Introduction:

The term Religion refers to a set of beliefs and a set of practices. Religion comes to man's solace when all else fails. We need someone to talk to when nobody else is there to care for us. We need someone to talk to when we wish to express of gratitude for luck and fortunes that have just so happened to fall on us. Man is a social animal and it becomes extremely difficult to live when we do not have an ultimate friend whom we can depend at all times and under all circumstances. This is the purpose of Religion. Atheists remain atheists until something very drastic happens in their life. Many non-believers turn believers under the extraordinary circumstances that life forces them to go through, at the most unexpected times. Religion helps man to survive periods of crisis.

Religion also helps its followers to maintain balance and poise in everyday life. It helps to control lust, greed and anger. It helps us to control our passions. It helps us to treat others as equals to ourselves. It helps us to lead a harmonious, peaceful life. Just observe and see for yourself. You will find that religious persons are usually happier, more contented and balanced under all circumstances, good or bad. If not, religion has not served its purpose, religion has not been properly understood, internalized and practiced.

There is nothing in the above which contradicts science. Science and religion are not incompatible opposites. They can co-exist. In fact India shows this through innumerable examples all through the ages.

In India religion and spirituality are matters of daily life. Not a single day passes without some intersection with religion or others. Large sections of people spend considerable amount of time daily, all through their lives, for religious practices. And they get peace and satisfaction out of it. They do not consider it a waste of time. Religion has become a way of life. It cannot be separated from other aspects of life.

Unlike other religions of the world, Hinduism is not based on one scripture or one Church. There is a whole ocean of heritage, going all the way back up to the veeda-s, that is part and parcel of the Hindu religion. It is all inclusive, all encompassing, accommodative and open. People worship different gods, follow different kinds of religious practices, celebrate different festivals in different ways, yet they are all Hindus. Hinduism accommodates idol worship as well as those who oppose idol worship. Hinduism includes those who believe in the single Ultimate Supreme Being devoid of all attributes, as also sings the glory of so many gods with divine forms. Gods are OK and Goddesses are also OK. You may go to temples or you may not. You may do daily worship or you may not. You may follow the path of rituals, the path of work with a sense of dedication and detachment, you may follow the path of devotion, the path of music, the path of dance, or the path of knowledge. They all lead you to the same ultimate truth. Thus Hinduism cannot be compared with any other religion of the world. It is not a religion at all in the sense the term is used elsewhere in the world. Hinduism not just a bundle of rituals, dogmas and outward observances only. Everything good is included.

All human beings, all humane beings are Hindus. People of all religions are also Hindus because they are seeking the one and the same truth, whatever may be their path. Hinduism has no beginning - it is as old as the human race - it is the natural religion of all human beings. It is also the most scientific, proven, time tested religion. Hinduism works. Billions of people have followed it and vouched for it. There is no doubt. Yet you do not have to blindly accept what somebody says. Hinduism is science and as such open to inspection, experimentation and scrutiny. Try it, test it and know the truth for yourself. You can be a scientist and religious at the same time, there is no contradiction at all.

Thus Hinduism is never in opposition to any other religion of the world. God has created us all as equals, how can any religion be superior or inferior to any other? There is only one God, how can there be a better God or a worse God? How can anybody feel that they are superiors? How can anybody impose their views on others? How can anybody think of conversions? If anybody thinks they, their religion or their God is superior, they are ignorant. Forgive them, for they know not what they do!

Of course Hinduism has its own set of rituals, dogmas and outward observances too. They are incidental and not central to the science of Hinduism. Hinduism is based on strong, unshakeable foundations based on infallible truths that cannot be falsified. To know the true scientific spirit of Hinduism, read the pages on veedaaMta and other dars'anas as also the veeda-s and the upaniSat-s.

• The Doctrine of Hinduism
• Hinduism in Practice
  • aagama,taMtra
  • karma (Work)
  • bhakti (Devotion)
    • s'looka-s,stootra-s (Hymns,Prayers)
  • saadhana - Spritual Practice