Ortega

Jorge Alberto Ortega

RELS 2300
Dr. Witijha Bandara
May 2, 16
E-Portfolio Assignment
Hindu Practices: Religion or Dharma
Hinduism is one of the oldest living religions of the history of mankind. It is core
values and principles are mostly based on Dharma, which Hindus today referred to it as
ethics, moral behavior, a cosmic order already established, or which supports the
universe although the term itself is untranslatable.1 Yet, there are certain things Dharma
teaches that are not homogeneous for all. Some virtues and behavior patterns in Dharma are
recommended for all human beings, whereas others are incumbents according to ones cast in
society, stage of life and gender. Therefore, based on the tradition that Dharma truly depends
on the context as a whole, I am inclined to favor that Hindu practices form part of a religion.
In light of providing further explanation of religion, it is common to say that anyone
may have a different perspective of what religion means to him or her. Nevertheless, the
common ground is that religions in general were created to find advice, guidance, a light of
hope, generosity, love, and the like in order to help individuals live a better life or perhaps
find the truth of their existence, or in search of an answer of why they are here in this world.
Therefore, though Hinduism is the oldest living religion existent up to today, some of their
beliefs and practices fall into the definitions of religion. To further explain the definitions of
religion, there are three perspectives that focus on the purpose and characteristics of religion
based upon these definitions.
The first perspective is called Materialist Perspective, which states that everything
that surrounds us is purely material and no divine, or that supernatural beings exist. It also

1 See Class presentation RELS 2300 Hinduism: Beliefs and Practices by Dr. Witijha Bandara. And Living Religions, 8th
Edition, Hinduism pg. 80

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claims that us, as humans, invented religion because we tend to imagine powerful beings in
our minds. Ludwig Feuerbach (1858-1917) provides one of the definitions of the Materialist
Perspective that drew my attention as he asserts that all existing gods are merely projections
that we have created in our minds to then grant them powers and wisdom for something that
only exists in our minds.2
In this context, Hinduism practices would not fully fall into this category of religion
because the core principles of Hinduism are based on actions more than what any one can
imagine. For example, in my experience visiting Sri Ganesha Hindu Temple in South Jordan,
Utah, I noticed that Hindu beliefs and worldview of the religion were present in the physical
observation through the representation of the deities on their individual altars. There was
Ganesha, the God of Science, having a human body and the head of an elephant. To me, this
means that this god is part of a human imagination because I dont think someone has seen
this god to picture it in the way it was displayed in the altar. Furthermore, in that temple,
there was a set of nine other deities representing the planets that had an astrological
significance. This tells me that Hinduism followers may have those deities, and their powers
in their minds, which would partially describe the Materialistic Perspective of religion.
Nonetheless, since Hinduism followers can imagine certain beings in their minds and grant
them powers, in reality anyone can believe in whatever they want (as Hinduism has more
than 300 million deities). The importance of Hinduism then comes with peoples actions.
Thus, what someone does in this world (or has done in the past life) would have
consequences in the future (Karma). Despite that, I still think Hinduism is a religion, though
their practice does not fall into this definition completely.
Contrary to the Materialist Perspective, the Functionalist Perspective defines religion
in a different direction. Although there are several definitions of religion based on the

2 See Living Religions, 8th Edition, for further definitions of the materialist perspective of religion. Pat Fisher, p. 3.

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Functionality Perspective, I agree with the definition of Emile Durkheim (1858-1917),

contending that religions can be instruments to unite society, create a positive atmosphere of
harmony based upon an organized social structure, so we can learn virtues such as love,
compassion, fairness, and disciplines over our desires and emotions.3 Religions have been
involved in many situations throughout the history of mankind, and therefore, played an
important role towards the evolution of viewpoints, traditions, and cultures in other countries.
Unlike the Materialistic Perspective definition, Hinduism practices are fully defined
in this context. In my opinion, according to the Functionalist Perspective, Hinduism practices
have created sets of morals and virtues that built values, converting Hindu practitioners into
compassionate, and more understanding human beings. That is for sure one of the main
purposes of Hinduism, and Dharma as a whole.
For example, in my experience visiting the Sri Ganesha Hindu Temple I learned that
anyone is welcome regardless. Everyone prays and meditates differently, so anyone was
welcome to come in and do what he or she need to do in order to find the inner peace, and
hope for themselves. I also noticed that the people there were sincere in their actions. They
were quiet, reverent, and their actions reflected those of some seeking their inner peace and
direction in their life. People were meditating, praying, visiting the individual altars and
receiving a blessing from a priest. After that, I saw people having a warm conversation with
the priest and other members of the temple. So, this tells me that Hinduism practices fully fall
into the Functionalist Perspective.
On the other hand, despite the Belief Perspective goes against both of the previous
definitions of religions existence, Hinduism practices fall completely into this definition.
From the viewpoint of the Belief Perspective, there is definitely a reality that cannot be
perceived as it asserts that humans think of the existence of a Supreme Reality that can heal,

3 See Living Religions, 8th Edition, for further definition of the functionalist perspective of religion. Pat Fisher, p. 4.

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do, and say anything that the Unseen being wants. One of the different authors that defined
the Believe Perspective, Martin Luther (1483-1546), who is known as the father of the
Protestant branches of Christianity, recalls how he tried to find a definition of religion
through faith. Luther claims that human minds do not function in the most rational mode
alone, but they need deep unconscious reasoning that will aid them to find faith. Religion,
then, goes beyond our natural limits. It is something we cannot explain. It is more based on a
mystical belief.4
Consequently, Hinduism practices completely falls into the Belief Perspective of
religion. It is true that defining Dharma in Hinduism can certainly be a complex task. Perhaps
the main reason why Dharma is hard to explain is because it does not stick to one sole
definition, but it is the combination of all these perspectives into one sole religion. Dharma,
as being the main core of Hinduism, is a conjunct of all different aspects in life that other
religions preach to help individuals reach a healthy, wealthy lifestyle. Dharma helps fulfill
natural order, cultivates moral principles, and uplifts societies, all in one religion. The best
thing about Dharma is that not only teaches faith, but also how people should live, eat, think
and believe in God.
Hinduism practices allow people to have great load of liberty of opinion, thought,
and desires. In spite of this freedom and diversity, there is a unity among all the doctrines and
schools of Hinduism. Reason being is that everything sticks to one single idea of living based
on the eternal laws of nature. As these laws are interconnected with the universe and its
components, this is defined as Dharma which pretty much stands for keeping things all
together. But explaining a specific component of Hinduism is referring to the Vedas as the
revelation. The interesting thing about this religion is that there are different schools of
thought concerning the source of this revelation.

4 See Living Religions, 8th Edition, for further definition of the belief perspective of religion. Pat Fisher, p. 7

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The majority of the orthodox would maintain the Veda is impersonal, i.e. not
Word of God in the sense in which the Bible is to Jews and Christians, but pre-existent, an
embodiment of the eternal law that exists beyond and above any personal law-giver. The
principal component, and what makes Hinduism special is that the Vedas is perceived as a
personal communication from God to chosen seers, the rsis of old.5
In consequence, despite the explanation of Dharma, the Belief Perspective explains
that there is not explanation of faith. It is something everyone should to find inner peace,
love, and hope on his or her own. There is no explanation of why it is the way it is or when
we should do certain things. This explanation also tells me that Hinduism is truly a religion in
this scenario. Adding an example of this leads me back to my experience at the Sri Ganesha
Hindu Temple. Through the rituals, people were able to find inner peace and have a greater
connection with God through the deities. People there performed different type of ritual like
kneeling, they were sat down with they legs crossed, praying, or meditating. When I asked
the person in charge of the temple why people did that, he just simply mentioned it was part
of the ritual that Hindus do. A dogma. Something that is just the way it is. Faith is based on
an unconditionally love and respect for their deities they pray to, and the communication with
them is carried out through mental and spiritual connections they make when in the temple.
Therefore, although I am inclined to favor that Hinduism is a religion, with all
honestly, it can also be considered a lifestyle, a doctrine, and a perfect via of communication
with God. Those who practice this religion believe that in order to reach a life full of
happiness, health and knowledge, they have to constantly be in contact with God, learn a lot,
and share with the world all these experiences that have made them the people they are today.

5 See Hinduism: The Beginners Guide. Oxford. pg. 85 and Class presentation Hinduism: Beliefs and Practices, Dr. Witijha
Bandara

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Reference
Fisher, Mary Pat. Living Religions. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2011. Print
Klostermaier Klaus. Hinduism: The Beginners Guide. Oxford: One World Publications.
2007. Print.