Hindus badly
need a strong leader
Hinduism is
the oldest surviving religion, currently followed by over a billion people in
the world, with a universal appeal that is too difficult to ignore. To
understand the future of Hinduism, we have to understand its strengths. Such a
study would help us understand what forces are at work and how Hinduism can
meet various challenges in order to survive and continue. Its chief strengths
are:
1. It is a
very flexible, assimilative and adaptive religion, with a broader outlook and
many divergent traditions. It is not dogmatic, because it is not based on a
particular set of teachings, scriptures or a founder. Its flexibility gives it
the special ability to adapt itself to the changing times, without losing its
vitality, core values or focus. Hinduism acknowledges that the world is
unstable, human mind is fickle, our beliefs and circumstances can change, but
Truth is permanent and unchangeable, and it is this Truth it encourages its
followers to seek by whatever means they consider appropriate.
2. There is no
centralized authority in Hinduism. So anyone can be a Hindu, without the need
for approval from anyone. There are no compulsions to observe any code of
conduct, as long as one can find their basis in some scripture, school of
thought or the teachings of a guru, saint or seer. One can be even an atheist
and still a Hindu.
3. It is not
opposed to scientific exploration nor the technological progress of mankind as
long as such an activity is not an end by itself, but part of our divine
centered search for Truth. It has the ability and flexibility to align itself
to both science and spiritualism as two different tools of knowledge.
4. There are
many layers within Hinduism. It has something for every one and every strata of
society and offers a broad spectrum of solutions to the problems of human life.
From the most ignorant to the most knowledgeable, every one can find solace in
Hinduism through ever lasting solutions to their existential, spiritual and
personal problems.
5. Hinduism is
a peaceful and tolerant religion. Because it is a composite religion, it has no
issues with dogmatic religions which are based on the teachings of a founder or
prophet. Its broader religious and philosophical base allows it to find
parallels within other religions and coexist with them without feeling
threatened or the compulsion to establish its superiority. Hindus are perhaps
the only people in the world who have never launched an aggression on other
nations on religious grounds. And Hinduism is perhaps the only religion in the
world that survived over 700 years of Islamic oppression and 400 years of
Christian propaganda.
It is a pity
that although Hinduism is such a strong religion, today it is badly in need of
a proper leader who can make it match with other strong religions in the world,
viz. Islam and Christianity. Hindus just need a strong leader.
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