Re: Is Hinduism a ‘Universal’ Religion'?
First of all the starters of such threads, before starting any topic related with Sanatan Dharma should consider that this is a forum where majority of believers are Muslims, so comments which are offensive might come.
Secondly, the professor who is mentioned in the thread is not aware that the name "Hinduism" itself is like a popular name rather than correct description. I have never read any word like "Hindu" in any of Vedas, Upnishads or even Puranas, so I still wonder from from where this word "Hinduism" started gaining popularity. In fact word Hindu has nothing to do with Vedic Sanatan Dharma.
Now, even if one writes entire book about Sanatan Dharma, one may not be able to finish defining this most ancient dharma in Universe.
Thousands of yogis/ascetics/sadhus/hermits renounce their materialistic desires for one and only purpose "Self-Realization".
Unlike all other man made/revealed religions, Sanatan Dharma is an eternal experience, nothing but "Self-Realization".
This never requires you for spreading your experience through conversion, neither it says that that non-followers will be subjected to hell fire. This is because of simple fact that "self-realization" is a personal experience!!!.
Due to no-compulsion and tolerant nature of Sanatan Dharma at some point ignorants consider this as something similiar to"atheism" or no-belief etc.Absence of any compulsion, is the main reason why since ancient times India accommodated so many beliefs and religions.
In fact Sanatan Dharma never commands that it is the only way to attain liberation. It's one of the several ways, and it gives Human being space to realize on their own.
In every Yuga (or age/period) including Kaliyuga (that is the present time), many have achieved the state of "Self-Realization" and have described their experiences and ways through which they realised the "absolute truth" in their own ways. Sanatan Dharma can also be called as a comilation of all such experiences and practices.
Many of the "self-realized" or enlightened souls have preferred to stay in recluse, therefore their own experiences and ways are still unknown. However very few of them who have shared it with their disciples/followers.
The most notable among them is Adi Sankara. After Realizing the "Supreme Truth"" or "God" or "Brahman" he shared this with His disciples. Accordingly He established "Advaita Vedanta" which literally means non-dualism and explains Vedas realized by Him.
Many more enlightened souls like Madhavacarya have further shared their Knowledge of "Dvaita".
This continues till today and we have known many more enlightened souls like Swami Ramkrishna Paramhans and His disciples including Swami Vivekananda. Swami Mahavatar and his line of disciples starting from Swami Lahiri Mahasaya, Swami Yukteswar and most recently Swami Paramhansa Yogananda who revealed the western people the unknown practice of "Kriya Yoga".
Reading about each and every individual who has realized the "Absolute Truth" or "God" only enhances the Knowledge. It is same like reading any revealed books of other faiths adds to knowledge. "Self-Realization" is practically a personal experience and doesnot require anyone to follow a prophet or revealed scripture. Though a Sadguru or a Prophet can rightly guide a human and share with Him his own ways since He Himself has realized the "Supreme".