RELIGION, DHARMA AND CULTURE

The whole mankind in general and our nation, as well as society in specific, are facing a serious problem because of the misconception of the meaning of the three words-Religion, Dharma, and Culture, Religion has wrongly been considered as a synonym of the Sanskrit word ‘Dharma’, which is basically a wrong conception and has played havoc with the society and nation.

Religion is a belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power esp. God. It is a particular system of faith and worship. Religion needs a creed, belief, ceremony, prescribed act(of principles), an institution etc. It comprises of three things-Symbol, Mythology and Philosophy. The synonym to religion or the nearest word to it is ‘panth’ and not the ‘Dharma’. Religion is a narrow word as compared to ‘Dharma’, which is much wider than this. It May or may not include religion.

Dharma is a set of those principals or thoughts, which can sustain the individuals and society and ought to be sustained by the individuals and society. Prakriti (Nature) is Dharma. Nature of nature is the doctrines of Dharma because it can sustain on its own. It has set rules, rhythm, harmony, etc. Of its own, which have definite measures, regularities and uniformities. Creation, preservation and destruction are governed by the set norms of Prakriti (Nature). All the living and non-living creatures of the universe are governed by the laws of nature, except the human beings who have been given liberty to deviate, he is also bound to deviate from nature because of his own karmic Bondage(Bondage created by action). That’s why separate Dharma was required so that mankind can sustain it and it can sustain mankind.

Now, what is the resultant of men’s deviation from Prakriti? If one deviates from Prakriti, either he moves towards Sanskriti (Culture) or Vikriti. So, Prakriti of an individual is either converted into Sanskriti (Culture) or Vikriti.

Our ancient seers analyzed this subject in depth and when they found out that universal laws(Prakriti) will not suffice for mankind, it will either be converted into Sanskriti or Vikriti, they made an effort to explore the ways and means to stop Prakriti being converted inti Vikriti.

They formulated some systems to guide mankind to move forward in the direction of Sanskriti. These systems were based on some thoughts and ideas. When such thoughts are practised en-mass, it becomes the culture of those masses. And while during practice, some anomalies are found, the thoughts are modified accordingly and new thoughts are introduced in culture. This is a never-ending process. When the time changes and new circumstances emerge, old thoughts and principles need modifications. One thought may not have perpetual relevance.

The doctrines of Vedic dharma are based on the above theory. Many seers and saints contributed to it by formulating principles of Dharma and these principles were changed according to the demands of circumstance.

During Ramayana period Lord Ram, considered to be an incarnation of God, set examples, which laid down many limits and restrictions. At that time these limits and restrictions were the need of the hour. But his successor in the Mahabharata period, Lord Krishana set examples by breaking some of those limits, which would have been the need of that hour. And both the examples have always been considered to be Dharma. So the perpetuity of ‘change with stability” became the basis of Vedic Dharma and that is why it was also called Sanatan Dharma.

As far as Hindu Dharma is concerned, the word ‘Hindu’ is not found in our ancient scriptures. This word was coined, maybe by foreigners to give identity and distinctiveness to the people who were not only following Sanatan Dharma but also trying to explore the highest truth. So, there has been nothing like Hindu Dharma. The ideas and thoughts, which were explored by our seers, were not meant for any class, creed or sect of the society, but for the whole of mankind. They were not religious leaders. Jainism was not the religion of Mahavira, Buddhism was not the religion of Buddha, and Sikhism was not the religion of Nanak. They all were the great teachers who tried to give the message of harmony, love and peace to mankind. Separate religions or sects were created by their followers, dividing society by misinterpreting their message of love and peace.

And despite being inherited with such a vast and rich ideology, we are facing the crisis of faith. The main reason of this appears to be our incompetence to modify the doctrines according to the fast changes occurring in today’s world. We have become stagnant and rather trying to match the pace, we are inclined to discard all the thoughts and ideas, most of which are still relevant.

When religious leaders become confused or pretend to be confused for their vested interest, society loses its way. Unfortunately, our religious leaders have not so far been successful in clarifying the misconceptions created by political leaders regarding Dharma. Rather they have not tried it sincerely.