Who Is a Hindu FAQs Hinduism.

One can have any faith and be still a Hindu. Atheism is also recognised as a faith. Gross materialism is also a faith. India has Carvakas who deny the existence of God and do not believe in the Vedas. The utmost Hinduism prescribes is that one has to follow the Vedas.

Ramanis blog

2 Nov 2013

3 minutes

Astika, Hindu definition, Hinduism, Nastika, Sanatana Dharma, Who is a Hindu

I have written a few posts on Hinduism,Indian Philosophy.

Questions arising out of these posts are being answered by me in the comments column.

Apart from the questions in the blogs ,I have been receiving questions at my email and I have been replying them.

One of our readers suggested I start a Post devoted to questions and answers in Hinduism.

I will try to answer some frequently asked questions on Hinduism .

1.Who is a Hindu?

The Religions of the world have minimum requirement expected of, to be a part of a Religion.

Islam,’Belief in Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger”

Christianity,’Belief in Christ as the Saviour,

Buddhism, ‘Faith in Buddha’,

Jainism,Belief in Sakya Muni’

Judaism,’Faith in The Talmud’

Hinduism does not have any of these conditions.

Hindu Texts rather the Wisdom of the Hindus,are open to Humanity-there are no written texts, all thoughts have been transmitted by the word of Mouth.

There are no restrctions.

There is, in fact, no single text is ordained to be followed.

One can have any faith and be still a Hindu.

Atheism is also recognised as a faith.

Gross materialism is also a faith.

India has Carvakas who deny the existence of God and do not believe in the Vedas.

The utmost Hinduism prescribes is that one has to follow the Vedas.

Even if you do not follow thje Vedas, you can still be a Hindu.

When you do not follow the Vedas , you are called a Nastika, one who Denies.(Denying the authority of the Vedas.

On this basis , Buddhism and Jainism are called Nasika andd yet are considered a part of Hinduism.

Then who is a Hindu?

Hinduism , as Doctor Radhakrishnan says.’is not a view of Life ,but a way of Life’

It lays down certain rules which, people have found out, are for the welfare of the Individual, both materially and spiritually. and the Society.

If one follows them it is for his good,if not’No comment’.

In the Bhagavad Gita which consists of 700 slokas, Lord Krishna, after explaining the Indian Thoughts to Arjuna, asks Arjuna whether all his doubts are cleared.

Arjuna replies that all his doubts are cleared and his mind is Free from Confusion.

Krishna then informs him, in the 664th Sloka!

‘I have explained to you the secret of all secrets, Now you follow aht you think as Best for You!’,

He does not say ‘you have to follow this, else you will be doomed to Hell”

In the Ramayan, Lord Rama discusses with Jabali, a well known Atheist and a Charvaka, explains to him the Concept of Dharma and Duty.

Please read my post on this.

Another curious fact is that the Hindu Gods are not above the Cosmic Law.

Once born, they Die and they face the consequences of their actions.

Lord Rama killed Vali. hiding behind a Tree and he was killed by a Hunter surreptitiously during the Krishnavatar.

Laksmana served Lord Rama during Ramayana and Lord Rama , in His Avatar as Krishna, served Balarama, an incarnation of Laksmana(both Lakshman and Balram were the Avatars of Adi Sesha, Lord Vishnu’s Bedroll,Snake!

Lord Krishna helped Draupadi when she was being stripped in Public because she had helped Lord Krishna earlier. when he was in need of a Cloth to hide his Nudity!

Such are the Cosmic Laws that even Gods, once born , have to obey and suffer the consequences of their actions, good or Bad.

Then who is a Hindu?

And Who is Not?

Hinduism Daily Rules To Follow. (ramanan50.wordpress.com)
Hinduism Third Or The Largest Religion ? (ramanan50.wordpress.com)
Lord Rama’s Death Precedes Krishna’s By 200 Years! (ramanan50.wordpress.com)

8 responses to “Who Is a Hindu FAQs Hinduism.”

Anil Gupta

November 4, 2013 at 7:25 am

Hinduism is most democratic of all the religions in the world.In fact it is not even a religion but a way of thinking or mind set.It allows complete freedom of thought and belief.I read a story about late Paramacharya Swami Chandrashekharendra Saraswati of Kanchi Kamakoti peetham.Some celebrity foreign disciples of Swamiji wanted to be converted to Hinduism.But he advised them to continue to adhere to the Christianity as there is no fixed route to get salvation.This non rigidity of Hinduism is manifest in the attitude of common Hindus everywhere.They are not bound by any rigid rules.Although this liberal outlook has done immense harm to the Hindus but this has sustained Hinduism against all sorts of onslaught against it for past two milleniums.

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Sue Marshall

March 7, 2014 at 10:50 am

I understand nothing about Hindu and want to know more. I’m a Christian, practiced many different Christian denominations. None give satisfaction because they do not follow the example of Christ. All appear as hypocrites in my humble opinion. I’m not speaking about individual Christians but the huge number of various denominations. What has started my interest is… our local convenience store with gas filling station is operated by a Hindu father and son. Very polite people, but what fascinates me is the aura about these this father and son. I get the impression they will not hurt a fly, always smiling, always positive about everything. During our Christian, Christmas holidays night before Christmas Day, I was buying something at their little store and said to the owners, I’d wish you a Merry Christmas, but don’t want to insult you if you are not. They smiled and said they appreciate the kind thoughts and wished me and my family a merry Christmas. I asked what faith they or religion they are and they said, Hindu. Hence my interest.

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1. ramanan50
  
  March 7, 2014 at 1:05 pm
  
  Thanks for Christmas Greeting( 10 months in advance!)
  
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Sakshi

March 28, 2014 at 9:34 pm

Is Sakya Muni another name for Buddha or Mahavir ?

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1. ramanan50
  
  March 28, 2014 at 9:39 pm
  
  Buddha,
  
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SACHIN PRABHAKAR MURDESHWAR

June 15, 2014 at 8:06 am

Dear Sir, Is any caste superior compared to others.To whom we should pray and offer our rituals.If God exist then it is obvious Satan also exist,and if anybody is possesed by a devil, then who is the right deity who can deliver us from all evil. Christians claim that only Jesus can relieve you provided you convert,take baptism be approved to take bread & wine(holy body and blood of christ,to get completely cured of all evil possesion.Otherwise they say if you don’t convert the satan will strike again and again.Do you believe in black magic? I want a solution because i have seen such situation when doctors themselves say this is exhorcism and out of our control,pray to God? Iam a hindu,please suggest?

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1. ramanan50
  
  June 15, 2014 at 8:09 am
  
  This question has been asked by many and I have many emails on this.I shall be posting a Post on this.There are some posts filed under Hinduism in my site and they deal with this in the passing.
  
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2. ramanan50
  
  June 16, 2014 at 6:08 pm
  
  Please read this post.
  
  Hope this answers your questions.
  https://ramanan50.wordpress.com/2014/06/15/how-to-worship-without-christ-and-satan/
  
  Regards.
  
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