Sanatana Dharma

Sanatana Dharma (colloquially known as Hinduism) is the religious/spiritual system (Connection Framework) of the Hindus.

Related Terms

Hinduism > Achara, Ashramas, Brahman, Brahmarishi, Dharma, GodHead, Gunas, Illusory Self, Moksha, Neo-Hinduism, Paramatman, Purushaarthas, Rishis, Salvation, Samadhi, Sanskrit Literature, Saptarishis, Satya Yuga, Srutis, The Imperishable, Varnas, Vichara

Sanatana Dharma > Achara, Ashramas, Brahman, Brahmarishi, Dharma, GodHead, Gunas, Illusory Self, Moksha, Neo-Hinduism, Paramatman, Purushaarthas, Rishis, Salvation, Samadhi, Sanskrit Literature, Saptarishis, Satya Yuga, Srutis, The Imperishable, Varnas, Vichara

List of Connection Frameworks

Arica School, Baha'i, Buddhism, Eupsychian Theory, Gnosticism, Holistic Nursing, Jainism, Karma Yoga, LP Connection Framework, League For Spiritual Discovery, Monastic Christianity, Neo-Hinduism, Sanatana Dharma, Shattari, Sufism, Taoism, The Lightning Path, Theosophy, Transpersonal Psychology, Wicca, Yoga, Zen

Notes

"The word Hindu also calls for a discreet analysis and assessment. Barhaspatya Samhita (a section of the Rig Veda) defines it as the land lying between the Himalayas to the north and Indusarovara (the Indian Ocean) to the south .... Hindu, thus, is not a religious name. It is a territorial or geographical reference, denoting the people who lived and still live in a specific area of the earth. Whatever new religion or cult they belong to does not matter at all. They are all ethnically Hindus, having been born in and continuing to live in this blessed land."

Structure

" The whole dharma is phased in a very effective manner to facilitate progress and evolution. It has two phases, achara and vichara. Achara denotes various kinds of practices relating to individual, family, society, and the administration that governs them. Vicharadenotes truthful introspection on these and allied matters. The intention is to begin with achara, which alone will be possible for children and young people. Then, the maturing adult should turn to meaningful introspection, or vichara, and elevate the practices from the sensory level to the mind and intelligence"

Note, achara -> Right Action Vichara -> Right Thought

"Despite the vast nature of Hindu literature on the subject of dharma, the concept as well as pursuit of the whole Sanatana Dharma can be condensed in three sets of four words each—a total of twelve words:

1. Four varnas—braahmana, kshatriya, vaishya, and shudra
2. Four purushaarthas (human pursuits)—dharma, artha, kama, and moksha
3. Four ashramas—brahmacharya, garhasthya, vanaprastha, and sannyasa

"

History

Composite of two traditions, Aryan and non-Aryan. Aryan peoples entered India after 2,000 BC. Marks a shift in spirituality. "The development of Hinduism is now seen as a progressive Indianization of the incoming tradition. By Indianization is meant that the non-Aryan native elements gradually modified the Aryan elements..." (Berry, 2992: 5).

Non-Aryan early elements from Indus Valley 2800 to 1700 B.C. Sites include Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa, and Chanhu-Daro

Non-Aryan early elements from Tamil region in South, and Bengal region in East

Vedic Hymns, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads

Upanishads (1000 - 600 B.C.). Primarily Aryan

Brahmanical Tradition

See Berry (1992) p. 38 for outline of Brahmanical tradition

Codes of conduct: Laws of Manu, Dharma Sutras, Grihya Sutras

Epics: Mahabharata, Ramayana, Bhagavad-Gita

Philosophical Sutras: Sankhya, Yoga, Vaishesika, Nyaya, Mimamsa, Vedanta

Puranas, Agamas, Tantras

Writings of Vedanta Theologians

Hymns and Writings of Saints

Modern spiritual and theological writings.

Further Reading

Berry, T. (1992). Religions of India: Hinduism, Yoga, Buddhism: Columbia University Press.

Footnotes

References