koran in the original, as well as the works of Sufi saints. He also devoured Arabic translations of the works of Aristotle and Plato.
RE:RE:RE:Hinduism is the origin of all other religions
by Imaan on Apr 25, 2008 07:20 PM Permalink
When he was 16, Roy clashed with his orthodox father on the issue of idol worship and left home. To acquaint himself with the Buddhist religion, he travelled across northern India and Tibet for the next three years. His questioning mind objected to the deification of the Buddha and this did not go down well with some of the lamas. He then visited Varanasi where he learnt Sanskrit and studied ancient Hindu scriptures.
RE:RE:RE:RE:Hinduism is the origin of all other religions
by Imaan on Apr 25, 2008 07:21 PM Permalink
Roy's understanding of the different religions of the world helped him to compare them with Vedantic philosophy and glean the best from each religion. Sufi mysticism had a great influence on Roy. He loved to repeat three of their maxims: "Man is the slave of benefits"; "The enjoyment of the worlds rests on these two points - kindness to friends and civility to enemies"; and "The way of serving God is to do good to man".
RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:Hinduism is the origin of all other religions
by Imaan on Apr 25, 2008 07:23 PM Permalink
Roy's efforts to abolish the practice of Sati were largely driven by his concern for the moral dimensions of religion. It was the sight of the burning of his brother's widow on her husband's funeral pyre and his inability to save her that spurred Ram Mohan into action.
He delved into the scriptures in great detail and proved that the practice of Sati could not gain moksha (salvation) for the husband as each man was responsible for his own destiny. He also realized that very often it was greedy relatives interested in the property of the dead husband who were behind promoting the practice.
RE:Hinduism is the origin of all other religions
by Kris iyer on Apr 26, 2008 09:12 AM Permalink
Imaan, Excellent, timely reminder on Reformer Ram Mohan Roy. Hindus shd thank him for his main reform, Sati - quite a horrible practice which was NOT, in any case, prevalent in all parts of India. Hindus have always been amenable to reasonable arguments and given up bad practises. Being a large community, it may take time. But reforms happen. That is why I advise patience when some of the postings say Hinduism and caste... this and that. From the time of the Rig Veda, Hindus have been prepared to change their customs but NOT the cored religious concepts and philosophies. But right now, the middle-eastern religions are maintaining very high pressure on Hinduism. We have no one in the "corridors of power" at NewDelhi to speak for Hindus. Any standpoint that helps Hindus to preserve their way of life is termed "communal" by this government and its leftwing supporters.
RE:Hinduism is the origin of all other religions
by Nanchil on Apr 25, 2008 02:37 PM Permalink
Hinduism is just an offshoot of paganism once prevailed over the world. Its basement consists of idol worship, myths and superstitions.
RE:Hinduism is the origin of all other religions
by sanjay on Apr 25, 2008 02:48 PM Permalink
Be happy to live in your ignorance. Thats what the Arabs told you,no.
RE:Hinduism is the origin of all other religions
by Srinivas vishnu on Apr 25, 2008 03:02 PM Permalink
For your kind information, Hinduism had its roots in rituals and fire worship with vedic chants like Yagnas etc, which came from Vedas and it had not had its roots in idol worship. Upanishads condone idol worship and identify Atman and Brahman in clear terms -see Mandukopanishad translations. And Ramayana, Mahabharata etc are not Myths but stories designed to envelop the nature of Human greed and divinity, and the fight between the Good and the Bad.
RE:Hinduism is the origin of all other religions
by Noel D on Apr 30, 2008 09:23 AM Permalink
If you want to boast go ahead and boast. But also remeber man came from monkeys!
