Category: Hindu Religious Culture

The Core of Hindu Life: A Reminder to all Indians Across the Globe

The Upanishads play a very important role in the essence and strength of the Hindu religion. It forms the basis for the formation and preservation of Hindu religious culture. These holy texts lay down the principal Vedic doctrines such as self-realization, reincarnation, and karma. The word Upanishad means mystic or inner teachings. It is the very doctrine of Hindu life where ignorance is destroyed through the achievement of the highest knowledge. By and large, the Upanishads contain both the philosophical tenets and spiritual vision of the Hindu religion.

 

image18

 

At the center of the Upanishads, which is the core of Hindu religious culture, is the concept of knowledge of the truth. Knowledge brings about certainty. Knowledge sets forth understanding. And understanding brings about peace and prosperity. To achieve all this, it is underscored that one can reach the truth only through a strictly personal effort. All these emphasize the spiritual meanings of the Vedic scriptures.
The essence of this very important thought is contained in this most significant line from the Upanishads: “Understanding without practice is better than practice without understanding. Understanding with practice is better than understanding without practice. Residing in your true nature is better than understanding or practice.” This underscores the philosophical concept that one can obtain the knowledge of truth only through strictly personal effort, and that man’s journey to salvation is taken by himself alone. It also emphasizes that freedom is attained through this knowledge, and when pursued becomes wisdom that transforms into a way of life.

The Essence of Being Indian: Message to Non-Resident Indians All Over the World

Culture is the sum total of how people live their lives. Hindu culture is highly religious because religion is the center of Hindu lives. The religious culture harks back to ancient times when wisdom and teachings, which form the basis of learned culture, were handed down to Hindu devotees through the ages. Culture manifests in traditions and beliefs and these comprise a huge part of the Hindu religious culture.

 

image20
Pooja

 

Hinduism is the oldest religion on Earth. The Hindu religion is cultural. It is a people’s way of life. Wherever Hindus are located anywhere in the world, religion is part and parcel of their everyday living because Hinduism is their way of life. Customs and traditions are part of the very fabric of the Hindu religion. There are numerous festivals and ceremonies that show devotion and reverence to the gods, as well as to ancestors. One integral part of the Hindu religion is showing complete respect to elders. In the Hindu religious culture, father, mother, and teacher are highly respected, and are even considered next to God.

 

So, to be an Indian in the truest sense is to embrace the practice of rituals and ceremonies that revere the gods, as much as pay utmost respect to elders. These devotional homages are performed to honor them, such as those rituals for the dearly departed loved ones and ancestors. Moreover, the essence of being Indian is to immerse oneself in prayer and continually seek for the truth. And since the Hindu operates from his own personal effort to seek truth and destiny, he is responsible for his own actions. The fundamental essence of being an Indian is love for truth.