The actual term “Hindu” first occurs as an Old Persian geographical term to identify the people who lived beyond the River Indus. However, the modern origin is derived from the Arabic texts - Al-Hind referring to 'the land of the people of modern day India' - which then got vernacularised as Hindu. One of the accepted views is that “ism” was added to “Hindu” around 1830 to denote the culture and religion of the high-caste Brahmans in contrast to other religions. Due to the wide diversity in the beliefs, practices and traditions encompassed by Hinduism, there is no universally accepted definition on who a Hindu is, or even agreement on whether Hinduism represents a religious, cultural or socio-political entity. In 1995, Chief Justice P. B. Gajendragadkar was quoted in an Indian Supreme Court ruling: "When we think of the Hindu religion, unlike other religions in the world, the Hindu religion does not claim any one prophet; it does not worship any one god; it does not subscribe to any one dogma; it does not believe in any one philosophic concept; it does not follow any one set of religious rites or performances; in fact, it does not appear to satisfy the narrow traditional features of any religion of creed. It may broadly be described as a way of life and nothing more."
Now, I am not making all this up. I got it from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu. There's more. U guys can have a look at it.
Re: Interesting!!
by Dire Straits on Sep 26, 2008 01:27 PM Permalink
now nothing about it, bro. i just found it funny that the term "Hindu" came from an Arabic text, and by that u know what i mean, right. it doesn't even feature in the scriptures. just for general info. i am sure not everyone on this discussion board is a hindu and knows about all this stuff.
Re: Interesting!!
by atul nandan on Sep 26, 2008 01:46 PM Permalink
That is the beauty of hindu religion. It has no identity.Why God should have identity? All oriental religions are original. All western originated religions teach suppression. My brother,"Dire Straits", you don't know what is religion yet? You seems to be a fanatic.
Re: Re: Interesting!!
by Dire Straits on Sep 26, 2008 02:59 PM Permalink
if a hindu god has no identity, then how can anyone harm it? Dear brother, "Atul Nandan", i know what relegion is and what they signify, but i can't grab this concept of one relegion being better than another or inferior to another, cos after all they all teach the same things more or less. and when did hinduisim become a religion? its been always known as way of life, a very good one at that. And no, i am not a fanatic. how did u get to that conclusion?
Re: Interesting!!
by Vishwamithran TKB on Sep 26, 2008 01:41 PM Permalink
Your great discovery does not have any value here. Don't waste your time to difine what is Hindu. This culture was there even before Christ leave Arab.
Re: Interesting!!
by Dire Straits on Sep 26, 2008 02:52 PM Permalink
if only it was my discovery... u r right, this culture was there before christ and arab, and i did not say that it wasnt. i just put it up there for the non-hindus to read and get some sense of the word "Hindu." so what r u bickering about?
Re: Interesting!!
by JGN on Sep 26, 2008 03:18 PM Permalink
Dire Straits, ......you wrote......the term "Hindu" came from an Arabic text,........no it came from the name of River Sindhu and was used by the Persians (Zorashtrians) for describing those who lived in vicinity of that River. Pl read some more history before teaching the "hindus" or "non-hindus".
Re: Interesting!!
by Dire Straits on Sep 26, 2008 03:26 PM Permalink
oi, i've given u the link to where its written that the term "Hindu" came from and Arabic text. i read it and only then have written it. get ur eyes tested, mate. anyways, since u can't see properly, here u go, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu. have a go though it and then teach me some history.
Re: Re: Interesting!!
by Dire Straits on Sep 26, 2008 03:33 PM Permalink
it says pretty clearly in the first three lines, man. yes, u r right that the first usage was by the Persians. the modern usage comes from the Arabic text. and i'm not teaching anyone. i'll leave that to u. u seem to be doing a better job at it than i am.
Re: Re: Interesting!!
by Dire Straits on Sep 26, 2008 03:29 PM Permalink
what's worng with u anyhow? i wrote "Now, I am not making all this up. I got it from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu. There's more. U guys can have a look at it" and only then posted it. can't u read the whole thing properly?
