Response to Smiths positions in The Worlds Religions - Essay Example

Response to Smith’s positions in The World’s Religions The metaphysics of Brahman and the human condition; the four yogas as paths to liberation; caste and its duties (dharma); samsara, maya, and lila. It is clear that Huston Smith addresses a number of important issues pertaining to Hinduism. There are numerous issues that Smith puts forth that will strike any reader. The one I find very interesting is the attitude of Hinduism towards life. First and foremost, let me begin by indicating that Hinduism has been practiced for over three thousand years and it is a religion that basically culminates in what Smith calls mystical union with the Absolute. That aside, to elaborate on how I find the Hindu scriptures interesting and the attitude of Hindus towards life is really thought-provoking. Reading the journal by Huston Smith, one gets to see how Hindu religion and its scriptures are splendid because most of the teachings address the significance of developing a union with God. Smith’s piece is based on numerous early books that no one knows whoever wrote. Some of these books are (the Bhagavad Gita, the Rig Veda, the Upanishads, and the Mahabharata (Smith & Over Drive, Inc., 2009). Hinduism’s attitude concerning life is concrete and convincing. It perceives the labor and inconvenience of life, also the delight and achievement that accompany it. In any case, inevitably every person comes to acknowledge with Huston Smith “that there is no genuine truth here underneath, that everything that seems great in this world is limited, restricted, wears out, and once exhausted leaves need uncovered in all its exposure.” We all look for delight, achievement, and loyal living, yet the point in the long run comes when these things lose their unique magnificence, and we inquire as to whether this is a definitive that life brings to the table. Hinduism perceives that what we truly need, which Smith indicates that is freedom from the incalculable impediments that squeeze so intently to our natural presence (Smith & Over Drive, Inc., 2009). As much as I have learned a lot about the teaching of Hinduism, Smith elaborates further concerning the attitude of Hinduism to life. Interestingly, the way to freedom and supernatural union is through a system for training called yoga. There is one way, as well as four, and every location a man’s individual nature. Jnana Yoga is planned for profound competitors who have an in number scholarly twisted. Bhakti yoga depends on commitment and affection for God. Karma Yoga burdens one’s work, which reduces egotism. Raja yoga is “the imperial street to reintegrating,” or the best approach to God through profound reflection. I agreed with the author’s elucidation about Hindus approach to life and particularly how the yogi leaves friends and family and home behind, and set out with minimal more than begging for bowl. They are a typical sight in India, and are generally approached with deference as sacred men. This is somehow similar to the Western magical perspectives and Eastern supernatural quality, the huge distinction is in the role that God plays in both customs. One can say that the Christian God is an individual divinity, albeit separate from the individual, and that the Hindu God is an indifferent being inside of the Self. Hinduism alludes to God as the Absolute, or Brahman. I further learnt a lot regarding how people view what they believe in as the supreme natural being, which to Indians is Brahman, Vaishya, Kshtriya or Shundra and to Christians, God (Smith & Over Drive, Inc., 2009). Response to Bhagavad-Gita The reasoning of Gita is fundamentally an abridgment of the pervasive philosophical speculations of the time. Drawing upon the Upanishads, mysterious Sanskrit writings from as ahead of schedule as the fifth century BC, the Gita recounts the undying, transmigrating soul, and the Brahman, or godhead that infests the universe and is indistinguishable with the individual soul. In any case, the Gita likewise presents two strikingly unique new thoughts that were to have a profound effect on the ensuing history of Hinduism (Smith & Over Drive, Inc., 2009). To begin with, it offers a restorative to the more seasoned conviction that the transmigrating soul is recolored by a power called karma, comprising of the buildups of activities conferred inside of the past life and impacting the resulting life. The Gita qualifies this conviction by affirming that activity without craving for the products of activity (nishkama karma) leaves the spirit unstained by such karmic buildups. I find these issues very interesting and a lot of Smith’s accounts are very essential because they are further educative. Going through this second part of the journal, I realized that this is one of the best commitments of India to the world is Holy Gita that is thought to be one of the first divine revelations. The eighteen sections of the Bhagavad-Gita are found in the Bhisma-parva (23-40), of Mahabharata, incorporated by Veda Vyasa (Smith & Over Drive, Inc., 2009). Give me a chance to bow with collapsed hands to Indian Maharishi Veda Vysa, who added to the world the “preeminent information” through about his compositions on different holy messages. Gita remains a standout amongst the most famous and available of all Indian sacred texts, which is to be concentrated on by anybody keen on Indian philosophy. An interesting bit of the piece is that the Gita shows how one’s point can be accomplished; howsoever it might be troublesome, by doing his obligation with commitment, and reflection, and coordinating a wide range of thoughts. It gives right answer to all the issues in human life. One needs to do his obligation as mother takes care of a kid. Among all the sacrosanct writings of India, the Bhagavad-Gita extraordinarily impacted the east and the west. I loved this bit because numerous thinkers, visionaries were profoundly impacted by its knowledge, and a large number of people battling with numerous issues have discovered solace and knowledge in its pages. The Gita starts with Sri Krishna clarifying the substance of person that he is not the body but rather the unfading soul (Smith & Over Drive, Inc., 2009). The antiquated study of life is known as the Bhagavad Gita from the considerable nation India that imagined the number zero. All measurements of human life have been clarified in this. Bhagavad-Gita has, for over two centuries, served as a manual for freedom through an existence of information, dedication, and activity without connection. The impact of this most famous of all the Indian sacred texts has spread a long ways past its religion of birthplace to motivate figures such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Aldus Huxley, Henry David Thoreau, and C. G. Jung. Their interpretations emerge from all of the importantly for its watchful steadfastness to the first dialect, and also for the broad instruments for comprehension. These are great asset for genuine students, but at the same time it’s the ideal for those reading it for the first time. Reference Smith, H., & Over Drive, Inc. (2009). The world's religions revised and updated. New York: HarperCollins. Read More