What is Hinduism?

About the Book:

Hinduism is not a religion but a way of life.

The beauty of Hinduism lies in its all embracing inclusiveness. Hinduism tells every one to worship God according to his own faith or dharma, and so it lives at peace with all the religions. Its freedom from dogma makes a forcible appeal to me inasmuch as it gives the votary the largest scope for self-expression.

Non-violence is common to all religions, but it has found the highest expression and application in Hinduism.

Hinduism is a growth of ages.

Hinduism abhors stagnation.

This book, a collection of extracts from Gandhiji's writings expounds the essence of Hinduism.

On the occasion of the 125th birthday anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, it gives me great pleasure to place before the wider community his rich understanding of Hindu Dharma. The articles included in this selection have been drawn mainly from Gandhiji's contributions to Young India, the Harijan and the Navajivan, in both Hindi and Gujarati. But even through these contributions were written on different occasion, they present a picture of Hindu Dharma which is difficult to surpass in its richness, its comprehensiveness and its sensitivity to the existential dilemmas of human existence.

The Mahatma's reflection on What is Hindu Dharma' would be invaluable at any point of time. How ever, I believe that they are particularly relevant at the present junction. In bringing out this selection, I have been greatly assisted by my colleague in Nehru Museum and its Deputy Director, Dr Hari Dev Sharma. I am also deeply beholden to the National Book Trust for undertaking the publication of this book, on behalf of the Indian Council of Historical Research, in a very shot span of time.

RAVINDER KUMAR Chairman Indian Council of historical Research< /right> 26 Aprial 1994 New Delhi

On the occasion of the 125th birthday anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, it gives me great pleasure to place before the wider community his rich understanding of Hindu Dharma. The articles included in this selection have been drawn mainly from Gandhiji's contributions to Young India, the Harijan and the Navajivan, in both Hindi and Gujarati. But even through these contributions were written on different occasion, they present a picture of Hindu Dharma which is difficult to surpass in its richness, its comprehensiveness and its sensitivity to the existential dilemmas of human existence.

The Mahatma's reflection on What is Hindu Dharma' would be invaluable at any point of time. How ever, I believe that they are particularly relevant at the present junction. In bringing out this selection, I have been greatly assisted by my colleague in Nehru Museum and its Deputy Director, Dr Hari Dev Sharma. I am also deeply beholden to the National Book Trust for undertaking the publication of this book, on behalf of the Indian Council of Historical Research, in a very shot span of time.

RAVINDER KUMAR

Chairman

Indian Council of historical Research

26 Aprial 1994

New Delhi

Preface
1. What is Hinduism?
2. Is there Satan in Hinduism?
3. Why I am a Hindu?
4. Hinduism
5. Sanatana Hindu
6. Some Objections Answered
7. The Congress and After
8. My Mission
9. Hindu-Muslim Tension: Its Causes and Cure
10. What may Hindus do?
11. Hinduism of Today
12. The Hydra-headed Monster
13. Tulsidas
14. Weekly Letter (Other Questions)
15. Weekly Letter (A talk with Rao Bahadur Rajah)
16. Weekly Letter (The Golden Key)
17. The Haripad Speech
18. From the Kottayam Speech