Unity Is Strength

The Hindu faith gives us the greatest possible freedom to practice our faith –for, in the words of some saints. “The goal is one, but the paths are many.” The Hindu Faith has always recognized this fact, and emphasized that man’s journey to eternity is essentially an inner journey. God Realization is thus possible for all the family man as well as the ascetic. The Hindu Faith also teaches us that all forms of worship are acceptable to God. We may use idols; we may go to temples, we recite set prayers; we may offer a simple form of worship with flowers and a lamp; or we may perform an elaborate puja with set rituals; we may sing bhajans or join a Kirtan session; or we can just close our eyes and meditate upon the light within us. Each and every one of these forms of worship is acceptable- so are many others, like selfless service; or absolute faith; or worship; or selfless sacrifice. The Hindu Faith tells us that God accepts any kind of worship, any type of prayer that comes from the heart. The language, the rituals, the location of worship is not important. 

The Hindu Faith has always been the most open minded of faiths. Debates and discussions (tarka) were always encouraged. In the ancient ashrams, disciples are encouraged to question their gurus until concepts were made clear to them-a process called prashnena. This holds good even today. No Hindu teacher will resort to dogma or try to retreat behind difficult Sanskrit statements.