Every hand book of religion in the world requests their followers to be a true follower of their respective FAITHS but Bhagavad Gita suggests that first thing we should do is to be a true Human being. While many religious texts suggests that we should search for the LORD in 4th and 7th heavens, Bhagavad Gita tells us to search for the LORD within you. Bhagavad Gita doesn't advice us to kill NON BELIEVERS or destroy IDOLS stopping Idol worship, it tells us that the whole world is my FAMILY and we should learn to embrace it. Few specific reasons as to why I am proud to be a Hindu 1) Hinduism doesn't tell us that one who doesn't believe in GOD is a criminal or sinner 2) Hinduism doesn't enforce its followers to visit Temples at specific timings or suggests that we should pray for specific number of times 3) You don't need to visit Kasi, Rameshwaram or Varanasi to prove yourself to be a proper Hindu 4) Reading any essential religious handbook of Hinduism is also not necesary to be a Hindu 5) To be a true Hindu one doesn't need to follow all rituals (Smriti) as suggested in any religious handbook 6) There is no sole SINGLE living representative or PROTECTOR of Hinduism 7) Hinduism has never suggested to protect religious Hindu GODMEN after he/she has committed mistakes 8) As per Hinduism anything which has been present in its natural form is respected as GOD and not looked down upon with inferiority Tree is GOD Stone is GOD Wind is GOD (Vayu) Water is GOD (Ganges) Monkey is GOD (Hanuman) Pig is GOD (Varaha Avatharam) DOG is GOD (Kala Bairavan) 9) You, I and the entire Worldly creation is looked upon as PARAMATHMA 10) Hindu religion has given countless scriptures quoting "The WAY of LIFE" Dont be a Womanizer - Ramayanam Dont love the land you own - Mahabharatham Duty is your life - Bagavatham For Politics - Arthasasthra For celebration of marital life - Kamasuthra For Medicine - Sidda, Ayurveda For Education - Vedas For health - Yoga Sasthram For Architecture - Vaasthu Sasthram For Business - Kolkanitham 11) Hinduism has never been spread on pretext of compulsion or by any means of WAR 12) There is no specific one text which can be considered pure in Hinduism since almost every text which has been passed on from our ancestors is considered pure 13) Hinudism teaches the essence of Moksha and why everyone must attain it. Moksha is nothing but eternal surrender to the Paramathma 14) It preaches Peace, Tolerance and other core values which are essential in these days of Kaliyuga 15) It preaches vegetarianism as a way of life since one should not subjects cruelty to other life forms and in Hinduism all life forms are same, there is no higher or lower form of life. 16) The primary reason for Construction of temples was to use it as a Community gathering where people could interact, debate and record history and values that are essential to live this life So next time when someone asks you, WHY are you proud to be a Hindu, please explain to them these are the reasons which makes us proud to follow Hinduism or Sanatana dharma Text Source: Oav Siva
