One could divide Hinduism
into a Vedic (Brahmanical) religion, a Shaivite (Shiva) religion, a
Vaishnavi (Vishnu) religion, a Goddess (Shakta) religion, a Ganesh
religion, a solar (Saura) religion, and various local or regional
systems, including new spiritual movements which may have no defined
affiliation. These different teachings have neither merged into one
common belief, nor separated off into conflicting creeds.
They have come together
while maintaining their particular approaches, in the recognition
that true unity includes the fullness of diversity. They have
realized that the truth of any religion need not exclude the truth
of others because all religions are merely aids to the unfoldment of
the universal, which is the real goal and origin of all.
This harmony between the
different religions of Hinduism can be used as a model to integrate
the different religions of the world. It would not require any
religion giving up its distinctive spiritual flavor but only
recognizing the validity of other approaches in the Universal Self
which is the real aim of all spiritual practices.
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