What is the philosophy of
Hinduism? This is a question which arises in its logical sequence. But apart
from its logical sequence its importance is such that it can never be omitted
from consideration. Without it no one can understand the aims and ideals of
Hinduism.
What is philosophy of
religion? It was like a blind man in the dark room, looking
for a black cat which was not there but he declared to have found there. it is
the attempt to see things together-to keep all the main features of the world
in view, and to grasp them in their relation to one another as parts of one
whole
Generally in every religion (except
Budhism) three thesis are common. Taking the three thesis of Theology namely
(1) the existence of God, (2) God's providential government of the universe and
(3) God's moral government of mankind, I take Religion to mean the propounding
of an ideal scheme of divine governance the aim and object of which is to make
the social order in which men live a moral order. This is what I understand by
Religion and this is the sense in which I shall be using the term Religion in
this discussion.
The traditional usage of religion
had grown up gradually in the course of many centuries, and reflected habits of
thought, characteristic of very diverse stages of man's intellectual and moral
development. No conception of the nature of the gods could possibly afford the
clue to all parts of that motley complex of rites and ceremonies which the
later paganism had received by inheritance, from a series of ancestors in every
state of culture from pure savagery upwards. The record of the religious
thought of mankind, as it is embodied in religious institutions, resembles the
geological record of the history of the earth's crust; the new and the old are
preserved side by side, or rather layer upon layer. The same thing has happened
in India.
In short justice is simply
another name for liberty equality and fraternity. It is in this sense I shall be using
justice as a criterion to judge Hinduism. Which of these tenets does Hinduism
recognize? Let us take the question one by one.
1. Does
Hinduism recognize Equality?
2. Does
Hinduism recognize Fraternity?
3. What
is the value of such a religion to man ?
4. On
what level does Hindu morality stand?
5. Of
what use is this philosophy of the Upanishadas?
We will examine all above
mentioned point in detail in our next post but before that I request you to please ponder on
these points from your heart and get the answer from your heart.
