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    Hinduism: The Smarta Tradition

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    Hinduism: The Smarta Tradition

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    Hinduism: The Smarta Tradition

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    Hinduism: The Smarta Tradition

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    171 views2 pages

    Hinduism: The Smarta Tradition

    Uploaded by

    tpspace
    Hinduism: The Smarta Tradition

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 2

    hom e

    con cept s

    pract i ce

    lifest yle

    t radi t i on

    m or e i n fo

    The Smarta Tradition


    Home

    There is a fourth mainstream Hindu community. For

    Concepts

    its emphasis on smriti, its followers are known as

    Practice

    Smartas. They are traditional, very strict about rules

    Lifestyle
    Tradition
    Historical Perspective

    and regulations, and emphasise the universality of


    Hinduism by distancing themselves from the
    exclusive worshippers of Vishnu, Shiva or Devi.

    Doctrine and Scripture

    They worship five deities Vishnu, Shiva, Devi,

    Movements and Leaders

    Ganesh, and Surya, as introduced by Shankara.

    The Four Main

    The ten orders of sannyasa (dasanam), founded by

    Denominations

    Shankara, also follow the same system of

    Vaishnavism

    panchopasana (five types of worship). Some of

    Shaivism

    these sannyasis (renunciates) tend towards special

    Shaktism

    veneration of Shiva, of whom Shankara is

    The Smarta Tradition

    considered an incarnation.

    Founders and Theologians


    The Bhakti Saints
    The Reform Movements
    Socio-Political Movements
    Recent Spiritual and Cultural
    Leaders
    Modern Hindu Groups and
    Leaders
    Famous Women within
    Hinduism
    Hinduism in Britain Today

    Extras

    Adi Shankara (or Shankaracharya), who is reputed to


    have started the system of worshipping five deities. He
    is founder of the Advaitin School of Vedanta philosophy
    (monism), which underpins the widespread notion that
    all deities are equal.

    The Smarta tradition is a relativiely new


    development in Hinduism. Many Hindus may not
    strictly identify themselves as Smartas but, by
    adhering to Advaita Vedanta as a foundation for
    non-sectarianism, are indirect followers.
    Nonetheless, other traditions dispute the claim that
    the notion of an impersonal God is the only basis for
    non-sectarianism. These controversies over the
    nature and identity of the Absolute were
    spearheaded by prominent theologians.

    Main Writings
    Vedanta Sutra
    Upanishads
    Shariraka Bhasya

    Madhva (or Madhvacharya). There has been some


    tension between the various denominations and schools
    of thought, most often between Vaishnavas and
    Shaivas/Shaktas. There has also been much theological
    controversy. Discussion and debate is an important and
    welcomed aspect of Hinduism. Madhvacharya was a
    Vaishnava theologian and most strongly contested
    Shankara's monistic doctrine. Madhva propounded that
    Vishnu is Supreme. Some teachers within the Shaivite
    and Shakti traditions have also propounded that their
    respective worshippable lords are the Supreme (God).
    Smartas consider all deities equal, simply different
    attributes of an impersonal Supreme.

    Important Places
    Badrinatha
    Puri
    Sringeri
    Dvaraka
    Kanchipuram

    Quote
    "In these three worlds, it is only the association of saintly people that serves as the boat to carry
    one across the ocean of repeated birth and death."
    Adi Shankaracharya

    Personal Reflection

    What do we know of religious disagreements, similar to those between Madhva and


    Shankara?
    When is it appropriate to express these differences, and in what manner should it be done?
    Home Concepts Practice Lifestyle Tradition Extras About/Contact
    "Heart of Hinduism" is Copyright: ISKCON Educational Services, 2004

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