A call For Progressive Spiritual Hinduism - THE VIVEKANANDA WAY

The Hindu race is the oldest existing race in the world and so also is its spiritual ideology. The scientific view of man and the world based on experiential and verifiable truths as found in Hinduism makes Hindu ideology eternal and universal and also non-dogmatic and non-fanatic, unlike the Semitic faiths. This ideology is referred to as Sanatana (Eternal) Dharma or Hindu Dharma. For ages it has withstood the harsh vicissitudes of time in the form of attacks from foreign faiths, especially the Semitic ones. But owing to the rock solid foundation of its scientific ideology (spirituality), Hindu Dharma and the Hindu race have remained and will remain in the history with undimmed glory.

But in modern times, with the imposition of the western education system in India, an education system which is centered only on the material view of man and the world, generations of Hindus have been slowly going away from the age-old Hindu way and view of life. This is a matter of concern. How can Hinduism flourish when Hindus themselves do not know about their own religion and culture? Hinduism can flourish only if Hindus put in efforts towards that end. In preserving Hindu tradition and culture, temples have played an important and extraordinary role from very early times. In many ways, the present decay of Hindu society is directly linked to the decline and ineffectiveness of our Hindu temple institutions. And this decay can be arrested and reversed only if temples play an active role in strengthening the spiritual moorings of the common people and imparting the necessary cultural values to strengthen family bonds. This can be done only by re-orienting our temple culture and working for a progressive and vibrant Hinduism. Temples are not just places for religious worship; they will fulfil their real purpose only when they become effective tools for the spiritual education of the Indians coupled with service to all, thus transfering the Hindu society. Temples, in other words, can act as vibrant cultural centres. Effectively reviving temple culture will help preserve Hindu culture, which has been declining at an alarming rate.

The origin of the ancient religion of the Hindus goes back to the seers, Rishis, who discovered the universal truths of Sanatana Dharma. Implications of this Rishi ideal to impart sustaining values of Hinduism to our children forms another important theme of this book