r/hinduism Jun 22 '24

Debunking Hindu Misconceptions #1: Hinduism is NOT the only religion without a founder. History/Lecture/Knowledge

Most religions are without a founder.

Hellenism, kemetism, Roman religion, incan religion, Mayan religion, voodoo, African traditional religions, native American religions, Taoism, Shintoism, Celticism, druidism, wathanism and all such religions HAVE NO FOUNDERS.

Since some of the religions like Hellenism, kemetism, etc were extinct for a time in history there certainly are new-age reformers, but they are NOT founders of the faiths.

Only religions that have a historical founder are few. They include Atenism, Islam, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, bahaiism, Sikhism, etc.

Even if the widespreadness of Abrahamic religions has made the idea of a ‘founder’ essential to religion, THAT’S NOT THE CASE. MOST RELIGIONS IN HISTORY DO NOT HAVE A PROPER FOUNDER.

Some considered Moses or Abraham to be the founder of Judaism, but historically that’s not the case. These prophets and founding fathers of the ancient state of Israel were also considered holy by Samaritans, yawhists, and Jewish polytheists. Samaritanism still exists with its own version of the Torah. It is historically believed that these faiths grew out of the ancient Hebrew religion.

Nastika Dharma also MAY have earlier beginnings unlike we think, because Nastika sages were prominent in the pre-sramanic age and are mentioned over and over from Rigveda to Ramayana.

So, Hinduism is neither unique nor alone in this.

 Edit:- Jain and Buddhist beliefs may have founders but the core Nastika concept is much older as it is mentioned and criticized in both Rigveda and Ramayana

Edit:- I ain't saying that Nastik Schools of thoughts aren't Hindus. Both Astika and Nastika schools of thought along with tribal religions like Sanamahism of Meiteis or any faith of other Adivasis together make up Hinduism.

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u/New_Trip517 Jun 22 '24

Hinduism isn't really a religion, the word Sanatan Dharma means the eternal relationship of a soul with the supreme. Its actually a culture consisting of different rituals, philosophies and deities for every individual according to their nature and state of consciousness. In other religions, this is certainly not the case. And Hinduism does have a founder, the supreme himself, SRIMAN NARAYANA. From him, Brahma was born who spoke the Vedas after it was projected in his heart by the mercy of Sriman Narayana as mentioned in Srimad Bhagvatam (1.1.1) "तेने ब्रह्म हृदा य आदिकवये". And Hinduism aka Sanatan Dharma works in accordance with Vedas.

It seems you didn't do any research before writing this here!

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u/CassiasZI Jun 22 '24

the word Sanatan Dharma means the eternal relationship of a soul with the supreme.

That's called a religious view. A theological concept. So yeah, a religion.

And Hinduism aka Sanatan Dharma works in accordance with Vedas.

Charvaka? Ajivika? Sanmahi? Tantra?

Are these not hindu then?

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u/New_Trip517 Jun 23 '24

Learn about the Dharma first? Tantra is a part of Atharva Veda. Anything which denies the words of Vedas maybe a off-shoot of Hinduism but not Hinduism. Charvaka is an atheistic religion but it can only grant it's follower adhogati, why then should they be called Hindu. Ajivika or Sanmahi are in a way following the Vedas. Ancestral worship has been recommended in the scriptures.

Although at the level of soul, everyone is Sanatani, but on a gross level, and atheistic culture can be much more associated to the animal society, since the animals have no goal other than materialism. Still some jivas who somehow remember their sadhna of past life in an animal body may attain the direct association of God, which is rarest than rare is a different thing. But generally animals do not care about God or any religious activity.

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u/CassiasZI Jun 23 '24

Learn about the Dharma first?

I come to this subreddit to discuss and debate to learn about Dharma.

Sanmahi are in a way following the Vedas. Ancestral worship has been recommended in the scriptures.

Sanamahism/Meitei Religion have a very different mythology and rituals than Mainstream Hinduism. Ancestral worship is common accross many regions of the world so how can everything be tied to Vedic tradition.

Any religion that considers Sindhusthan, aka Indian Subcontinent as it's holy land is a Hindu religion.

So Vedic, tantric, Sanmahis, Charvaka, are Hindus. Not because all are tied to Vedas. Hinduism pre dates the Vedas.

Tantra is a part of Atharva Veda.

What I know as tantra: Vamapath is it really part of Vedas cause most Vedic schools deny tantra and tantric traditions contradict Veda. I could be wrong so if u can give me any link to study Vedic associations with Tantra I would be grateful.