Philosophy of Hinduism

  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.