The following principles are enunciated in the most ancient spiritual literature called Vedas, considered by many as the eternal source of spiritual and secular knowledge for humanity.
- “Ekam Sat Viprah bahudha Vadanti – God is One paths to attain It are many.” The unity or oneness of the destination (or goal) of human existence with diversity of means are not only easily accepted but considered necessary in Hindu dharma. This central tenet of Hindu dharma enables hundreds of different belief systems, images of God and methods of praying, what we in the west would call religions coexist harmoniously and with mutual respect.
- “Ishavasya Idam Sarvam, Yatkinch Jagatyam Jagat – this whole world that has moving things, and which itself is moving, is pervaded by one and the same God.” The unity of one Spirit in the diversity of nature is captured in this verse. The entire creation is nothing but different manifestations of the same Spirit. Thus, only God exists, and the diversity that the human beings experience is based on the limitations of individual minds and intellects, the logic being that the same world provides different experiences to different individuals.
- “Udar Charitanam Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – for the kind-hearted people of character, the entire creation is one interconnected family.” This demonstrates the all-inclusiveness cherished by Hindu dharma. It captures the essence of universal harmony among people and with the environment
- “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah, Sarve Bhadrani Pashyantu, Ma Kaschit Dukh Bhagbhavet – let all be happy, let all be healthy, let all experience goodness, let sorrows be no one’s lot,” the prayer a Hindu recites daily. Hindus does not ask God only for his/her personal, family’s, community’s or nation’s happiness, but she/he prays for the happiness of the entire creation