(shraddha - dharana)

Every religion has, in one form or another, a Creed - an authoritative summary of the fundamental beliefs of that religion. Typically, creeds are formed when religions expand beyond their "home" region. Before then, all the religious views are wholly contained in the country's culture; children learn them as a natural part of the world around them. But a simple statement of faith becomes necessary when the followers of a given religion settle in other countries where other religions predominate.

A Creed is a whole volume of knowledge selected and condensed into a series of easily remembered beliefs (shraddhas). A Creed must summarize the specific statements or dogmas of religion and preserve them unchanged for transmission through the chain of tradition. Symbols of faith are empowering to people seeking to understand life and religion.

Creeds also enable the adherents of one religion to explain the essence of their tradition in simple and coherent terms to the followers of other faiths.

Although the vast body of Sanatana Dharma teachings has not yet been laid out in summary form, the so-called mahavakyas, the "great sayings" of the Vedic Upanishads, have been widely known since ancient times.

Nowadays, in the technological age, when rustic insularity has been replaced by global mobility, the need for a symbol of the Hindu faith, if we are to maintain our religious identity, is evident.

We need two kinds of power: the power contained in diversity and individual freedom to ask questions and the power that comes from the union of minds that uphold the universal principles of our faith.

(From Sadgurushivaya Subramuniyaswami, “Dancing With Siva : Hinduism's Contemporary Catechism”).

Accepting a Creed

"... Acceptance of a Creed sums up years, perhaps even lives, of our spiritual quest and opens the Way to a new being, understanding, Way of life. It should not be seen as some public ritual of "conversion to Hinduism," Advaita Vedanta, Tantrism, Shivaism, etc., although outwardly, it seems so.

Think of it as a deep, personal, sacred feeling, as an appeal to your spiritual heart to the God within you. It is not the Acceptance of some dogma but rather the words of the soul's sincere declaration of love to God. It begins a divine dance of the soul with God, inviting Him to dance. Generally speaking, in Advaita, it is the beginning of faith in oneself, in one's original divine potential.

(Based on Satsang by Sri Guru Swami Vishnudevananda Giri)

Q&A

What does accepting a creed give us?

We need clarity about our spiritual goals and beliefs. Often to move forward on the Path of Liberation and the path of ordinary life, we need to understand, comprehend and articulate for ourselves what we believe, what we follow, what we rely on, and what we make the foundation of our soul.

What are the next steps after accepting a creed for those who wish to walk the Way?

The next step is usually:

• Taking the Refuge (Sharanam),

• Initiation from the guru (Diksha) and Acceptance of the spiritual name and spiritual status as a disciple,

• Acceptance of spiritual principles and commitments (Yama-Niyama Vrata, Samaya, Pancha-Nitya-Karma),

• Entering the Path of service (Seva) to God and the Dharma,

• And the personal spiritual practice of Liberation and Enlightenment (Sadhana).

How and where can one accept the Adoption of the creed?

It can be accepted first in absentia and then face-to-face with the help of monks.

For more information about accepting the Creed, see here.

The Creed