Defending Vedic Dharma
Tackling the Issues to Make a Difference
By Stephen Knapp
The Vedic culture and its philosophy is one of the most deeply spiritual and all
encompassing traditions in the world, and has been a major contributor to
philosophical thought and the development of civilization. It does not take that
long to understand, but it can take some serious consideration. Until then,
there can be some aspects of it that are misunderstood or misinterpreted.
Therefore, this book takes some of the issues of the day and describes what they are and the remedies for dealing with them in order to make a difference in how we participate in Vedic culture, how we can make it more effective in our lives, and how it can be perceived in a more positive way. All of this makes a difference in the objectives of preserving, protecting, promoting, and perpetuating the Vedic spiritual path.
So this book shows some of the many uplifting and insightful qualities we can find in the Vedic tradition, of which everyone should be aware and can appreciate.
Some of the stronger and important issues discussed within include:
Why it is important to use the proper vocabulary to express Vedic concepts.
Why all religions really are not the same, though many Hindus and gurus like to think they are. Time to wake up to reality.
The power of a united Vedic community, and how it could rapidly change things if Hindus actually became more united and worked together.
The importance of becoming a Dharmic leader and to do your part, and the danger of Hindu teachers who really do not lead in a way they should.
The long-term but realistic cure for the corruption in India.
The importance of Vedic temples as centers of sacred knowledge, and why temples should be open to everyone.
How and why the Vedic texts say that the knowledge within them must be shared with everyone.
The real purpose of the natural Vedic way of social arrangement, but why the present caste system in India should be changed or thrown out completely.
An eight point action plan for how Hindus in America can best use the freedoms they have, which often exceed the decreasing freedoms in India, to cultivate their tradition to its fullest extent while they have the means to do so.
The clarity with which these and other issues are addressed make this an important book for consideration.
Contents
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER ONE
SANATANA-DHARMA / HINDUISM IN A NUTSHELL
CHAPTER TWO
USING PROPER VOCABULARY
Myth or Mythology * Idols and Statues * Religion * Hindu * Caste * Hindu Monkey
God * Hindu Terrorists * Sacrifice
CHAPTER THREE
WHY ALL RELIGIONS ARE NOT THE SAME
Similar Factors in All Religions * Sarva Dharma Sambhava * All Religions are
Really Not the Same * Different Factors in Various Religions * Conclusion
CHAPTER FOUR
THE POWER OF A UNITED VEDIC COMMUNITY
CHAPTER FIVE
HINDUS MUST UNITE OR FACE EXTINCTION
Changes that Need to Take Place
CHAPTER SIX
AMERICAN DHARMISTS: HOW TO CULTIVATE YOUR CULTURE IN AMERICA
An Eight Point Action Plan
CHAPTER SEVEN
BECOMING A DHARMIC LEADER
CHAPTER EIGHT
HINDU LEADERS WHO DON’T LEAD
CHAPTER NINE
A CURE FOR THE CORRUPTION IN INDIA
The Cure for the Pervasive Corruption
CHAPTER TEN
VEDIC TEMPLES AS CENTERS OF SACRED KNOWLEDGE
Handing Over Temples to the Younger Generation * Why Go to the Temple
CHAPTER ELEVEN
VEDAS SAY THEY MUST BE SHARED WITH EVERYONE
CHAPTER TWELVE
OPENING VEDIC TEMPLES TO EVERYONE
Opening Temple Doors to All
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
THE PURPOSE OF THE VEDIC SYSTEM OF VARNASHRAMA
The Four Varnas are Here to Stay * The Earliest References to the Varnas
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
VEDIC LITERATURE SAYS CASTE BY BIRTH IS UNJUST
How do We Recognize One’s Varna * We are All Quite Alike * It is Only Our
Actions and Qualifications That Differentiate Us * A Caste System Based on Birth
is Unjust * The Damage of Unqualified Brahmanas * So Who is a Real Brahmana? * A
Brahmana can Easily Fall Down, While a Shudra can Easily Rise Up * When a
Brahmana Becomes Lower Than a Shudra * How Everyone can Advance *
Classifications Based on the Body are Completely False * One Misses Goal of Life
When Preoccupied by Caste * The Difference of Proper Consciousness and Intent,
or Merely Going Through the Motions * Expected Characteristics and Actions of
Each Person of the Four Varnas * In Conclusion
CONCLUSION
WHY I BECAME A DHARMIST / A KRISHNA BHAKTA
Glossary / References / Index
ORDERING INFORMATION
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