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Arya Samaj

Arya Samaj was started in 1875 by Mahrishi Dayananda Saraswati to decrease dogma in religion and to make religion more rational and socially conscious. He took the common denominator of all Hindu denominations and developed a minimalist agenda of ten principles.

These principles are a combination of spiritual and secular ideals and encompass the trinity of Hindu spiritual experience:

Bhakti (simple spirituality): First three principles are about God and His attributes.

Gyan (rational spirituality): Next four principles are about the source and quest for true knowledge.

Karma (social spirituality): Last three principles about love, justice, altruism, and liberty.

I - SIMPLE SPIRITUALITY

· One God has a thousand names (Vishnu, Shiva, Durga), depending upon the adjective used to describe Him/Her, but is infinite and formless (Niraakaar), because only then He is can pervade the entire world. Isha vasya idam sarvam jagatyam jagat.

· One type of worship (havan) followed by bhajans to decrease confusion. Everyone, irrespective of caste and sex, can learn to perform it. Too many types of services dilute the true message of religion and create confusion.

II- RATIONAL SPIRITUALITY

·All Hindus regard the Vedas as the root of all knowledge. Therefore, he advised all Hindus to turn to the Vedas. He advised that in dealing with religion, one should have an open mind and should be willing to embrace what is true and reject what is untrue. Mere adherence to tradition for the sake of tradition is irrational. One should have Jigyasa (curiosity to know the truth).

·Shradha is the desire to know and fearlessly pursue the truth with effort (Sadhana).

·Religion is not static, shanka or doubt is natural. One should try to look for universal truths in religion that transcend time and place.

·Pursuit of true knowledge is the duty of all because nothing if more purifying than knowledge Na hi gyanen sadrish pavitra mih vidyate

III- SOCIAL SPIRITUALITY

·Rule 9. **Prayer (prarthana) alone is not sufficient. It should be accompanied by necessary deeds**. No one should be content with his/her well being alone, but should regard his/her well being in consonance with the well being of others.

18th Arya Maha Sammelan

Arya Samaj

Bhakti (simple spirituality): First three principles are about God and His attributes.

Gyan (rational spirituality): Next four principles are about the source and quest for true knowledge.

Karma (social spirituality): Last three principles about love, justice, altruism, and liberty.

I - SIMPLE SPIRITUALITY

· One God has a thousand names (Vishnu, Shiva, Durga), depending upon the adjective used to describe Him/Her, but is infinite and formless (Niraakaar), because only then He is can pervade the entire world. Isha vasya idam sarvam jagatyam jagat.

II- RATIONAL SPIRITUALITY

III- SOCIAL SPIRITUALITY

·Rule 9. **Prayer (prarthana) alone is not sufficient. It should be accompanied by necessary deeds**. No one should be content with his/her well being alone, but should regard his/her well being in consonance with the well being of others.

·Rule 10. In matters affecting the well-being of the society, one should subordinate his/her personal liking to the broader good of the society

18th Arya Maha Sammelan

Arya Samaj

Bhakti (simple spirituality): First three principles are about God and His attributes.

Gyan (rational spirituality): Next four principles are about the source and quest for true knowledge.

Karma (social spirituality): Last three principles about love, justice, altruism, and liberty.

I - SIMPLE SPIRITUALITY

· One God has a thousand names (Vishnu, Shiva, Durga), depending upon the adjective used to describe Him/Her, but is infinite and formless (Niraakaar), because only then He is can pervade the entire world. Isha vasya idam sarvam jagatyam jagat.

II- RATIONAL SPIRITUALITY

III- SOCIAL SPIRITUALITY

·Rule 9. Prayer (prarthana) alone is not sufficient. It should be accompanied by necessary deeds. No one should be content with his/her well being alone, but should regard his/her well being in consonance with the well being of others.

·Rule 10. In matters affecting the well-being of the society, one should subordinate his/her personal liking to the broader good of the society

·Rule 9. **Prayer (prarthana) alone is not sufficient. It should be accompanied by necessary deeds**. No one should be content with his/her well being alone, but should regard his/her well being in consonance with the well being of others.