DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.636#0073
Hinduism. General Observations. 61
already seen, indeed, that vague pantheistic ideas may always
be found lurking at the root of every variety of Hindu sec-
tarian doctrine. Such ideas are naturally inwoven into the
very texture of every Hindu mind. But Hinduism bristles
on all sides with contradictions, inconsistencies, and surprises;
and it is remarkable that the generally prevalent Brahmanical
doctrine of the identification of the living personal soul of
man with the one universal Soul of the universe is the one
peculiar dogma which various sects of both Saivas and
Vaishnavas—especially the latter—theoretically repudiate,
dilute, or qualify. For indeed the soul of man if it strives
to give expression to its feeling of complete and exclusive
devotion to a personal deity as to a Creator and Saviour,
cannot at the same moment assent to doctrines which de-
stroy its own separate personality.
To mark this complete and exclusive devotion more clearly,
and to bind each sect together by some common bond of
union, a short form of words called a Mantra (for example,
Oni Ramaya namah, reverence to Rama), expressive of ex-
clusive and absolute trust in the particular god worshipped
as representing the Supreme Ruler of the world, is taught
by each community and its repetition made a necessary
condition of salvation through him.
Moreover, the privilege of imparting this Mantra is by each
sect confined to a regular constituted order of men (Gurus).
The communication of it (usually in a whisper) is called ini-
tiation (dlksha), and acquaintance with it is held to be essential
to admission within the pale of the society. When any such
system has been fully organized it is called a Sampradaya—
a word meaning a particular body of traditionary doctrines
handed down through a succession of teachers1.
1 It may also be designated by such terms as Darsana or Mata—that
is, particular views or opinions on religion or philosophy. The term
Darsana, however, is more usually restricted to the six regular philoso-
phical systems.
already seen, indeed, that vague pantheistic ideas may always
be found lurking at the root of every variety of Hindu sec-
tarian doctrine. Such ideas are naturally inwoven into the
very texture of every Hindu mind. But Hinduism bristles
on all sides with contradictions, inconsistencies, and surprises;
and it is remarkable that the generally prevalent Brahmanical
doctrine of the identification of the living personal soul of
man with the one universal Soul of the universe is the one
peculiar dogma which various sects of both Saivas and
Vaishnavas—especially the latter—theoretically repudiate,
dilute, or qualify. For indeed the soul of man if it strives
to give expression to its feeling of complete and exclusive
devotion to a personal deity as to a Creator and Saviour,
cannot at the same moment assent to doctrines which de-
stroy its own separate personality.
To mark this complete and exclusive devotion more clearly,
and to bind each sect together by some common bond of
union, a short form of words called a Mantra (for example,
Oni Ramaya namah, reverence to Rama), expressive of ex-
clusive and absolute trust in the particular god worshipped
as representing the Supreme Ruler of the world, is taught
by each community and its repetition made a necessary
condition of salvation through him.
Moreover, the privilege of imparting this Mantra is by each
sect confined to a regular constituted order of men (Gurus).
The communication of it (usually in a whisper) is called ini-
tiation (dlksha), and acquaintance with it is held to be essential
to admission within the pale of the society. When any such
system has been fully organized it is called a Sampradaya—
a word meaning a particular body of traditionary doctrines
handed down through a succession of teachers1.
1 It may also be designated by such terms as Darsana or Mata—that
is, particular views or opinions on religion or philosophy. The term
Darsana, however, is more usually restricted to the six regular philoso-
phical systems.