By Corine San Crainte

The most obvious misconception about Hinduism is that we tend to see it as a religion, a faith. Hinduism is a way of life, a Dharma. Dharma does not mean religion; it is the law that governs all action. Thus, contrary to popular perception, Hinduism is not a religion. For centuries the world has misinterpreted this, and out of this misinterpretation, has come most of the misconceptions about Hinduism. Words like Hindu or Hinduism are anachronisms. They do not exist in the Indian cultural lexicon. People have coined them to suit their needs in different points of history. Nowhere in the scriptures is there any reference to Hinduism. Hinduism does not have any one founder, and it does not have a Bible or a Koran to which controversies can be referred for resolution.

Consequently, it does not require its adherents to accept any one idea. It is thus cultural, not creedal, with a history contemporaneous with the peoples with which it is associated. Writings we now categorize as Hindu scriptures include not just books relating to spirituality but also secular pursuits like science, medicine and engineering. This is another reason why it defies classification as a religion. Further, it cannot be claimed to be essentially a school of metaphysics. Nor can it be described as 'other worldly'. In fact one can almost identify Hinduism with a civilization that is flourishing even now.

The Aryan Invasion Theory having been completely discredited, it cannot be assumed that Hinduism was the pagan faith of invaders belonging to a race called Aryans. Rather it was the common metafaith of people of various races, including Harappans. The Sanskrit word 'aryan' is a word of honorable address, not the racial reference invented by European scholars and put to perverse use by the Nazis. Evidence that Hinduism must have existed even circa 10000 B.C. is available: The importance attached to the river Saraswati and the numerous references to it in the Rigveda indicates that the Rigveda was being composed well before 6500 B.C.

The first vernal equinox recorded in the Rigveda is that of the star Ashwini, which is now known to have occurred around 10000 B.C. Subhash Kak, a Computer Engineer and a reputed Indologist, 'decoded' the Rigveda and found many advanced astronomical concepts therein. The technological sophistication required to even anticipate such concepts is unlikely to have been acquired by a nomadic people, as the Invasionists would like us to believe. In his book Gods, Sages and Kings, David Frawley provides compelling evidence to substantiate this claim. Many believe that multiplicity of deities makes Hinduism polytheistic.

Such a belief is nothing short of mistaking the wood for the tree. The bewildering diversity of Hindu belief - theistic, atheistic and agnostic - rests on a solid unity. "Ekam sath, Vipraah bahudhaa vadanti", says the Rigveda: The Truth (God, Brahman, etc) is one; scholars call it by various names. What the multiplicity of deities does indicate is Hinduism's spiritual hospitality as evidenced by two characteristically Hindu doctrines: The Doctrine of Spiritual Competence (Adhikaara) and The Doctrine of The Chosen Deity (Ishhta Devata). The doctrine of spiritual competence requires that the spiritual practices prescribed to a person should correspond to his or her spiritual competence.

The doctrine of the chosen deity gives a person the freedom to choose (or invent) a form of Brahman that satisfies his spiritual cravings and to make it the object of his worship. It is notable that both doctrines are consistent with Hinduism's assertion that the Like Hinduism, The Basis of Being is not a religion but a way of living. It doesn’t matter what your spiritual belief is, you will find that The Basis of Being will help enrich you in your daily life as well as enhance your belief system. The freedom of choice to follow your own spiritual practice or even your need not to worship a deity is promoted within the covers of the Basis of Being.

Every individual needs to choose for themselves what they believe in. Our parents and the environment we are raised in imprint a belief system on us, but as we mature we can embrace what we have been taught or reject it. Only you can choose what is right for you. Following a belief or religion even though it doesn’t satisfy your spiritual cravings because that is what you were taught will only hinder your growth as a person. Learn to ask questions till you are satisfied with the answers, which in turn will enable you to embrace your chosen path with your whole heart.

The Basis of Being encourages individuals to not blindly follow a belief because that is what is expected from you by people in your life; instead you need to fully believe in whatever spiritual path you’ve chosen in order for it to be a useful guide in your life. If you don’t fully believe in the path you are following it will only create strife and problems in your life because you will always be conflicted. Trying to live a way of life that you don’t believe in is a lie, and it will only cause misery for you and for the people around you.

By being honest with ourselves and other we can live a life that is happier and more fulfilling instead of a life that is empty and meaningless because we are living a lie. The maxims are a helpful tool that can guide you; whether you need spiritual, emotional or physical guidance you will find it by reading The Basis of Being. This book will encourage you to question yourself, to question others, to always strive for knowledge which enables you to grow, and to always strive towards the goals that you have set for yourself. It will encourage you to be yourself, to make choices in your life that are right for you and you can look back on and be happy.

The Basis Of Being supports all beliefs that lead to a prosperous and peaceful lifelong pursuit of happiness for not only ourselves, but those around us.

What is the Basis of Being?

The Basis Of Being is a groundbreaking book broken down into 13 Chapters of 28 Maxims each. Written by Liam Ballinagar & Gamble Leidolf; edited by Corine San Crainte, this wonderful pocket sized guide will change your life forever. With 364 Pearls of Wisdom, you can make but one alteration a day and by the end of 12 months, you might not recognize yourself. But of course your good deeds will have been rewarded and come back to you tenfold. Thank you for considering the Basis Of Being. If you are ready for the Future: CLICK HERE