HINDUISM
Response to – Mr. Shashi Kiran’s July 10, 2014 note entitled “My Hinduism in 33 points”.
In my view
1. Hindus have to understand the fundamental concepts underlying the “religion” called Hinduism. To do
this they have to understand the basic Sanskrit words (which are generally untranslatable into English).
2. At the second level they should be able to defend their religion and way of life by providing well-
informed arguments. One should be able to argue with a Christian Evangelist, A Mullah, A Marxist-
Atheist, a media-made intellectual and should also to be able to advise a seeker who wants to return home into the Hindu fold.
3. At the third level, for example, instead of agitating for a ban of books like those of Wendy Doniger a
scholarly criticism is a more appropriate response supported by organizations such as ICHR
Main Vocabulary
1. Dharma, mata, karma, janma, daiva, Ishta-daiva, kaala -- in relationship to an Individual
2. Jagat, manas, buddhi (viveka), citta, atma, jiva, Iswara, Paramatma -- as related to the awareness, knowledge and wisdom
3. Veda, Upanishad, Vedanga, Darsana, Smriti, Itihasa, Purana – Religious literature
4. Purusharthas - Goals of life – - dharma, artha, kama, moksha
5. Means to achieve the goals of life - tapas, yajna, yoga, bhakti, upasana, puja, tirtha-yatra, seva (service)
Points of contest and debate with critics of Hinduism
1. Murti-puja (iconic worship), wrongly called idolatry
2. Polytheism vs. Monotheism
3. Many paths as suited an individual’s evolutionary status and taste.
4. Varnasrama-vyavastha, translated and interpreted wrongly as caste system and untouchability.
5. Bharat-Matha, Hindutva, Socialism and Secularism and such other grossly misrepresented concepts.
6. Individual, social and political dimensions of religion. Religion also has regional, national and international dimensions.
7. Intimate relation between language and religion
Response to – Mr. Shashi Kiran’s July 10, 2014 note entitled “My Hinduism in 33 points”.
In my view
1. Hindus have to understand the fundamental concepts underlying the “religion” called Hinduism. To do
this they have to understand the basic Sanskrit words (which are generally untranslatable into English).
2. At the second level they should be able to defend their religion and way of life by providing well-
informed arguments. One should be able to argue with a Christian Evangelist, A Mullah, A Marxist-
Atheist, a media-made intellectual and should also to be able to advise a seeker who wants to return home into the Hindu fold.
3. At the third level, for example, instead of agitating for a ban of books like those of Wendy Doniger a
scholarly criticism is a more appropriate response supported by organizations such as ICHR
Main Vocabulary
1. Dharma, mata, karma, janma, daiva, Ishta-daiva, kaala -- in relationship to an Individual
2. Jagat, manas, buddhi (viveka), citta, atma, jiva, Iswara, Paramatma -- as related to the awareness, knowledge and wisdom
3. Veda, Upanishad, Vedanga, Darsana, Smriti, Itihasa, Purana – Religious literature
4. Purusharthas - Goals of life – - dharma, artha, kama, moksha
5. Means to achieve the goals of life - tapas, yajna, yoga, bhakti, upasana, puja, tirtha-yatra, seva (service)
Points of contest and debate with critics of Hinduism
1. Murti-puja (iconic worship), wrongly called idolatry
2. Polytheism vs. Monotheism
3. Many paths as suited an individual’s evolutionary status and taste.
4. Varnasrama-vyavastha, translated and interpreted wrongly as caste system and untouchability.
5. Bharat-Matha, Hindutva, Socialism and Secularism and such other grossly misrepresented concepts.
6. Individual, social and political dimensions of religion. Religion also has regional, national and international dimensions.
7. Intimate relation between language and religion
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