Book Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1: What is Vedic Culture/Hinduism?

The Simple Definition of Hinduism * What Hinduism is Not * The Versatility of Hinduism * Who Founded Vedic Culture * Vedic Culture Started Before the Beginning of Time

Chapter Two: Quotes by Noteworthy People on the Glories of Vedic Culture

Chapter Three: The Essential Principles of the Vedic Path

Chapter Four: Explanations of the Essential Vedic Principles

Principle One--The Vedic Tradition is a Way of Life * Principle Two--The Universal Truths are for Everyone * Principle Three--Hinduism's Correct Name is Sanatana-Dharma * Principle Four--The Vedic Understanding of God * Principle Five--All Existence is part of the One Great Truth * Principle Six--The Avataras of God * Principle Seven--The Supreme is Found in the Spiritual Dimension and as the Supersoul * Principle Eight--We are All Eternal * Principle Nine--The Soul Undergoes Reincarnation * Principle Ten--The Goal of the Vedic Process * Principle Eleven--We Are Spiritual Beings in the Realm of Matter * Principle Twelve--We Are One Universal Family * Principle Thirteen--Spiritual Progress Does Not Depend on One's Birth * Principle Fourteen--Respect for Individual Freedom of Inquiry * Principle Fifteen--The Wonder and Beauty of the Vedic Path * Principle Sixteen--All Life is Precious * Principle Seventeen--The Law of Karma * Principle Eighteen--The Material Manifestation is Designed and Created * Principle Nineteen--Hindus Worship Many Gods? * Principles Twenty and Twenty-one--The Divinity of the Vedic Texts and Sanskrit * Principles Twenty-two and Twenty-three--What are the Vedic Texts * Principles Twenty-four and Twenty-five

Chapter Five: Sanatana-Dharma: Its Real Meaning

Chapter Six: The Power of the Dharma

Chapter Seven: The Vedic Spiritual Paths to Liberation

Jnana-yoga * Karma-yoga * Raja-yoga * Bhakti-yoga * The Significance of OM * The Potency of the Hare Krishna Mantra

Chapter Eight: Particular Traits of Vedic/Hindu Worship

Why Hindus Worship Images * Hindus Do Not Worship Idols * Basic Techniques in Vedic Worship of God * Why Devotees Have Prayer Rooms in Their House * What is "Namaste" * Why Red Dots are Worn on the Forehead * What is Tilok or Forehead Marks * What is the Holy Ash * Why Shanti is Said Three Times * Why Ring Bells in the Temples * The Reason Lamps are Used * The Significance of the Aarati Ceremony * Why a Conch Shell is Blown * Why Coconuts are Offered * Purpose of Offering Food to the Lord Before Eating * Why a Kalasha (Pot) is Worshiped * Why Worship the Tulasi Tree * Why the Lotus is Sacred * Purpose of Fasting * Purpose of Temples * The Significance of the Vedic Temple * Purpose of Circumambulating Temples or Deities * Why Non-Hindus are not Always Allowed to Enter Temples in India * Purpose of Pilgrimages * Why Hindus Respect the Cow

Chapter Nine: The Dharmic Festivals

Makara Sankranti * Vasant Panchami * Maha Shivaratri * Holi * Gaura Purnima * Shri Rama Navami * Ugadi and Vishu * Hanuman Jayanthi * Guru Purnima * Onam * Raksha Bandan * Krishna Janmashtami * Ganesh Chaturthi * Navaratri * Dusshera * Karva Chauth * Deepavali * Gita Jayanthi

Chapter Ten: Other Important Traits of Vedic Dharma

The Vedic Path Has a Most Developed and Complete Spiritual Philosophy * The Purpose of Having a Guru * Nonviolence * Compassion is a Prime Principle of Vedic Dharma * Vegetarianism * Vedic Dharma Promotes Seeing God in all Living Beings * Vedic Scriptures do not Condone Abortion * The Vedic Path Views all Religions as Portions of the One Truth and Ways of Understanding God * Truth is One, the Names are Many, But all Religions are not the Same * Sanatana-Dharma has Spiritual Knowledge Found Nowhere Else * Hindus are not Interested in Converting Others * Vedic Dharma has no Concept of Jihad, Holy Wars, Crusades, or Martyrdom on its Behalf * This is why the Followers of the Vedic Path can Live Peacefully with those of Other Religions * Hindus or Dharmists Prefer to Share the Vedic Knowledge Freely * If Hinduism Dies Out * Vedic Dharma is not Poverty Based * Vedic Dharma Teaches that the World is Real but Temporary * The Dharma Teaches that Desires Merely Need to be Spiritualized * Hindus Practice Monogamy * Hindu Dharma Does not Teach that there is a Competing Evil Force * Vedic Dharma Teaches that we Should Achieve God's Grace * The Position of Women in a Truly Vedic Society * In Essence, Vedic Dharma Opens the Door to the Real Potentials of Life

Chapter Eleven: Who May Be a Hindu or Practice Sanatana-Dharma

Sharing the Dharma * Becoming a Dharmist or Devotee is Easy * The Basics of a Daily Routine

Conclusion: The Future

Glossary

Index