Hinduism, the world's oldest religion,
has no beginning—it precedes recorded history. It has no
human founder. It is a mystical religion, leading the devotee
to personally experience the Truth within, finally reaching
the pinnacle of consciousness where man and God are one. Hinduism
has three main denominations—Saivism, Shaktism, and Vaishnavism.
The preceding nine beliefs form a common ground for all Hindu
sects.
Four
Facts of Hinduism
What
Is Karma?
Karma is what the soul undergoes in
one of two ways, according to whether its actions are virtuous
or not; but both kinds subsist until the end of enjoyment in
this world.
-Svayambu Agama
God's cosmic law of karma governs
our life experiences through cause and effect. As God's force
of gravity shapes cosmic order, karma shapes experiential order.
Through karma, your thoughts, emotions and deeds-whether good,
bad or mixed-return to you. Thus, karma is your teacher. It
imparts the lessons you need and are able to meet. For it is
a divine law that no karmic situation will arise that exceeds
your ability to resolve it. Karma is not fate. You have free
will. No God or external force is controlling your life. It
is your own karmic creation. To be responsible for your karma
is strength. To blame another is weakness. Therefore, remember
God's great law of karma and act wisely.
What
Is Reincarnation?
Through his past works he shall return
once more to birth, entering whatever form his heart is set
on. This mighty soul unborn grows not old, nor dies, for the
soul is immortal and fearless.
-Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
Your soul is an immortal body of light.
Its Absolute and superconscious essence is identical to with
God. Yet, this identity needs to be realized and unfolded within
the soul. Toward this goal your soul undertakes many, many lifetimes
in a physical body. You are now the sum total of all your past
lives. You undergo every conceivable human experience as the
forces of the body, ego and desire manifest. In the latter lives
the forces are transmuted toward spirituality. Finally, your
soul realizes God. After resolving all residual karmas, your
soul no longer incarnates into human form. As the Agamas and
Vedas teach, the soul continues its evolution in the inner worlds.
Therefore, you live joyously, strive for spiritual unfoldment
and do not fear death.
What
Is Dharma?
May noble wisdom come to us from all
sides, undeceived, unhindered, overflowing, so that the Devas
may always help us onward, unceasing is their care, our Guardians
day by day.
-Rig Veda
Dharma is God's Divine Law, the law
of being. Dharma is to the individual what its normal development
is to a seed-the orderly fulfillment of an inherent nature and
destiny. When following Dharma you are in harmony with the cosmic
order; you abide close to God. The moral dimension of Hindu
Dharma is embodied in the eight yamas (restrains) and eight
niyamas (observances). The yamas are: nonviolence not stealing;
disciplining desire; abjuring lust and greed; curbing arrogance
and anger; not lying; avoiding injustice; shunning wrongdoing
and evil company. The niyamas: be pure in body, mind and speech;
love mankind; seek contentment; cultivate devotion; develop
forbearance; give charitably; study the scriptures; perform
penance and sacrifice. Every person has his or her path; worship
God, and your Dharma will become clear.
How
Do Hindus Worship?
Offering of perfumed substances, flowers,
incense, lamps and fresh fruit—these are the five elements
of the traditional puja which culminates with offering of the
lamps.
-Kamika Agama
Worship expresses our profound love
for God. Puja, bhajan, prayer and meditation are all worshipful
means of direct, personal communion with God and Gods. God,
Gods and devas are all real beings dwelling in the inner worlds.
They can and want to help you in every aspect of your life.
This they do in accord with your own patterns of karma and Dharma.
Daily, personal puja at home keeps you God-conscious and your
home holy. God has established many temples to allow us to intimately
communicate with Him. Temple puja opens a channel to God. Through
His personal presence and shakti, prayers are answered, karma
softened, spiritual unfoldment guided. Surrender, worship with
intense love, and God hears.
These four facts—karma, reincarnation,
Dharma, worship—are the essence of the Vedas and Agamas
and the fabric of every Hindu's life.
To
invite Acharya
Bharat to speak on Hinduism at your group or event, please call
him at 503.591.0984 or email him
at bharatji108@gmail.com
You
can also visit the Brahma Premananda Ashram/Temple, 11515 SW
Hall Blvd. in Tigard, Oregon 97223, Ph. 503-598-3073 to see
living Hinduism in action. Click here to enter the Temple Web
site:
www.portlandhindutemple.org
