Arya Samaj

The Arya Samaj (Sanskrit: Municipality of the Aryans ) is a fundamentalist reform movement of Hinduism, the (now Mumbai) was founded in 1875 by Mula Shankara ( later Dayananda Saraswati pseudonym ) in Bombay. It is a based on the Veda monotheistic religious community.

1878 merged the Arya Samaj, founded in New York in 1875 with the Theosophical Society. The merger lasted only until 1881.

The main concern was the Fight of image worship in Hinduism, ritualism, social problems or anything that stood in contradiction to the pure doctrine of the Veda. The organization was founded in Bombay, but found by the Travel Dayananda especially in Punjab trailers. These were mostly young men who had enjoyed a modern education. Because after certain purification ceremonies also Box Low could join the organization but the disapproval of the more conservative attracted to.

All unvedischen teachings were called heresies. The Creed is as follows: God ( Parameshvara, the Supreme Lord ) is the first cause of all true knowledge. He is by nature Saccidananda, true being, supreme consciousness, and bliss. He is formless, omnipotent, just, merciful, unborn, infinite, unchanging and incomparable. It is the foundation and the Lord of all, omnipresent, immanent, eternal and pure. He is worthy of the Creator and of worship alone.

The Veda is the source of true knowledge. Primary duty is to read these texts, listen and weiterzuvermitteln. The members are obliged to follow the dharma (law) to promote the welfare of the world, to treat all beings with love and justice and to combat ignorance.

In his interpretation of the Veda Dayananda claimed that all knowledge, even that of modern science, are already included in encrypted form in it. The Veda is a blueprint of creation. With this view Dayananda influenced many subsequent movements him. So, for example, associated the movement of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Vedic hymns with parts of human physiology.

In practice, however, also be nachvedische texts, such as the Manusmriti used. Yoga, good works, love of true knowledge, visit with modes, purity of mind and an active life can also lead to salvation.

The Arya Samaj indicates the falsity of all other religions, which have their origin in his opinion, to move away from the " Vedic monotheism ". Dayananda want a purge of foreign elements, such as image-worship, ancestor worship, untouchability, animal sacrifices, priesthood and temple service. God is to be worshiped without symbols through praise, prayer and meditation. The proper worship of God ( Devapuja ) is that you ways parents, teachers and all virtuous men brings to their due deference.

This is the basis the importance of the five daily duties:

• Brahmayajna ( study of the Veda and meditation)
• Devayajna ( Zerbrennen of Ghi and fragrant substances in the sacred fire, revering elders )
• Social Services ( Host of wanderers, presenting food to the needy )
• Ablutions before meditation, recitation of the Gayatri ( mantra), sinking
• Worship ( the Vedic hearth)

The municipality has no priests. Initially published Dayananda in Sanskrit, then in Hindi. 1931 was one of the Arya Samaj already one million members.

The Arya Samaj also allows people of the West to be Hindus, and leads to them the appropriate rites. Repeating the Gayatri mantra, according to orthodox Hindu view only the Brahmins allowed, is part of the religious duty of every Hindu. The organization is based Delhi, India.