| Username |
Post |
| bkratna |
Posted
on 21-Feb-04 07:07 AM
The Hindu religion is one of the conservative religion in the world. It is being proved itself day to day due to its conservative systems. Most of the follower of hindu religion in Nepal does not know, what is Hindu religion and what should they do, and what they should not do? But every other religions like Buddhism, Christian follower knows everything about their religion. They never dominant to the people on the basis casteism, or they don't have any other biasness to the human being. Due to the conservative system of Hindu religion, now most of the people in Nepal are changing their religion to the alternative religion Christian, buddhist. Let's take example what kind of conservative system is in Hindu religion:
A Bishwakarma makes a statue of Hindu God and when it is put in the temple then he can not touch even touch it, the reason is Bishwakarma is untouchable caste. How farcial system is this? similarly, when a woman got mensturation she can not enter in the home, she can not touch anything, she must sleep outside the home. These kind of conservative system is protected by the Hindu religion. Hindu religion isfully impressed by the "Manusmriti". That is why it is being so hateful. Now, the Hindu religion is going to be disappear day to day from Hindu country Nepal and this is the demand of time that this kind of nuisance religion should not be anymore in the society.
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| Dogz 4 Life |
Posted
on 21-Feb-04 09:22 AM
Seems like you just changed yourself to Christianity. But Oh well, who cares? Granted there are many short comings in Hinduism like untouchables and women being off limit when they are on periods etc etc. But don't you think it is more of superstition that was created over the period of time rather than an iron-clad rule of the religion itself?
Unlike Christianity, Islam or Buddhism, in many ways, Hinduism is not a codified religion, but a collection of beliefs and traditions, culled from many groups and systems over time. Hinduism doesn't have a centralized organization or framework for believers to follow. Nor it is based on a single work such as the Bible or Koran or on the words of Jesus, Buddha or Mohammed. Hinduism is based on the belief of reincarnation and this belief gives followers as many chances as they need to reach enlightenment or heaven or god. The idea of Karma, that everything you do in this lifetime, both good and bad, affects your future lives. It's like Christians say "you reap what you sow".."you must pay for everything you do; everything you do comes back around". But Hindus do not believe that reincarnation and karma are forms of punishment. Rather, they are ways to make amends for past mistakes while also learning whatever lessons you need in order to be closer to God.
We Hindus keep our beliefs to ourselves and being a missionary for the faith is not part of Hinduism. We do not make a big deal out of it. We do not coerce people with some other beliefs to believe in ours. Our religion is more of spontaneous and self expanded one rather than commercialized and organized religion.
Unlike the way you dispise Hinduism, we do not despise yours. You wish Hinduism will fade away but the gand daddy of all religion swill stay here to stay forever. May the sense of karma dawn upon you and do not let it be too little too late kind of deal.
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| casey00 |
Posted
on 21-Feb-04 10:40 AM
Even though religions bring differences and conflicts more than often I still believe that most of the religions are good enough to be followed. Every religion has its great points and they basically tell us how to follow a disciplined path. But we humans are so stupid that we don't seem to care and ingore the fact that all the religions can coexist. This is why we have wars ..struggles and crap like that.
There is no problem with any religion..the problem lies when followers misunderstand it..
Comparing HInduism to other religions..it may look like it has many flaws. Ofcourse our religion is very conservative and very rightfully so...remember its people who made the caste and differentiated the class...BUt again when it was done..it was neccessary..cuz to run the society more efficiently..but in todays world it doesnt make sense..so changes like eradicating the cast and class system would definitely make it look better.
Plus we have to realise that today religion is more about competetion...people are changing their religions becuase of theirown personal reasons..now how fair and nice is that???? Wasnt religion supposed to be pure?
this is why I dont believe that blaming religion is a good idea.. for me I choose to stay Hindu even though I am not a devotee...just to respect the fact that I was born from a hindu parents..and yes ofcourse it has taught be lots of great things.
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| nescient |
Posted
on 21-Feb-04 10:46 AM
People consider themselves Hindus and have no slighest idea what is it about.They think they know but the truth they don't.To begin with,Hinduism is not a religion.Secondly,the so called religious is not conservative.The Hindusim that people follow now is the modern hindusim that changed about many decades ago.The real Hindusim was not a casteist one.It's the people who follow Hindusim changed it and made it casteist that we see now.And there is a reason why people changed it and made it conservative.Old times they did not have such things as sanitary pads(always-extra long ultra thin with wings)and it was not hygenic that's why they made some rules.But people don't get that and still follow the old tradition.Similar with the caste system.Hindusim has never said anything about discriminating people.It's the people who made their own rules and changed the beliefs of Hinduism.Lastly, I don't think it should even matter what religion people follow.It's not one religion is better than another.It all says basically the same thing.If I start talking about Hindusim I can go on and on so let me not do that right now.
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| peda |
Posted
on 21-Feb-04 11:52 AM
Anything with a beginning has an end.
This statement is self explanatory and I do think it is worth worrying about what will end in future and what will remain eternal. For me, my faith remains eternal. But I know that I will fade away one day.
All religions are trying to create an order in society.There are good and bad things in every religion.
Rituals are there everywhere in the world and I do not think they should be associated with any religion.Caste system is an after effect of our previous social order.It will eventually fade away.
My religion gives me the freedom to think of God the way I want. I do not feel it necessary to change religion in order to achieve God. I choose to concentrate on the good aspects of it.
Whatever you want to do in life, my best wishes!
Om Shanti!
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| ladybug |
Posted
on 21-Feb-04 06:47 PM
Peda.
You wrote it so well. I felt like saying AMEN. It is so true that you do not need to change gods to get to the one true god. You should know in your soul what you are looking for, and it is not one religion or other but one true, original divinity that was there to begin with. And what was the oldest religion again? You can all do your own research on that.
And the best way to avoid conflict with others is to follow the principle of LIVE And LET LIVE. In other words, No Conversions or Evangelism. Follow your own heart with a sound mind.
OM~
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| georgewbush |
Posted
on 21-Feb-04 09:41 PM
ZZZZZZZ
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| dada |
Posted
on 21-Feb-04 10:50 PM
Seems like LOTS of things are gonna disappear in Nepal
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| ProudNepali |
Posted
on 21-Feb-04 11:17 PM
Discussion about "Religion" can neve be settled out. Mainly because we are talking about Beliefs. Each religion has lots of good and seemingly bad sides whether they are oriental or animated in the course of development of Human civilization. And apparently all of them have one common goal (achieving peace If I am not mistaken and if you all agree) and one common message (If I can afford to say that). So, it sounds more wise to believe/follow any religion whichever one thinks is good for him/her.
To me religion is one wonderful gift to humanity. And we all have one single religion that's humanity. One cannot change oneself by converting his/her relgion....because....he has to remain human after all. Not trying to get too philosophical here but it sounds wise to think that way. Religions tempt to change in the ways humans want them to. Most of the religions (the teachings/messages etc) today have different scripts than the original ones (Correct me If I am wrong about it)> so it sounds less meaningful to talk about ONe single religion being surperior to another.
As for the popularity of the religion I think it should depend on ones "SOFT POWER" rather than desperate advertisements and cheaper publicities. I am neither an advocate of religion nor a devotee of one single religion. YEt, as I said before religion is a very precious gift to us humans and it will always be precious if we manage to follow it the way it should (be) have been. Mr. DOgz4life I would like to opr you for telling all the religions except Hinndusm are codified. Could you plesae explain it more?
BKratna bro your posting doesn't sound so nice to HIndus and all others. Nothing personal against you but Religion is a very serious issue. So, be considerate of others when you write anything about it.
Actually, I would like to start a new thread on a slightly different topic than this.
JAI NEpal
Peace to all
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| bhanja |
Posted
on 22-Feb-04 08:06 AM
Hi there Bro,
I understand your frustration !!! But may I ask you a question? Are a of a lower caste ?
I guess in this modern era a person should be practical enough to adapt to what is wrong and right by using head and not religion.Most of the time there are so many do's and dont's in every religion.In my view there is no religion which is perfect.So brother use your head and your heart to make decision.Religion is basically something like a tonic and sometime a guide in everyday living.
Religion does help people but there are also millions of people without religion.The choice of course belong to an individual in choosing a religion.But be warned again,"There is no perect religion!"
Sorry Bro if you are living in Nepal.
Correct me if I am wrong but I guess there are still people who are admant in practicing old caste system in Nepal to domination then there is not much you can do.You have to conform with the society.
Anyway I am not a pundit in this kind of issuse so please thanx for reading my 2 cents worth view.
Regards
Bhanja(Singapore)
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| bkratna |
Posted
on 22-Feb-04 12:16 PM
Hi Bhanja,
I am sorry I am not so called lower caste people. It is your weakness, not only yours everybody else who is living in superstition that when somebody talks about any truth that can not be digest as well as they blame and suspect many things. I talked about the caste system of Nepal which is really torturing for the victim and you guess this guy must be lower caste. It is your introduction. Well, I was born in Nepal, I love Nepal and nepalese people, basically I love the people who are really innocent victim of something else. Currently, I am in United States.
Well, I read the numerous views on the matter of Hindu religion. I don't have any religious bias but I have the good sense to seperate that what is right thing and what is wrong? Also, I am not talking about the Hindu religion being a religious leader.It is truth that Hindu religion is full of superstition and conservative system, and it is the religion of Eploiter natured people as stated in Manusmriti. In my case, " I was born being a Hindu, which was not in my handling but I don't die being Hindu".
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| yOuNgBlOoDz |
Posted
on 22-Feb-04 12:23 PM
not that CASTE CRAP AGAIN
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| Rastafariya |
Posted
on 22-Feb-04 12:44 PM
Yeah! Wassup with him Bhanja?
Them peopal always say that when you is tell truth. How many them rivers do we have to cross before we can talk to da boss?
Birader! When you is try to bring one point of truth that dont suit them nice peopal. Them start saying Oh! no him Dreaddie is divisive, him is racist, him is stupid,etc. etc.
This birader is not even trying to say them anything bad to anyone and now all nice peopal call him anti hindu, lower caste,etc.etc.
Why them these peopal do that? All throughout generasions we is never call them peopal racist, anti Dreaddie or manipulators when them peopal make them rules ,rites and laws to suit only theyselves.
Now, everyone them say oh no you not talk about Caste, It is bad to talk about them caste system. It is them very divisive etc. We never said nothing when them peopal rule I with them laws that them made calling it them laws of Manu or them Vedas.
Yeah youre, right all them laws of your Fadas Vedas, Manu,and whole thing.
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| nsshrestha |
Posted
on 23-Feb-04 11:31 AM
This is why it is Sanatatan Dharma. You walk, that is dharma. You talk, that is dhrama. There is no rigid path you follow in Hinduism. It is like Haluwa Pasale ko Jilebi, so intertwined. That's why there is this famous saying - THIS IS THAT.
ManuSmriti has been bent 36 times and stretched 69 times and if the situation arises there will be ManuSmriti Revision II. And the history has shown, one that is capable adapting to the new ideas survive.
It has empowered Indra on dry lands of Sumer and enthroned cult heroes like Vishnu after arriving in fertile land of North India. Just for survival. The Siva that they fought against for so long, finally assimilated into itself as a sect of Hinduism. It has resisted the anger of Chhertiya princes like Buddha and Mahabir. When time necessitate, it has came up with new doctrines.
From Veas to Vedanta.
I was in mrityunjaya Jagge(Yagya) last Saturday and seems like its not going to disappear in next seven days. :)
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| Bilbo Baggins |
Posted
on 23-Feb-04 12:29 PM
Religion and compassionate behaviour has already disappeared from Nepal!!!
BB
|
| le chef du nuit |
Posted
on 23-Feb-04 01:22 PM
all religions are based on the (sometimes explicit, sometimes unstated) assumption that humankind is the epitiome of creation. If you dont believe this to be the case, where does that leave you?
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| Rastafariya |
Posted
on 23-Feb-04 03:50 PM
Yo Birader Peopal! Them Hindu Religion is them never going to go away or them no religion is going to go away soon.
Birader n shrestha I is totally agree with you. Them all is Dharma in them Hindu Religion. Like them Walk , Talk , Do and everything.
Them Manu and all them Smriti is been bent, Pushed, Streched, Squized and everything when them feel necessary. Them do that when them feel it necessary to adapt to new Ideas to put I and I down.
Them Peopal of them Religion never ask I and I when them Change. Them will keep it alive . Them will again change bend them rules and stories to fit their needs
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| u_day |
Posted
on 23-Feb-04 04:10 PM
Thank you, DOGz_4_life and peda ji!
I believe hindu religion is more of a culture than what they (western world) call "Religion". We don't send missionaries to recruit new believers as other religions like christianilty or Islam do.
The notion of our religion is LIVE AND LET LIVE but in today's world you can't live freely by following that principle. I am telling you that from my own experience.
Let me tell you a little story of my life...
I used to be liberal about relition and was interested to know about different relitions of the world eventhough I am a hindu and will always remain a hindu. There is no doubt about it.
Once I called a church to get a *Free* video on the life of jebus ( jesus) christ because I wanted to know about the religion and how it started. As they say, nothing is "Free" today; there is always a 'hidden cost'.
Next day couple of missionary kids came knocking my door. They told me that they were there to help me understand about christianity. So, I told what I was thinking at the time; I told them that I am a Hindu and was just interested in knowing about christianity. I DID NOT have any intention in changing my religion. They pretended to respect my decision and agreed to enlighten me about christianity.
Enlighten my azz:@ They started making me read lines from bible. Days went by and one day they said to me," U_day, when you get baptized, God puts his hand on your shoulder and tells you what is right and what is wrong."
I said," Oh! okey. Thats good to know. But how do you know that God is talking to you? do you hear some kind of voice? of feel a hand touching you? ( I was refering to the kid, who saw dead people in that movie...)"
He said," Yes. you feel the God's touch when you get baptized." He started telling me benefits of baptism. Then he asked me,"My dear friend, U_day! do you want to get baptized?"
I replied,"No! not really."
He asked me again,"Uday! do you want to get baptized?"
I kept refusing his offer and reminding him why I let him talk to me about Christianity in the first place. But the guy kept insisting me. Finally, I had to give them their own medicine.
I said,"Guys! you know what? Right now, I can feel my God touching my shoulder. He is telling me to ask you guys to leave my apartment." I thanked them for the information they provided me and asked them to leave but they kept insisting me to get baptized.
I told them again,"Now my god is telling me to kick your ass if you do not leave." They got the message and apologized to me and left.
***** THE END *****
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| meERA |
Posted
on 23-Feb-04 07:53 PM
That reminds me of one similar incident. My cousin was constantly hounded to attend the Bible readings. So before I came to the US, she called me to say, Meera if they start talking about religion, don't be polite and listen. Luckily that has never happend to me. But yes, we were invited to go to a Christian preaching in Kathmandu. They do that every Sunday in Kamal Pokhari. So we went and they were teaching us, that Shivaji is bad coz he walks naked and takes drugs and all that.
Me the ever direct person told them exactly what I think of them, their preaching and walked out.
But yes, basically all religion are the same. Its all about compassion and helping others.
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| u_day |
Posted
on 23-Feb-04 08:11 PM
If somebody tells me that Shivaji is bad coz he walks naled and takes drugs, I would prolly take of my clothes and say," pass me the blunt. Jai Sambhoooo!!!"
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| south |
Posted
on 23-Feb-04 08:23 PM
i am hindu. i am nepali. well i agree i do nt know all the things about hinduism, but it does nt matter to me. i dont think everyone who follows christianity, buddhism, islam or any other religion know everything about their religion. there are many people who dont believe in religion too. if someone do nt like hinduism, that ok. no one is forcing him or her. my parents never forced me to do anything that i did nt want to abotu religion. i sometime go to temples, i respect god, if i am nt feeling confident i remember god and i believe god has some power and i believe it. nobody told me to follow it or whatever. well about caste, while we talk about our culture and religion may be we criticize a lot. well i have been to terai/pahad/ kathmandu . i studied in all those places. but i never felt like discrimination between friends. people are jsut making big issue of this thing. i think there is fair mix of people in every part of nepal, education/business and all. and i am sure i was born hindu and i will die as a hindu though i am in usa right now.
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| Rastafariya |
Posted
on 23-Feb-04 10:04 PM
Birader Peopal!
This is what I is talkin about. Now them subject is them change so much just like them peopal do.
This birader who them start this thread did not them say that this Hindu Religion is them badder than them Christian or Zorastrian or them Mohammaden Religion or anything.
Him just sayed what them is bad in Hindu Religion.
Now them just like them Ministers saying them that is badder than I so I is good.
You peopal not have head on them your soulder or what? You peopal got too many educasion like them peopal who them twist things all them time?
Why them talk about them Christian or them Muslim or them Jews? All of them is have them bad bad things. We here is talkin about them OUR Religion. We is needs to be brave enougf and honesty enougf to be able to say that my son is have bad character if him have one and not point at neighbors son.
Got it?
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| HairyPotter |
Posted
on 23-Feb-04 10:22 PM
I have nothing against hindu religion but can somebody please explain; sati tradition(some hindu community), animal sacrifice, caste system, dowry system(prevalent mostly in hindu community), Deuki pratha, Non-hindus not allowed sign and multiplicity of gods and goddesses.
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| south |
Posted
on 23-Feb-04 11:12 PM
i dont think we have sati pratha these days, do we? i am pretty sure, a lot of animal are killed for different purpose like food in every part of the world. this caste system is also not like it used to be before.
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| suresh1 |
Posted
on 24-Feb-04 04:31 AM
The view that Hinduism is going to end in Nepal is not convincing. In India there are people following many religions and sects, but still Hindus are in majority. The works of Christian missionaries and evangelists in Nepal are getting boosted due to poverty as these missionaries and evangelists are offering economic aid and opening schools. There should be some law to prevent conversion of people by them. The proplem should be sought in socio-economic and political condition of the country.
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| Biruwa |
Posted
on 24-Feb-04 09:31 AM
It appears that San appears perfectly happy letting, Hindu and Bahun bashing idiots rule the roost in sajha. But once somebody starts attacking newar community or whatever his other beliefs are he turns red and either deletes them or puts them in obscure place (so that nobody will accuse him of muting unpleasant voice).
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| Biruwa |
Posted
on 24-Feb-04 09:41 AM
Since I know that this post is going to go on anyway here is my brief answer to the meek hindu bashers.
Each Hindu answers for himself/herself. You have accused all of us who believe in the Hindu principles of life in aggregation. Thus your accusations are not directly respondable since I have never seen some of those evil-vices that you have attributed to hinduism.
I have seen many a christian, whose book says "love thy neighbor", kill, cheat and otherwise dispise his neighbor. I have seen many a muslim, whose book says "kill thy fakir" kill, cheat and otherwise dispise the neighbor. I have also seen many hindus including Sikhs, Buddhists and jains who kill, cheat and otherwise dispise his neighbor. I don't expect the whole christian community to answer for the guy who kills, cheats and otherwise dispises his neighbor.
Neither should they try to intimidate us by trying to hold us accountable for every crime a hindu might have commited.
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| dazzling ko keti |
Posted
on 24-Feb-04 12:02 PM
Any religion once its established and has gathered some kind of organization rarely risks extinction. Over a period of time, it may loose it originality, rigidity and start to exist in its variations. Or the strength in terms of their numbers may be affected. Take christianity for example. There are so many demoniations within the christian faith, each of them have their own pecularities. Perhaps these denominations did not exist at the time Jesus Christ was preaching the gospel. So, for a religion like Hinduism which has its origins deeply rooted in history, it is impossible for it to vanish.
I also don't understand, why most examples taken here, as threats to hinduism, has been christianity. Just as a buddhists, or parsis or hindus have a right to propogate their faith, I think Christianity should enjoy equal rights. Every convertee made a choice out of their own free will and I am inclined to believe, it remains the same to this day. Ofcourse, I know about the crusaders and I am not justifying what they did was right. Then too, each religion has their share of fighting religious wars and christianity is no exception.
Since we live in a country which was or is predominantly hindu, fluctuations in the percentages of hindus converting to another religion inevitably becomes conspicuous. But look at the western world today. America and Britain which were once considered "Christian" nations, are facing a similar predicament. In a country which has the word "GOD" in their anthem, preamble and constitution, the percentage of Christians are dropping at a phenomenal rate. What are most Americans converting to---Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhs, Bahais and even Islam. So I am sure there are other religions as well, which are actively working to strengthen their numbers and seeking convertees. With rampant changes in cultural behaviors, the very fabric of "RELIGION " tself is witnessing a massive transition.
Therefore, to generalize a religion and villianize it as a threat to another religion seems quite unfair. Its a worldwide trend and we can't crucify ONE religion for diminishing numbers of another.
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| MadMax |
Posted
on 24-Feb-04 04:38 PM
Sanatan Dharma will die if more idiot "Hindus" like you are born. Most Hindus are clueless about their religion - and some "Hindus" even will spread their own notion about Hinduism. Eg: Story of Krishna & Radha & gopikas: dumbass Hindus (mostly Nepalis) will be the first to spread lies that Krishna was a playboy and he had thousand sluts hanging around him. What do I say to these fools?
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| Rastafariya |
Posted
on 24-Feb-04 08:10 PM
Yo Birader Mad Max! What them is yo probilam? You is really have them mad brain. I is seen clueless peopal in all religions. IF you is call him Lord Krishna Playboy and them Gopinis Sluts. What about them Virgin Mary? Her Mary not even do him Joseph and tells them villagers that it is them divine concepsion. So let not discuss it birader Mad. You is going to lose really baaaad.
You needs to Wakey Wakey birader Mad Max! and lisen to him Rasta.
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| u_day |
Posted
on 24-Feb-04 09:13 PM
Biruwa dude,
wake upppppppppppppppppppppppp!!!!
Get a freaking clue! Can't you see the shape this thread is taking???
This thread is not about hindu bashing anymore it's about defending Hindu religion. Can't you see how people have united to defend our Religion? people are talking about their own experience of life and how it has shaped their believe in Hindu religion. Isn't that nice to know?
DUDE! YOU GOTTA STOP CRYING.
If you respect hindu religion that much, write something to glorify it rather than yelling at haters. The thing you are doing is not the hindu way. We do not cry for help when people with other religion, esp. christianity attack us by calling SHIVA bad because he smokes. Instead we teach them about medical importance of herbs.
So, chill out and write about something that makes you feel proud about your religion/culture, aight!
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| eNigma_too |
Posted
on 24-Feb-04 10:51 PM
Biruwa, you are an embarrasment to your religion. Don't go crying to your big brother everytime somebody gives you a shove, fight back, make them reason, debate. I would do that if I have to stand up for my religion.
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| eutaNepali |
Posted
on 25-Feb-04 01:46 PM
Enngima BRO what about your manhood if you take these kind of cheap opportunties to PICk on someone (this time Biruwa) when he is just trying to defend his religion and his beliefs?? You bet you had better things to type than that..... just that your brain was frozen. SO bro, be considerate about others too. I see Biruwa's point of view which is perfectly tangible with the situation in hand and so are some of the perspectives posted by few others. bro you too try to keep the same way. Nothing personal against you. Just saying for the sake of being...........
Arko Nepali
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| Rastafariya |
Posted
on 25-Feb-04 03:25 PM
Yo birader euta Nepali. I is been telling you that what them peopal did in da name of defending da religion and them system. Them peopal report I and I to him Vishnus Avatar in da name of Religion to put I and I down.
Them defending your belief is not them asking da authority to put da other person down and out.. Maybe in your systam and thinkin it is da way to defend da belief.
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| eNigma_too |
Posted
on 29-Feb-04 10:53 AM
eutaNepali..Another contender for darwain's, huh ? What has my posting gotta do with manhood ? Your emphasis on that particular word certainly reflects on your frustration on lacking certain physical trait.
Incase you didn't get my point earlier, defending your religion is perfectly allright with me. But nothing Bkratna wrote, calls for debarring his postings here.That would a blatant restriction on free speech and I completely stand by San and his impartial decision. Now, I know some of you will say, "freedom of speech has its limitation and it ends when it statrs doing harm to other", I completely agree with that too, so where does that leave us ?? go through Bkratna's original posting in detail and point out what sentances exactly is unbearable to you people. Nevertheless, I am all for humanity and free speech !!
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| swabhiman |
Posted
on 29-Feb-04 11:54 AM
I am wondering that why someone ( may be Biruwa) changed the original topic of BKRATNA's into San's .... unfortunate or something to discuss about the Hindu religion. It is better to discuss on the original posting of BKRATNA and should figure out is he right or wrong????
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| suresh1 |
Posted
on 01-Mar-04 05:54 AM
Hey swabhiman,
Every one has the right to freedom of Speech, it is not the issue whether bkratna is right or wrong but his view that Hinduism is going to end in Nepal is untenable. What he discusses in his posting is just the social framework of Nepal where the caste system dominates the attitude of the people in day to day discourse. But his arguments in any way do not convince the reader that caste system causes the dominant religion in Nepal to end. What one should understand is that religion consists of philoshopy and priesthood working in a society according to its socio-economic and political conditions in a given period of time and space. So even if the caste system ends in Nepal, Hinduism would continue to exist as the dominant religion.
The Vedas consisting of hymns, Brahmanas, Aranykas, and Upanishads are the main scriptures of Hinduism; the smritis including the Manu smriti and the shastras recognise the supremacy of the Vedas. In only the tenth mandala of Rig-Veda there is a practical discussion about the caste system referring to the division of labour as Brahmana(priest and a teacher), Kshatriya( warrior and king), Vaishya( business men and agriculturist) and Shudra( worker) .In Rig-Veda, Varna asrama is according to merit and occupation as there is a hymn showing that the family members are engaged in different occupations.
The hymns of Vedas and most of the Upanishads are composed by the Kshatriyas and Shudras other than the Brahmanas and Vaisyas. Even the Asura Rishis have composed the Vedic hymns. Corruption occurs in every religion and society so in Hinduism we find shastras and smritis biased towards the Shudras. In Islam the shias and sunnis are in cut throat competition as can be seen in Islamic countries and the class of ulema dominates including the right to Fatwa, when issued every Muslim can kill the fellow Muslim. The christains also are divide into many sects claiming their own interpretation correct as against other sect. Then there is a caste system even among the converted Muslims and Christains. So the Caste problem can be sought in Socio-economic and political conditions of the country, other than religion.
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| Biruwa |
Posted
on 01-Mar-04 08:46 AM
Does a hindu say a prayer before eating?
I found the following rendition on the web from Bhagavat gita . This made it easier to understand the meaning from the sanskrit slok itself. What does "havir" mean? It means oblation or that which is offered.
Bhagavad Gita (4-24):
Brahmarpanam brahma havir
brahmagnau brahmana hutam
brahmaiva tena gantavyam
brahma-karma-samadhina.
Brahman is offering Brahman through Brahman for the sake of Brahman. He who thinks that the act of offering as Brahman, the sacrificer as Brahman, the fire into which the sacrifice is made as Brahman and is thus fully engrossed in Consciousness obtains Brahman Itself.
The Bhagavad Gita refers to purity in three (3) aspects: The vessel, the process of cooking and the cook - All need to be pure and clean, starting with the cook. That is why , "Brahmarpanam, Brahmahavir", is usually chanted as a daily prayer prior to eating as an offering to God (Naivedyam) that sanctifies the food.
Here is another interpretation I found on the web. This has the same meaning except the words are different:
God is the offering-
> God, the oblation.
> By GOD is the oblation
> poured into the Fire that is GOD-
> God truly shall be reached
> by the one who ever sees GOD IN ACTION.
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| SITARA |
Posted
on 01-Mar-04 10:26 AM
I am not a devout practising Hindu; I lean more toward Buddhism for its tolerant outlook on life and living. Nepal's social structure seems to me, intricately woven with religion and caste. Undeniably, both hold the key to social perspectives, moral values and livelihood.
Some questions have dogged me for a long time:
-Can Hinduism survive without the Caste-system? And in the reverse, can the Caste-system survive without Hinduism?
-Now that the idealism of some rural and not so rural parts of Nepal have changed due to the wildfire spread of Maoism, how does Hinduism fit into the rigid Maoist culture?
I would appreciate any analytical comments on the above.
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| PREM cHARO |
Posted
on 01-Mar-04 06:00 PM
Taoism : Shit happens.
Confucianism : Confucius say, "Shit happens."
Buddhism : If shit happens, it isn't really shit.
Zen Buddhism : What is the sound of shit happening?
Hinduism : This shit happened before.
Mormonism : This shit is going to happen again.
Islam : If shit happens, it is the Will of Allah.
Stoicism : This shit is its own reward.
Protestantism : Let this shit happen to someone else.
Calvinism : Shit happens because you don't work hard enough.
Pentecostalism : In Jesus' name, heal this shit!
Catholicism : Shit happens because you deserve it.
Judaism : Why does this shit always happen to us?
Zoroastrianism : Shit happens half the time.
Marxism : This shit is going to hit the fan.
Atheism : No shit.
Seventh Day Adventist : No shit on Saturdays.
Existentialism : Absurd shit.
Agnosticism : What is this shit?
Nihilism : Who gives a shit?
Deconstruction : Shit happens in hegemonic meta-narratives.
Christian Science : Shit is in your mind.
Moonies : Only happy shit really happens.
Jehovah's Witnesses :Knock, Knock, shit happens.
Scientology : Shit happens on page 152 of Dianetics by L. Ron Hubbard
Hedonism : There's nothing like a good shit happening.
Rastafarianism : Let's smoke this shit.
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| Rastafariya |
Posted
on 01-Mar-04 06:41 PM
Yo my birader Prem Charo! them you is only thinks of them AAchi or what? Them is what you have in them your head all them time? Them you see all them religion in that? maybe them everything you see gets them interpretasion in your head like that.
You is needs to clean them inside birader Charo.
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| jivman |
Posted
on 02-Mar-04 06:53 AM
Isn't there anything better we can discuss about? Lets move on to different direction....We have enough issues.
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| tarkari |
Posted
on 02-Mar-04 10:34 AM
Hinduism is a way of life not a religion at list school of vedanta says so. In rig veda there was only indra king of god. Then, Aryan were still a herder and used to believe thunder, rain and storm were caused by might Indra. Then they migrated slowly to Indian sub continent, then slowly other symbol of god were incorporated. Shiva was considered hailed from Nepal, Then comes brahma, and vishnu and then gizillion other sub god and goddess. Brahmin in sanskrit mean a learn person, it has nothing to do with caste. Gita which hindu considered equivalent of bible in christianity came much later in life. only after much much revised version of gita where they talk about four different kinds of people or barna. Hinduism never started with caste system. Manu smriti came just much much later in life. As hinduism grow it incorporated local god and goddess into its system and become more sanatana. That was the purity of hinduism. Then comes some social issues of hinduism, sati pratha, castism and more. These things only started when a group of people who considered the proprietor of hinduism called themselve bramin. That is a survival strategy divide and conquare. They divided society and told people that sastra has written this and that and fooled people. In one sense they have managed to survive with them being priest but other sense they have poisoned the dharma with all kinds of division.
Now question is hindu religion is going to disappear in Nepal ? With democracy and awareness, people will understand the purity of Hinduism and dropped all the social stigma of hinduism and matamorphosed itself as a sweetable practice of life to all living being.
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| suresh1 |
Posted
on 03-Mar-04 08:09 AM
Sitara,
Please look into the fact that whether Buddhism or other religions have ended in China or not. It is not now guaranteed that Maoist are going to rule Nepal. Even if they someday come in power then also will they able to make the people of Nepal leave Hinduism. Religion is the matter of personal belief,you can't force people to adopt other religion or force them to be atheist.
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| marich |
Posted
on 03-Mar-04 10:55 AM
I don't know much about where is Hinduism headed or whether it is going to go extinct in couple of hundreds of years . But , for sure , i can say this that as long as Pashupati nath temple is in Nepal and as long as India borders Nepal, and as long as Shivaratri comes ones a year, and tons of Indians head to kailash danda, Hinduism will remain in Nepal as it is today, no matter how the number of Hindus may dwindle.
My two cents ni..Shambho!!
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| u_day |
Posted
on 04-Mar-04 08:09 PM
lol@ rasta biraderrr
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