Banyak kalangan berpendapat bahwa agama bukanlah tema/hal untuk diperdebatkan melainkan dilaksanakan. Dalam pandangan ini, agama bukanlah sebuah konsep pengetahuan melainkan jalan untuk menemukan Tuhan, yang dalam konsep Hindu disebut sebagai penyatuan Atman – Parama Atman.
Pandangan tersebut tentu tidak salah, namun tidak komprehensif, paling tidak jika dikaitkan dengan tiga ranah peran agama; individu, sosial dan institusional. Pandangan bahwa agama ada dalam domain gelap yang hanya mengatur hubungan dasar individu dengan Tuhannya dalam perkembangannya banyak dijadikan pembenar atas keengganan (kita) dalam pencarian filosofi ke-Tuhanan, Sang Diri serta berbagai hal yang terkait denganNya. Akibatnya, sangat sedikit diantara kita – termasuk saya – menguasai konsep fisolofi spiritual yang sahih, dalam hal ini filsafat keHinduan – ajaran yang saya warisi. Padahal, kajian filosofis ke-Tuhanan ini esensiil untuk menyokong bergulirnya peran agama ke domain yang berbeda; yakni sebagai sarana pencerahan masyarakat (sosial) melalui keteladanan dan edukasi. (more…)
The concept of reincarnation seems to offer one of the most attractive explanations of humanity’s origin and destiny. It is accepted not only by adherents of Eastern religions or New Age spirituality, but also by many who don’t share such esoteric interests and convictions. To know that you lived many lives before this one and that there are many more to come is a very attractive perspective from which to judge the meaning of life. On the one hand, reincarnation is a source of great comfort, especially for those who seek liberation on the exclusive basis of their inner resources. It gives assurance for continuing one’s existence in further lives and thus having a renewed chance to attain liberation. On the other hand, reincarnation is a way of rejecting the monotheistic teaching of the final judgment by a holy God, with the possible result of being eternally condemned to suffer in hell. Another major reason for accepting reincarnation by so many people today is that it seems to explain the differences that exist among people. Some are healthy, others are tormented their whole life by physical handicaps. Some are rich, others at the brink of starvation. Some have success without being religious; others are constant losers, despite their religious dedication. Eastern religions explain these differences as a result of previous lives, good or bad, which bear their fruits in the present one through the action of karma. Therefore reincarnation seems to be a perfect way of punishing or rewarding one’s deeds, without the need of accepting a personal God as Ultimate Reality. 
