Hinduwebsite Editorial - Practising Hinduism the Hindu Way
Many people, including many Hindus, do not understand Hinduism well. Many Hindus themselves lack sufficient knowledge and understanding of their faith, mainly because of its complexity and partly because of the popular paths and simple methods they follow. Many act as if they already know it, but serious study can promote respect and curiosity about its depth and diversity.
It does not cross their minds that Hinduism requires serious study to understand it. It is as if by some miracle God has infused in them knowledge of Hinduism by birth. Then there are those who come under the influence of extreme elements and take up their ideas to defend the faith from a narrow perspective to perpetuate or justify certain narratives.
Many Hindus follow the popular beliefs and practices of Hinduism as a continuation of their family traditions, having witnessed them in their homes or in public places, and consider it their faith. Some free souls take liberties with their faith under the impression that Hinduism gives them the freedom to practice it according to their convenience or choice.
Hinduism deserves serious attention, especially from practitioners. This understanding can foster respect and help preserve its rich layers and dimensions from misinterpretation.
Hinduism encompasses many dimensions-popular, philosophical, mythological, spiritual, mystical, occult, materialistic, and esoteric. Each is an integral part, yet they often have distinctions that can sometimes seem to contradict each other, reflecting their multifaceted nature.
Hinduism is not an organized religion, but came into existence due to historical reasons as an assortment of divergent paths and traditions. The word Hinduism itself is a colonial legacy that the British used to distinguish the native faiths from Islam and Christianity.
In coining the word, they ignored the diversity of native faiths and the depth of their philosophy and practice. Instead of identifying multiple faiths, which truly qualify as religions in themselves, they conveniently lumped them together under one heading. The confusion is therefore natural.
Because of such historical reasons, Hinduism is not easily understood even by its own followers. Many Hindus who do not dwell deep into its past do not know what Hinduism represents or stands for. They practice Hinduism according to their family traditions, or according to the practices that are common to their castes or to the region where they live.
The practice of Hinduism also varies by gender. Men and women have specific roles and duties. So is the case with sons and daughters and their status in the family. The eldest son has a greater responsibility in carrying forward the family tradition. Thus, unless you practice Hinduism for a long time and know its scriptures, you cannot easily understand it.
However, ignorance is not an excuse to disregard the tenets of the faith. Just because there is diversity in the practice of Hinduism, it should not be construed as a religion of convenience. Hinduism is not only complex but also difficult to practice.
The complexity varies according to the goals and the paths people choose. Some paths are more difficult to follow, and some are easier. Some sects provide easy solutions, while some offer difficult choices. In most sects, spiritual people who seek liberation and practice renunciation have a greater obligation to adhere to an austere and disciplined life than householders.
However, the lives of householders are not easier by any means. They may enjoy certain freedoms, but they have the obligation to honor the laws that are prescribed for them and perform their duties as a service to God. Thus, outwardly, Hinduism may appear as a religion of convenience, but in truth, it is not. It is perhaps one of the most difficult religions to practice.
In Hinduism, God is not a punisher or a judge. You cannot blame God for what happens to you. (True, many blame him due to the influence of secular education and Western faiths). According to Hinduism, God is the role model for people to follow and emulate.
He exemplifies ideals, virtues, morality, duty, and code of conduct, which humans are expected to follow upon earth to ensure the order and regularity of the world. As the representatives of God upon earth, humans are responsible for their lives and their actions.
As the embodiments of God (the Self), they have to personify Dharma. Thus, a Hindu is not just a human or a puppet in the hands of fate. He is God’s living embodiment upon earth and must reflect his divinity through them.
The law of karma implies that if they do not represent God’s will upon earth and try to assert their own identities or pursue their selfish and egoistic goals, they will suffer from its sinful consequences. Thus, each human being is responsible for their life and actions. Each person becomes a witness to their own actions, suffering, and enjoyment.
Hinduism has no central authority because God is its core authority. Recognizing this can inspire a sense of duty to uphold obligatory duties and stay true to core beliefs, even when practicing freely.
In the practice of Hinduism, they have to accept certain fundamental beliefs and practices which are enshrined in the scriptures as inviolable and mandatory. They may take liberties with them only if they unconditionally surrender to God and submit to his will, renouncing the desire for the fruit of their actions and offering their actions to him with detachment and renunciation. Only renunciants who have reached the peak of perfection in the practice of karma yoga and jnana yoga may escape from the jaws of karma by skillfulness in their actions. Others have to pay the price.
Discretion (buddhi) is also important. People need to know the limits of their freedom and where they can use discretion in practicing Hinduism. For example, in Hinduism, we have the tradition of Shruti and Smriti. Shruti is what has been heard as the word of God or divine command. It is the eternal wisdom, which cannot be ignored, modified, or violated. Smriti constitutes the memorial knowledge, gained by humans through experience, observation, or intellect, to regulate their lives and conduct. It is neither universal nor eternal, and can change as the world progresses and the conditions of society change.
Therefore, in the practice of Hinduism, we may ignore the Smritis, such as the Dharma Shastras (lawbooks) or the Bhashyas (commentaries), or change them according to the times in which we live. However, we cannot ignore the wisdom that is enshrined in certain scriptures, such as the Vedas or the Agamas, which stand the test of time. It is still useful and relevant to our religious and spiritual needs and cannot be ignored. The knowledge of the Shruti constitutes the axis or immovable part of Hinduism, and that of Smriti its movable part.
Dharma is central to Hinduism. Dharma means moral duty or obligation. According to Hindu Dharma, your duty upon earth is to live like God upon earth and exemplify his virtues and duties. It is what we mean when we say Hinduism is a way of life. The way of life which Hindus are supposed to follow is the way of God.
We have to live the faith on a continuous basis, not just practice it on specific occasions or at specific places. We have to personify God upon earth through our actions and manifest his will. It is what mean by living life as a sacrifice. In that sacrifice, you become the offering (bhakta), and God becomes the recipient (bhokta). By that sacrifice, we let God witness the world through us and enjoy the life that we live.
In Hinduism, this is the primary purpose of human life, and everything else is secondary. We have to step into the shoes of Brahman and perform his duties for the sake of the world, with a sense of sacrifice and as an offering. As his devotees upon earth, we have to protect and uphold Dharma, his eternal laws and duties. The scriptures give the assurance that those who protect and uphold God’s Dharma (moral duties) are protected by it.