Hi all,
The word is actually misleading. It’s also not very helpful. I am well aware that it is in wide-spread use and very familiar. Probably that’s why so many people use it. But it IS wrong.
The term “Hinduism” did NOT appear in English until 1829. Well what was the 3,500 year old religion called before, then? Hence, the need for this post.
Around 325 BC, Alexander, the Great, invading India had to cross this great river system with its five main tributaries. Not being able to pronounce the correct name, River Sindhu, he called it Indu. Then he called the land east of the river as Indus. Later to be called “India”.
When the Afghan and Persian invaders came, they could not pronounce it either. Because the Sanskrit sound of “S” changes to “H” in Parsee, the Muslims could only pronounce Sindhu as Hindu. The muslims could not or did not wish to explore the complexities of the religions in the area. So they simply called it “Hinduism”, meaning the religion of the people of the Indus valley.
For a more detailed account, see
[link= http://www.stephen-knapp.com/about_the_name_Hindu.htm ] http://www.stephen-knapp.com/about_the_name_Hindu.htm [/link] and
[link= http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761555715/Hinduism.html ] http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761555715/Hinduism.html [/link].
You would find the correct term “Sanatana Dharma” explained there as well. Now then, why is it misleading?
In the correct sense of the term, Hinduism should include Buddhism and Jainism as well. Not to mention Sikhism.
For now, I shall explore the meaning of the term Sanatana Dharma. Sanatana derives from “Sa” which means with. It’s then modified with the concept of time using Sanskrit grammar to form Sanatana. The best English translation that I can think of is indeed, “Eternal”. Dharma is far more difficult, mainly because the English language was never meant to handle the complex interactions that word entails. However for every day purpose, “religion” will have to do. It IS grossly inadequate, but probably the most familiar of the concepts.
Let me explain further, why Hinduism is wrong. I have dealt with the Hindu part. Let's take the ism part. My Oxford Reference Dictionary gives the meanings in TWO groups. The second one is OK which is " a system or principle". However, the usual applications of the suffix occurs in belief systems or principles FAR NARROWER than is the case with Sanatana Dharma. The first is a noun, USUALLY DEROGATORY. "any distinctive doctrine or practice". That one does bother me. It suggests a dogma, which Sanatana Dharma most certainly is not.
Let's now explore Sanatana Dharma. The first word from its Sanskrit deriv
RE: Hinduism, a misnomer?
Hi Prashna,
Thanks for that post. I don't really know the exact history of who the Englishmen were who decided to create all these "isms" or just how it began, and what they had in mind. It was probably unconscious, but I do suspect there is an element in there of them having had a slightly derogatory meaning originally. The word-creators were probably Christian, and therefore believed (I'm assuming) that Christianity was the one and only true religion. From that perspective they went out into the world and then pronounced other major collections of belief as being "isms". It was always an arbitrary way to collect groups of people and their spiritual beliefs together under one umbrella here and another there. It's been useful to a point, but is also misleading to a point, yes.
Let's face it, they had no comprehension of Sanatana Dharma!
V
RE: Hinduism, a misnomer?
Thank you venetian,
I suspect that there will be many who would look in on thisthread and regard my post with a great deal of suspicion.
And you know what, I wouldn't blame them. What credentials have I got?
But even the most sceptic should have heard of Swami Vivekananda, who needs no introduction from me or anyone else.
He was undoubtedly the greatest exponent of Sanatana Dharma in English that the world has ever seen. So I shall cite him. See:
[link= http://www.geocities.com/athens/olympus/5208/vedanta/application.html ]http://www.geocities.com/athens/olympus/5208/vedanta/application.html[/link]
Vedanta in its applications to Indian Life - for the origin of the word Hindu, Why Vedantism is better term than Hinduism, Bhakti started in the Upanishads and NOT from foreign sources. Shrutis, Smritis, why Puranas must give way and the importance of strength in ...
Then try [link= http://www.geocities.com/athens/olympus/5208/vedanta/vedantism.html ]http://www.geocities.com/athens/olympus/5208/vedanta/vedantism.html[/link]
where Viv calls it Vedantism. Essay traces evolution from Vedas to Shankara, Ramanuja, Madhva to present – brilliant start in...
Also try just out of interest the 4 lectures on Practical Vedanta here:
[link= http://www.geocities.com/athens/olympus/5208/practical/practical1.html ]http://www.geocities.com/athens/olympus/5208/practical/practical1.html[/link]
That should give plenty to chew over!
My own view is that even Viv, great as he was, had to accommodate the fashion in language which was then current. Hence the ism in Vedantism.
Another term that was in use and has been used is "Vaidic dharma". Meaning the dharma that is rooted in the Vedas.
Although this is accurate, I prefer "sanatana dharma" because of its direct emphasis on the self-renewing nature of the philosophy.
Regards.
Prashna