The dreaded “H-word”
When I was asked to write this article for Hindu Voice, I struggled to think of how I could start it off. So I’ll start with a conversation I had a couple of years ago while on holiday in California. While there, I went to a charity cultural show type thing organised by the local Hindu community and after the main event there was a dinner and a collection of stalls for various organisations to showcase their work…
February 26th, 2007 at 8:46 am
Brilliant and incisive article– Very true and it hit the issues on dot–
Thanks for the same
A proud Hindu
February 26th, 2007 at 10:02 am
Come to Indonesia…We Hindus proudly reveal our identity in front of 200 millions of Moslem which populated the country…During the president election in 1999, an Indonesian Moslem by the name of A.M. Saefudin who was the minister of Food and Argiculture at that time insulted the Indonesian Hindus saying that the country should not be govern by a Hindu seeing one of the candidates, Mrs. Megawati spoted by the cameras praying in a Sanggah ( Indonesian Hindu family temple ) at Bali. Megawati herself is a Molsem but has great respect of her Hindu ancestors. The Indonesian Hindus were in rage hearing his statement that they would never accept any apologies from the minister. The Hindus started rallying and demonstrating everywhere especially in Bali. They made a puppet look-a-like of the minister, carrying it all around town, beating it, kicking it, and finally torched it to the ground while at he same time yelling at him to step off the cabinet. The Hindus even threat to seperate from Indonesia and becoming a free state. The Hindus of Bali finally come to their senses that their action would harm their Hindu brothers and sisters who are living outside the island and ended the demonstratring. Unfortunately the foolish no good minister was never on trial until today, and the for the 11 million Hindus of Indonesia…Well we still love our country…Indonesia…. and our religion…..Hindu.
February 26th, 2007 at 4:05 pm
Fantastic article, congratulations on it Anish! One of Hindu Voice’s best articles yet!
Be a worthwhile exercise for readers to examine the undertones & symbolisms used by the BBC, CNN and the Economist magazine when they commentate on India. It will be revealing.
I’ve found that most english language indian publications are no better either (taking a leaf out of their colonial masters books?!).The exception I have found is the daily pioneer. Any others indian publications which readers would recommend?
February 26th, 2007 at 5:49 pm
There is one, and only one, global magazine which for three decades has promulgated the “H” word with pride, brilliant writing and authenticity, free of sectarian bias in the bargain.
It is Hinduism Today, published from, of all places, a Hindu monastery in Hawaii. Its powerful imagery, pride of dharma and profound understanding of the place of our faith in the world are an antidote to the craven “I am not a Hindu” tendencies boldly discussed in the article…
www.hinduismtoday.com
February 27th, 2007 at 8:12 am
I have spent many a night pondering this same issue. WHile our Chrisitan and Muslim brothers and sisters proudly proclaim their religion why do Hindus shy away from it.
We need to create a paradigm shift in our Hindu brothers and sisters with regards the dreaded H word, without any for of propegation.
February 27th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
I applaud the writer of the original article in highlighting this weakness among Hindus. If we continue as we have done in the past,by denying our Hindu religion and values, then our great religion will disappear before long; already the Hindu religion is under threat from western culture and from other religions who are employing well educated people and vast amounts of money to convert Hindus to their religions.
We Hindus must wake up to the threat that is facing our existence and employ sophisticated methods to inform , educate and inspire ,not only the millions who are born as Hindus, but also people of other faiths .
We are our worst enemies - not only do many deny that they are Hindus but they often criticize the religion without a proper understanding of it.
It is time for all Hindus to understand their religion ,practice it , inform and educate non-Hindus and stand up for our religion whenever and wherever it is threatened. Hari OM!
February 28th, 2007 at 4:05 am
An excellent article, and I will be sending the links to all I know so that they can learn to be confident and open about their roots! Everything mentioned is just pefect.
February 28th, 2007 at 7:42 am
Namaskar, I was very happy to read this article as have thought the same for years. I have also used the phrase the “H” proudly word for years and I don’t even qualify as Hindu in some circles. I come from a Hindu/Buddhist background as a westerner who is drawn to both religions. Some say people like us must have had past lifetimes in Nepal! Anyway, in Buddhism they do not hesitate to use the word Buddhist at every opportunity. But how about all the “Indian teachers” who do seem to teach a form of Hinduism but would never use the H word? And the rise of hatha yoga and its popularity always in the Buddhist popular magazines never linked to the H word! The funniest to me is to see the Buddhist/Christian dialogues which seem quite popular in the west but never any Buddhist/Hindu dialogues. I love Buddhism but Buddhists do not like to be reminded that Hindustan swallowed up the Buddhist teachings along with the others.
Then what about some contemporary Hindu teachers such as Ammachi (not as Hindu) and Karunamayi (very Hindu) who still do not use the H word and who like to say they are not teaching religion at all!
I think there are some Hindu teachers who are quite narrowminded so not saying that any religion is perfect but I really do not like to see what I can only call a sort of snobbery of the Buddhist and western yoga set towards the H word.
February 28th, 2007 at 7:52 am
Namaskar,
You should be happy many of these people do not cite their Hindu roots.
Deepak Chopra, for instance, not only stands as a very poor example of what a Hindu should be (also known as Deep Pockets), but he perverts the teachings to a criminal extent. In some life it will catch up with him.
Many gurus come to America to make money and take advantage of needy ignorant people and unfortunately break the hearts of the tender hearted deeply devoted seekers. Idon’t think you would like to claim them as your own…or would you?
Instead of being bitter and nationalistic you need to be more Hindu–as the Gita says “remain unfazed despite praise or blame.”
What one good thing has come about for standing up for a religion? I do know alot of bad things- arrogance, closed mindedness and war. People become like blind sacred bulls fighting each other for no reason. It is like the partition of India which has helped no one as Gandhi predicted.
What should you stand up for???? How about knowing that the God that is in you is in all? Isn’t that the central tenent of Hinduism? Or perhaps practicing lovingkindness, compassion and joy and being neutral in the face or happiness (sucha and dukka) and virtue and non-virtue to remove the blocks to Kaivalyam (God-realization) Patanjali 1:33
Or How about “This person sees himself in the heart of all beings and he sees all beings in his heart. When this person sees Me in all and he sees all in Me , then I never leave him and he never leaves Me. He who in this oneness of love, loves Me in whatever he sees, where ever this man may live in truth he lives in Me” Bhagavad-Gita.
or how about this one “And when the man sees the God that is in himself is the same God in all that is, he hurts not himself by hurting others; then he goes indeed to the highest path. Bhagavad Gita 13:28
Or how about removing the labels that divide us from each other?
Jan
February 28th, 2007 at 9:13 am
“I love Buddhism but Buddhists do not like to be reminded that Hindustan swallowed up the Buddhist teachings along with the others”
Eileen, ask yourself where fundamental buddhist concepts came from - where there not already present in Sanatan Dharma before the advent of Buddh-”ism”. What was the Budhas lineage? which philosophies was he surrounded by? What essentail buddhist teaching/philospohies cannot be found in Sanatan Dharma, I’d be interested to know ?
Presently, with the knowledge I currently have, am of the opinion that Buddhism concentartes on certain aspects of sanatan philosophy and practice (raja yoga in particular)
February 28th, 2007 at 9:19 am
The West has a profound and unacknowledged need to put Hinduism down. For if it were to acknowledge Hinduism’s all -embracing hugeness and timelessness, it might then have to apologise for the centuries of colonialism in India. Public apology for historical momentous events is a modern trend - for example, the European holocaust, or the slave trade in Africa.
We in the West have a great capacity for denial in the case of Hindu India. It was conquered with great violence and colonised for England’s prosperity, and the effects of this divisive impoverishment and dismantling of Hinduism as its guiding force, are still felt to this day. So we Westerners have a need to place the material problems of India at the feet of some endemic problem of that vast country, rather than at our exploitation of its people and resources throughout centuries. We need to say: ‘Ah yes, India’s problems are the result of caste divisions, … um … or the effect of indolence brought about by the passivity of Hinduism.’ Very useful. And this attitude enables and empowers fervent evangelisers to impose their intolerantly superior views on some very vulnerable people, aided and abetted by those Indian politicians who deny the majority religion of their land for the purpose of political correctness.
Meanwhile Hinduism’s Yoga is being patented in the West, along with India’s traditional healing Ayurvedic wisdom, by Western corporate interests, large and small. And the secular practisers of Yoga vehemently deny the roots of their practices. ‘Yoga is non-religious, and a useful tool for stress-management’, they protest, ignoring the inconvenient fact that Yoga must have come from somewhere. (Otherwise it would probably be banned in Western schools, thus closing the door on a good market). Meanwhile, the historical fact of Yoga as a gateway to spiritual peace and Self-Realisation, as evidenced in aged and profoundly wise Hindu scriptures, is hushed up with embarrassment such as only the Western mind could conceive.
February 28th, 2007 at 10:38 am
“What one good thing has come about for standing up for a religion?”
hmm, I don’t know, well for one when Shivaji stood up for us it stopped our persecution and gave us our honor back, we could hold our heads high in our own country when the Marathas planted the saffron flag at Attock in 1757.
If he instead chanted about ahimsa and peace there would be no Hinduism left except in your local musuem, I am not the only one saying it, his contemporary and the great Hindi poet Kaviraj Bhushan said “Kasihki Kala Gayee, Mathura Masid Bhaee; Gar Shivaji Na Hoto, To Sunati Hot Sabaki!” [Kashi has lost its splendour, Mathura has become a mosque; If Shivaji had not been, All would have been circumcised (converted)].
Jai Shivaji, Jai Bhavani.
February 28th, 2007 at 10:59 am
Fantastic article! Its so annoying to see that Hindus dont want to be called Hindus, it really frustrates me.
I was looking at the latest zee magazine that got sent to my home, in there, theres an advert for wait for it… ‘Islamic Yoga’. A brilliant example of an oxymoron.
Hindu Jage, Vishwa Jage!
Best Regards,
Jatin
February 28th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
well i very well written article.what is Hindusism the hindus them self have forgotten,we have a lot of rituals and symbls but the deeper meaning and reason has been lost and it all seems like old wives tale passed on which we are ashamed to acknowledge.We have forgotten HINDUSUM comes from the heart and every thing is sacred.I feel learning the english language has a lot to do with it as we talk and think in English we tune into the thinking energy somwhat ashamed of what all has sliped into hinduisim the caste .how we treatthe femals in human form diffrent from the femal godess etc and that part of our shame spills over to us identifying with the religion.plus every thing repackaged from the west is oh so more hip follow the tarot the runes the fashion where is hinduisism with the glitter?
February 28th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Anish,
Well documented article and a very factual and insightful analysis on how modern spirituality movement is distancing itself from Hinduism. In a world driven by brand identity (where its Microsoft or Walmart or Iyengar Yoga) it is absolutely important to stand up for Hinduism and represent it genuinely in all our endeavors. Its high time we hindus realize the intrinsic values of our eternal tradition and nurture it. There is a need in todays world to market the “Hindu” brand and we should not restrain from doing so. Otherwise as Anish says in the article, the “Hindu” brand will keep eroding and loosing out to other traditions.
A proud hindu
February 28th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
You have stated this in a brilliant way.
There are several different groups in particular>>>>
We “Hindus” have sold our souls to all who wants to listen to for financial rewards anywhere we live. Deepak Chopra for example thinks he is American and he has to cater foreigners [to make a dollar] by not mentioning anything “Hindu” in all his publications. Most of us “Hindus” are no better than prostitutes who would do anything for financial gains. So called business approach.
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All these so called independent sects are established as their own businesses and they could careless if they are called Hindus. None of these people have any sense of self pride. They [the leaders of these groups] have sold their souls for comfortable living and earrings they receive by setting up their groups. It would be interesting to know if any of these leaders are realized souls.
What can we do? We have to do something. A universal movement has to be called upon to gather together all Hindus and try to make a difference.
February 28th, 2007 at 6:16 pm
I wish to say the ‘Hindu’-'Indian looking person , YOU MET AT THE HINDU FUNCTION along his two American white ‘Hindu’-look-a-like’ men , is a good example of hypocrits who are engaged in MONEY MAKING from our Great Hindu Culture, tradition and teachings but wants to ‘rename the art of Yoga to suit his clientelle ; this same situation applies to all those groups, who are marketing ‘Yoga’ as behing a ‘Christian Yoga’ or ‘Universal Yoga’ or what ever other name they wish to give the Science of Yoga.
Yes , the word ‘Hindu’ is a made-up word as we all know ..; yes ours is not a so called ‘Religion’ - because ‘Religions’ had a founder and prophets . Ours .. the Sanatan Dharma , i.e. Our Way of Life, is an Eternal way of life, and also it is the ‘Univeral way of live..Universal Dharma.. ; Therefore that peson who DOES agree that he was engaged in the teaching of a ‘Univeral/Hindu’ science ..Whether he utters the word ‘Hindu’ from his own mouth or refers to Hinduism as ‘ Universal’ .. the fact does not change… - I feel sad and sorry for the weaknesses of faith in such people. No one can Challenge or Deny that Sanatan Dharma ‘Hinduisim’ is man kind’s oldest known scriptiure -
February 28th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
The Author has to be praised for calling a spade a spade. Everybody trying to be popular with west and professing to be secular tries to avoid everything which is basically ‘Hindu” and nothing else. Let those pretenders get some wisdom from this well thought out and published article. May his tribe increase.
regards.
February 28th, 2007 at 10:38 pm
Namah Sivaya,
If you study the plight of the African American in US from slavery to the present you will see it mirror the Hindu/Indian plight to a great degree. The same enslavement and attempt to divide and conquer occurred. What better way to destroy any group ; let them fight each other. Tell one he is superior to the other (light complexion vs dark, caste, etc), apply a little reward and they will be their own poison. Demonized, belittle, or ban any religious unifying principle…make them hate themselves and your work is done. You have infected your target with a disease that will wreck havoc for countless generations.
Since skin color cannot be changed, for the most part, there was no other way but to fight, for the African-American. But religion, that can be hidden, denied, changed….sad.
I am a non-Indian Hindu (for some this is an oxymoron). For me, this is akin to being right-handed…it just IS. Acceptance is neither sought or needed. I pass on the teachings of Sanatan Dharma at every opportunity to anyone willing to listen. I seek no converts only to educate the ignorant.
The article was great, but, will it stimulate any action. Only education of the masses about the culture and the religion will bring change….look at the way Moslems, Christians, Jews teach their young people. Do we have any such thing? Can we teach what we, really, don’t know?
If we are ashamed to be Hindu and cannot or choose not to defend it what can we expect from others. We will see more rape and pillage as it is torn apart and repackaged to suit the whims of the West, commercial ventures and profit. In the end you will have Hinduism religated to a museum in the West, the Hindu scholars will be Westerners and the practitioners will be Westerners. EDUCATION IS THE ONLY WAY
March 1st, 2007 at 7:01 am
Thus is the situation in Kali Yuga. Nevertheless Dharma prevails.
Anything that has been aggressively promoted eventually dies off e.g Christianity in Europe, Australia and Canada is practised by less than 5% of the population. It took 1500 years to grow, peak and reach its’ near demise. Therefore the acts of labelling anything Hindu as bad, negative, etc is an act of desperation by parties that feel threatened.
Am I worried? Yes, but I also believe in Dharma. As mentioned by Anish, all sister civilizations eventually died - Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greek, Confucian China. Then naturally, Hindu civilization will be a target. Hinduism is not called ‘Sanathana Dharma’ for nothing.
Om Shanti
Thanneermalai
March 1st, 2007 at 7:52 pm
Hello,
As you can see from my name, my background is British, although I was born in Canada. Its funny, but two days ago I was eating dinner with my wife in a Hyatt Regency hotel in Irvine, California. We had a very nice young Indian gentleman (doing his internship in hotel management) serving us our host. He was recently from Mumbai and I noted that his first name was definitely Indian, but that his last name was Portuguese. Right away I could guess that his family was from Goa and most probably Catholic. Anyway, I asked him, ‘Are you Hindu?’ As I expected, he said that he was Catholic. I responded, ‘I kind of though so, given your last name.’ Then I added, ‘Well it’s funny, but I was born in Canada and my background is British, AND I am a Hindu!’. He looked at me in absolute disbelief…I don’t think he had considered that such a thing was remotely possible. Strange, given that his ancestors were probably Hindu, and probably forceably converted to Catholicism by the Portugeuse. So, I let him struggle with his amazement for a few seconds, then I said, ‘Well, I haven’t actually signed any official document proclaiming myself a Hindu, but I have spent time at the ashram of Ramana Maharshi and consider Him my guiding light. Also, I chant puja and mantras. I practise yogic meditation, asanas and pranayama and also teach these things. I have written and published a book which contains a full chapter on yoga and Indian spirituality. In the book, I make it clear that yoga is integral to Hinduism and arises from this ancient and noble Vedic ‘religion’. Finally,I have studied the Gita, the Upanishads and many other sacred texts, and worship each day in front of a picture of Shiva. So, while I am not ‘formally’ a Hindu, in practise, I am. So, I am a Hindu by personal proclamation. It is my path.’
I’m sure he is still thinking about this!
Duart Maclean
March 1st, 2007 at 9:21 pm
THANK YOU! YOU HAVE SPOKEN THAT WHICH IS IN THE HEARTS OF MILLIONS OF HINDUS! Despite all the negativity out there reading this kind of insightful article confirms the positive future for Hindu Dharma.
March 1st, 2007 at 9:59 pm
Duart Maclean kudos to you for not being hesitant to say that you are Hindu when even so many Indian Hindus try to hide it under some vague intellectual arguements such as “well i am not really religious but spiritual” or “yes i am hindu kind of but i am open minded and appreciate all religions” or other such nonsense.
March 1st, 2007 at 10:19 pm
Namaskaram,
For many years I have been a Vaisnavite having come in contact with Hinduism through ISKCON in the 70’s. I have always preached to ISKCON members that they should acknowledge that they are Hindus. Vaisnavas are one of the main divisions of Hindus. Just as I tell people that I am a Hindu, similarly I also tell them that I am a Vaisnava. I think that the problem is that the western news media in particular mostly portrays some of the more extreme Hindu beliefs and practices, like self mortification by worshipers of Murgan or worship of hordes of live rats by Ganesha Bhaktas. Castism and Sati and similar traditions that seem to dis-empower specific groups or genders also rubs western sensibilities the wrong way. However if you look at the history, beliefs and practices of any of the major religious traditions in the world you can find strange things that mainstream followers would not agree with. Unfortunately the world is US centric and the world media more and more portrays life in terms of US cultural standards.
March 2nd, 2007 at 3:52 am
Thank you for an excellent assessment of the anti-Hindu sentiment of yoga practitioners and teachers. I am a western convert to Hinduism and my yoga studio here in Berkeley, California, USA is one of only two studios in the country that is an actual consecrated Hindu temple (Nataraja) as well. We offer authentic Hatha Yoga from the Natha tradition, meditation, puja, yajna, sanskrit, Ayurveda etc. and have the only Brahmin priest training center in the United States.
I’m hoping that Hindus will read your article, these comments, and come to our temple and yoga studio to expeerience the real tradition. All are welcome.
One intersting comment I have is that I have taught many young Indian people living here in the states and I find it very disconcerting that “I” am teaching them their native traditions. Eventually I often end up teaching the parents as well. My point: PLEASE, HINDUS THE WORLD-OVER, TEACH YOUR CHILDREN TO BE GOOD HINDUS OR GET THEM TO THE ACARYAS WHO CAN. DON’T LOSE IT, DON’T BE ASHAMED OF THE WORLD’S LONGEST LIVING SPIRITUAL TRADITION OF WISDOM, LOVE AND COMPASSION.
Thank you,
Dharmanidhi Sarasvati Acarya
Spiritual Director
Yoga Mandala & Trika Institute
Berkeley, California, USA
March 2nd, 2007 at 10:27 am
Rightly written, it is time to think on this. WHich makes them to hide the word ‘H’? I believe the too much liberty given in Hinduizm religion is the weakness at the same time this is the strength also.
I just listed the Hindu Organization in a city, i noticed around 50+, each has their own establishment and followers but i doubt any contact inbetween. Is it not necessary? it is time to think and act. Thanks for the thoughts.
March 2nd, 2007 at 12:54 pm
It’s good to see this article stirring up positive emotions about the ‘dreaded’ H word syndrome.And even better its great to see that Hindus from all regions, countries ,genders and races all standing up for the Hindu idenitity.I think we should all send this article to as many ‘hindu’ teachers, gurus, yoga teachers and the thousands of others around the world who suffer from the dreaded H word syndrome. Jai Hindu Dharma !
March 3rd, 2007 at 6:17 am
Excellent!
Your article is too good for words.
It will be good if you can forward this to all the Hndu Gurus, Yoga teachers including Dr.Dipak Chopra .
I feel that many of these Hindu masters are doing a great disservice to Hinduism by denying their Hindu roots.
March 4th, 2007 at 7:35 am
Namaste,
The article is excellent, but I think there is room for another view. I believe that Sanatan Dharma (Hinduism) is different from all (or most?) other religions in that it is not sectarian. It is Universal, and all those masters who came to the West to teach us Yoga and the sublime spirituality of India probably saw fit to focus on this aspect of it (especially in those times, decades ago, when Yoga and Indian spirituality were largely unknown in the West) to avoid distrust and misunderstanding–from people who may feel their religious allegiances threatened. And especially from the ministers of their religions (yes, Anish, you have answered yourself when you said that the Catholic church recognized Yoga as Hindu in origin–therefore “Pagan” and tried to discourage its followers from practicing it). Remember, other religions are not only sectarian, but intolerant.
I was taught Yoga long ago, by a great Indian guru, and I remember him saying to people, “You don’t have to change your religion in order to practice Yoga; in fact, Yoga will help you to realize your own religion.” (more or less these words). However, this didn’t deny the Hindu origin of Yoga; as a matter of fact, his teachings of Indian philosophy, the Gita, the Upanishads, the mantras, etc., made us fall in love with Indian spirituality and culture–and with India. I believe that this, in turn, was of great benefit to India, because the Western validation and enthusiasm for all this helped Indians to re-evaluate the treasure they have the honor to inherit–and the great merit of having preserved for posterity, in spite of immense difficulties, like invasions, etc. On the other hand, many Westerners went to India not only to learn, but to help in many ways. In a way, those pioneer Yoga masters who came to the West were the best ambassadors of India in all times.
So, the matter is, then, Are they denying the Hindu roots of Yoga? I don’t believe so, even though there may be many who do, or shy away from it. However, I believe that the appealing of Hinduism to discerning non-Hindus will keep more alive if Hinduism is kept as tolerant and non-sectarian as it has always been–avoiding the modern trends (Western-inspired) to make of it an entrenched, beligerant religion like its Western counterparts. It will also ensure its survival, when most other religions are losing adherents.
I also want to note here that I’ve met many Indians in the past, and I’m proud of having many Indian friends, and they have never denied their Hindu identity. I have been honored to even participate in their family celebrations, and religious gatherings, etc. And I can also say that the highest spiritual and ethical principles I have learned, aside from my parents’, come from Yoga and my guru, and from my Indian friends who shared with me pearls of their rich culture. Can we call that Hinduism? Yes, of course, but it has the added virtue of being universal, valid for everybody. Those great seers of ancient times gave their teachings without restrictions or sectarianism, and I am sure that if Christ was alive today, he would acknowledge and honor those teachings as his–to the surprise of many of those who label themselves as “Christians.”
Roberto
March 4th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
The real reason is that we are not accepted as Hindus; too many Hindus believe that you must be “born Hindu.” Therefore, all kinds of westerners following Hindu-based paths and even adopting Sanskrit names, living in Hindu ashrams such as Mata Amritanandamayi’s cannot call themselves “Hindu,” as we might like to.
I was told point blank by the president of the Vishwa Hindu Mahasangha that I could not be Hindu, no way. Fine. There’s you answer. We are not ashamed of you, you are ashamed of us!
March 4th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
“We are not ashamed of you, you are ashamed of us! ”
Sirensongs,
Not all of us “Born” Hindus are ashamed of you or any other human being who has become a Hindu but we’re more ashamed of morons like this President of the Vishwa Hindu Mahasangha who is talking s**t. If anyone else has also experinced the same stupidity then please email Hindu Voice because we would like to expose such idiots. And for the record we welcome you to our site and fully recognise you as a Hindu if you do.
Thanks,
–Hindu Voice UK
March 4th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
Ya right, there are plenty of Hindu organizations that accept converts and call them Hindu, the magazine Hinduism Today itself is run by a lot of “white” sadhus, people have different viewpoints, the late Paramacharya of Kanchi was very orthodox and would not recognise outsiders as Hindu, but that didn’t stop people from calling themselves Hindu, Ishwar Sharan (Swami Devananda) was one such person, in his own words:
“The Kanchi Pariaval has devoted his life to salvaging what little is left of Vedic Brahminical orthodoxy, which is, need I tell you, concerned with externals, with rites and rituals, with birth and caste (he will not give me prasada because I am neither a brahmin nor orthodox). Yet he is a brahmarshi, a living national spiritual treasure whose wisdom and compassion are universally recognised.
http://voiceofdharma.org/books/ca/ch13.htm#8 ”
Yet Ishwar Sharan calls himself Hindu and is recognised as one by many people, faith does not depend on whether others accept you or not, no one stops you from calling yourself Hindu Duart Maclean did.
March 5th, 2007 at 7:27 am
“We are not ashamed of you, you are ashamed of us! â€
SirenSongs, Just because you met a few jokers talking nonsense doesn’t mean all ‘born’ Hindu think the same.I have friends who are white Hindus and they’ve never been told they had to be born a Hindu to be a Hindu.If this Vishwa Hindu Mahasangha president is talking this rubbish then I can bet he doesn’t even know what Hinduism is like many born Hindus running Hindu temples or Hindu organisations which is well known among us Hindus.He’s probably more of a born idiot then a born Hindu.
March 5th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
Thanks to all who have replied. But it is not for us “newcomer” Hindus to take up the issue with the old fogies who are running the temples. It would be great if there was a movement from within “traditional” Hinduism to accept committed foreign Hindus into such places and events. This story is an example: http://www.indiaenews.com/religion/20070302/41701.htm
–one of many. Foreign women who have married Hindu men in Hindu marriages, are practicing Hinduism and have taken Sanskrit names cannot even go into Padmanabhaswamy, Guruvayoor, Puri, Pashupati, and so on - let alone those who are not so directly “affiliated.”
It doesn’t make them proud to be Hindu, or make them want to call themselves Hindu. This just happened to my friend Jennifer (Jayanthi) a few months ago.
March 5th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
sirensongs,
Things are changing and a movement is starting but we need more western Hindus to come out and say they’re Hindus because it will help ‘born’ Hindus like us to push forward this issue even more further into the open.Why dont you write us a article about the whole issue and the problems Western Hindus face from confused Hindus and we’ll publish it so other Hindus can at least know about what’s going on.
Balraj HV team
March 5th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
Why are you bothered about what a few others think, I doubt an orthodox Brahmin in India like the Paramacharya would accept me if he thinks i was impure, i am not bothered by what he thinks, infact I respect him for saving whatever orthodoxy is left, there are plenty of other Hindu groups that accept converts like the Chinmaya mission, the Arya Samaj and others, why not go there, in the same way the majority of Hindu mandirs will let in people irrespective of race as long as you show them some paper proving that you are a Hindu (this thing is only done in the most important temples), even Tirupathi let’s you in even if you are a non Hindu as long as you sign a declaration that you have faith in Lord Venkateshwara, a few mandirs don’t, like the Puri one and the one at Guruvayoor, so why insist on going in where you are not welcome, I don’t go into places where I am not welcome.
March 5th, 2007 at 7:35 pm
Harish - why do you respect him for ’saving whatever orthodoxy is left’ when orthodoxy is associated with such stupidity such as u know what:
http://www.hinduvoice.co.uk/Issues/12/Dalits.htm
BTW, I agree with your overall point that who gives a f**k about what anybody else says… I am what I am… It’s my heritage and my path, they have no custody over it.
March 5th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
This was an excellent essay, & the discussion following has offered very inspired thoughts.
I am a former Christian who began a love affair with Hindu Dharma when I was 15. I took formal diksha @ 33. Believe me, I’ve had several debates with a number of people ( Western yogis, vedantists & bhaktas) who refuse the H label. But I proclaim affiliation to Hinduism proudly.
For 10 years now I have taught Hatha Yoga @ a local college. While I would never say that one must embrace Sanantana Dharma to perform asanas, I am very clear that this system of posture, meditation & moral code is a part of a religious tradition; & that tradition is Hinduism. The school is very encouraging of my method.
Several others have voiced thoughts that I was planning on sharing, but since they are already posted I will not be redundant. Suffice to say, I agree with those who wish to share this universal message of Namaste with those of every faith, but insist we must honor the source of this nectar.
As far as Indians go, I’ve never been told that I am not a Hindu. 2 years ago I toured the Northeast states of India on behalf of Vivekananda Kendra, lecturing in 30 towns, cities & villages in opposition of forceful conversion. I was welcomed with open arms as a Hindu. I’m sure there are
a number of the unenlightened (as mentioned in previous notes) who still hold to the ludicrous notion that Hindus only come already made, but I can only guess that they are in the minority.
March 6th, 2007 at 4:20 am
“Harish - why do you respect him for ’saving whatever orthodoxy is left’ when orthodoxy is associated with such stupidity such as u know what”
Firstly, it is because of Orthodoxy that the fragile tradition of Vaidika’s is still standing, it is primarly because they have not given up chanting Vedas that the tradition is still alive, most Vaidika Brahmins are in utter poverty and their families know that their sons will end up like them too but it is because they believe that is their swadharma that they send their kids there, talk is easy, how many of us would send our kids into such a profession knowing the pittance they will make?
Infact many of these families are even worse off than the lowest of castes, here is a translation of an article that appeared in the Telugu daily Vaartha:
“Seventy percent of Brahmins are relying on their hereditary vocation. There are hundreds of families that are surviving on just Rs. 500 per month as priests in various temples.
http://www.vepachedu.org/brahmana-tribe.html ”
This is from an old survey:
“In this connection it would be revealing to quote the per capita income of various communities as stated by the Karnataka Finance Minister in the State Assembly on July 1, 1978: Christian Rs.1562, Vokkaligas Rs.914, Muslims Rs.794, Scheduled caste Rs.680, Scheduled Tribes Rs.577 and Brahmins Rs.537.
http://www.geocities.com/ifihhome/articles/mj002.html ”
They are in that state because while the rest of the society (including a majority of Brahmins) decided to go with the times and forget their dharma, these people took the hard way because they felt that a Brahmin should not abandon religious roles and take to secular professions.
March 6th, 2007 at 4:34 am
Nextly untouchability has less to do with the orthodox and everything to do with who own’s the land, a Jatt in Punjab does not get his impetus to mistreat Harijan’s because the Kanchi Paraival said so in far off Tamilnadu, infact no one bothers to listen to him in Tamilnadu itself, no one reads the Manu Smriti before he starts mistreating others, you and I may not agree with their practices but to blame the whole problem of untouchability on orthodoxy is nonsense, infact the same Jatt who probably beat up a Harijan in the morning for daring to draw water from the village well will go get smashed on Daroo at night (alcohol drinking is certainly not recommended by the orthodoxy).
Haryana and several other North Indian states for example have some of the highest rates of atrocities against SC’s but they also have female infanticide that has sky rocketed, now if the Hindus who are doing these caste crimes are Orthodox then why are the same people killing their female foetus (abortion or killing of a foetus whether it’s male or female is regarded as one of the deadly sins in several dharmashastras), the Paramacharya would have never approved of such a practice being the non progressive orthodox backward looking reactionary he was.
It may also interest you to know that Daniel Ilayaraja the legendary South Indian music composer was a devotee of the Kanchi Paraival and still is a follower of the Math despite being considered as from the Harijan community.
March 6th, 2007 at 8:50 am
Dear Sirensongs,
I read the interesting article you provided the link to, and I think you have an answer, so to speak, in the fact that even Indira Gandhi (and the crown princess of Thailand) was denied entry at that temple. It means the rejection is not directed at foreigners per se, but at keeping their religion and traditions from being diluted in the exchange.
Even though we all agree on, and are touched by the unpleasant fact of rejection of foreigners, non-Hindus etc. at certain temples, I would tend to think this is a phenomenon of a world in transition. Certain places refuse globalization. I wouldn’t condemn them, they may have strong reasons for that. Instead, I would go to other temples–there are thousands of them!–And, we cannot pretend to embrace somebody’s religion and then try to change it to our ways.
As for the throwing away of the food, I believe we have to know the facts, or rationale behind that, then try to understand them. I know that in some ashrams and temples only certain persons, qualified for their spiritual disposition, are allowed to cook the meals to be offered to the deities. Then, as blessed food, it is given to the people attending. I heard a story from a lady who was decades ago in ashrams in India, that if somebody not belonging to the kitchen enters while they are cooking, they throw all the food to the garbage, and start clean all over again.
Those dedicated women cooks supposedly keep clean even their minds when cooking for the gods. Could it be that somebody unsuspecting, casually entering the kitchen, with worldly thoughts in their minds, would break their spiritual concentration? Who knows?
From my own experience (in two opportunities) at the Vraj temple, I can tell you, that food really tastes different! So delicious and light–a different kind of energy is in it. In my first experience, when I observed this difference from regular food, and made a comment, somebody explained the facts to me. So I have a lot of respect for it, and I think we should respect those traditions, because there is a lot of wisdom, and a lot of reasons behind them, and we don’t know all of them. Hinduism is a very old tradition, with lots of thought and knowledge behind every detail. We modern people, with modern education, may have some reaction to some customs. However, when we learn the facts behind, our attitude will change.
I wouldn’t even condemn those orthodox priests mentioned in articles above, because even if some aspect of their rules bothers or doesn’t make sense to us, at least they are contributing to keep a millenary tradition (with lots of value in it) alive for the next generations. Don’t forget that the fact that we can have the priviledge of learning some of it today is due to those great souls that, with great zeal and great difficulties, kept it alive for us–through centuries of invasions and other calamities. And Hindus, along their history, have shared selflessly their wisdom with the rest of the world.
Om Shanti,
Roberto
March 6th, 2007 at 10:12 am
“I toured the Northeast states of India on behalf of Vivekananda Kendra, lecturing in 30 towns, cities & villages in opposition of forceful conversion. I was welcomed with open arms as a Hindu.”
Fred.This is excellent
sirensongs
Apart from a few western Hindus I know most Western Hindus don’t really take up issues like the persecution of Hindus and the maligning of Hinduism..I wonder how many are even aware of the constant gang rapes of Hindu women and girls and murders of Hindu men in Bangladesh or the murder and ethnic cleansing of Hindus in Kashmir or the kidnapping of Hindu women and murders of Hindus in Pakistan. Hindu symbols are often being degraded by the fashion industry like Hindus gods on shoes or toilets ..Christian missionaries are continuously maligning Hinduism everywhere. Even the Western media continues to report negative stories about Hinduism.I think many Western Hindus could definitely play a massive part in correcting the negative image of Hinduism and also help by raising the human rights of Hindus as many of them come from many different countries and walks of life and they can raise this issues with the media and their governments. This is one site that has a lot information regarding the issues I’ve raised and recommend that all Hindus West or East visit .
Hindu Human Rights
http://www.hinduhumanrights.org/
March 7th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
The eternal question is who am I.
At first my identity is given to me by my parents and my genetics. Soon my culture decides who I am. If I stop in spiritual evolution, there I stop. But this too is maya.
60,000 years ago or so, a group of humans went their ways from their ancestors. As those on the Eurasian (Asiatico-european) terrain looked to find the truth their construct of God was able to show them many solutions. One group call their god Devi, another Kali, another Rama, another Indra, another Agni… And thus the great leaders of the time said there must be a way to undivide these constructs of God. Thus the secular history of Sanatana Dharma created the worlds first and thus far only meta-religion: Tat Sat, Aum, SatCitAnada…
O/W When the universe was created the man that was created and the man that was consumed expressed itself as the universe so that sacrifice (and thus divine love) could be manifest (Purusha-Prakriti). As a part of this manifestation there was a diversity of being which remains yoked (religioned) to the supreme truth. Some people focus on the diversity (religion), some seek the eternal truths and actions (Sanatana Dharma).
Any person who denies that they believe in the eternal truths is non-sensical and thus all of humanity is ready to join in the Sanatana Dharma.
But there are people that don’t want or can’t look beyond categories. To them the world must be parsed out, sectioned, and controlled. They are used to saying the Egyptian religion, the Greek Gods, The Babylonian Gods, the Mosaic gods…. A bunch of these guys come to the Indus valley and have no ability to see the advaitic vision of Sanatana Dharma. They say - look at the Indic gods. The word sticks because for dvaitic vision there is no way to understand Advaita and thus the metareligious construct. Hindus are thusly labeled.
Now a person who understands the advaitic perspective says - don’t label me, I am not a box captured by a name - I am not a hindu. I am a Sanatana Dharmic. I am stava, I am not this not this… I am That. So the conflict arises, they want to label us and we deny labels.
Thus none of us are a “hindu” but all of us are seekers for the eternal truth and dharma.
But the advaitist forgets the teaching of the Vedas and makes an error. The world is diverse, the world has dvaita operating within it. And the Sanatana Dharma confirms / affirms this world and the others. The King must still act as a king, the priest as priest, the farmer a farmer, the householder a householder, the student a student. Advaita is not a denial of dvaita. And so the Sanatana Dharmic must talk about the metareligious principles. Not because transcendency depends on it but because the immanent world depends on it. In order to talk about it efficiently s/he must label it. And thus we say we are HINDU!!
Not because it is a word that describes me but because it is a word that describes anothers contruct of who I am and by using that construct I can join the Sanatana Dharmic process of truth (Asato ma Sad gamaya), lightness (Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya), immortality (mrtyam ma’amrtam gamaya), and peace (shanti).
It is a bad word for us - Hindu - but it is a useful word that can help the world and thus, like Krishna, Rama, Shiva, Devi.. it repitition will soothe the world of dvaita.
I too struggled with whether or not I am a hindu and I recognize this article in my life thus far. Many have told me that I am not, many have said that I am too much of one. It is not FOR Sanatana Dharma that I call myself a Hindu now but BECAUSE OF Sanatana Dharma.
Spread the word.
By the way, though orthodoxy preserves culture and thus teaching, it is spiritual cowardice to seek truth only in the past. Orthodoxy is spiritual cowardice. Hinduism does not accept such cowardice. We accept ignorance in the state of man but to consent to ignorance is an error. The eternal truth/religion is in the moment of now: it demands living now, it demands satya now, justice now, moksha now… Deep and profound realization put into action in the moment of now. The past teaches but is not the goal.
hariaum
March 10th, 2007 at 7:46 am
Dear Sir,
The article is very relevant as it has been only approximately 40 years since the name Hindu has meant anything. The way of life which existed in India extending beyond its shores was known as Sanatana Dharma, and embraced within its fold a whole structure. It dealt with the concept of “Loka Samastha Sukino Bhavanthu”. This people let all the people of all the “WORLDS”, be happy and prosperous. Please note the word “WORLDS”, which meant the Milky way and any sort of life forms also.
The monotheistic thought process, call them relegions, iof you may could not understand or accept this concept as one such relegion refused to accept a scientist when he said that the world went round the Sun and not vice versa!! He was declared belonging to a particular relegion very recently, as if it mattered to him!!
Coming back to main subject when such a concept cannot be conceived how can it be absorped or accepted, so when persons accepting some other thought process came into contact with this concept they could not define it at all! so the y gave it a name as a way of life taht which exists beyond a particular river the Sindu or even it may have been the Indus, so the name “HINDU”.
THe concept of Hindutva is that. Let us go bck to the way of life and let not a group of people following a type of process calling themselves in whatever form they may want to , try to destroy this concept of Loka Samasthat Sukino Bhavanthu.
It is not that one is afraid of the H- Word, it is that theb H-Word is irrelevant as the concept of H existed only after a group of individuals not understand this wholesome concept because of their narrow and puerile thoughts had to redefine great way of life.
The H- word is only for identification for others to kep away from this concept of happiness for the whole world, and so the absence of it, the H- word is nothing to be ashamed or worrisome.
Regards,
V.C.Krishnan
March 10th, 2007 at 4:41 pm
“As far as Indians go, I’ve never been told that I am not a Hindu. ”
India is not the only Hindu country. Have you ever been to Nepal? There, Hinduism is strictly defined as the way you are born.
As far as the Indira Gandhi in Puri issue - that was all a political squabble. The fact is, the “marriage law” does not work in reverse. Supposedly Indira was denied because she had married a Parsi. Why then do people who marry “born” Hindus then not become automatically Hindu? The whole thing is riddled with contradictions and hypocrisy, and there is no defending it. Until the majority of Hindus stand up to these racists I want nothing to do with calling myself “Hindu.”