Hinduism: Philosophy and Practice

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Hinduism Philosophy and Practice

• Varun Aggarwal

18-01-2007 MIT IAP
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What is the meaning of Hinduism?
The meaning Societal What it was and what it is?
The meaning personal What does it mean to me?
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• "Let us now turn to the practical side of
  Hinduism. Hinduism is more, a way of life than
  form of thought. While it gives absolute liberty
  in the world of thought it enjoins a strict code
  of practice. The theist and the atheist, the
  sceptic and the agnostic may all be Hindus if
  they accept the Hindu system of culture and life.
  Hinduism insists not on religious conformity but
  on a spiritual and ethical outlook in life. The
  performer of the good and not the believer in
  this or that view-can never get into an evil
  state. In a very real sense practice precedes
  theory. Only by doing the will does one know the
  doctrine.Whatever our theological beliefs and
  metaphysical opinions may be, we are all agreed
  that we should be kind and honest, grateful to
  our benefactors and sympathetic to the
  unfortunate. Hinduism insists on a moral life and
  draws into fellowship all who feel themselves
  bound to the claims which the moral law makes
  upon them. Hinduism is not a sect but a
  fellowship of all who accept the law of right and
  earnestly seek for the truth".

-S. Radhakrishnan
THIS IS HINDUISM, I FOLLOW IT BECAUSE IT MAKES
SENSE TO ME
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Ethical code of Conduct/Seeking the truth

• Approaches
• Literature Survey See what others have done,
  theorized before understand criticize
  experiment form your own opinion
• Pragmatic Approach It is simple, I can figure it
  out (Walk-Out Slide No. 2 ?)
• The believers Approach I would believe by the
  book (The Islamic Idea)
• My presentation not totally attuned to this

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Seeking the truth /Ethical code of Conduct How?

• Approaches
• Literature Survey See what others have done,
  theorized before understand criticize
  experiment form your own opinion
• Pragmatic Approach It is simple, I can figure it
  out (Walk-Out Slide No. 2 ?)
• The believers Approach I would believe by the
  book (The Islamic Idea)
• My presentation not totally attuned to this

This, not only does the tradition warrant, but
makes sense to me personally
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On way to Seeking the truth, Code of conduct

• Session 1
• Hinduism An Inclusive Philosophy
• Session 2 (23rd Jan)
• Hinduism The details, the practitioners and why
  we differ
• Session 3 (25th/26th Jan)
• Hinduism The practices