Hindu Rajya Nepal, or Secular
Tilak B. Shrestha, Ph.D.
Should Nepal be Hindu Rajya or Secular? It is up to people of Nepal to decide. There must be peaceful debate and referendum, as a part of democratic practice.
The declaration of secularism did not have mandate, and thus unacceptable. Such declaration is unconstitutional and treason against people. The declaration was done to facilitate conversion, not to follow people’s benefit or wises.
Advair, Kapil, 2010. “Hindu nation sold on Rs. 20 million” Review Nepal, July 26, 2010 http://www.reviewnepal.com/
Kaidi, Prem. 2006. “Joshua II ko Paisama Dharma Niripekshya” Janamanch, June 11, 2006. PKaidi@yahoo.com
Shah, Saubhagya. 2008. “Civil society in uncivil places: Soft state and regime changes in Nepal” Policy studies 48. East-West Center, Washington DC.www.eastwestcenter.org/
Wagle, Achyut. 2011. “Christianity, Communism & Constitution” Republica \ opinion, July 5, 2011. Editor of the ‘Arthik Abhiyan’http://www.myrepublica.com/
The concept of ‘secularism’ is irrelevant to our system. Ours is Dharma, not religion. Secularism is relevant to religions only, not to Dharma. Because, religions are brain washing systems for social control. Religions always have social and political agendas, and always try to control people. It always claims only their system is divine and all others evil. They always use violence. Thus we must have clear understandings of - 1. Church’s control over State, 2. Islamic Sharia laws, and 3. totalitarian people’s democracy of communist party. And apply secularism on all these 3 political evils for the very survival of the democracy. Thus the wise men of Europe innovated ‘Secularism’ after long and bad experience of Church induced Dark Age and centuries of wars in the name of Christianity.
On the other hand, Dharma is about study of self, seeking truth ‘Satya’, and disciplines ‘Yoga’ for inner transformations. It is neither social nor political issue. Thus secularism is not relevant to Dharma or us. When we say Hindu Rastra, it only means recognizing our heritage, roots and values; not theocracy. It is the base of our nationhood. A nation is not built by a bunch of individuals coming together. If so, a prison will be a great nationalist institution. A nation is built upon shared history and values. Hindu Rastra is precisely that.
One of the nonsensical propaganda being foisted upon us is that Hinduism and Buddhism are two separate religions. Absolute nonsense. Buddhism is a Dharma like Shaiva Dharma, Vaishnav Dharma, Tantra Dharma etc. Hinduism is the collection of all the Dharmas evolved in the Indian sub-continent and Tibetan plateau. That is why we all go to Pashupati, Swoyambhu, Changu Narayan and all others.
Another nonsensical propaganda is that Janajatis are Buddhists and Khasa are Hindus. Absolute nonsense. Before Buddhism came to being the Dharmas in the both sides of Himalayan range, Tibet in north and Nepal \ Kirat in south, practiced Shiva Dharma. Tibetan ‘Bon Po’ is Shiva Dharma. The Buddhism was spread in Tibet only after the marriage of Nepalese Princess Vrikuti and Tibetan King Tsrong Chun Gampo in 7th century. Buddhism is a Dharma, not religion, and by its very nature does not replace earlier Dharma but adds new dimension. Thus, both Tibetans and Nepalese welcome, add and practice Buddha Dharma also, without discarding earlier Dharmas.
These advocates of ‘Hindus and Buddhists being separate ethnic groups’ have no clue what Buddhism or Hinduism are about. Buddhism is an empirical spiritual system, not an ethnicity. These ‘one book scholars’ have no qualms in advocating Hindus are long nosed Khasa people and Buddhists are short nosed Janajatis. They must be laughed out of town.
The perfect harmony between the three principal sects of Hinduism in Nepal namely Baudha (Buddha), Shaiva (Nilkantha) and Vaishnav (Narayan) can be seen in the temple in Kathmandu, which we lovingly call 'Budha Nilkantha Narayan.’
Let us also be clear about a few issues on Hinduism. Hinduism is not single belief ‘Astha’ like religions have. There are many built in parallel beliefs as ways or disciplines, to be studied, not to be blindly believed. The word ‘Hindu’ or Hinduism may be imported but it is useful and we may keep it. It is also said that in Kalika Purana ‘Hindus’ are referred as people living from Himalayan range to ‘Indu’ or sea. Thus, the word need not be defined as foreign. However, ‘Sanatana’ means purely different global spiritual systems, whereas Hinduism means the practices and traditions ‘Parampara’ of Hindu people. Thus, ‘Sanatana’ does not replace ‘Hindu’ or ‘Hinduism.’
Jati and untouchability are social issues, not Dharmic or of Hinduism. It comes from social groupings as per cultures, professions, extended families etc. The ‘untouchability’ comes from the stigma attached to the menial jobs like cleaning, scavenging and undertaking. It does not come from Dharma. Its solution is education and job diversification.
Hinduism forwards many views or Darshanas. The universal truth is beyond human understandings. However, it may be approached from different perspectives. We may mention four here for the sake of argument: 1. Agnosticism, 2. Dwaita (two), 3. Adwaita (not two), and 4. Bauddha. To realize Brahman is the essence of the Adwaita view ‘Darshana.’
Hinduism teaches and Hindus practices ‘Sarva Dharma sambhava’ or there are many ways to the summit. We never have tried to impose any of our beliefs on others and have always practiced tolerance. We never have stopped any religious beliefs or practices. When did we? Our history does not parallel religious terror \ murders \ and wars of Christian and Islamic regions. We have no problem for any body to believe or practice any.
However, we also must be cognizant that there is organized and planned effort to Convert in Nepal. They are offering a plate of rice for giving up own heritage. We must oppose this evil. Christianity is stating that 'All non-Christians go to Hell. And every body must convert to Christianity.' This evil must be understood and stopped.
Acts 4:12 There is no salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
John 3:16-18 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son. Whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. But he who does not believe stands condemned already.
John 3:36 Whoever believes in the son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.
Thanks, Tilak Shrestha, Ph.D.
In essence our Dharmas teach:
Satyam eva jayate
Om mani padme hum
Vashundhaiva kutumbakam World is a family
Sarve api sukhino santu
Yeto Dharma stato jaya
Ekam Sat Vipraha Bahudha Vadanti Truth is one, sages call differently
Sarva Dharma sambhava
Ishwor sarba hridaya tisthati Divinity in every heart
Sat, Chit, Ananda
Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram
Asato ma Sadagamaya
Matru, pitru, guru devo bhava Treat parent and teacher like Gods
Yatra naari poojyanthe Where women are treated with dignity
ramane tetra devata
ramane tetra devata
Satyam vada, priyam vada, dharma chara Speak truth, speak sweet, do virtuous deeds
Mata bhumih putro ham prithvyah We are children of the mother earth
Aa no bhadrah kratavo yantu vishwatah Let good thoughts come from everywhere
Om shantih, shantih, shantihi
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