Question for Hindus

[jac515]

Hello, my religious perspective could be described as pantheistic, polytheistic, animistic, and even in a way monotheistic. I am not going to explain completely. Anyway, various aspects of Hinduism appeal to me very much. The idea of Bhraman to me seems self evident; I have also had visions of Hindu gods who's names I do not know while using visionary sacraments (I believe any more detail would violate forum rules). My understanding of the gods is that they are aspects of or manifestations of But on the other hand, I have heard it described as duty to accept your lot in life, and as the basis of the Caste system. Basically, this interpretation sounds like it can be used as a justification for oppressing certain groups of people; lower castes (or in capitalist countries other than India the poor classes) have a duty to play the role they were born into, and they were born into such low status as punishment misdeeds in past lives. To me, this sounds wrong. I would like to know how Indian Hindus actually understand the concept of Dharma, and what it means for how people should live and treat others. Thank you.

--Jesse Clark

 

[Terese]

If you want an answer from Hindus then post this in the Hinduism DIR, and many of us will see this question

 

[Subhankar Zac]

Hello, my religious perspective could be described as pantheistic, polytheistic, animistic, and even in a way monotheistic. I am not going to explain completely. Anyway, various aspects of Hinduism appeal to me very much. The idea of Bhraman to me seems self evident; I have also had visions of Hindu gods who's names I do not know while using visionary sacraments (I believe any more detail would violate forum rules). My understanding of the gods is that they are aspects of or manifestations of But on the other hand, I have heard it described as duty to accept your lot in life, and as the basis of the Caste system. Basically, this interpretation sounds like it can be used as a justification for oppressing certain groups of people; lower castes (or in capitalist countries other than India the poor classes) have a duty to play the role they were born into, and they were born into such low status as punishment misdeeds in past lives. To me, this sounds wrong. I would like to know how Indian Hindus actually understand the concept of Dharma, and what it means for how people should live and treat others. Thank you.

--Jesse Clark

I m a Kaistya. It's a Bengali caste between Brahmins and kshatriya that would be responsible of penning down the kingdoms history in general but I m into marketing and social activism.
There are Brahmins who do business, kshatriya people who teach in schools, Sudras who work as priests in many temples.
The system of caste was SUPPOSED to be based on their quality and the duty they choose. Most texts that have a central authority over much of Hinduism reject caste by birth.
All of us are born with some qualities and we are prescribed to work according to those qualities in such a way that it will help the society (including animals) as a whole. Also, most sane Hindus except a select few fundamentalist groups that even hate Gandhi uphold the system of caste.
Even SATI was never mandated but people enforced it on widows out of their will.
But yes, there are NO false or true Hindus but all Hindus with millions of different beliefs and interpretations.
DHARMA basically means duty, truth or morality. There's no English translation to this word but for me it's doing ones prescribed duty with full dedication that serves morality and happiness of all living beings, without any expectations for yourself.
That's my opinion

 

[GoodbyeDave]

Dharma is simply doing your duty: living the life you were born into. It's an attitude to right living that is common to all Pagan religions, unlike monotheism where right living is simply obeying God.

Caste was originally more flexible. There's an old story of a young man who went to a priest to receive the sacred thread. When he was asked his caste, he said that he didn't know it. His mother had been a prostitute and so he knew nothing of his father, but her clients had all been high caste. The priest praised his truthfulness and courage, and said he would educate the boy as a brahmin, as that was clearly what he ought to be.

 

[sayak83]

Hello, my religious perspective could be described as pantheistic, polytheistic, animistic, and even in a way monotheistic. I am not going to explain completely. Anyway, various aspects of Hinduism appeal to me very much. The idea of Bhraman to me seems self evident; I have also had visions of Hindu gods who's names I do not know while using visionary sacraments (I believe any more detail would violate forum rules). My understanding of the gods is that they are aspects of or manifestations of But on the other hand, I have heard it described as duty to accept your lot in life, and as the basis of the Caste system. Basically, this interpretation sounds like it can be used as a justification for oppressing certain groups of people; lower castes (or in capitalist countries other than India the poor classes) have a duty to play the role they were born into, and they were born into such low status as punishment misdeeds in past lives. To me, this sounds wrong. I would like to know how Indian Hindus actually understand the concept of Dharma, and what it means for how people should live and treat others. Thank you.

--Jesse Clark

Yes, caste system has been used to exploit people. It is wrong to discriminate based on birth and while caste based discrimination is legally abolished much needs to be done to eliminate it from society and eradicate its economic effects. Several Hindu law codes provides strictures that condone caste discrimination. Fortunately they are and are not central to Hindu religion, spirituality or worship. Hence it fine to consider them to be no longer relevant for modern society.

 

[Joshua Pryce]

Hello, my religious perspective could be described as pantheistic, polytheistic, animistic, and even in a way monotheistic.

While its possible to be attracted to Tom, Dick and Harry, only one of them would truly be your best friend, who you spend most of the time with. Besides all this in your context the 3 of them hate each other, which would make things worse for you. Its not possible to believe in one god but believe in multiple gods at the same time. Only one God(s) stands out, the others are despised. Believing in everything cancels out all belief systems. I am Christian because of natural and spiritual links it has to society. It makes sense to believe in Yahweh Who is a Spirit and only can be understood and recognised by being in with His Holy Spirit.