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There are no -isms in Dharma if we are to talk rigorously. Bauddh, Vaishnav, Shaiva, Jaina, other Dharmic panths have almost always peacefully coexisted and indeed intermingled not just in India of course but in Japan, South East Asia, China and now in the West as well
#Dharmatva
#Dharmatva
Indeed in a larger sense polytheistic pantheons have always been overlapping, evolving.
The interaction between Egypt, Greece, Rome and elsewhere in the incredible “Mediterranean” pantheons is also a fascinating example of this, before the area fell to monotheistic proselytisms.
The interaction between Egypt, Greece, Rome and elsewhere in the incredible “Mediterranean” pantheons is also a fascinating example of this, before the area fell to monotheistic proselytisms.
Specifically, Japanese Shinto deities “Kami” are often in a symbiotic/protector symbolic relationship with the Buddha. Not to mention the Hindu Gods and Goddesses have their own local versions as well. Like Japan, Indian “heathens” had to “invent” “religion” when faced with “it”.
We should have grand Mandirs where Gods and Goddesses from around the world - Indian, Arab, European, African, Native American, East Asian - are worshipped even as one God(dess) is the central deity which changes from Mandir to Mandir. #Dharmatva #PanchayatanaPuja #Smarta #Dharma
What I find beautiful about the Panchayatana Puja is that by worshipping Vishnu, Shakti, Shiva, Ganesha, Surya (can vary) - we cover all life forms (male, female, human, non-human) as well as non-life forms or nature. So universal-yet allows for an Ishta Devata to be prioritised.
In fact an average Hindu family’s small home Mandir is likely to resemble the above concept broadly speaking (maybe more so in North India where Sampradaya affiliations seem less likely) - so this is broader than Smarta in that sense. This also forces us to reexamine “Hindu-ism”.
