Atmeeyam : ( 22/10/2012. )

Atmeeyam : ( 22/10/2012. ) : RELIGION > MY RELIGION > MY HINDUISM > Temple a... : Temple and Idol-Worship : An idol does not excite any feeling of veneration in me. But I think that idol-worship is part of human n...

Temple and Idol-Worship : An idol does not excite any feeling of veneration in me. But I think that idol-worship is part of human nature. We hanker after symbolism. Why should one be more composed in a church than elsewhere? Images are an aid to worship. No Hindu considers an image to be God. I do not consider idol-worship a sin. Young India, 6-10-'21, p. 318 I am both an idolator and an iconoclast in what I conceive to be the true senses of the terms. I value the spirit behind idol-worship. It plays a most important part in the uplift of the human race. And I would like to possess the ability to defend with my life the thousands of holy temples which sanctify this land of ours. I am an iconoclast in the sense that I break down the subtle form of idolatry in the shape of fanaticism that refu­ses to see any virtue in any other form of worshipping the Deity save one's own. This form of idolatry is more deadly for being more fine and evasive than the tangible and  

Atmeeyam : ( 22/10/2012. ) : RELIGION > MY RELIGION > SECTION EIGHT : MY HIN... : The Law of Varna Varna means pre-determination of the choice of man's profession. The law of varna is that a man shall fol...

The Law of Varna Varna means pre-determination of the choice of man's profession. The law of varna is that a man shall follow the profession of his ancestors for earning his livelihood. Varna therefore is in a way the law of heredity. Varna is not a thing that is superimposed on Hindus, but men who were trustees for their welfare discovered the law for them. It is not a human invention, but an immutable law of nature—the statement of tendency that is ever present and at work like Newton's law of gravitation. Just as the law of gravitation existed even before it was discovered so did the law of varna . It was given to the Hindus to discover that law. By their discovery and application of certain laws of nature, the people of the West have easily increased their material possessions. Similarly, Hindus by their discovery of this irresistible social tendency have been able to achieve in the spiritual field what no other nation in the world has achieved.

Religion : All Are God Given And True : I believe in the fundamental Truth of all great religions of the world. And I believe that if only we could, all of us, read the scriptures of the different Faiths from the stand-point of the followers of those faiths, we should find that they were at the bottom, all one and were all helpful to one another. Belief in one God is the cornerstone of all religions. But I do not foresee a time when there would be only one religion on earth in practice. In theory, since there is one God, there can be only one religion. The one religion is beyond all speech. Imperfect men put it into such language as they can command, and their words are interpreted by other men equally imperfect. Hence the necessity for tolerance, which does not mean indifference towards one's own Faith, but a more intelligent and pure love for it. What Is Hinduism? If were asked to define the Hindu creed, I should simply say: Search after Truth through non-v

Atmeeyam : ( 22/10/2012. ) : Atmeeyam : ( 22/10/2012. ) : RELIGION > ETHICAL R... : Atmeeyam : ( 22/10/2012. ) : RELIGION > ETHICAL RELIGION >Seven Deadly Sins of ... : Seven Deadly Sins of Intolerance Recalling Ga...

11. Religion of Mahatma Gandhi By Ranjit Chaudhari  THOUGH THE MEANING of religion in the Hindu concept of Dharma is not without complexities, Gandhi tried to make it broad enough to lend it a universal character. His idea of religion was not totally esoteric. He knew that every religion was connected with some belief system supported by rituals. He tried to get rid of the rituals as far as possible. To Gandhi religion was a human institution made by human ingenuity to solve practical affairs as well as spiritual matters.   His oft-quoted passages can be cited. He said "By religion, I do not mean formal religion, or customary religion, but that religion which underlies all religions, which brings us face to face with our Maker. It is the permanent element in human nature which counts no cost too great in order to find full expression and which leaves the soul utterly restless until it has found itself. Again, he observed : "Religion which takes no account of

Atmeeyam : ( 22/10/2012. ) : RELIGION > ETHICAL RELIGION >Seven Deadly Sins of ... : Seven Deadly Sins of Intolerance Recalling Gandhiji’s memorable summary of seven deadly sins, the following is a summary in simi...

Seven Deadly Sins of Intolerance Recalling Gandhiji’s memorable summary of seven deadly sins, the following is a summary in similar style of a brief reflection on intolerance given at the Trivandrum conference on a Gandhian Alternative to a World Without Terrorism and War in February 2002. Intolerance is a personal failure to accept reality Intolerance is a failure of intelligence Intolerance is an error of judgment about Ultimate Truth Intolerance is an error which breeds psychological disorder Intolerance is an error which breeds social disorder Intolerance is an error which breeds political disorder Intolerance is a pragmatic failure: it doesn’t work If these characterizations of intolerance are accurate, it follows that intolerance in the name of religion is a deep betrayal and perversion of authentic religion. In short, intolerance is unacceptable and is a sign of weakness and not of strength. Intolerance is a personal failure to accept reality Int

Atmeeyam : ( 22/10/2012. ) : RELIGION > ETHICAL RELIGION >Personal Morality :9.... : Personal Morality  : 'I am responsible for this,' or 'This is my duty': this is a moving and wonderful thought. A ...

Personal Morality  : 'I am responsible for this,' or 'This is my duty': this is a moving and wonderful thought. A mysterious, resounding voice seems to say, 'To thee, individually, O man, is given this task. Whether defeat or victory, both belong to thee. Thou art what no one else in the world is, for nowhere has nature created two similar objects. Thou hast a duty which no one else in the world can do, and if thou dost no do it that loss will stand debited to thee in the world's balance-sheet.' 'What is that duty I owe to myself?' Someone may quote the verse : Call not man God for man is not God  Yet man is not distinct from God's glory and answer, 'My duty is to rest secure in the belief than I am a ray of God's light.'  Another may answer that the duty is to have sympathy and fraternal regard for others. A third may answer that it is to revere parents, care for one's wife and children, and acquit oneself

Atmeeyam : ( 22/10/2012. ) : RELIGION > ETHICAL RELIGION >Seven Deadly Sins of ... : Recalling Gandhiji’s memorable summary of seven deadly sins, the following is a summary in similar style of a brief reflection on intol...

Recalling Gandhiji’s memorable summary of seven deadly sins, the following is a summary in similar style of a brief reflection on intolerance given at the Trivandrum conference on a Gandhian Alternative to a World Without Terrorism and War in February 2002. 1.Intolerance is a personal failure to accept reality 2.Intolerance is a failure of intelligence 3.Intolerance is an error of judgment about Ultimate Truth 4. Intolerance is an error which breeds psychological disorder 1.Intolerance is an error which breeds social disorder 2.Intolerance is an error which breeds political disorder 5.Intolerance is a pragmatic failure: it doesn’t work If these characterizations of intolerance are accurate, it follows that intolerance in the name of religion is a deep betrayal and perversion of authentic religion. In short, intolerance is unacceptable and is a sign of weakness and not of strength. Intolerance is a personal failure to accept reality : Intolerance is a failure or re

Social Ideal : It is sometimes said that all morality involves social relations. This is well said; for instance, if the judge has a proper sense of justice, men who go to court obtain satisfaction. Similarly love, kindness, generosity and other qualities can be manifested only in relation to others. The force of loyalty can be demonstrated only in our relations with one another. Of patriotism, nothing need be said. Truly speaking, there is no aspect of morality the benefit of which accrues to the practitioner alone. Sometimes it is said that truthfulness and other virtues have nothing to do with the other person and are entirely personal. But we must admit that by telling the truth we prevent harm to another we do him an injury. In the same way, when a man disapproves of certain laws or customs and withdraws from society, even then his acts affect society. Such a man lives in a world of ideals. He does not worry that the world of his ideals is not yet born. From him the m