Hinduism: A Universal Religion Presenter: Varun Aggarwal, Graduate Student, MIT, USA

"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". THIS IS HINDUISM, I FOLLOW IT BECAUSE IT MAKES SENSE TO ME The right to believe in what makes sense to you, Don’t believe blindly. India: A country of multiple Religions; Cannot tolerate its defiance (Prone to misuse) HONESTY, Urge to do the correctExperimentation: Only doing yourself and seeing results is to know. Don’t believe Practices of the Hindu Society over the ages (Code of Conduct) Is that important, how? Every Hindu is a religion in himself. Could be the law enforced by your country, i.e. USA/India You decide day-to-day issues out of its jurisdiction, how? -S. Radhakrishnan THE WALK-OUT SLIDE!!! Need to be honest, urge to do right, free to have your own (sincere) opinions; abide by righteousness as put forth by society and yourself. YOU ARE A DEVOTED HINDU (You know if you are!)

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 believer’s Approach: I would believe by ‘the book’ (The Islamic Idea) [[My presentation not totally attuned to this]]

Literature Survey: Seeking the truth, Code of conduct Session 1 –The theory(s) postulated by the Hindus Session 2: –Hindu Practices: Applications of theory –Anecdotes from life of Hindu Saints: Experimental Results! Session 3: –Teachings of great Hindu Thinkers –Theory leads to practice: Rule Of thumbs, The science is there, now comes in the Engineer!