So is Hinduism not a religion?
Let’s look at the word meaning of religion. Religare (Latin) means to bind. Bind to whom or to what?
Does it mean to bind to the Supreme Being or does it mean to bind to the doctrine?
If we look at history, the Church (for which the term religion was first used) was very adamant that those followers which it had gained through (often forced) baptism must never leave the Church. Christianity had strict blasphemy laws with terrible punishment, like Islam even has today. So, it can be safely assumed that religion meant to bind its followers to the doctrine of the respective religion. The followers must ‘religiously’ stick to the doctrine.
If it would have meant to be bound to the Supreme Being, then surely Christianity or Islam should not have any objection if the Supreme is called by another name, for example Shiva, and the process of being bound to Him ‘Yoga’.
So strictly speaking, Hinduism is not a religion.
But it is also not just a way of life. It has many rules how to live life in an ideal way.
So one could say, Hinduism is an ideal way of life which is helpful in realising one’s ONENESS with the Supreme Being.
This ideal way of life is not based on a dogmatic belief system, but on experiential wisdom.
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This article was first published in Maria Wirth’s website on Oct 16, 2023.
Read More Here: Can you explain to me what Hinduism is about?
Another Good Read: Is this a declaration of war on Hindus and their Dharma?
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Maria Wirth is from Germany, now in India for last 38 years. Author of the book “Thank you India – a German woman’s journey to the wisdom of yoga”. Dedicated her life for experiencing Sanatan Hindu Dharma and related researches as a real ascetic. She can be contacted at her email: mariawirth12@gmail.com
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