Mine and Mind

Hinduism, one of the oldest religions in the world offers a large number of scriptures and Hindu religious books. The following are the most important Hindu religious books-

The Vedas- The Vedas are the ancient religious books of Hinduism. Among the four Vedas- Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda, the Rig Veda is the oldest of all. All the Vedas have immense spiritual value and include incantations, hymns, metaphysical contents and the rituals that were practiced in ancient India.

The Vedic philosophy has been continued in the Upanishads and they explain how the atman (soul) can merge with Brahman (the ultimate truth) through spiritual ways like meditation and thoughtful observation. The Upanishads also elucidate the doctrine of Karma (the collective effects of one’s actions).

The Puranas, another type of Hindu religious books narrate the entire history of the cosmos, from creation to devastation, the successive generations of the kings, demigods and valiant heroes and so on. There are about seventeen to eighteen canonic Puranas that are classified into three divisions- Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva( all named after Hindu deities).

The Bhagavad Gita or the Gita is considered the Holiest Book of the Hindus and consists of philosophical exchanges between the Lord Krishna and the warrior prince – Arjuna. In fact it an excerpt of the great Epic- Mahabharata and elaborates on devotion, duty, meditation, selflessness and other subjects of Hindu philosophy. Ramayana is another famous Epic in Hindu religion.

The ‘Code of Manu’ or the ‘Manusmriti’ also forms a part of the Hindu religious books and typifies the social codes of the caste system pertaining to the Brahmins.

Vedanta, or the philosophy of the Upanishads, is lofty, sublime and unique. The Western philosophers have paid their tribute to the ancient seers of the Upanishads. They have been amazed at the lofty heights scaled by them. Schopenhauer studied the Upanishads and meditated on the thoughts of the Upanishads just before going to bed. He said: – The Upanishads are the solace of my life and they will be solace to me after my death also. -

The Raja-Yoga system of Hinduism is also splendid and unique. The lessons are immensely practical and highly instructive. No system of physical exercise on the surface of the earth can compete with Hatha-Yoga. Kundalini-Yoga is wonderful. Hence the Americans and Europeans are in search of Hindu Sannyasins and Yogins. They visit the Himalayas frequently in quest of Yoga teachers. Some are living under Hindu Yogins as disciples and are practising Yoga. Many Europeans and Americans are even now Hindus by faith and practice, though they are born Christians. They practise Raja-Yoga and Vedanta.

vedas have four parts – samhita, brAhmaNa, Aranyaka & upanishat. The samhitas are the core part of vedas. They are full of mantras. brAhmaNas help in the application /interpretation of the vedic samhitas. Aranyakas and upanishats are the philosophical part. upanishats cover a spectrum of analysis of the God and relation to It for the soul. They are the benchmarks (prasthAna) in Hindu philosophy. So the philosophers when establishing their concepts proclaim that their theory stands good with the benchmark upanishats. The essence of the Upanishads is brought out in brahmasUtra composed by vedavyAsa, the one who organized the Vedas. The four categories of vedas are Rig, yajus, sAma, atharva. Vedas are the voice of the Divine preserved as it was heard by the sages and hence they are called shRuti. There is another set of scripture are the things remembered from the voice of God. They are called smRuti. The Bhagavad- Gita is considered by eastern and western scholars alike to be among the greatest spiritual books the world has ever known. In a very clear and wonderful way the Supreme Lord Krishna describes the science of self-realization and the exact process by which a human being can establish their eternal relationship with God. In terms of pure, spiritual knowledge the Bhagavad- Gita is incomparable. Its intrinsic beauty is that its knowledge applies to all human beings and does not postulate any sectarian idealogy or secular view. It is appproachable from the sanctified realms of all religions and is glorified as the epitome of all spiritual teachings. This is because proficiency in the Bhagavad- Gita reveals the eternal principles which are fundamental and essential for spiritual life from all perspectives and allows one to perfectly understand the esoteric truths hidden within all religious scriptures. Many great thinkers from our times such as Albert Einstein, Mahatma Gandhi and Albert Schweizer as well as Madhvacarya, Sankara and Ramanuja from bygone ages have all contemplated and deliberarted upon its timeless message. The primary purpose of the Bhagavad- Gita is to illuminate for all of humanity the realization of the true nature of divinity; for the highest spiritual conception and the greatest material perfection is to attain love of God!

World Top 10 – Largest Hindu Populations

Country Hindu Population India 755,135,000 Nepal 18,354,000 Bangladesh 15,995,000 Indonesia 7,259,000 Sri Lanka 2,124,000 Pakistan 1,868,000 Malaysia 1,630,000 USA 1,032,000 South Africa 959,000 Myanmar 893,000

Islam is the most growing religion on earth, There is more than 2 Billion humans all over the world called Muslims.

Islam Based on the Submission of human will to One God who is called in Arabic “Allah” The only One, The Superior and The Only Creator Of This Universe with no partners and all the existence under his own Control.

Islam was the religion given to Adam The first Man on Earth who was created by God, not as fallen being. all The Prophets & Messengers of God “Allah” to humankind on Earth were Muslims! including Adam, Abraham, Moses, Aaron, Jacob, Jesus and Mohammad. they have the same basic Message to Mankind:

“La Ilaha Illa Allah”

which means no God worth of worshiping Except Allah and anything else is his servant and creation.

Although those prophets came with different books, practices and methods of worshiping, Prophet Mohammad (peace and blessings be upon him and all other prophets) was the last Messenger of Allah On earth Before the Day of Judgment.

The Basic Message of Islam is the absolute Unity of Allah ‘God’ and he is not independent on anything or anyone else or even alike, he is not three on one nor father and son, Muslims beliefs on Jesus as Allah’s Prophet and Messenger and his servant just like all other prophets Including Mohammad and Moses.

Islam believes that God and his creations are completely different entities, Allah is not his creation nor he is a part of it, Islam believes that his essence and his great knowledge are everywhere on his creation.

Islam calls the human away from the worshiping of the creation of Allah and invites him to the worshiping of the creator — Allah himself, because the greatest sin of humanity is the worshiping of the creation.

Among the basics of Islamic Religion, the most important part is the belief in one God ‘Allah’ and He is the only Creator, Ruler, Lord, Administrator and Master of all that exists, And this Universe exists and functions because the will of Allah alone.

Allah responds to man’s prayer and He is the only one who has the power to accept or reject it. He is the Master of man’s destiny, no one ever else can interfere with the fate of others or even with his own fate!

All the human’s hopes and fears should be only directed to Allah. he is the object of fear & source of favour.

That’s the bedrock and most fundamental aspect of Islam religion, May Allah guide all of us to the truth and thank you for your time.

The First Word: Welcome, immigrants to Judaism

By Celso Cukierkorn Published: Jun. 15, 2006 in The Jerusalem Post

What do the divisive debates between Americans over immigration policy and within the Jewish world over conversion have in common? As a rabbi who recently became an American, and who is actively involved in counseling potential converts to Judaism, I have noticed that these seemingly disconnected controversies raise similar questions.

If there are jobs that go wanting, should we open the door wider to those who want to fill those jobs? If the family is already established here with children born, should the journey to citizenship involve fewer toll booths?

If intermarriage, low birthrates and secularization yield fewer Jews, should we make it easier for others to adopt our religion? If the husband is a Jew by birth should the wife’s conversion to Judaism be simplified?

If America is truly the melting pot and if becoming a Jew literally means joining the wider family, then what’s the fuss?

While I am a Jew by birth, I’m an American by choice, having become a citizen over a year ago. Maybe more significantly, I have worked to guide dozens of Jews by choice on their journey leading to conversion. I use the Internet as a vehicle to reach out to and attract those who might be consider joining the Jewish people.

MANY WONDER why someone not born Jewish would want to become a Jew, and whether someone who grew up in another tradition can truly embrace a new one. My own experience as an immigrant has helped me understand the possibilities for such profound transitions.

I will always be a Brazilian because I love the hot weather, the warm people, and I have wonderful memories from my childhood. But I chose to become an American for a myriad of reasons influenced by adult rationales and justifications. I encountered America’s history, constitution, Pledge of Allegiance and national anthem through mature, experienced eyes and ears. I am most confident that I will be – maybe already have become – a knowledgeable and active participant in my democracy.

I made sure I knew where the polling place was a full two weeks ahead of the first opportunity I had to vote. And I was one of the first in line on that Tuesday in November. And unlike the folks on the street interviewed by Jay Leno, I know the name and recognize the face of the secretary of defense, and the senators from my state (Mississippi) and the mayor of my town (Hattiesburg).

My experience is hardly unique. I truly believe that those who make the choice and who work toward attaining the goal of citizenship often become among the most involved and informed citizens.

More importantly, those who left other societies and have chosen to work for that goal in America have a more immediate appreciation of the blessings of free speech and assembly and a more personal understanding of the value of our constitutional protections from governmental intrusion.

Likewise, I know from experience that those who choose to become Jewish typically are more knowledgeable about their adopted religion, more appreciative of the similarities and differences between the various faiths, and tend to be more genuine participants in the rituals, obligations and tenets of our tradition.

Whether they were attracted by the philosophy, the history, the ritual practices, or they wanted to further express their love for a spouse, I would be more than pleased to have the pews filled with converts. For the most part, they are adults who have made adult decisions.

IMMIGRANTS TEND to make great Americans; converts tend to make great Jews – and for similar reasons.

Given this, should it be permanently disqualifying if you entered the US without benefit of a visa if you now are willing to pay some kind of sanction (fine or taxes) and go through a rigorous process to introduce the details and mandates of this democracy? Should there be such a rigid bar to being able to call yourself a Jew or to become a member of a congregation of whatever denomination you choose? In modern times, when religious affiliation is not obligatory, should it be so burdensome to join a synagogue?

I was born a Jew; I was not born Orthodox, Conservative or Reform.

Should we really be using Halacha as a weapon against people who want to convert? Shouldn’t we be looking for ways in which Halacha can be used as a bridge for the acceptance of converts? Furthermore, when one approaches a synagogue, why is it that the sincerity of the convert is always questioned, yet we take for granted that the motives of the born Jew are legitimate?

Don’t get me wrong. I am not in favor of an open border or a free pass to citizenship. And I do not wish to see a drive-in conversion window at the neighborhood shul.

There should be realistic standards that help the convert establish the basis for a positive Jewish identity, and there should be serious probing and assessment of the correctness, fluency and sincerity of the answers. But the accident of birth does not make someone different or special and does not and should not provide the title of gatekeeper.

I recoil at the self-styled patriots – those minutemen, or is it minyanmen – who want the day laborers corralled and sent home or who want only purebreds speaking from the bima or participating on the High Holy days.

My adopted country needs and will thrive on the infusion of new immigrants as much as my birth religion needs and will thrive with the addition of those who choose to worship with me. I welcome them as should you.

http://www.convertingtojudaism.com/jerusalempost.htm
About the Author

Rabbi at adat achim synagogue and runs http://www.convertingtojudaism.com/