Sanatana Dharma

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

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."

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