The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma

1. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma Outline: Introduction of the topic and participants Hindu Basics: Dharma & not religion What is Dharma? What is Hindu Dharma? What is unique about it? What it can do for the modern world? How to bring Hindu Dharma to maximum number of people? Our Duties: Rnas, Ashrama dharma What is my duty, dharma and what I can do for it? Individually? Collectively?

2. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma Introduction: What is our organization? It is a channel through which we are learning from and learning about our heritage for a peaceful, harmonious, happy and prosperous life and also for a world beyond self which is also peaceful, harmonious and progressive.

3. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma Introduction: What is its product and service we offer? Hindu Dharma: Knowledge, tools Hindu issues: Issues affecting the Hindus and action towards those

4. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma Introduction: What is our role? Be benefited by Hindu Dharma ourselves Help others to get the same

5. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma Introduction: As leaders of the organization it is absolutely necessary that we have the following: We know the fundamentals We know how to implement them in daily life We know how to articulate/present them We, all the key players are on the same page We should be able to not only defend, but also remove ignorance from those who do not understand us and attack us

6. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma We feel the urge within. We feel that we have the answer. We are inspired and motivated Yet at times we feel helpless.

7. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma We find ourselves to be stuck with our personal life and organizational details. We feel that we the Hindus are weak and lacking some vital requirements.

8. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma We feel that the heritage which has allowed the descent of Ram, Sita, Draupadi, Krishna, Buddha, Nagarjun, Aryabhatta ,Kanad, Panini, Patanjali, Mahavir ,Sankara, Madhava, Chaitanya, Ramana, Ramakrishna , Vivekananda and Aurobindo are less relevant to the world.

9. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma On one hand…. We have a grand vision for the entire creation. We have most complete systems for the evolution from animal to human to divine. We have lofty ideals such as “Ahimsha parama dharmo.”

10. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma Our Vision includes… Byakti/Individual: Aham Brahmashmi Samasthi/Samaj: Sarve Sukhina santu, sarve santu niramayah Sristhi/Universe:Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam

11. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma But…. Everyday Hindus are persecuted, tortured, raped and killed in different parts of the world. Hindu population is shrinking (comparatively). Hindu land is being lost. Hindu culture is vanishing.

12. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma And…. Hindu ideas are being misused against the Hindus. Hindu control & power is lost: e.g. Nepal, Bangladesh, Fiji, Trinidad, Mauritius These are the ground realties.

13. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma We have a major challenge within: The lack of articulation and application of what our great seers have presented and done in past – from Sri Krishna to Chanakya to Sri Aurobindo. We lack clear understanding, articulation, strategy formation, planning, resource allocation and professional application Hindu vision for today.

14. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma Hindu Basics: Before we talk about anything else, let us refresh our memory with the basics.

15. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma Hindu Basics: Source of the word ‘Hindu’? What is Hinduism? The term was used by the Christian missionaries. To them it was a strange tribalism and because Christianity was the only ‘religion’ to them, any other ideas had to be an ‘ism’ so the called it Hindu-ism. Other names? Sanatana Dharma, Vedic Dharma, Brahminism or Brahminical Dharma or Just Dharma

16. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma Hindu Basics For thousands of years of experimentation in all possible fields of human domain are being done by the people of Bharat. Bharat has a heritage that has developed a great spiritual culture, great traditions, unmatched artistic achievements, and grand social, economic, political, health and educational systems from which all nations have learned.

17. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma Hindu Basics Hindu history is written with immense contribution to the world in the field of science, math, language and a glorious history of heroic valor without attacking others. But the most important is its knowledge of the Self and the universe in its Vedic and Vedantic treasure houses. All of these are part of what is called Hinduism

18. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma Hindu Basics How the universe, a society, a system or a being is sustained depends upon certain principles and laws. The eternal and unchanging rules of being, becoming and sustaining, the order that holds things together is literally Sanatana (eternal) Dharma (sustaining principles).

19. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma Dharma: Dharma is a Sanskrit term, which literally means ‘that which holds together’ or ‘sustains the natural order of things’. It refers to the universal principles and laws, duties and righteousness, which bring about peace, harmony and progress. According to Dharma, religion is one of innumerable possible paths towards individual aspirations It includes morality, ethics & justice

20. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma Dharma: Taoism: Tao is an emblem, meaning order, the whole, responsibility, efficiency. It is the Responsible Efficient, Total Order, creations as a whole, the whole of what is, multiplicity.

21. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma Dharma: “Dhamma means (a) the state of nature as it is, (b) the laws of nature, (c) the duties that must be performed in accordance with the laws of nature, and (d) the results that are derived from the fulfillment of such duties.” - Buddhadasa

22. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma Dharma: "Twofold is the Vedic Dharma: Of the nature of advancement in the world of action and achievement (pravrttilaksana) and withdrawal or turning inward into the world of Spirit and Freedom (Nivrtti-laksana), both of which are the necessary means and counterparts of the world, leading directly to the attainment of secular welfare and prosperity (abhyudaya) and Spiritual Good (nihsreyasa) of all beings." - Acharya Sankara (Introduction to his commentary on Geeta).

23. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma Dharma: "Religion (Dharma) has made man what he is, and will make of this human animal a God. That is what religion can do. Take religion from human society and what will remain? Nothing but a forest of brutes." - Swami Vivekananda.

24. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma Dharma: "...is the manifestation of divinity already in man. It is being and becoming, not hearing and acknowledging." - Swami Vivekananda. DHARMA <=> Sustenance, growth, evolution – progress!

25. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma Uniqueness: The knowledge and systems are not based on ‘beliefs’ but through experiments and experiences over thousands of years. It is super-scientific Modern science relies only on physical and sensory evidences. Dharma is based on physical, emotional, intellectual and intuitive experiences and needs.

26. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma Uniqueness: These are not one-sided views as evident in other systems: Not based on only one person or one group of people – prophets/theologians/secular scientist or economist or political person

27. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma Uniqueness: A worldview is complete if it is perceived through the eyes of all: physicists, psychologists, mathematicians, biologists, social scientist, economics, artists and yogis – based on all of them and more. -These are applicable to all people of all times -These are modifiable according to desh-kal-patra (place, time and context)

28. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma What Dharma can do for the modern world? Peace, progress, harmony Health: Physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual Environment Society, Politics, Economics Science & Technology Justice: Ethics, Morality and Law Trade and Business

29. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma Contemporary religions like Christianity and Islam’s Theo-philosophical content is non-confirming with the present scientific understanding of the universe. Most of the latest theories in physics correspond to the world view visualized by ancient Indian scriptures.

30. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma Last few years’ research has shown, many of the claims of Yoga and Ayurveda are truly scientifically relevant. Clinical trials by western medical institutes are proving the truth of some of the claims of Hindu philosophy on the character of the body and mind and their close interconnectedness - an idea that remained totally alien to modern medicine until recently.

31. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma So, how the creation would look like if we view it through the vision of Hindu Dharma?

32. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma Personal Growth: Spiritual, Mental, Emotional, Physical:Yoga Application of Integral Yoga in the following spheres: Family, Society | Education,Politics, Economics | Sciences Ethics, Morality, Justice | Environment, Health | Spirituality =Integral Humanism (IH) Understanding, feeling, application (IH)= Modern Hinduism=Hinduness

33. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma What Dharma can do for the modern world? It seems like the only way out to the current moral, judicial, environmental, economic crisis in the world is the Dharmic way. British Historian Arnold Toyenbee said: "Today we are still living in a transitional chapter of the world's history, but it is already becoming clear that a chapter which had a Western beginning will have to have an Indian ending if it is not to end in the self-destruction of the race."

34. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma What it can do for the modern world? The challenge First of all we the Hindus don’t understand it If we understand it we do not practice it If we practice it others don’t get it If they get it, they don’t accept it If they accept it they don’t practice it

35. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma What it can do for the modern world? The challenge Then how the concepts of dharma is going to impact the world? Well, it must start with us. We are just doing it, right now. Then, through our networking, organization we will get there

36. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma How to bring Hindu Dharma to maximum number of people? Organization, service It is true that one plus one is two. We can start with ourselves. However, in the psychic world the equation is not that long. Just few powerful minds or a critical mass can change the thought process and direction of the world.

37. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma Why should we get into these activities? This is my life, what am I supposed to do with it ? Let us first look into the things which makes us, the individuals HAPPY! According to Hindu Dharma the happiness requirements are….

38. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma Happiness requirements: The Purusharthas: Pursuits 1. We need materials, possessions and wealth to sustain life - Artha 2. We have physical, mental & emotional desires and we need satisfaction and happiness - Kama

39. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma Happiness requirements: The Purusharthas: Pursuits 3. We need to have some personal/social/spiritual principles to have an order, to achieve harmonious fulfillment of personal, social & global needs - Dharma 4. Realize full potential of human beings, overcome the challenges of life and free oneself from problems of living in material world –detachment, freedom, liberation - Moksha

40. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma Happiness requirements Material Satisfaction (abhyudaya) Is attained primarily by the first two (Artha and Kama) Purushartas being satisfied. It is said that any average human being cannot comprehend Dharma or Moksha until they experience Artha and Kama. Siddharta Gautama or Lord Buddha was a prime example of one who possessed immense wealth and lead a family life, but later realized that he must go and search for the understanding of Dharma and Moksha (Nirvana)

41. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma What am I supposed to do now? What are our primary duties? According to Hindu Dharma, we need to work on our Rnas…

42. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma Happiness requirements Spiritual Salvation (Nihsreyasa) Is provided by following one’s Dharma towards spiritual attainments and finally attaining Moksha. Saints and yogis through their own devotional faith and power attain the last two purusharthas.

43. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma Rnas Rnais usually translated as debts or obligations. It actually means duties in the life of a person following dharma (to sustain the order – personal, societal, world). Every Dharmic individual must discharge four pious obligations/duties. They are deva rna (debt to the divine), pitri rna (debt to ancestors), rsi rna (debt to teachers and seers) and bhutaa or manava rna (debt to humanity).

44. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma Rnas Deva rna –our duties towards the divine, our deities and ishthas. We need to support the institutions of worship, including the temples apart from worshipping and praying.

45. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma Rnas Pitri rna - means our obligations, indebtedness and responsibilities towards all our ancestors, especially to our father and mother. Apart from doing rituals such as tarpanas, if one takes care of their family and maintains the continuity of the institution of family/parenthood – that is the best way to serve the ancestors. Think of those who gave their lives to protect our heritage, land and dharma. We owe a lot to them. Only by remembering them and preserving their memories, great sages, kings, scientists and above all, the heroes will be produced again.

46. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma Rnas Rishi rna- Indebtedness towards the Rishis, Sages, teachers. seekers of truth, scientists. We must take actions to preserve, protect and serve the institutions of education apart from following the teachings of the Gurus. Rsi Rna entails to promote knowledge and wisdom, both scientific and spiritual by the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge.

47. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma Rnas Bhuta/Manava Rna – It is Service to Mankind - by every type of seva or social service. It also means the welfare of all living and non-living manifestations of Godhead – the entire creation.

48. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma But what is one’s Dharma in life? Ashrama Dharma Since the individual is the foundation for a harmonious society, the duties and obligations are to be fulfilled during various stages of a person's life and are referred to as varna-ashrama-dharma.

49. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma But what is one’s Dharma in life? Ashrama Dharma Brahmacharya: In the company of brahma – the creator; the ‘building phase’, the ‘Me, me’ phase Garhasta: In home – the creative/prfessional phase – the ‘we we’ phase Vanprastha; ‘ departure To the forest’, away from home, serve the society – ‘us us phase Sannyasa: Alignment with the Sat (truth), ‘saging’

50. The role of Hindu Dharma & Our role in Hindu Dharma Ashrama Dharma Brahmacharya: Life’s phase for acquisition of knowledge as a student : rsi rna Garhasta:discharging family responsibilities as a householder :pitri rna Vanprastha:devoting oneself to social service: manav rna Sannyasa: renunciation of temporal desires to attain moksha: deva rna Various samskaras (sacraments) are prescribed for each stage of life which emphasizes on particular rnas