Is Yoga Hinduism?

Spirituality Religion
#921

[QUOTE=reaswaran;49854]Yes, going by the fact that Yoga originated in India and was used as a plank to acheive self realisation, which I suppose is also the ultimate aim of Hinduisim, it can definitely be said that Yoga is an integral part of Hinduism. I dont think any amount of semantics can take away from that fact. A lot of effort seems to have been expended on proving that it is not so. That by itself is a proof of how effective the Yogis of yore have been.

What we can debate on is how many other religions envisage acheivement of divinity during this life span. And how the yogic path applies to them.[/QUOTE]

Finally, someone with sense. This is precisely the point SD and I were making for almost…what, approx. 920 posts?

#922

Most people who do “yoga” think of it as exercise, and those of us who just go to classes and do asanas are not really doing “yoga” but “gymnastics” and “calisthenics,” and then go home and be Catholics, Baptists, or Atheists, etc, so we’re not practicing Hinduism, though we can appreciate that the Hindus came up with some very cool postures.

#923

[QUOTE=thomas;49943]Most people who do “yoga” think of it as exercise, and those of us who just go to classes and do asanas are not really doing “yoga” but “gymnastics” and “calisthenics,” and then go home and be Catholics, Baptists, or Atheists, etc, so we’re not practicing Hinduism, though we can appreciate that the Hindus came up with some very cool postures.[/QUOTE]

And thats precisely what our point is. We aren’t trying to force our religion on you. All we ask is that you not spread lies like “Yoga predates Hinduism” or “Yoga isn’t Hindu.” It is very degrading and insulting, especially when it comes from people who practice it. Enough lies about our culture, our history, and religion have been spread throughout history, without adding more.

#924

Here's Neechee just workin' over that dead horse:

#925

[QUOTE=Indra Deva;50119]Here's Neechee just workin' over that dead horse:

[/QUOTE]

Lol :grin:

#926

[QUOTE=High Wolf;50154]Lol :grin:[/QUOTE]

Scream…lol…Thomas, it is funny…a Billy bashing! lol

#927

That poor guy must be getting tired! A good upper body workout though!

#928

[QUOTE=lotusgirl;50166]That poor guy must be getting tired! A good upper body workout though![/QUOTE]

Hahaha…I am still laughing at it…very funny, …

#929

So it’s pretty much been arrived at through 31 pages of debate that Yoga is Hinduism, but that Christians, Muslims and Atheists can do Yoga practices without accepting Hinduism or rather the philosophy of Yoga.

However, it is also been argued by myself and others, that doing Yoga practices and maintaining them will lead to a validation of Hinduism in due course, and hence a Christian, Muslim and Athiest may begin as a non-Hindu, but will end up a Hindu in the end.

#930

It is also safe to point out a lot of people on this forum are closet Hindus, including Lotus girl :smiley:

They accept almost all of the core doctrines of Hinduism: atman and brahman, karma and reincarnation, samkhya and dharma. Although their understanding of these doctrines is less than perfect, it is obvious they gravitate towards them.

#931

[QUOTE=Surya Deva;50174]It is also safe to point out a lot of people on this forum are closet Hindus, including Lotus girl :smiley:

They accept almost all of the core doctrines of Hinduism: atman and brahman, karma and reincarnation, samkhya and dharma. Although their understanding of these doctrines is less than perfect, it is obvious they gravitate towards them.[/QUOTE]

So Lotusgirl is a closet Hindu?..lol…come out of the closet Lotusgirl, come on now…out you come…

#932

[QUOTE=Indra Deva;50119]Here's Neechee just workin' over that dead horse:

[/QUOTE]

Just copied Billy bashing Thomas, it is funny.....lol....I just love it....is that a Violin in his hands.....

#933

@Sd,

I knew you loved me, even though I’m a new ager! lol! Don’t agree with your summarization of this thread though. Sorry, my friend. Why, I hear you ask?

Quote:
Originally Posted by reaswaran
Yes, going by the fact that Yoga originated in India and was used as a plank to acheive self realisation, which I suppose is also the ultimate aim of Hinduisim, it can definitely be said that Yoga is an integral part of Hinduism. I dont think any amount of semantics can take away from that fact. A lot of effort seems to have been expended on proving that it is not so. That by itself is a proof of how effective the Yogis of yore have been.

What we can debate on is how many other religions envisage acheivement of divinity during this life span. And how the yogic path applies to them.

[QUOTE=Nietzsche;49893]Finally, someone with sense. This is precisely the point SD and I were making for almost…what, approx. 920 posts?

[/QUOTE]
Sorry Nietzsche, not really. (with SD anyway) His contention has been if you practice yoga you are Hindu, adding that we may not know it. He has stated this time and time again. He has said there is no Yoga without Hinduism nor Hinduism without Yoga. Also stated Yoga originated in Hinduism, yoga is Hinduism. I think the only thing that most agree upon is that yoga is a formal Hindu practice. (that is minus you, high wolf, Phillippe, SD and anyone else I forgot) Now SD, you cannot argue with what I just posted because it is what you’ve been saying throughout this entire thread. Right?

What many others have said, including myself, Suhas Tambe, lostontheway, is that the formal practice of Hinduism came after yoga was described in the Veda’s. At the time the Veda’s were written, there was no mention of Hinduism. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY WHAT WE’VE SAID IS WE HONOR THE HINDU “PRACTICE” OF YOGA. THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT HINDU’S OWN YOGA. IT MEANS THAT THEY WERE INSIGHTFUL ENOUGH TO KNOW A GOOD THING WHEN THEY SEE IT, AND TO THEN REFINE IT AND INCORPORATE IT INTO THEIR RELIGION. FOR THAT I AM ETERNALLY GRATEFUL. HINDUISM IS THE VEHICLE THAT BROUGHT YOGA TO US. US MEANING THE REST OF THE WORLD. BY NO MEANS AM I (AND PROBABLY MANY ON THIS FORUM) DIMINISHING OR DEMEANING HINDUISM IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM. AS A YOGA TEACHER, I HAVE THE UTMOST RESPECT FOR HINDUISM AND THE GIFTS THEY HAVE SHARED WITH THE WORLD. MY STUDENTS SHARE THIS SAME SENTIMENT ALONG WITH RESPECT FOR BUDDHISM, CHRISTIANITY, ETC.

Now, you may agree or disagree with the entirety of the above. If you disagree and have your reasons, it’s OK by me. I’m not going to try to convince anyone to see my way. But my way is how I see it. I do not lie, but if you view me a liar because of how I interpret history that is yours to deal with. But, we can agree that Yoga is a Hindu practice, right? Can’t think of many that would argue that point. And at this point, it is probably the only thing we will all agree on! lol

And now, that’s all I have to share. I could share the flu that I’ve had for the last couple days, but I don’t think you want me to be that generous.

#934

i

s that a Violin in his hands…

I thought it was a bat! How could he do that to a violin though?

And Kareng,
I am a new ager, remember! Darn proud of it! But having part of me as Hindu is wonderful too!

#935

Oh yes Lotusgirl, a new ager but SD now thinks you are a closet Hindu!..lol

#936

is that the formal practice of Hinduism came after yoga was described in the Veda’s

Hinduism is not a practice. It is a religion. It did not come after the Vedas, it started with the Vedas. This is why it is also known as the Vedic religion. To Hindus it is known as santana dharma or vedic dharma(this distinguishes it from other indigenious Indian religions, such as Jain dharma, Sikh dharma and Buddha dharma)

To say Hinduism came after the Vedas is like saying Judaism came after the OT and Christianity came after the NT.

I don’t think you mean anything bad by claiming Hinduism came after the Vedas, I just think it is an innocent act of ignorance about Hinduism. It is a bit of a school girl error though :stuck_out_tongue:

#937

[QUOTE=kareng;50186]Oh yes Lotusgirl, a new ager but SD now thinks you are a closet Hindu!..lol[/QUOTE]

All news agers are closet Hindus :smiley: Just look the common beliefs of new-agers and compare and contrast with Hinduism. It is a near perfect match.

#938

So, my school girl charm isn’t getting me anywhere with this then? lol

Christians practice Christianity, so it is likely Hindu’s “practice” Hinduism. Correct? I do know Hinduism is a religion!

But Hinduism as a formal religion that was practiced came after the Veda’s were written. Again, correct? I am not a Vedic scholar by any stretch of the imagination, but I don’t recall ever hearing Hinduism mentioned until much later in history. Do you have a date that Hinduism as a religion was born?

And yes, you are correct, I mean nothing bad. Just like many on this forum mean nothing bad when they question or disagree with what is said. Nature of the beast I guess!

#939

But Hinduism as a formal religion that was practiced came after the Veda’s were written. Again, correct? I am not a Vedic scholar by any stretch of the imagination, but I don’t recall ever hearing Hinduism mentioned until much later in history. Do you have a date that Hinduism as a religion was born?

No, Hinduism is a religion that came into being with the Vedas. Although there is no single historical founder, Hinduism is said to have been rediscovered by the Risis of India in their deep meditation where they directly witnessed the truths of reality. They compiled this wisdom into the Veda. This is known as the Vedic age of Hinduism which ended with Vedanta, the Upanishads. Then followed the classical age of Hinduism with the development of the Darsanas, Gita and the epic lliterature. Then followed the post-classical age of Hinduism with bhakti-Hinduism which introduced temple worship(Bhakti Hinduism has 4 major sects: Vaishnavism, Shivaism, Shaktism and Smartism) Finally the modern age of Hinduism.

Hinduism is a combination of Vedic Hinduism, classical Hinduism, Post-classical Hinduism and Modern Hinduism. There is about 10,000 years of religion there.

#940

WHAT! How do you explain yoga that was done in the Himalayas and parts of China?