Family and Nation

Author(s): Mahapragna Acharya, A P J Abdulkalam
Publisher: Harper Publications India

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THE FAMILY AND THE NATION
INNATE INSECURITY Alan Wilson Watts (1915–1973) defined religion as the relation of human beings to that which they regard as holy, sacred, spiritual or divine. He analysed the similarities and differences of themes, myths, rituals and concepts among the world's religions. In the field of what Watts called comparative religion, the main world religions are classified as Abrahamic, Indian or Taoic. 6
The category of Abrahamic religions consists of the three monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, which claim Abraham as part of their sacred history. The original belief in the One God of Abraham eventually became present-day Judaism. Christians believe that Christianity is the fulfilment and continuation of the Jewish Old Testament, with Jesus as the Son of God. Islam believes the present Christian and Jewish scriptures have been modified over time and are no longer the original divine revelations as given to Moses, Jesus and other prophets. For Muslims the Quran is the final revelation from God, with Muhammad as His messenger for its transmission.
There are a number of religions that have originated on the Indian subcontinent. These include Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. The religion of the Vedic period is the historical predecessor of the Hindu religion. The Vedic and the Shramana traditions co-existed and influenced each other since pre-historic times. Jainism and Buddhism are a continuation of the Shramana tradition. Buddhism further diversified into Chinese and Japanese schools. Tao can be roughly stated to be the flow of the Universe, or the force behind the natural order. The flow of Chi, as the essential energy of action and existence, is compared to the universal order of Tao. Following the Tao is also associated with a ‘proper attitude, morality and lifestyle.