Am I a Hindu? Well I’ve always thought so, but…
Am I a practicing Hindu? I’ve always thought myself to be, and so has virtually everyone who knows me – I pray at home everyday, perform the daily puja along with the members of my family, I have been involved in a number of Hindu community activities, I have helped friends organise Hindu society activities in universities, oh… and I occasionally write for Hindu Voice (maybe that counts for something too). But according to the definition announced by Britain’s first state-funded Hindu school, I would not quite make it - I’m not a vegetarian, I don’t go to a public temple regularly and I don’t abstain from alcohol in an absolute way.
December 27th, 2007 at 5:49 am
You are to be what you choose to be. Seldom visit temples and meat eating does not make you a less Hindu. It is all up to us. Weither you want to be a strict one or a plain one. Don’t have to listen to those people who thought that they know best. What important is that we should all be proud of our Hindu identity that our parents have given us. Cherish that and deepen your Hindu knowledge.
December 27th, 2007 at 9:13 am
It is not the fault of ISKON that they are promoting Hindu values.
Do you even in Assam or West Bengal eat anything other than vegetarian food when there would be Durga Puja or any other Puja. I am sure the mother of the writer Rudra Chatterjee would beat him up if he would like to eat fish curry during the Durga Puja. It is not allowed.
Similarly “a drink or two” is not allowed either in a Hindu household. Only during the Shiva-Ratri Vhang or Siddhi are allowed to some extent; that is the only exception.
There should be discipline among the Hindus, they must floow the basic principles of Hindu religion. Most Hindus of India or Britain are ignorant about their religion; they must learn and practice. Otherwise just like modern Christianity you need to allow Disco, binge drinking, free sex all in the name of religion just to accomodate everyone. Then there will be nothing left in Hinduism.
December 28th, 2007 at 3:19 am
A.Moron they are not “Hindu” values but your and CON’s values that you are trying to impose on the majority of the Hindus, even besides meat eating (which is becoming useless to debate with head in the sand types like you), you don’t find anything objectionable that their so called instructions does not even mention one Shaiva festival or a scripture of theirs?
It is indeed strange that the second largest group among Hindus (Shaivas) is left out and we are talking about “Hindu” values.
And I am not even a Shaiva or any other sect follower but the exclusion is obvious enough to me.
December 28th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
Since Hinduism is the “relentless search after truth”, any one who searches after truth is automatically a Hindu.
Hinduism has no litmus test.
Even atheists can condemn Hinduism in the market place and still proudly call themselves as Hindus.
The CHARVAKA philosophy or NASTIKA [atheistic] philosophy, [existed during the Vedic period] founded by CHARVAKA rejected the existence of God and considered religion as an aberration. Charvaka was not killed. He died in bed due to old age.
Voltaire in Essay on Tolerance wrote: “I may disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death, your right to say it.”
Hinduism is the symbolic representation of what Voltaire wrote.
December 28th, 2007 at 10:46 pm
Hilarious ending to the article i have to admit. That was funny. I agree with this article. We shouldn’t be judged by what we do, but by what we are. Rajesh and Neha, i have read their names all over this website, editor, writer and so on. Its amazing how you were able to tell us that Rajeshji drinks, and Nehaji doesn’t set foot in a mandir more than once or twice a year. But according to them, they aren’t true Hindu’s. That means these people have set up a brilliant forum to find out they haven’t really contributed to the Hindu socitey.
Rajeshji, Nehaji, I hope you are setting out to do something about this definition. If you are, let us know, I’ll gladly walk by your side in this, because their definition says a lot of wrong things which I totally disagree with and wish to change.
December 29th, 2007 at 12:10 am
Hey Sejal,
Thanks for your support! However, I don’t reckon its worth going after them over this, coz they’ve already retracted their comments to some extent plus our limited time is better spent in our other projects and activities.
December 29th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
All is good neha, but where is this school anyway? i didnt see it in the article… The reason i think we should at the vert least say something is that the people who WANT to get accepted in this school but cannot because if their definition could drive the youths away.. .To be honest, i would get partially driven away if I came across that situation and those were the reasons i didnt get in… however i wouldn’t get totally driven away… I would still come back at them.
January 7th, 2008 at 11:52 am
If you do not want to follow the rules of Hinduism, as given in the Vedas, Upanishad and Bhagwat Gita, that is your choice, but you cannot say that you will not practice hinduism but still you claim to be a Hindu.
Most British do not say, ” I am a Christian”, because they do not follow the principles of Chistianity. Similarly most Hindus do not follow Hinduism.
How many of you have read these three sets of books I have mentioned above. There are verses in BHAGWAT GITA which says exactly what foods are allowed and what is not allowed. If you a Hindu, you must follow.
[ By the way there was no person called CHARVAK, but there is a system of philosophy called CHARVAK LOKAYATIKA, the main writers were Brishaspati, Kapil, Kanad who refused to accept the VEDAS ( that is the reason they are called NASTIK) and the supremacy of the BRAHMAN. That is not Hinduism. Athesists are not Hindus. Those who accept at least the VEDAS are Hindus. VEDAS ( along with UPANISHAD and BHAGWAT GITA) accept there was only one supreme creator BRAHMAN. ]
January 17th, 2008 at 11:21 am
if you eat meat as a Hindu - you will come back as the same animal that you consumed!! you will feel the pain that you gave to that livin creature!! basic philosphy of hindu’s - if you are a british Hindu there is no need ot eat meat as food is plenty here- it is only GREED that makes you want ot eat meat- you don’t need it, it is a disgusting habit and unnecessary. Drinking alcohol regardless how much you can hold you liquor - is still an intoxication and does deter you away from righteous and God.
January 17th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
I just wanted to add also - everyone seems against the Hare Krsna Movement but if you go to the Swaminaryan Mandir - they would actually advise you the same thin g - about not eating meat and intoxications, smoking,drinlkng etc..even in moderation it is not good and not allowed..and try your best to cometo the Mandir , not just on religious occasions but as often as you can ..
January 19th, 2008 at 9:56 am
Nita most Hindus are not against the Hare Krishna movement over their stance of meat eating. But because they associate man made myths of jesus and allah with Shri Krishna while calling Lord Shiva, Lord Ganapati and Mataji demigods.
As for the rubbish about meat eating nowhere does it say in our scriptures that you can’t. Also it is not greed that makes you want to eat meat some people have no choice. For example I suffer from really bad IBS and vegetarian food goes straight through me while meat doesn’t.
January 19th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Nita, what you said was kind of out of order. Yeah the basic Hindu Philosophy bit, fair enough. Its not about greed. Why does everything meat eating Hindu’s do seem wrong to veggie Hindus. Eating meat for me just happened to be something i did from a young age because the older kids in my famiy ate meat. Its something you pick up. Have you ever seen veggie parents with meat eating kids?, or on the larger scale, entire veggie family with a kid eaitng meat. Unique situation eh? yeah it is…. because its what THEY picked up. You can’t say were greedy little people because we picked it up from family!!
January 20th, 2008 at 4:47 am
Sejal, an interesting point you make. Whilst my parents have been lifelong vegetarians, I did eat meat as a child, and they did nothing to coerce me otherwise. They were happy to feed me meat if that was what I wanted, the sole condition being that meat was not allowed to be brought into the house. At the age of 11 however, I myself made the conscious decision to become vegetarian, a decision that has remained with me since then.
As you will see from my past comments on the topic of vegetarianism, I would certainly not condemn anyone who did eat meat, nor try to claim that they were in any way less Hindu for it - it is a personal decision. However, my point is that whilst we may pick things up from parents, friends and society in general, we are individually free to choose our own path. It is perhaps interesting, as an intellectual exercise, to consider, if you eat meat merely because it is something you picked up, equally, are you Hindu merely because it is something you picked up?
January 20th, 2008 at 6:07 am
Also I’m sorry if it sounds bad but veggie Hindus who judge meat eating Hindus are acting like muslims and christians who judge other people all the time.
Sejal actually my entire family is veggie. I guess I picked up meat eating from my mates as I grew up in a white area.
January 21st, 2008 at 9:14 pm
We pick these things from places, people, and our everyday environment. It just happens to build into a habit… your in one of the unique situations i seen around prahalad….
January 23rd, 2008 at 9:16 pm
Firstly let me just say,sorry if I offended anyone. To the person with the IBS. Vegetarian food will only take 1-2days to digest and pass through your system. with meat it takes up 5-7days for the meat to break down in your intestines,so basically it rots in your body,before it passes out. I am no doctor, but being veggie does not mean you just eat fruit and veg. You could even say that being veggie in this day and age is hard work, as you have to think and plan what you need in your diet. I haven’t memorised none of the sciptures, but please can you shed light where it says it is ok to kill another soul and eat it?? In this country we don’t actually go out and hunt the food and eat it, so you see none of that process, how many meat eaters would kill an animal , clean it, cook it and eat it?? I used to eat meat up to 10years ago, but it was stayng in India for a few months, and returning to UK, which made me give up meat. I saw animals are treated, the differnce between the meat in UK, and real fresh meat! I have one parent who eats meat and another that doesn’t. We were bought up to eat meat,your parents are your guides in life, but sometimes they get it wrong too, no one is perfect!. Or in my case - I heard both sides of the arguemnt and decided myself as I got older, that is not for me. End of the day - God gave us freewill, and if you are an adult - you are responsible for your own actions. That’s the great thing about Hindusim - Freewill.
Is it not a sin to kill an innocent being? Is an animals life worth nothing, because it is an animal? Also another question that has always bothered me - where does it say which animals you can and can’t eat? if the meat is mince how do you know that is just meat of an animal?? Also how come you don’t see no Hindu meat shops?? I only see muslim halal ones. and english butchers. muslims even kill the animals humanley, and drain majority of the blood, but even then soem of the blood still reamins and you will be eating that too. and did you think how long before it reaches you plate, killing, cleaning, transporting, packing - think that may be at least 1-2days old by then, maybe longer??
Those who wrote, that I am judging the meat eaters, I think you are doing the same. There is a difference between judging and having an opinion. I would appricaite if you someone could shed light where it says it is ok to eat meat in any of our scriptures. I have been self teaching myself about Hinduism the past 13years or so, and have not come across where it says it is ok, another reason I gave up too.
January 24th, 2008 at 5:59 am
I guess that the British Hindus are trying to justify their bad habits and blaming ISKON.
My question is : Have you ever read the Holy books of Hinduism like Rig Veda, Bhagwat Gita and Upanishad?
Or do you think if you attain a Diwali Disco you are a Hindu?
January 25th, 2008 at 7:26 am
re: I guess that the British Hindus are trying to justify their bad habits and blaming ISKON.
NO WE BRITISH HINDUS BLAME ISKON FOR ASSOCIATING MYTHS OF JESUS/ALLAH WITH SHRI KRISHNA. SIMILAR TO HOW YOU INDIANS WORSHIP THE GANDHI FAMILY.
My question is : Have you ever read the Holy books of Hinduism like Rig Veda, Bhagwat Gita and Upanishad?
YES I’VE READ GITA/MAHABHARAT BUT NOT THE REST. KINDLY POINT OUT WHICH CHAPTER/VERSE (NOT THE ONE ISCKON VERSION) SAYS YOU MUST NOT EAT MEAT/SMOKE/DRINK. BECAUSE AS FAR AS I KNOW HINDUISM IS NOT A REPRESSIVE RELIGION.
Or do you think if you attain a Diwali Disco you are a Hindu?
WE BRITISH HINDUS GO TO NIGHTCLUBS IF WE WANT TO DANCE. WE LEAVE DIWALI DISCO DANDYA TO YOU INDIAN BOLLYWOOD LOVERS.
AND BEFORE POINTING THE FINGER AT US BRITISH HINDUS TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT YOUR COUNTRYMEN’S ANTICS FIRST. yOU GUYS HARDLY EVEN WHIMPER WHEN HINDUS ARE BEING KILLED/DEITIES INSULTED IN INDIA. BUT GO OUT OF YOUR WAY TO DEFEND YOUR SHILPA DEVI OR GANDHI DEVTA.
January 25th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Reading and understanding are two very different things. A child can read,does not mean that he/she will understand. This also applies to an adult!
A. Moron, can I just ask where are you from and what religion are you?( your namedoesn’t help!) And what do you mean about a Diwali disco- are you talking about Gharbars??
It seems alot of people, not just you are just making comments that not relevant, that’s all!
January 26th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Reference the above (largely meaningless and highly self-destructive) argument about whether British or Indian Hindus are better, please see my comment on the thread ‘Be wary of English translations of Hindu scriptures’.
Moving back to the topic of this thread, however, I would be most interested in knowing people’s views (especially those of British Hindus) on this question: How do you respond when your white British friends, once they know that you are a Hindu, ask you if you are religious (or practising, or however else they put it)?
January 29th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Not british but: I ask them to define religious. nkv
February 1st, 2008 at 11:10 am
Nita:
I do not know why Mr.A.Moron has taken that name or who is he, but what he is saying has a lot of relevance. He is talking about pure Hinduism or Sanatan Dharma which is written down precisely in Bhagwat Gita, Rig Veda and Upanishads. It seems that most Hindus whether British or Indians, do not care to read these books and as a result there are so much debates about Hinduness which are not needed.
Bhagwat Gita recommends Sattik way of life and the recommended foods are those which are not acidic, do not cause pain, gives energy, one cannot feel heavy after eating but feel light. Intoxicating drinks are not recommended. Thus, one can interpret these as pointing out towards vegetarian food and prohibition for intoxicating drinks.
One may mention the habit of the Vedic Hindus to drink the juice of Soma, but Soma juice as described in the Rig Veda was not intoxicating but gives energy. It is not known today what plant was Soma but certainly it was not any fermented drinks.
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:32 am
Not British! - most pepole don’t ask if you are practicing or even religious nowadays,- alot of people (not asmuch as before say year2000) are unaware of the religion and its practices,usually get comments like - oh you have the many Gods,or you have the lovely temples etc,or sometimes negative comments!!..Try to explain to people simply as possible, so they are able to understand the basics and then ask people to look into them themsleves too as a very broad+vast religion and also have to look into with an open mind, that is if you are truly interested in understanding. Do always say it is important to do prayers every day, regardless of your religion. And if you are drawn to Hindusim there is something there for you and you should follow that…
February 4th, 2008 at 5:02 am
Everything that a Hindu or a non-Hindu( interested in our religion) need to know about Sanatan Dharma is given in the Bhagwat Gita ( from Chapter 3 onwards).
When I was a student in Britain, it used to cost only 2.50 Pounds, less than a Hamburger or Donar Kebab or a pint of lager.
Why is it so difficult for the British Hindus ( or Indian Hindus) to read it?
February 4th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Mirosh - There are many relevant commets,which make this topic an interesting read,which i have read back and A Moron has made soemgood ones to. but there is also irrelvant commetns such as diwali disco! I asked what did the person mean! Also like i said before and this is a good example- reading and understanding are two different things. you failed to understand what I had written. This also applies to our sacred books..
I am vegetarian and don’t drink alcolhol, mainly after reading Hindu scared books,a s mentioned above. I understand about eating sattik food, but I also understand that this way of life is not for everybody, - this could be due to different circumstances,work, climate,lifestyle etc..and how your mind and way of thinking is. I actully tried this a few years back, and found myself getting more ill constanly,( after more reading I understood, the time is not right, for me, mainly due to work!) you cannot force people to think how you think, you can only help them understand,and making irrelvant commetns doesn’t actually help. It causes more of a divide, than there already is…
February 4th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Not right for me at this present time
February 6th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Dewali Disco and Holi Disco: In my university in Britain, when I was a student, there was one India Society full of Jhola-wala girls and Dari-Wala boys, who thinks jhola( bags made from cotton) or Dari( beard) are very progressive and those who are without these are capitalists. They used to organise Dewali Discos and Holi Discos with normal pop music, lager and real ale. Some of my European/American friends were interested to know about Dewali or Holi, I took them there to see these Jholawalas and Dariwals were dancing with boogies what they call Hindu celebrations.
I felt very insulted and never bothered to go these again.
The first sentence I have received from a Dariwals British Hindu when I went to Britain was, ” How is it possible for the India governbment to send you here when the country is bankrupt?”
February 20th, 2008 at 10:08 am
this debate seems very heated and alot of people have different opinions but i simply say look at it like this. ‘HINDUISM’ is a totally western concept. if you look at all the hindus all over india the festivals, prays, and traditions are all carried out differently, this just shows that there is no one definition for being a hindu. all of the ‘gods’ we worship are simply there to explain to our simple minds the power and diversity of ‘brahman’.
being a hindu for me is finding your own connection with god. we should not judge others by these silly definitions.
February 27th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Hindu ways of life in different countries are indeed different but that is not true about Hinduism and what was prescribed in out Holy books.
Hinduism is a definite idea, not a diverse idea as the Biritish or Americans say.
Hinduism is a definite concrete region, not just ways of life with millions of gods.
Those who have never read our Holy books can say so. That is the reason it is so important to read these books: Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagwat Gita.
March 5th, 2008 at 7:14 am
Moron, you got it right. All religions are a way of life. What is important is what sort of life, for what purpose and what will be after death. Hindu religion is well defined, well structured and very logical. I have even managed to convince Church preists of that. One day I will spell it out to this column.
March 9th, 2008 at 9:59 am
The religion itself is all correct and will give you a full understanding of this life and afterlife and covers all aspects of how to live now in the current age. However, it is the people that practice the religion - labelled as ‘Hindus’ in this age make the religion incorrect. It is very easy to blame others for this, but you should always look at yourseld first, before you begin to make judements on others. You cannot help others, if you firstly cannot help yourself.
March 20th, 2008 at 8:21 am
Nita,
For the sake of convenience and simplicity we do not mind being called Hindus. The word has come from the name of river Sindhu on the banks of which first principles and concepts of our religion were established.
Looking inward and helping one first is a Hindu concept. This teaching has come from our scripture telling us that every living thing in this universe has a soul within of certain value in the cycle of reincarnation. And responsibility of enlightening this soul or refining its value lies with the individual. Due to lack of such divine concept and belief in ’soul’ itself other religions tend to be externally very aggressive and fanatic and we become their victims. This doesn’t mean we should all try to be sadhus or pious and forget about living material life. Once convinced that acquiring quality knowledge about everything on this world is part of this process of enlightening of soul within, it makes sense to living by full understanding of this man made material world. No point in driving big car without knowing how it works. That is true progress of ones own life towards guarantying better life after death. But in many ways we as Hindus fail to help fellow Hindus in achieving such progress. This will need moral and practical help.
March 24th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Human beings are perfect. It is ideology that creates avidya then maya.
hariaum
March 27th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Kumar - has you have directed your comment at me - I understand and agree with most of waht you are saying. But you are missing my point; this being that if you have incorrect knowledge yourself you are not really helping anyone - it is like the saying goes -the blind leading the blind. Of course, make people aware and knowledgeable if you have the correct knowledge to give!! unfortunenatley sadly has you can see form the discussions boards everyone seems to haev different viewpoints, so if we cannot agree amonst ourselves, - how are you going to enlighten someone who is not a ‘Hindu’??
Uusally a fault you see in others is a fault within yourself , but cannot admit to it..
Sorry but I think that no one is perfect, espeically humans! Only God is perfect… we can only strive to perfection - we have all the Gods and Goddesses has role models. One of the beauties of ‘Hinduisum’
Om Shanti
March 30th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Nita,
I am glad some one is criticising me more constructively. As you have said no human is perfect. Only thing humans can do is expressing them freely and get corrected if wrong by other humans. This is the learning process humans have been following for thousands of years. Of course there are many things that we follow blindly but one should show courage and come out of blind faiths and sooner more unified agreement is bound to come to surface. I have never considered myself perfect.
As we are discussing Hinduism, my observation is that Hindus have not been following Hinduism correctly. For too many years we have embroiled ourselves in poojas after poojas of Gods, Goddesses and celebrations without reading and acting according to the scriptures. But I agree making role models out of the deities is essential to calm our nerves when needed.
During my life in UK I have managed to convince the local Christians the logic and goodness of our religion. And some have even asked me how to join us and were prepared to pay the membership. And all I was doing is to give my own knowledge about our religion. Please do correct my faults often and oblige.
March 30th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Is there a separation between atma, paratma, and brahman other than that created by avidya? What is the boundary of Brahman that humans exist outside of?
hariaum
April 1st, 2008 at 7:44 am
As far as I know, Brahman or Brahma is our creator and the whole Universe is his ‘principle’, Brahmatatwa. The humans have been referring to this ‘Tatwa’ as nature, God’s gift and God’s wish.
The Brhamatatwa tells us that every living thing has a ’soul’ within of certain value in a cycle of reincarnation. But our creator’s soul, explained as ‘Supreme soul’ incarnates in human form only when ‘Dharma’ itself is threatened and is on the verge of destruction.
Vedas also have defined this ‘Supremesoul as transcendental spirit. By this, Hindus know who their God is as no other religion has ever defined the Creator or God. Jews have called this spirit Messiah, Christians have called it Holy Ghost and Father in Heaven and Islam calls it Allah. So to put it bluntly without such definition in their scriptures other religions’ God is man made. This is why there is no spirituality in other religions.
April 1st, 2008 at 8:29 am
Brahman is the the Sole creator, The ONE as said in the Rig Veda. Brahman creates atma, as Brahman is the Paramatma, or in the words of Sri Krishna” source of all”.
There is no boundary for the Brahman. In the words of RamKrishna ParamHansa, ” Brahman is the shoreless ocean”
April 2nd, 2008 at 4:22 am
So how is it that humans are imperfect? Do we exist outside of the perfect shoreless ocean?
hariaum
April 2nd, 2008 at 7:49 am
I find it amazing that Christians after some two thousand years have decided to call their ‘God’ as ‘Holy Sprit’ and no more a ‘Holy Ghost’ or ‘Father in Heaven’. Even Archbishop Williams, in his Easter sermon referred to God as ‘Holy Spirit’, without of course written down definition. He needs to be reminded that when Hindus told the world our creator is a Holy Spirit they were branded as Pagans, not worthy of existence on this Earth. And historically on this pretext have killed millions of humans including Hindus in the past two thousand years. Strictly speaking as head of Christian faith Archbishop should apologise to Hindus including Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs. Instead he is prepared to accept draconian Sharia Laws of yet another similar religion whose God called Allah, according to one research, was name of a Goddess followed by the Arabs before Muhammad. Amazing, Amazing, Amazing!