The Dhaarmik Traditions - Indic Studies Foundation

Thus there is an underlying congruence among all the Indic belief systems at least as
far as the acquisition of knowledge goes, which is why i use the term Indic ethos to
indicate a homogeneity among all faiths originating in the Indian subcontinent. We will
have more to say on the various approaches to knowledge acquisition a little later.
This is not to say that there are not significant differences, but the fundamental
postulates that they make about the universe are not dissimilar
22. What is Vairagya What role does it play in Hindu ethics
Are Brahmanas the Dalits of today
Read for yourself and make up your own mind
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23. What if any are the obligatory duties of the Hindu
What is meant by Samskaaras Are Samskaaras the only obligatory duties And if
so, isn't there too much emphasis on ritual and less on helping those in need .
Hindu samskaras are like other daily practices of the Hindus , of great antiquity. An
excellent discussion of the origin, meaning and significance of the Samskaras is
given by Rajbali Pandey in a monograph titled' Hindu Samskaaras", published by
Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, Delhi. What follows is a synopsis of some of the
essential ideas which are treated in much greater detail in the book.
The word Samskara has uncertain etymology, as far as we are aware, and there does
not exist an exact English equivalent. The word ceremony or Latin caeremonia does
not convey an exact sense of the word. It s in fact related to the word Karma in
Sanskrit. Samskaara does not mean "mere outward religious rite ,polite observances,
empty form, stately usage, formal qualities and punctilious behavior" which is the
meaning of the word ceremony in the oxford dictionary, and as it is falsely understood
in many circles. A more closer rendering of the word SamskAram is contained in the
word sacrament "religious ceremony or act regarded as outward and visible sign of
inward and spiritual grace" applied by the Eastern, pre-reformation Western and
Roman Catholic church to the seven rites of baptism, confirmation, the Eucharist ,
penance, extreme unction , orders and matrimony.