Thursday, November 11, 2010
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Introduction to Hindu Community in Pakistan
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Giyan Chand (Pakistani Hindu Diplomat )
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Following the creation of Pakistan, and the subsequent mass migrations, Hindus today have a much smaller numerical presence. Nonetheless Hindus have played a major role in the history, culture and politics of the country.
The term Hindu is etymologically derived from the Sindhu (Indus River) of Pakistan. The Sindhu is one of the holy rivers of Hinduism. Thus, in many ways, the land which is today's predominantly Muslim Pakistan has played an important part in the origin of Hinduism. In terms of population, Pakistan has the fifth largest population of Hindus.
WHO IS PAKISTANI HINDU ?
A Pakistani Hindu is a person who professes faith in the principles of the holy Vedas.Pakistani Hindu culture is the world's oldest culture and it is the indigenous culture of Pakistan.
Famous Pakistani Hindus (Below)
Danish Kaneria, Rana Bhagwandas
History of Hinduism in Pakistan
Hinduism, once the main religion in present day Pakistan, has endured many invasions, migrations, conquests and settlement of many tribes and ethnic groups.
Ancient Ages
The Sindh kingdom and its rulers play an important role in the Indian epic story of the Mahabharata. In addition, there is the legend that the Pakistani city of Lahore was first founded by Lava, while Kasur was founded by his twin Kusha, both of whome were the sons of Rama of the Ramayana. The Gandhara kingdom of the northwest, and the legendary Gandhara peoples are also a major part of Hindu literature such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Most Pakistani city names (such as Peshawar, Multan) can be traced back to Sanskrit roots.
Under Islamic and British Rule
People in this region were exposed to Islamic teachings through the sufis and later when the regions came under the control of various Muslim rulers. Alberuni states in his book, that some Hindus who were forced to become Muslims, were not accepted back into their community, when they escaped to places like Varanasi. He in fact laments, that due to Islamic conquests, many great Hindu scholars left this region. In over one thousand years of Muslim rule in the Punjab and Sindh, the population of Muslims outpaced the growth of Hinduism (Buddhism had virtually disappeared) due to conversion and slavery.Demography
In August 1947, at the end of British Raj, the population percentage of Hindus in what is today in Pakistan was perhaps as high as 15-20%, but would drop to its current total of 2% in the years since independence. According to the 1998 Pakistan Census, caste Hindus constitute about 1.6 percent of the total population of Pakistan and about 6.6% in province of Sindh. The Pakistan Census separates Schedule Castes from the main body of Hindus who make up a further 0.25% of national population.
Hinduism and Partition
When Pakistan was formed in August 1947, over 7 million Hindus and Sikhs from what was East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and Pakistan's Punjab, Sindh and North-West Frontier Province provinces were forced to leave this new state for India, and a similar number of Muslims chose the other way. The reasons for this incredible exodus was the heavily charged communal atmosphere in British India, deep distrust of each other, the brutality of violent mobs and the antagonism between the religious communities. The fact that over 1 million people lost their lives in the bloody violence of 1947, should attest to the fear and hate that filled the hearts of millions of Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs who had to leave ancestral homes during hastily arranged partition.
Post-1970s
Since Pakistan declared itself an Islamic nation and pursued a decidedly Islamic course in its political and social life since the 1980s, Hindus as a minority in Pakistan have had considerably fewer privileges, rights and protections in comparison to minorities in India, which constitutionally avows itself secular and giving of equal rights to its religious minorities including the Muslim, Christian and Sikh communities.
Religious, social and political institutions
The communal violence of the 1940s and the subsequent persecutions have resulted in the destruction of thousands of Hindu temples in Pakistan, although the Hindu community and the Pakistani government have preserved and protected many prominent ones. The Hindu Gymkhana in Karachi has tried to promote social development for Hindus in the city. One of the few temples remaining in Karachi today is the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Karachi.
Hindus are allotted separate electorates to vote by, but their political importance is virtually nil. The Pakistan Hindu Panchayat and the Pakistani Hindu Welfare Association are the primary civic organizations that represent and organize Hindu communities on social, economic, religious and political issues. There are minority commissions and for a while, a Ministry of Minority Affairs in the Government of Pakistan looked after specific issues concerning Pakistani religious minorities.
The future for Pakistani Hindus
The increasing Islamisation of Pakistan and antagonism against a majority Hindu. Pakistan has forced many Hindus to leave Hinduism and convert to Islam. Such Islamisation include the blasphemy laws, which make it dangerous for religious minorities to express themselves freely and engage freely in religious and cultural activities. The promulgation of Sharia, Quranic law has also increased the marginalization of Hindus and other minorities. Following the destruction in 1992 of the Babri Mosque in India, riots and persecution of Hindus in retaliation has only increased; Hindus in Pakistan are routinely affected by communal incidents in India and violent developments on the Kashmir conflict between the two nations. It remains the hope of many that a permanent peace between the two nations will go a long way in making life better for the roughly 8 million Hindus living in Pakistan. The 1998 census recorded 2,443,614 Hindus in Pakistan. Reports from Pakistan indicate that Hindu minorities under Taliban rule in Swat are being forced to wear Red headgear such as turbans to make it easier for the Islamic militants to target them for discrimination. In light of these deprivations, Pakistani Hindu minorities have started fleeing to India.
Decline of Hinduism in Pakistan
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Persecution of Hindus in Pakistan
(The Decline of Hinduism , Buddhism and Sikhism in the areas that now constitute the new country of Pakistan which was formed in 1947 happened for a variety of reasons, and even as these religions have continued to flourish beyond the eastern frontiers of Pakistan, these Dharmic religions have continued to dwindle in Pakistan)
Introduction & Glory of Sanatana Dharama or (Hinduism)
Religions of the World - Hinduism
Unlike other religions Sanatana Dharama (Hinduism) is not one person's invention.
There is no single medicine that can cure all deceases and ailments.
Sanatana Dharama (Hinduism) is an accumulated treasury of spiritual and moral laws discovered by different saints over various periods.
In other words Sanatana Dharama (Hinduism) is like constitution of a country. Spiritual and moral laws are democratically accumulated over centuries. These laws are observed voluntarily by people without any governmental control.
In Sanatana Dharama You don't need to practice exactly what your forefathers practiced. Those practices may be good only for that period (Yuga Dharma)
One can be an atheist or an agnostic and still can be a Sanatani like me or like Sage Charvak (The atheist).
Sanatana Dharama allows criticizing or debating god's existence. Sanathana Dharma absorbs new ideas like a sponge and recharges itself with modern technology.
In Kindergarten or Nursery school you learn everything from one book from one teacher. In a Higher school you learn from several books from several teachers.
Sanatana Dharama is like a university. It doesn't have only one book like other religions have, it has collection of books covers various subjects and aspects.
There is no single medicine that can cure all deceases and ailments.
One must understand, it is impossible for one person to write religious doctrines for entire world and for future. If any one thinks that one person can do it they are fooling themselves.
Sanatana Dharama is spiritual and moral evolution.
Sanatana Dharama implements religious sentiments for education, prosperity and peace.
Hinduism- 1
HINDUISM -- SCIENTIFICALLY proven RELIGION (part 1 of 3)
Introduction to Hinduism (Part 1/5)
Hinduism is not a Religion - Hindu Culture, Philosophy, and Spirituality
Basics of Hinduism
How I Became a Hindu - Dr. Frank Morales
Why I Became a Hindu / a Krishna Bhakta, by Stephen Knapp
Unlike other religions Sanatana Dharama (Hinduism) is not one person's invention.
There is no single medicine that can cure all deceases and ailments.
Sanatana Dharama (Hinduism) is an accumulated treasury of spiritual and moral laws discovered by different saints over various periods.
In other words Sanatana Dharama (Hinduism) is like constitution of a country. Spiritual and moral laws are democratically accumulated over centuries. These laws are observed voluntarily by people without any governmental control.
In Sanatana Dharama You don't need to practice exactly what your forefathers practiced. Those practices may be good only for that period (Yuga Dharma)
One can be an atheist or an agnostic and still can be a Sanatani like me or like Sage Charvak (The atheist).
Sanatana Dharama allows criticizing or debating god's existence. Sanathana Dharma absorbs new ideas like a sponge and recharges itself with modern technology.
In Kindergarten or Nursery school you learn everything from one book from one teacher. In a Higher school you learn from several books from several teachers.
Sanatana Dharama is like a university. It doesn't have only one book like other religions have, it has collection of books covers various subjects and aspects.
There is no single medicine that can cure all deceases and ailments.
One must understand, it is impossible for one person to write religious doctrines for entire world and for future. If any one thinks that one person can do it they are fooling themselves.
Sanatana Dharama is spiritual and moral evolution.
Sanatana Dharama implements religious sentiments for education, prosperity and peace.
Hinduism- 1
HINDUISM -- SCIENTIFICALLY proven RELIGION (part 1 of 3)
Introduction to Hinduism (Part 1/5)
Hinduism is not a Religion - Hindu Culture, Philosophy, and Spirituality
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Glory of Hinduism
Muslim emperors ruled India for seven hundred years. The British ruled India for two hundred years. Some joined Islam through force. The Muslim emperors and the British were not able to convert the whole of India. Still the glory of Hinduism persists. The culture of Hinduism prevails. Nothing can shake its greatness and root.
Hinduism is neither asceticism nor illusionism, neither polytheism nor pantheism. It is a synthesis of all types of religious experiences. It is a whole and complete view of life. It is characterized by wide toleration, deep humanity and high spiritual purpose. It is free from fanaticism. That is the reason why it has survived the attacks of the followers of other great religions of the world.
Hinduism is extremely catholic, liberal, tolerant and elastic. No religion is so very elastic and tolerant like Hinduism. Hinduism is very stern and rigid regarding the fundamentals. It is very elastic in readjusting to the externals and non-essentials. That is the reason why it has succeeded in living through millennia.
The foundation of Hinduism has been laid on the bedrock of spiritual truths. The entire structure of Hindu life is built on eternal truths, the findings of the Hindu Rishis or seers. That is the reason why this structure has lasted through scores of centuries.
Hinduism stands unrivaled in the depth and grandeur of its philosophy. Its ethical teachings are lofty, unique and sublime. It is highly flexible and adapted to every human need. It is a perfect religion by itself. It is not in need of anything from any other religion. No other religion has produced so many great saints, great patriots, great warriors, great Pativratas (chaste women devoted to their husbands). The more you know of the Hindu religion, the more you will honour and love it. The more you study it, the more it will enlighten you and satisfy your heart.
HINDUISM - What the world's greatest THINKERS had to say?Basics of Hinduism
How I Became a Hindu - Dr. Frank Morales
Why I Became a Hindu / a Krishna Bhakta, by Stephen Knapp
Introduction to Sacred-Texts : Hinduism
There are four Vedas, the Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda. The Vedas are the primary texts of Hinduism. They also had a vast influence on Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. Traditionally the text of the Vedas was coeval with the universe. Scholars have determined that the Rig Veda, the oldest of the four Vedas, was composed about 1500 B.C., and codified about 600 B.C. It is unknown when it was finally committed to writing, but this probably was at some point after 300 B.C.
The Vedas contain hymns, incantations, and rituals from ancient India. Along with the Book of the Dead, the Enuma Elish, the I Ching, and the Avesta, they are among the most ancient religious texts still in existence. Besides their spiritual value, they also give a unique view of everyday life in India four thousand years ago. The Vedas are also the most ancient extensive texts in an Indo-European language, and as such are invaluable in the study of comparative linguistics.
Upanishads
The Upanishads are a continuation of the Vedic philosophy, and were written between 800 and 400 B.C. They elaborate on how the soul (Atman) can be united with the ultimate truth (Brahman) through contemplation and mediation, as well as the doctrine of Karma-- the cumulative effects of a persons' actions.Puranas
The Puranas are post-Vedic texts which typically contain a complete narrative of the history of the Universe from creation to destruction, genealogies of the kings, heroes and demigods, and descriptions of Hindu cosmology and geography. There are 17 or 18 canonical Puranas, divided into three categories, each named after a deity: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. There are also many other works termed Purana, known as 'Upapuranas.'
The Mahabharata and Ramayana are the national epics of India. They are probably the longest poems in any language. The Mahabharata, attributed to the sage Vyasa, was written down from 540 to 300 B.C. The Mahabharata tells the legends of the Bharatas, a Vedic Aryan group. The Ramayana, attributed to the poet Valmiki, was written down during the first century A.D., although it is based on oral traditions that go back six or seven centuries earlier. The Ramayana is a moving love story with moral and spiritual themes that has deep appeal in India to this day.The Epics
In addition, a key Hindu sacred text, the Bhagavad Gita, is embedded in Book Six of the Mahabharata. The Bhagavad Gita, usually considered part of the sixth book of the Mahabharata (dating from about 400 or 300 B.C.), is a central text of Hinduism, a philosphical dialog between the god Krishna and the warrior Arjuna. This is one of the most popular and accessible of all Hindu scriptures, required reading for anyone interested in Hinduism. The Gita discusses selflessness, duty, devotion, and meditation, integrating many different threads of Hindu philosophy. Hinduism's Bhagavad Gita messageBhagavad Gita
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