HINDUISM AND SANATANA DHARMA

A. What is Hinduism?

How Does Hinduism Define Itself?

Hinduism defines itself in terms of Sanatana Dharma, which means the "universal tradition." Such a comprehensive teaching is evident in the many-sided yogic and meditational practices of Hinduism, the vast culture of Hinduism including art, medicine and science, and in the Hindu recognition of the importance of all systems of knowledge, material, occult and spiritual.

The social customs of Hinduism, with their emphasis on spiritual practices, are also based upon such universal truth, though some of them have departed from it through the long course of time. Hence they require adjustment in light of changing times.

For this reason it is important to redefine Hinduism in terms of Sanatana Dharma, to look at its universal perspective. Yet it is also important to redefine Sanatana Dharma or the universal tradition in terms of Hinduism because Hinduism has maintained a living universal tradition through the millennia, which is of benefit to all who want to become part of such a tradition today.

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