Ashok Sinha

Views and Muse on Hinduism Ashok Sinha

HINDUISM, the oldest living religion in the world today, the Mother-Religion of Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, is also called the SANAATAN DHARMA. The Sanskrit word 'Sanaatan' means 'Eternal', and 'Dharma' literally means 'that which sustains (Man, the Society, the world)' Thus, Hinduism, by definition, encompasses far more than what the word 'religion' implies in the West: pristine Hinduism characterizes the entire Way of Life, and not just a set of rituals for worship or inscriptions for moral codes. Freely accommodating monotheism as well as polytheism based on one's personal choice and intellectual and devotional aptitude, its scriptures embody a vast library rather than one particular book. Free from parochialism, exclusivity, or any binding or limiting dogmas, it has evolved over more than ten millennia, influencing much of the Eastern thoughts and philosophies. As Hindus in America endeavor to impart the universal and timeless tenets and universal human values of Hinduism to their children, interest in Hinduism has been growing among non-Hindus across the world, as well. The Organization 'Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA) publishes a couple of periodicals ("The Hindu Vishwa" and "The Chaitanya Bharati"), mainly for the purpose of informing and educating the young Hindu Americans about their illuminating heritage. This book, Modern Views and Muse on Hinduism, contains some of the material drawn from the mentioned publications, namely, a set of Editorials and short essays by their Editor (Ashok Sinha) A few articles by other authors have also been included. It is hoped that this collection would prove to be of interest and inspiration to Hindus and non-Hindus, young and old, alike.