Eastern Philosophy Glossary

Suffering (dukkha): First noble truth of Buddhism which designates a state of anguish that results from clinging or grasping (tanha, trishna). Suffering is one of the Three Marks of Existence (ti-lakkhana) in Buddhism.

 (See also: Suffering , Eastern Philosophy, Body Mind and Soul)

Analects (Lun Yu): Literally "digested conversations," the most reliable of all collections of Confucius's teachings, and one of the Four Books (shu) of Confucianism; the principal themes include humanity (jen), social custom (li), the superior person (chun-tzu), filial obedience (hsiao), the rectification of names (cheng ming), and good government.

 (See also: Analects , Eastern Philosophy, Body Mind and Soul)

Amida: The most famous of the Celestial Buddhas in Mahayana Buddhism, who instituted a heavenly Buddha-Land called the Pure Land.

 (See also: Amida , Eastern Philosophy, Body Mind and Soul)

Desire (tanha, trishna): Second noble truth of Buddhism which designates that suffering results from craving sensory and mental objects.

 (See also: Desire , Eastern Philosophy, Body Mind and Soul)

Celestial Bodhisattva (mahasattvas): In Mahayana Buddhism, a heavenly or god-like Bodhisattva, similar to (and perhaps one step under) the Celestial Buddhas, the most famous of which is Avalokitesvara; showing devotion to Celestial Bodhisattvas results in them assisting us in our quest for enlightenment.

 (See also: Celestial Bodhisattva , Eastern Philosophy, Body Mind and Soul)

Li: Important philosophical term of varied meaning throughout Confucian history; Early Confucian writings depict li as ceremonial formality; Neo-Confucian writers such as Chu Hsi see it as a metaphysical principal of structural form, which is in contrast with material force (ch'i).

 (See also: Li , Eastern Philosophy, Body Mind and Soul)

brahman: The notion of sacrificial power in Vedic Hinduism which was controlled by priests.

 (See also: brahman , Eastern Philosophy, Body Mind and Soul)

Neo-Taoism: Movement within Philosophical Taoism during the 3rd and 4th centuries CE which drew from Confucianism; leading proponents are Wang Pi, Ho Yen, Hsiang Hsiu and Kuo Hsiang.

 (See also: Neo-Taoism , Eastern Philosophy, Body Mind and Soul)

Eightfold Path: Fourth noble truth of Buddhism, also called the "middle path," which includes proper cultivation of the following: views, aims, speech, conduct, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and contemplation.

 (See also: Eightfold Path , Eastern Philosophy, Body Mind and Soul)

Ten celebrated formulae of Vedanta.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Vedantic Wisdom: Vedic Philosophy - Celebrated Vedantic Wisdom Quotes

What is the Hindu definition of God -monotheistic or polytheistic?

There is much confusion about this, not among Hindus but among those on the outside looking in.

Hinduism is both a monotheistic and a henotheistic religion. Hindus believe in one supreme God who created the universe and who is worshipped as Light, Love and Consciousness. Hindus were never polytheistic, but were always henotheistic. Henotheism is defined by Webster's as "the belief in or worship of one God without denying the existence of others."

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What is Dharma? Dharma is so called, because it holds; Dharma alone holds the people, etc. The word Dharma is derived from the root Dhr - to hold - and its etymological meaning is that which holds this world, or the people of the world, or the whole creation from the microcosm to the macrocosm.

Dharma is generally defined as righteousness or duty. Dharma is the principle of righteousness. It is the principle of holiness. It is also the principle of unity.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

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Short definition of God, Soul And Universe according to Vedic Philosophy.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » God, Soul And Universe: Vedic Philosophy - God, Soul And Universe

Oneness: Rise Above Dogma, Realise The Truth

When I pass by the neighbourhood mosque, I bow my head in respect just as I do when I pass by the temple. The mullah's call to the faithful turns me towards prayer and God. I go through the same upsurge of emotions when I visit a church or gurdwara. When I bow my head in humility to Christ and the Guru Granth Sahib, I see in them my beloved Lord Krishna. Similarly, when I hear the Buddhist chant: ''Buddham Sharanam Gachchhami'', it continues to reverberate within me for long after, giving me the same sense of peace I experience when I say my usual prayers.

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In a meeting of the Sanatana Dharma Sabha, Lokamanya Tilak said: - A Hindu is he who believes that the Vedas contain self-evident and axiomatic truths. -

The Hindu Maha Sabha has given another definition: - A Hindu is one who believes in a religion which has originated in India. -

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Hinduism: Who Is A Hindu

Enchanting Abode of The Double Devta

Having been born into a secular Hindu family which venerates a Sufi saint, I have always thought I had a special advantage over my friends whose faith in their respective religions would perhaps be more limiting than mine. So, while we commemorate the Urs of our Pir, we also celebrate Diwali and New Year at his shrine. Are we Muslim, Hindu, Sufi or Christian?

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Introduction to Hinduism

Statistically, there are over 700 million Hindus, mainly in Bharat (India), and Nepal. Hinduism is referred to as Sanatana Dharma, the eternal faith. Hinduism is not strictly a religion. It is based on the practice of Dharma, the code of life. Since Hinduism has no founder, anyone who practices Dharma can call himself a Hindu. He can question the authority of any scripture, or even the existence of the Divine.

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Persian Heritage In Hindu Traditions

Many would be surprised to learn that no ancient Hindu temple was dedicated to Rama - neither in Ayodhya nor anywhere else.

There had been many old temples and shrines devoted to Vishnu and Shiva and a few to Brahma, Ganesh, Kartikeya, Hanuman, Kubera, Nagas, Kali and Durga as well as a huge number honouring numerous local tribal deities. Only 180 years ago Raja Ram Mohan Roy coined the word 'Hindu' to describe the huge variety of faiths and sects with similar but not identical philosophies, myths and rituals.

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Hinduism is the religion of the Hindus, a name given to the Universal Religion which hailed supreme in India. It is the oldest of all living religions. This is not founded by any prophet. Buddhism, Christianity and Mohammedanism owe their origin to the prophets. Their dates are fixed. But no such date can be fixed for Hinduism. Hinduism is not born of the teachings of particular prophets. It is not based on a set of dogmas preached by a particular set of teachers. It is free from religious fanaticism.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Hinduism: Hindu Religion Ð All About Hinduism

MOTHER KALI

The Destroyer of Demoniac Attributes

It is unfortunate that Devi is ignorantly understood by many as a mere blood-thirsty Hindu Goddess. No! Devi is not a vicious demoness nor is She the property of the Hindus alone. Devi does not belong to any religion. Devi is that conscious power of God. The words Devi, Shakti, etc., and the ideas of different forms connected with these names are concessions granted by the sages due to the limitations of the human intellect; they are by no means the ultimate definitions of Shakti.

From " Hindu Fasts & Festivals " by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Kali: The Hindu Godess Mother Kali