Category: Religion

Reinventing God: From Ritual to Relevance in the Modern Age

Rather than seeing God as a distant ruler in the sky, what if we embraced Him as a living source of compassion, justice, and humility? This reflection invites us to move beyond rituals and icons—and explore a more relevant, conscience-based understanding of the divine.

BESIDES “THANKS” AND PRAISING, COMPLAINING TO GOD IS DEVOTION ALSO

The post reflects on the suffering caused by natural disasters and wars, highlighting the anguish experienced by innocent lives. It questions the nature of prayer and worship, advocating for the inclusion of lamentation and honest expressions of grief in one’s relationship with God, suggesting that questioning and complaining may also signify faith.

Stephen Hawking’s God

For most of us, the concept of God is tied to a personified image—a divine figure with human-like qualities watching … More

THE PLIGHT OF MUSLIMS IN INDIA: “Jayen toh jayen kahan”

The plight of Indian Muslims is marked by increasing nationalism and violence against them, despite their deep-rooted presence in India’s history and culture. They generate poetic, artistic, and intellectual contributions while facing hostility. Despite calls to leave, Indian Muslims affirm their belonging, underscoring that India is their home and identity.

Navigating Ideological Landscapes

The author expresses the complexity of their social, religious, and political beliefs, rejecting rigid labels like Left, Right, or Centrist. Emphasizing a personal philosophy of evolving rationalism, they prioritize empathy, fairness, and respect for human dignity, navigating ideologies with a balance of flexibility and context-driven reasoning.

Rethinking God: Beyond Ritualistic Beliefs

The exploration of God’s essence challenges conventional beliefs, revealing that many view God as a human-like persona, leading to superficial faith. This ritualistic approach stifles deeper understanding. Instead, embracing God as a dynamic, functional institution fosters a rational connection, moving beyond fear-driven rituals towards genuine spiritual growth and awareness.

Religions Need Freedom from Fanaticism Fanatic Hindu, fanatic Muslim, fanatic Sikh, fanatic Christian, fanatic Jew, fanatic Buddhist—labels like these are … More

THE STORY OF RAM, SITA AND DIWALI CELEBRATIONS

The Ramayan narrates the life of Lord Ram, his exile due to his stepmother’s scheming, and his eventual return to claim the throne of Ayodhya after defeating Ravan, who kidnapped his wife Sita. The story highlights themes of righteousness, duty, and the struggles between good and evil, culminating in celebrations symbolizing justice and virtue.

WHY DO PUNDITS AND PRIESTS, MONKS AND MULLAHS WEAR DIFFERENT THAN ORDINARY FOLKS:

The article by Promod Puri critiques the traditional attire of spiritual leaders, questioning the need for such elaborate garments. It suggests that these outfits serve as a means of marking identity rather than enhancing spiritual authority. The author shares a personal encounter with a cleanly dressed swami, highlighting that true enlightenment is rooted in knowledge, not clothing.

KARMA HINDUISM:

Hinduism also belongs to those who neither go to the temple regularly and ritualistically nor involve themselves in either meditation … More

Understanding Satnam Waheguru: Nanak’s Message of Divine Order

Satnam Waheguru carries profound spiritual significance, symbolizing acceptance of universal truth and divine wonder. It signifies the journey towards truth and enlightenment, promoting moral and ethical principles. Nanak’s message of ‘Hukam razai chalna’ emphasizes following the divine order for peace and harmony within ourselves and our environment. This practical approach represents the dynamics of Satnam Waheguru.

All About Hinduism

by Promod Puri Why are there so many gods and goddesses in Hinduism? Why worship an idol? Is going to … More

Shastras In Hinduism

While traversing along with its ritual, religious and spiritual landscape, we discover on top of it quite a meaningful spectrum … More

Promod Puri’s Vision: Reforming Hinduism for Modern Society

Promod Puri’s book on Hinduism explores its historical evolution, philosophies, and modern challenges. He critically examines social customs and the treatment of marginalized groups, advocating for reform without adhering to traditional ideologies. Puri’s analytical interpretation enhances understanding and promotes equality, dignity, and justice, depicting his work as integral to Hindu reform.

Where is God in the Global Viral Pandemic?

Amid the global pandemic, places of worship are vacant, impacting the “business of religion.” While some seek divine intervention, others question the existence of God in the face of crisis. The rationality of seeking physical proof of God is challenged, calling for a comprehensive review of understanding. This thought-provoking issue prompts further discussion.

A HAPPY AND PEACEFUL 2020

In the spirit of exchanging New Year greetings, we wish peace and happiness for all humanity. Human beings, animals, plants, … More

WHO KNOWS

Human beings are “the most beautiful, intelligent and favorite creation of God.” Perhaps cats, dogs, donkeys, etc., and that bird … More

ORIGIN OF RELIGION

Essentially, religion is a code of conduct for a civil society. It all started from here. With society’s progression, the … More

CONTROLLING FAKE HINDU GURUS

Unlike some other religious orders, Hinduism does not have a centralized controlling authority to guide or to safeguard its values. … More

The Significance of Idol Worship in Hinduism

The worship of murtis in Hinduism represents a deep connection between devotees and the Divine, facilitating a one-on-one relationship. Murtis serve as symbols that help focus the mind for worship, offering both psychological support and spiritual reminders. They also enrich Hindu iconology and reflect the secular nature of Hindu art through diverse representations, notably of Lord Ganesh.

TOLERANCE OR ACCEPTANCE

Jagessar Das M. D. President  Kabir Association of Canada People all over the world talk about tolerance, such as racial … More

From The Pen Of Baba Bulleh Shah

The content emphasizes the importance of introspection and self-awareness. It critiques the tendency to seek knowledge externally, attend religious places, and confront external evils while neglecting personal reflection and the battles within oneself, highlighting the wisdom of recognizing and addressing one’s inner self, as articulated by Bulleh Shah.

Virasat-E-Khalsa: A Marvel of Sikh Heritage

The Virasat-E-Khalsa, also known as Khalsa Heritage Complex or “Ajuba,” is a marvel near Chandigarh. This museum offers an immersive learning experience on Sikh history, with impressive architecture and technology. Designed by Moshe Safdie, the expansive museum aims to illuminate the vision of Sikh Gurus. It stands near the historic Anandpur Sahib Gurdwara.

Rituals

The pathways to divinity are infused with words of morality and ethics, principles and noble deeds. Rituals facilitate the walk … More

Significance of Om

It is indeed a subject of astronomical acceptance that from the very sound frequencies of Om the building blocks of … More

Singer Jagjit Singh

By Promod Puri In his 40 years of entertaining and alluring singing career, late Jagjit Singh’s soft and “silky” voice … More

GURU MANEYO GRANTH

Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh Guru, proclaimed the Adi Granth as the eternal Guru, emphasizing personal study and contemplation of its teachings. His hymn encourages Sikhs to seek wisdom in its words, stating that those who genuinely seek will find divine connection. He advocates for reasoned understanding over blind faith in following the scriptures.

Composition Of God In Hinduism

The content explores the multifaceted perceptions of God and the role of human thought in understanding divine involvement in life. It emphasizes the importance of promoting virtuous thoughts to create good karma, underpinning a disciplined approach to spirituality. Notably, the Gayatri Mantra is highlighted as a tool for enlightenment and guidance.

Understanding Hindutva: Its Roots and Ideology

Hindutva, introduced by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in 1923, embodies a nationalist ideology emerging from Hinduism, emphasizing a collective cultural identity. While attempting to secularize and include all Indian-born communities, it excludes foreign religions. Savarkar defines it as a broader cultural concept distinguished from the religious nuances of Hinduism, though it risks undermining India’s pluralism.