The Arya Samaj was established by Swami Dayanand in 19th century India. Today, it is a global organization teaching the true Vedic religion, which is at the core of Hinduism. The Arya Samaj can best be termed as a socio-cultural organization born out of a reform movement within Hinduism. It is “non-denominational authentic Hindu-Vedic religious organization dedicated to remove superstition, orthodoxy and social evils from society,” and its mission is to “mold the lives of its members and all others according to the message of the Vedas with reference to the circumstances of time and place.”
10 Principles of Arya Samaj
- God is the original source of all that is known by spiritual knowledge and the physical sciences.
- God is Existent, conscious, all-beatitude, Formless, Almighty, Just, Merciful, Unbegotten, Infinite, Unchangeable, Beginning less, Incomparable, the support of All, the Lord of All, All-pervading, Omniscient and Controller of All from within, Ever mature, Imperishable, Fearless, Eternal, Pure, Creator of the Universe. He alone ought to be worshiped.
- The Vedas are the books of all True knowledge. It is the paramount duty of all Aryas to read them, to teach them to others, to listen to them and to recite them to others.
- All persons should always be ready to accept truth and renounce untruth.
- All acts ought to be performed in conformity to Dharma(righteousness) i.e. after due consideration of truth and untruth.
- The primary object of Arya Samaj is to do good to the whole world, i.e. to promote physical, spiritual and social progress of all humans.
- Your dealings with all should be regulated by love and due justice, in accordance with the dictates of Dharma (righteousness).
- Avidya (illusion and ignorance) be dispelled, and Vidya(realisation and acquisition of knowledge) should be promoted.
- None should remain satisfied with his own progress only, but incessantly strive for the social upliftment, realizing his own benefiting the advancement of all others.
- All men ought to dedicate themselves necessarily for the social good and the wellbeing of all, subordinating their personal interest, while the individual is free to enjoy the freedom of action for individual being.