HINDUISM, BUDDHISM, JAINISM, SIKHISM, UNITE UNDER THE BANNER OF THE ETRENAL SANATAN DHARMA

HINDUISM, BUDDHISM, JAINISM, SIKHISM, UNITE UNDER THE BANNER OF THE ETRENAL SANATAN DHARMA

Although Buddhism and Jainism reject the inviolability of the Vedas, they are Indian schools of philosophical thought and are Indian dharma traditions. Hence, I like to include them in the vast body of the Sanatan Dharma whence in revolt they had once sprung into existence and, so, extended the frontiers of the Sanatan Dharma even further.

The dharma in the Buddhist and Jain traditions are not, to my mind, in essence different from the Sanatan Dharma, although, they appear to be so on the surface and are averred by adherents of these dharmas to be distinctly different. However, whatever may have been the historical differences, time it is to bridge the gaps in understanding of the underlying oneness of these three great spiritual traditions that sprang in ancient India, and to forge fraternal bonds between them for the strengthening of dharma as such. After all, all three dharma traditions subscribe to the theories of karma, the trans-migratory cycle of temporal existence in birth, life, death and rebirth culminating in spiritual perfection in the last birth when Brahmajnana / Atmajnana / Nirvana / Moksha is attained which frees the soul forever from phenomenal ignorance unto the beatitude of transcendental knowledge (as in Hinduism) or extinguishes the flame of phenomenal desirous life (as in Buddhism) or leads to perfection (as in Jainism).

Even Sikhism cannot be called so very distinct from Hinduism as to exclude it from the fold of the Sanatan Dharma. It draws its philosophical principles from the Vedas and emphasises the worship of the Saguna Nirakar Brahman. Sikhism subscribes to the theory of karma and rebirth as well.

Hence, to forge unity among the various strands of the Sanatan Dharma we must make efforts. This will intensify our spiritual thrust in the world and strengthen our nation in every way, for at the heart of every development of eternal India has always been this strengthening of the national spiritual character.

Written by Sugata Bose