WHAT IS A RELIGION ?

A dictionary defines the word “Religion” as “An institution to express belief in a divine power”. In that case, any institution which expresses belief in divine power will qualify to be called as a religion and those institutions which profess atheism will automatically get excluded from the purview of Religion. In such a scenario, atheistic institutions like Jainism and Buddhism will not qualify to be called as Religions. But world over, Buddhism and Jainism are addressed as Religions !

What then should be the basic principles of institutions which qualify them to be called as a Religion ? What then are the essential features which ensure eternality of a Religion?

There seven basic principles which should be adhered to by any institution to be called as a Religion. They are :

1. Irrespective of the number of people practicing the religion, be it in lakhs or crores each and every individual practicing a religion should be clearly aware of the principles that govern his / her religion.

2. The religion should have in it, uniform daily religious rites / rituals that can be practiced by all the followers of that religion. The entitlement to these rituals should not be limited to a select group or caste within the religion but applicable to all.

3. Irrespective of gender, all should be well aware of all the religious practices. If not all, atleast the most important ones. They should not be in a position where they are influenced by another person and act in a mechanical manner.

4. A religion should not contain any rule or postulate, the observance / practicing of which will put others in jeopardy and destroy harmony, peace and cause hurt to the life and limbs of others.

5. A religion should not contain any provision which would prevent its followers from exercising their basic fundamental rights with regard to their spiritual / mundane life which is in tune with nature. No provision of a religion should infringe upon the rights of people irrespective of gender, to property, education / higher education, marriage, re-marriage or religious observances etc.

6. A religion should not have any component which insults or injures anyone’s feelings. No innocent person should be persecuted in the name of religion

7. A religion should not contain any provision which is impractical, against nature and contrary to the rules of creation and thereby impossible to be practiced and exists just on paper.

Any Religion which has the above seven principles inherent in it will prosper and will exist eternally. Our bhAratIya vedamata or the vedic religion or sanAtana dharma of this great country had all the above seven priniciples to start with. Does this religion conform to the above principles today? If not what ails our Religion?