Francois Gautier
1) Believe in God ! – Aastik – Accepted. (Addition by editor: Rationale – It is an outcome of your previous births’ good “Karma” and the grace of kind Divine that you have finally chosen to tread the correct path leading to merge with that Divine – or to get “Mukti”).
2) Don’t believe in God ! – You’re accepted as Nastik. (Addition by editor: Rationale – You are still on the lower rung of the life’s evolution and as you progress further spread over many lives, you will one day become “Astik”; you are welcome; have patience.)
3) You want to worship idols – please go ahead. You are a murti pujak. (Addition by editor: Rationale – God or Divine is everywhere; if you find it convenient to feel Him in idol, it is good; you are welcome.)
4) You dont want to worship idols – no problem. You can focus on Nirguna Brahman. (Addition by editor: Rationale – Divine is everywhere and beyond all forms; you are on the correct path and a bit more developed in life’s evolution.)
5) You want to criticise something in our religion. Come forward. We are logical. Nyaya, Tarka etc. are core Hindu schools. (Addition by editor: Rationale – Mind is a tool to search the truth and you should use it to the hilt; if you use it fairly – by honest criticism – you will arrive at the right conclusion. Your criticism is welcome.)
6) You want to accept beliefs as it is. Most welcome. Please go ahead with it. (Addition by editor: Rationale – Go easy – there is no hurry in the matter of reaching Divine. Put your faith in your beliefs – there is a long walk to reach the destination.)
7) You want to start your journey by reading Bhagvad Gita – Sure ! (Addition by editor: Rationale – Bhagwat Gita is the word of God; it is a teaching.)
8) You want to start your journey by reading Upanishads – Go ahead. (Addition by editor: Rationale – Upanishads are the treasure of knowledge for human mind.)
9) You want to start your journey by reading Purana – Be my guest. (Addition by editor: Rationale – One should learn from everywhere. It is a good sign.)
10) You just don’t like reading Puranas or other books. No problem my dear. Go by Bhakti tradition ( bhakti- devotion). (Addition by editor: Rationale – There are many ways to reach Divine; “Bhakti” or devotion is one of them; it is psychologically suitable to many. You are welcome.)
11) You don’t like idea of Bhakti ! No problem. Do your Karma. Be a karmayogi. (Addition by editor: Rationale – There are many ways to reach Divine; action or “Karma” is one of them. You are welcome.)
12) You want to enjoy life. Very good. No problem at all. This is Charvaka Philosophy. (Addition by editor: Rationale – There is no hurry in the matter of life’s evolution spread over many births and deaths; enjoy life – at the appropriate time you will awake; you are welcome.)
13) You want to abstain from all the enjoyment of life & find God – jai ho ! Be a Sadhu, an ascetic ! (Addition by editor: Rationale – You have huge grace of kind Divine. Go ahead. You are a jewel of a human.)
14) You don’t like the concept of God. You believe in Nature only – Welcome. (Trees are our friends and Prakriti or nature is worthy of worship). (Addition by editor: Rationale – You are wise and use your mind. Mind is a tool, which will lead you to the correct path one day – today love and respect Nature.)
15) You believe in one God or Supreme Energy. Superb! Follow Advaita philosophy. (Addition by editor: Rationale – You have reached to the right conclusion. It is the substance of all knowledge.)
16) You want a Guru. Go ahead. Receive gyaan. (Addition by editor: Rationale – It is wise to have a teacher or guide.)
17) You don’t want a Guru. Help yourself ! Meditate, Study ! (Addition by editor: Rationale – Ultimately, it is you and you alone who have to exert to reach the destination; others can only help you and guide you.)
18) You believe in Female energy ! Shakti is worshipped. (Addition by editor: Rationale – There are many forms of Divine and all are rqually valid and useful. Go ahead on the path chosen by you.)
19) You believe that every human being is equal. Yeah! You’re awesome, come on let’s celebrate Hinduism! “Vasudhaiva kutumbakam” (the world is a family). Addition by editor: Rationale – No need to justify; it is obvious.)
20) You don’t have time to celebrate the festival. Don’t worry. One more festival is coming! There are multiple festivals every single day of the year. (Addition by editor: Rationale – Hinduism is the way of life full of colors and festivities. Enjoy its beauty.)
21) You are a working person. Don’t have time for religion. Its okay. You will still be a Hindu. (Addition by editor: Rationale – There is no hurry. Everyone – everything – is slowly moving towards the destination of this creation. Enjoy life – there is nothing to worry.)
22) You like to go to temples. Devotion is loved. (Addition by editor: Rationale – Devotion is one of the many ways.)
23) You don’t like to go to temples – no problem. You are still a Hindu! (Addition by editor: Rationale – There is no hurry and no need to worry.)
24) You know that Hinduism is a way of life, with considerable freedom. Addition by editor: Rationale – Obvious!)
25) You believe that everything has God in it. So you worship your mother, father, guru, tree, River, Prani-matra, Earth, Universe! (Addition by editor: Rationale – You are on the right path.)
26) And If you don’t believe that everything has GOD in it – No problems. Respect your viewpoint. (Addition by editor: Rationale – Truth has many viewpoints and all are supplimentory.)
27) “Sarve jana sukhino bhavantu ” (May you all live happily) You represent this! You’re free to choose, my dear Hindu! (Addition by editor: Rationale – Obvious!)
This is exactly the essence of Hinduism, all inclusive .. That is why it has withstood the test of time inspite of repeated onslaught both from within and outside, and assimilated every good aspects from everything . That is why it is eternal !!!
There is a saying in Rigveda , the first book ever known to mankind which depicts the Hinduism philosophy in a Nutshell -” Ano bhadrah Krathavo Yanthu Vishwathah”- Let the knowledge come to us from every direction”.