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Certainly Hinduism stretches the limit of the idea of religion. Yet the very things that make
Hinduism different from organized creeds provides it with a greater
claim to be a religion in the true sense of the word, which is a
teaching that helps us to unite with Truth or God.
Though Hinduism is not a
religion as a convenient and exclusive set of dogmas, it is a
religion in that it addresses all the prime issues of life and
death, God and immortality. Hinduism contains a consistent set of
insights, principles and practices that reveal the highest truths of
Self and cosmic knowledge. It provides various methodologies or
paths of Yoga to enable us to perceive this truth in our own
consciousness.
Hinduism has its particular
spirit, its universality, spirituality and yogic view. This goes
back to the most ancient Vedic texts and their ability to identify
any name or form of the Divine with all others, as when the Vedas
proclaim the Sacred Fire, Agni, includes within itself all the Gods
or Divine powers. Hinduism is a vibrant ocean of spiritual,
religious and occult insights and practices, woven into a vast
culture.
It has the complexity of
life itself, which cannot be reduced to a formula, understood in a
single book, or controlled by any church or organization. Have you
ever looked at the complexity of a tree, with its roots, bark,
branches, leaves, flowers and fruit? Then look at the complexity of
other trees and plants in the forest. The universe contains great
diversity and uniqueness everywhere but with an underlying unity.
The Divine similarly has various layers and dimensions as part of an
Eternal and Infinite Being and Consciousness which defies all
definitions, however clever, rational or appealing.
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