Ch 1 - Admission/Application Essay Example

al Affiliation Lecturer Due Significance of Hinduism to Modern Society The chapter is about the fundamentals of Hinduism and itsdoctrine. The religion is based on ‘sacred knowledge’, which was contained in sacred hymns called the ‘Vedas’ by the Aryans, the original practitioners of Hinduism. Similarities with Christianity and other religions are apparent in the existence of supreme spiritual beings, both good and evil (Novak 13). In Hinduism, like all major religions, man is created by the supreme beings and these beings have the ability to bestow desirable attributes such as wealth and wisdom on men.

Hinduism is based on a belief there are many Gods with different functions. For example, Agni was the God of fire (Novak 13). This paper will show that the principles of Hinduism are significant to the life of the modern man. All societies are stratified. In many cases, the stratifications often uphold the higher classes at the expense of the bottom classes. In the modern times, the main, mode of stratification is economic differences. In prehistoric times, the societies were stratified by different criteria.

For example, in medieval Europe, family lineage was often used to classify people. The early Vedas classified the society by virtue of religion. The priests, called the Brahmins, occupied the apex social position (Novak 16). These stratifications were aimed at stabilizing the society and defining the roles of all members. In addition, they were aimed at creating a sense of superiority in the Aryans as a function of their religion. Therefore, the proposed mode of stratification is beneficial because it increases productivity.

Adopting a similar model, though oppressive, is bound to increase the functionality of society as well as foster acceptance because the models are perceived to be derived from divinity. In addition, the possibility of social mobility results in application of effort by people in the lower classes, as demonstrated in the phrase, ‘he who knows Brahman becomes a Brahman (Novak 23). The religion proposes that man should ‘see all beings in your own self and yourself in other all other beings’ (Novak 18).

This view resonates with the current popular issue of the environment. The tendency of people to perceive they are superior has resulted in a depletion of natural resources and endangering of other species. However, man has realized these species, such as plantation, play an important role in his survival. The realization has resulted in an increased emphasis on principles of preservation in a bid to restore the environment to its earlier conditions. Therefore, the principles of Vedas capture modern social problems and their solutions, demonstrating the relevance of Hinduism principles to modern life.

The potion ‘Nachiketas seeks wisdom from the king of death’ is also relevant to modern principles. It contains polarized notions about desires and their ability to fulfilled people. For example, the proposition that man needs more than wealth for fulfillment resonates with many popular beliefs (Novak 19). In addition, the proposition that there are two paths, the path of Joy and the path of pleasure resonates with many modern principles because as in the principles of the Vedas, a quest for pleasure is widely regarded to be poisonous (Novak 19).

In the Vedas of ‘Yoga and immortality’ which states that when the mind is at peace, one becomes immortal and is regarded as a Brahman and therefore supreme (Novak 21). In the modern society, it is believed that if a person is clear and still in mind, he increases his productivity and ability. When one’s mind is at peace, he has a clear conscious and is able to reason wisely therefore do good.There is a lot to be learnt from all religions. These significant aspects of religions should be adapted by all people regardless of their opinions of the religion from which the religion is derived.

For example, the principles of personal fulfillment and conservation of natural aspects as advocated by Hinduism have unlimited potential. Work citedNovak, Philip. The worlds wisdom: sacred texts of the worlds religions. San Francisco, Calif.: HarperSanFrancisco, 1994. Print.