Is Hindu a Religion or Dharma

By Brittany Peterson
RELS 2300
One might ask is Hindu a Religion or is it Dharma? According to http://beta.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/religion or the Webster dictionary religion is the belief in a god or group
of gods. As we take a closer look at what religion is and what the Hindu believe you will be
able to see that religion might not best describe the faith of a Hindu.1
What is religion and how can we define it?
Among the controversial topics that exist in the collective mind of man none seem to stir
more emotion than that of religion. How many countless lives have been spent for its alleged
ideals? How many tears have been shed joyful or otherwise because of its promises? How many
world views have crumbled when faced with challenges that seem to corrode their religious
upbringings? As we take a closer look into this ever controversial subject it helps to have a
framework to build upon. Specifically for our current purpose we will explore the materialist
perspective, the functionalist perspective and the faith perspective.
Despite the rigidity set forth in written doctrines and rites of worship, it has been argued
that religion is not something that can be fully defined. Taking a good look at each religion can
be informative, yet religions can be so complex that no matter how hard one tries to understand
each one we cant fully grasp there complexities.2 Each religion is so much more than just a set
of beliefs or teachings its a way of life and a deep spiritual experience for so many. EB Taylor
defines religion as believing in more than just the material things but in spiritual things. 3 To be

able to understand the spiritual side of most religions it seems that it takes years of living the
religion to embrace their importance and significance.
The materialist perspective is that religion was thought up by man and only material
things exist. 2 Karl Marx talks of how religion is used by those whom are suffering for a way to
find relief or hope for a better tomorrow. Marx even refers to religion as an opium. 4 Similarly
Freud associates religion with childhood fantasies. 5 You can see why this opinion has been
formed seeing as you cant physically prove or disprove religious truth claims. For instance
Joseph Smith translated the book of Mormon from a set of golden plates. Another example is
reincarnation there is no way to prove or disprove this theory even though so many see both of
these views as truth.
Interestingly enough my husband decided after watching a documentary about religion to
start his own religion. The religion had morning rituals of doing thing one normally does in the
morning, such as drinking water or eating breakfast. He repeated simple sayings while doing
these tasks. This would be an example of Freuds opinion stating that religion is just like
childhood dreams.
Another perspective of religion is the functional one. A great example is when Ernest
Becker defines religion as a way to make individuals feel as though their lives matter and they
dont just simply exist. 6 Another functional reasoning is that religion seems to exist simply for
that of survival. When groups of people help each other they seem to live longer. Studies have
been shown that suggest that individuals whom are active in their religions can recover more
quickly from serious illness and tend to have lower blood pressure. 2

The faith perspective is one where some follow certain teachings just because they have
been told to do so or written in scripture. Some however come to faith upon their own
conclusions. 2 One example of this is through near death experiences where an individual steps
outside of themselves and sees the world through a different perspective. Meditation is another
example of faith and how individuals step outside of themselves to gain a better perspective. 2
We can see there are almost as many points of view as there are individuals. It seems as
though no two people can see things exactly the same even if they live the same religion and the
same culture. Its no wonder that McNamara believes that to talk of religion brings
discontentment.
What is Dharma?
Imagine a Father of three small children whom rises every morning before the sun to go
to work and strive to provide for his children. After this father spends the day at work he comes
home helps his children with homework then is off to his second job at a factory. Why does the
father do what he does? Is it because he in search of some worldly reward? Is it because he wants
to return to heaven? The real reason the father has been doing all that he does is because it is his
duty. He has no thoughts of himself or how he will be blessed for his good doings. The father is
selfless and is living Dharma.
What is Dharma? Dharma according to the text book living religions means moral order,
righteousness, or religion.7 According to Gavin Flood there are three different components of
Dharma. The first component is revelation, the second tradition the third is customs.8
The duty of each individual in Hinduism is different depending upon their caste. The top
caste is called Brahmin and they are considered to be spiritual teachers or leaders and are of

Aryan heritage. The next group is called Kshatriyas they consist of political roles such as royalty
and warriors. The next caste is the Vaishyas they are comparable to the upper middle class. The
forth being the Shudras which did the hard labor. Anything below these casts were shunned. To
live Dharma it is important that each individual follows his perspective caste, if you do the work
of another caste you are not following the Dharma.9 However Dharma does seem to have some
qualities that those of every castes should follow. Some of these include forgiveness,
compassion, self-control and self-awareness. 1
In conclusion Dharma seems to have some qualities that those of every caste could
follow. Some of these include forgiveness, compassion, self-control and self-awareness. The fact
the Dharma has all to do with doing a duty regardless of the outcomes reminds me of the
philosopher Kant seeing as he believes in doing ones duty regardless of the outcome. The
perspective that dharma is completely selfless is one that everyone can learn from even those not
of the Hindu faith. 2
In conclusion one can see through the observation that Hinduism is so much more than a
religion its a state of mind and a way of life. There is so much more to it than just simply
attending church and reading scripture it effects every aspect of life from what you do for a job
to how you worship and how you study. Government and education and even social status are
very much a part of the dharma that these individuals live. What faith they must have to be so
obedient to their gods. We can all learn from them and their faithfulness.

1 It seems as though Dharma is about more than just life goals but has a lot to do
with the social caste as well.
22 Immanel Kant was a German Philospher (1724-1804)

Bibliography
1. Merriam Webster Dictionary, http://beta.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/religion
copyright 2015 Merriam Webster Incorporated
2. Fisher, Pat Mary Living Religions published by Nancy Roberts copyright 2014
(pages 3-4,5,7-8)
3. Taylor, EB taken from website http://web.pdx.edu/~tothm/religion/Definitions.htm
4. Marx, Karl taken from a quote on http://web.edx.edu/~tothm/religion/Definitions.htm
(Taken on 9/11/15 and 9/12/15)
5. Freud, Sigmund taken from quote on http://web.edx.edu/~tothm/religion/Definitions.htm
(Taken on 9/11/15 and 9/12/15)
6. Becker, Ernest taken from quote on http://web.edx.edu/~tothm/religion/Definitions.htm
(Taken on 9/11/15 and 9/12/15)
7. Fisher, Pat Mary Living Religions Ninth Edition, Copyright 2014, Pearson Publishing,
(page 119)
8. Flood, Gavin An Introduction to Hinduism, Copyright 1996, Cambridge University
Press (pages 52-53)
9. Fisher, Pat Mary Living Religions Ninth Edition, Copyright 2014, Pearson Publishing,
(Pages 98-99)