The 6th attribute that Swamiji tells of Hindu Dharma in Common Bases of Hinduism is :
Dharma does not mean faith or believing in some God. Swami Vivekananda had said, The Hindu religion does not consist in struggles and attempts to believe a certain doctrine or dogma, but in realising — not in believing, but in being and becoming. (CWSV, vol. I, p. 13)
It is not important as to what form of God one believes. What is important is the person's behavior and character. By worship and prayers of his God, does his heart become large enough to include all? By being religious is he really contributing to the harmony wherever he goes? That is the test. Religion is not in believing God but in Being and Becoming God.
Our history, our struggles to keep our identity and our Dharma intact in the face of invasions, the aspirations passed on to us by our ancestors, all these are our common bonds.
India has to be awakened to this unifying strength so as to be a capable vehicle of the message of Oneness to the whole world. Swami Vivekananda emphasized the need of organization and organized efforts for the same. Taking inspiration from him many organizations came up to serve the needy. But still there is a long way to go about the conscious knowledge of our unifying principles and putting in sustained efforts in an organized way.
Dharma does not mean faith or believing in some God. Swami Vivekananda had said, The Hindu religion does not consist in struggles and attempts to believe a certain doctrine or dogma, but in realising — not in believing, but in being and becoming. (CWSV, vol. I, p. 13)
It is not important as to what form of God one believes. What is important is the person's behavior and character. By worship and prayers of his God, does his heart become large enough to include all? By being religious is he really contributing to the harmony wherever he goes? That is the test. Religion is not in believing God but in Being and Becoming God.
Our history, our struggles to keep our identity and our Dharma intact in the face of invasions, the aspirations passed on to us by our ancestors, all these are our common bonds.
India has to be awakened to this unifying strength so as to be a capable vehicle of the message of Oneness to the whole world. Swami Vivekananda emphasized the need of organization and organized efforts for the same. Taking inspiration from him many organizations came up to serve the needy. But still there is a long way to go about the conscious knowledge of our unifying principles and putting in sustained efforts in an organized way.
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