Doctrines of Religion, Substance vs. Procedure

Doctrines are the core beliefs of a religion, and they provide a framework for understanding the religion's worldview. They are often based on sacred texts, the teachings of religious founders or prophets, and the accumulated wisdom of religious communities over time.

Here are some of the key functions of doctrines in religion:

• Provide a foundation for faith: Doctrines offer believers a set of core beliefs to hold onto, which can give them a sense of purpose and meaning in life.
• Guide moral behavior: Many doctrines deal with ethical issues and provide guidance on how to live a good life.
• Shape religious practices: Doctrines often inform religious rituals and ceremonies, and they can also help to explain the symbolism behind these practices.
• Foster community: Doctrines can help to create a sense of shared identity and belonging among members of a religious community.

Let's look at substance vs. procedure of religious core elements:

Substance:

• Belief Systems: At the heart of every religion lies a set of core beliefs, often addressing fundamental questions about life, death, meaning, and our place in the universe. These beliefs can shape morality, rituals, and everyday practices.
• Sacred Texts and Traditions: Religion often draws from scripture or oral traditions, passed down through generations, that offer guidance, stories, and insights into the faith. These can provide inspiration, ethical frameworks, and historical context.
• Spiritual Practices: Rituals, prayers, meditation, and other practices are avenues for individuals and communities to connect with the divine, express their faith, and seek growth or solace.
• Ethics and Morality: Many religions offer comprehensive ethical systems that guide behavior, relationships, and decision-making, often emphasizing values like compassion, justice, and forgiveness.
• Community and Belonging: Religion can offer a sense of belonging and shared purpose to individuals, fostering connection and support through communities and organizations.

Procedure:

• Religious Observances: Rituals and ceremonies mark significant occasions such as appearance days of Bhagavan Rama or Krishna, milestones, and holidays, providing opportunities for communal practice and expression of faith.
• Worship and Prayer: Individual or collective practices of devotion and communication with the divine, offering gratitude, seeking guidance, or fostering spiritual connection. Chanting, Kirtana, fasting, etc.
• Religious Education and Study: Studying scripture(Bhagavad gita), history, and practices deepens understanding, strengthens faith, and transmits knowledge to future generations.
• Leadership and Authority: Religious institutions often have established structures with leaders who provide guidance(gurus), interpret teachings, and oversee rituals and practices.
• Social Engagement and Service: Many religions emphasize putting faith into action by serving others, advocating for social justice, or caring for the environment.

Remember, religion is a deeply personal and diverse phenomenon. Exploring its substance and procedure is a journey of understanding not just doctrines and practices, but also the human yearning for meaning, connection, and purpose.

The specific doctrines of each religion will vary widely. Here are some examples of doctrines from different religions:

• Vedic Sanatana Hinduism: Brahman (the ultimate reality), ParaBrahman (the personal form of Supreme Personality of Godhead), Dharma (righteousness), Karma (the law of cause and effect), Moksha (liberation) and Prema (love of Godhead). Vedic Sanatana Hinduism, with its vastness and diversity, boasts a rich tapestry of doctrines, each adding a unique thread to the overall fabric. Here's a deeper dive into some key doctrines:Brahman and Atman:

• Brahman: Considered the ultimate reality, the single, all-encompassing consciousness from which everything arises. It's often described as formless, infinite, and eternal.
• Atman: The individual soul, a spark of Brahman present within every living being. Atman is believed to be eternal and unchanging, though subject to karmic cycles in its embodied form.

Four Puru?ārthas:

• The four goals of human life, guiding individuals towards a meaningful existence: Dharma: Righteousness, fulfilling one's duties and moral obligations. Artha: Material prosperity and success, achieved through honest means. Kama: Pleasure and fulfillment of desires, but within ethical boundaries. Moksha: Liberation from the cycle of rebirth, achieving union with Brahman.

Samsara and Karma:

• Samsara: The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, driven by karma. Hindus believe each life is shaped by the actions (karma) of past lives, and their current actions shape their future lives.
• Karma: The law of cause and effect, dictating that every action has a consequence, good or bad. Karma isn't simply punishment, but a learning process for the soul to rectify its rebellious behavior towards God.

Moksha:

• The ultimate goal of Hinduism, liberation from the cycle of samsara and the attainment of oneness with Brahman. Moksha can be achieved through various paths, including yoga, meditation, devotion, and selfless service.

Ahimsa:

Non-violence, respect for all living beings, a central ethical principle.

Dharma Shastras:

Ancient texts outlining social and legal codes, emphasizing duties and responsibilities based on caste and stage of life.

Bhakti: Art of Love of God

Devotion to a particular deity, a step after moksha.

Other doctrines:

• Buddhism: The Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and Nirvana.
• Christianity: The Trinity, the Incarnation, the Atonement, Salvation, and the Afterlife.
• Islam: Tawhid (oneness of God), Prophethood, the Day of Judgment, and the Five Pillars of Islam.

Srila Prabhupada says:

"The conception of God and the conception of Absolute Truth are not on the same level. The ?rīmad-Bhāgavatam hits on the target of the Absolute Truth. The conception of God indicates the controller, whereas the conception of the Absolute Truth indicates the summum bonum or the ultimate source of all energies. There is no difference of opinion about the personal feature of God as the controller because a controller cannot be impersonal. Of course modern government, especially democratic government, is impersonal to some extent, but ultimately the chief executive head is a person, and the impersonal feature of government is subordinate to the personal feature. So without a doubt whenever we refer to control over others we must admit the existence of a personal feature. Because there are different controllers for different managerial positions, there may be many small gods. According to the Bhagavad-gītā any controller who has some specific extraordinary power is called a vibhūtimat sattva, or controller empowered by the Lord. There are many vibhūtimat sattvas, controllers or gods with various specific powers, but the Absolute Truth is one without a second. This ?rīmad-Bhāgavatam designates the Absolute Truth or the summum bonum as the para? satyam." This is Substance

Steps in devotional progress:

"1. The self-realization stage just after liberation from material bondage is called the ?ānta, or neutral, stage.

2. After that, when there is development of transcendental knowledge of the Lord’s internal opulences, the devotee engages himself in the dāsya stage.

3. By further development of the dāsya stage, a respectful fraternity with the Lord develops, and above that a feeling of friendship on equal terms becomes manifest. Both these stages are called the sakhya stage, or devotional service in friendship.

4. Above this is the stage of parental affection toward the Lord, and this is called the vātsalya stage.

5. And above this is the stage of conjugal love, and this stage is called the highest stage of love of God, although there is no difference in quality in any of the above stages. The last stage of conjugal love of God is called the mādhurya stage." This is procedure.

Doctrines can evolve over time as religious communities grapple with new challenges and interpretations of their sacred texts. However the conception of Absolute Truth is always constant.

References:

1. https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/1/introduction/