Scribd
Upload
12 views

Adobe Scan 06-Feb-2024

Political science notes

Uploaded by

Avilipsa pradhan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF or read online on Scribd
12 views

Adobe Scan 06-Feb-2024

Political science notes

Uploaded by

Avilipsa pradhan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 7
Concept and Elements of Religion According to Sanskrit semantics, the word dharma is derived from the root Dhrana meaning hweaning. Which means to hold, therefore the basic meaning of dharma is that which is to be Worn or that which sustains personal and social life. It is the natural and basic property of matter in general, which is present in it as eternal. The very essence of a thing is called its religion. 1. Religion in Indian Perspective — ‘Vyasa says that “araat dharma ityahu” means that it is said that dharma is that which is adopted. Religion is the belief that a person makes or holds towards life in the society. Dharma is derived from the Sanskrit root "Dhri" which means to wear. When it becomes clear what to wear, it becomes a religion. In a way, religion can be said to possess some socially useful and self-useful things or qualities through duties. James has said - "In religious life, self-surrender and sacrifice are encouraged and unnecessary things are discarded so that happiness can increase." In this way, it makes those things easy and convenient, which are necessary in every condition of life. Dhriti pardon damosteyam shauchamindriyanigraha. Dhee Vidya Satyamakrodho Dasakam Dharma Lakshnam. The ten characteristics of Dharma are Dhriti, Kshama, Dama, Steya, Cleanliness, indriya control, Dheera, Vigya (knowledge), Truth, Akrodha (emotional imbalance) The word ‘religion’ in English originated from two Latin words - ri and lager. It means "to bind back" which means “to establish a relationship". Thus, religion is that which establishes relationships. Gisbert wrote - “Religion establishes a double relationship: first between man and God, second between man and man, being the children of God”. In the inner side of religion comes the thoughts, beliefs and feelings of man related to God. Prayers and religious rituals come in the left side. Dasson has clarified - “Whenever and wherever man experiences dependence on such external forces, which are considered to be mystical and higher than the powers of man, that is religion.” According to Gisbert - "Religion Man feels himself dependent ‘on God or services, is dynamic, has faith and self-surrender. 2. Religion from the spiritual side- According to Heigle- "Religion is the universal philosophy of a religion." Taylor is of the opinion that - "Religion is the belief in spiritual beings.” Expressing this type of view, Heithead wrote that “Religion is one. There is a vision of an element that lies behind and within us—that which is real (truth) and which awaits realization—that element whose ultimate ideal is to be discovered Religion from the spiritual point of view. Discover and hold values. a without hop 3. Religion as Policy ~ Kant has said - "Religion asks us to recognize duties as divine orders." Thus Dharma is duty- performing. In many contexts in Ramcharitmanas, duty has been termed as religion. The meaning should be drawn that "religion is the source of morality. Where the person is moral, in which there is a sense of religion. But morality is a part of religion 4, Religion as Emotion - Religion is nourished by the feelings of man. Hawking called religion “that spirit or nature which is accompanied by inspiration. Salomon Reinas wrote that-"Religion is the sum of desires that hinder the free use of our intellectual powers.” While Freud said - "Religion is defined as a universal mental disorder inspired by the suppressed feelings of humanity." It is the feeling that created fanaticism in religion, which is an unresolved confusion before the world society at present and it has put the human race of the world in danger many times. 5. Religion as an Institution — Religion can also be seen as an institution because it has been collectively created by the society and their ideological, emotional, traditional and practical unity is found, which is followed by the followers of that religion or the members of the organization. Dharma should always be accepted in the broadest sense as it consists in the performance of various duties towards humanity as individuals and social, moral, spiritual and both in the worldly and transcendental forms. By imbibing Dharma, both the existence and personality of a person becomes complete. Religion creates an all-encompassing, cosmopolitan, all-time approach to life. Grandmaison writes that - "Religion is the sum total of personality and social beliefs, enduring attitudes and practices, having a purpose of its own, a force which man considers to be the greatest, upon which he depends and with whom he establishes relations. may or may have established a relationship. Main features of religion 1. Belief in supernatural power - Religion is related to many such beliefs which are related to some supernatural power. Some groups see this supernatural power as a corporeal form, while in some groups the form of this -onsidered to be formless. People believe that it is this supernatural power that gives power is ct d failures in life. them various types of happiness and sorrows, profit and loss or successes an 2. A theoretical arrangement - Religion does not consist only of beliefs, but these beliefs are developed in the form of many principles in such a way that the belief of a person in supernatural power can become more firm. These principles are the basis of religious ideology’. __Anclusion of religious activities and rituals - In avery religion, there are different methods of worship, sacred practices and different types of rituals are included. People believe that only through these actions and rituals, the desired Fewalt can be obtained by appeasing the supernatural power. Worship of God, self-restraint, ‘piicrimages, pious work, sacrificial life and fulfillment of sacraments are different forms of religious activities and rituals. 4, Symbols and Mythology - In.all religions religious beliefs are explained by certain symbols. For example, in Hinduism the id= is a symbol of supernatural power, while in Christianity the ‘cross! symbolizes the faith of Jesus Christ. Ramayana, Bible and Quran etc. are symbols of divine knowledge. Silk clothes are symbols of purity, while flowers and incense sticks are symbols of spiritual fragrance. Mythological tales explain the relationship between man and supernatural power in the form of many stories. 5. Expressed furiously - People express beliefs related to religion in the form of many agitated behaviours. Praying and dancing passionately, showing one's faith in a supernatural power with physical pain, making great atonements for a religious error, and developing a feeling of fear for a supernatural power are examples of violent expression. Such behavior has nothing to do with intelligence and logic Religious activities A study of the fundamental tenets of different religions reveals that each of these religions has belief in a supernatural, almighty power. At the same time, there is a provision of various means to take advantage of this power by pleasing it and to avoid its wrath. These means can be termed as religious activities. These religious activities are mainly- 1, Prayer — The place of prayer as a religious activity has always been important in almost every religion. At the higher levels of civilization, prayer becomes an integral part of religious practice. Praying is done to please the supernatural power to get its blessings, to escape its wrath, to seek forgiveness for offenses and to attain material happiness, prosperity or success. 2. Mausoleum — By meditating, meditating on that supernatural power, doing pranayama, samadhi, yoga sadhna etc. come under this category. The main purpose of these actions is to get the vision of supernatural power and try to get absorbed in that eternal power etc. The religious history of India is full of examples of such activities. It is often seen that in temples, mosques or churches etc., many people gather together and do worship, kirtan, prayer, worship etc, For along time, when a collective religious action is repeated again and again, it becomes a part of a particular rel _ \. That is why we find that the followers of Islam come together to offer prayers and Chrietians attend congregational prayers in the church. 3. Colte ctive Actions - Every religion has definite guidelines and norms regarding proper and improper conduct. Almost Very *eligion justifies those actions which are against the society and God. No religion includes stealing, lying, greed, becoming an atheist etc. It places great emphasis on virtue, honesty, he-sesticonduct, etc., and considers some such conduct as exemplary, whose observance Is gi-en

You might also like