The Dhaarmik Traditions - Indic Studies Foundation

15. Does Hinduism expect or demand exclusive allegiance as
some faiths do and does it take the approach of, 'unless you
believe in Me you are damned to perdition'
No. The Dharma does not take an exclusivist 'one size fits all' approach. The
Dharma recognized the immense diversity in the human species and that different
paths to self realization are appropriate depending
on the many factors
surrounding the individual human being. There are many potential paths that are
prescribed, including Naastik belief systems , which do not recognize the primacy
of the Vedas and their central place as the 'Sruti'.
The emphasis in the Dharma is on one's behavior and one's actions. There is
implicit in the teaching of the Dharma , the belief that certain behaviors and actions
are more efficacious in attaining one's Moksha and that others are harmful to the
realization of the true Self, but it does not ask the aspirant to abandon his/her set of
beliefs and start with a clean slate. There is definitely no DhArmic sanction to say
for instance, you are the child of a lesser God ,merely because you do not call
yourself a Hindu, a belief that is very explicit in some other faiths. This is a major
distinction between Hinduism and the other great religions of the world.. Hinduism
is not merely tolerant of other faiths, but it embraces the diversity inherent in the
many ideologies inherent in a civilization.
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