Is Hinduism a religion or a way of life? Or is it both? If we were to ask a Hindu, he or she would most likely answer that Hinduism is a way of life - often referred to as Sanatana Dharma. In fact, if we were to ask just about anybody - Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, etc - the answer would be that theirs is not a religion, but rather it is a way of life.
Why then, do we use the term religion? For better or worse, religion is generally used within our Northern American context as the blanket term to cover all elements of faith, spirituality, ritual, belief, etc. It may not be precise, but it is commonly understood.
What are the core religious elements of Hinduism? That can be difficult to define, due to the diverse history and development of Hindu belief and practice. Although there is no unified Hindu creed, there are at least two fundamental beliefs: samsara and moksha.
Samsara is the belief that the human problem is that everyone wanders through a potentially endless cycle of life, death, and rebirth (ie, reincarnation). Whereas Buddhists tend to see reincarnation as an opportunity, Hindus see it as a problem that must be overcome.
Moksha, then, is the Hindu solution to the problem of samsara. Moksha means release, and it refers to spiritual liberation from the cyclical bondage of samsara, and attainment of knowledge of the true self (Atman). If moksha is the goal, how is it achieved? Again, due to the tremendous diversity within Hinduism, it can be difficult to define a specific path, but there are four generally accepted disciplines (ie, yogas) that move a person from samsara to moksha.
Karma yoga - the path of right action. Karma refers to acts, either good or bad, that have determined one's present condition and will determine one's future circumstances. As an example, volunteer service not only helps others, but it also helps the volunteer move closer to moksha.
Jnana yoga - the path of wisdom and rational inquiry. Sometimes referred to as transcendental mediation, jnana yoga emphasizes a mental and meditative approach to self-realization.
Bhakti yoga - the path of devotion. In essence, the goal of bhakti yoga is to express self-less love for the divine, without expecting anything in return. Examples are worshipping at a temple or shrine, devotional singing, and performing pilgrimages.
Raja yoga - the path of mental concentration. Raya yoga is focused on the controlled stopping of all mental and emotional activity. Examples are the chanting of sacred mantras, and the practice of specific postures and breathings to move one's life energy to union with the Absolute. It is the path of raja yoga that is often expressed through the popularized idea of yoga in North America.
As we have seen in this brief article, Hinduism contains a complex system of beliefs and practices. And we only scratched the surface! From what you have seen or been a part of in our community or in the media, which of the four Hindu yogas have you encountered? Which of the four do you have a new understanding of?
Questions or Comments? Each week, this column will explore issues and questions about religion and spirituality in Prince George and around the world. Please send your questions, comments, or ideas to by Twitter to @wessner or e-mail pgspirituality@wessner.ca.
