06-28-2006, 05:30 PM
Who is a Hindu.
Well, as such, the modern term Hindu has come to mean a resident of Bharat who follows any one of the Indic religions, sects and sampradayas.
But if we delve deeper into the philosophical conotations of Hinduism and identity, the word 'hindu' would loose all its meanings.
For Hinduism (as well as any other Indic religion like Jainism/Buddhism/Sikhism/etc), the temporal body and its associated identities like sex, position, relationships are mundane, temporary and totally of no consequence to the Soul which is entrapped in these identities.
To free the soul is to give up much of these identities and associated karmic baggage.
So, if anyone strongly identifies himself as a 'Hindu', the person ultimately risks the danger of being bound to that identification which will force that person into samsara.
Both Advaitic/Dwaitic sampradayas stress the necessity to realise the essential truth that one is an Atman.
Having said this,
The necessity of an Identity as a Hindu *is* real and of utmost importance to distinguish our civilization from the nastikan/mellecha ones. Our Vaidika civilization needs to be protected at all costs, this being the duty of Kshatriyas.
THe recent trend of ALL MODERN gurus such as Sai Baba, SriSriSri Ravi SHankar and others to try to cater to the spiritual needs of the whole world irrespective of religion trying to fit Hinduism to the whole world is counter-productive.
Vaishnavism, Shakta, Shaivism have very strict rules of initiation into their sampradayas. These rules have their basis in Authentic Agamas and Vedas.
The whole Vedic Sacrifices and Upa-vedic literation lay down thousands and thousands of rules governing who can preside over sacrifices, who can conduct Homams, in which particular way and so on. It requires much preparation, both in Karmic way as well as scriptural knowledge to be a good 'Hindu'.
The modern Gurus are mocking at the religion and making a joke of becoming a Hindu.
There are great exceptions however.. lets see a few examples.
Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami (of Hinduism Today fame) belongs to an authentic Saiva Siddhanta school of Jaffna/Sri Lanka who was initiated into Hinduism according to Agamic rites and then into Sanyas by his most distinguised Gurudeva.
Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, being a properly initiated Guru, in turn has institutionalised Agamic rules for foreigners converting to Saiva Hinduism, demanding that they substitute their western/other names with Hindu names and formally severing their ties with their old religions.
Srila Prabhupada of ISKCON fame never compromised even a tee-wee bit with Strict Gaudiya Vaishnavite life codes for those who converted to Vaishnavite Hinduism. THere were times when Srila Prabhupada was 'advised' that strict adherence to Vaishnavite lifestyle is impossibe for Americans and that he should 'americanise' his religion for mass acceptance by none other than the Beetles and Allen Ginsberg.. Prabhupada refused to bulge a bit.
Today, we see Sai Baba, etc calling to all and sundry, telling them that no change in religion is necessary, nor life style, even eating beef is perfectly OK, as long as they do this or that, they will attain salvation and find personal fulfillment, etc.
To Conclude, the identity of being a Hindu is one that comes after countless lives among lower species. To be born as a Hindu to Hindu parents in India is a life that even Devas worship and do austerities for millions of years to get. This identity is precious. Not cheap that any westerner can wear an 'OM' t-shirt, lisen to Goa trance and claim to be a Hindu.
It requires hard work and a life of renunciation to be a true Hindu. Much more to become one if one is not born as a Hindu.
Just my thoughts.
Jagan Mohan.
Well, as such, the modern term Hindu has come to mean a resident of Bharat who follows any one of the Indic religions, sects and sampradayas.
But if we delve deeper into the philosophical conotations of Hinduism and identity, the word 'hindu' would loose all its meanings.
For Hinduism (as well as any other Indic religion like Jainism/Buddhism/Sikhism/etc), the temporal body and its associated identities like sex, position, relationships are mundane, temporary and totally of no consequence to the Soul which is entrapped in these identities.
To free the soul is to give up much of these identities and associated karmic baggage.
So, if anyone strongly identifies himself as a 'Hindu', the person ultimately risks the danger of being bound to that identification which will force that person into samsara.
Both Advaitic/Dwaitic sampradayas stress the necessity to realise the essential truth that one is an Atman.
Having said this,
The necessity of an Identity as a Hindu *is* real and of utmost importance to distinguish our civilization from the nastikan/mellecha ones. Our Vaidika civilization needs to be protected at all costs, this being the duty of Kshatriyas.
THe recent trend of ALL MODERN gurus such as Sai Baba, SriSriSri Ravi SHankar and others to try to cater to the spiritual needs of the whole world irrespective of religion trying to fit Hinduism to the whole world is counter-productive.
Vaishnavism, Shakta, Shaivism have very strict rules of initiation into their sampradayas. These rules have their basis in Authentic Agamas and Vedas.
The whole Vedic Sacrifices and Upa-vedic literation lay down thousands and thousands of rules governing who can preside over sacrifices, who can conduct Homams, in which particular way and so on. It requires much preparation, both in Karmic way as well as scriptural knowledge to be a good 'Hindu'.
The modern Gurus are mocking at the religion and making a joke of becoming a Hindu.
There are great exceptions however.. lets see a few examples.
Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami (of Hinduism Today fame) belongs to an authentic Saiva Siddhanta school of Jaffna/Sri Lanka who was initiated into Hinduism according to Agamic rites and then into Sanyas by his most distinguised Gurudeva.
Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, being a properly initiated Guru, in turn has institutionalised Agamic rules for foreigners converting to Saiva Hinduism, demanding that they substitute their western/other names with Hindu names and formally severing their ties with their old religions.
Srila Prabhupada of ISKCON fame never compromised even a tee-wee bit with Strict Gaudiya Vaishnavite life codes for those who converted to Vaishnavite Hinduism. THere were times when Srila Prabhupada was 'advised' that strict adherence to Vaishnavite lifestyle is impossibe for Americans and that he should 'americanise' his religion for mass acceptance by none other than the Beetles and Allen Ginsberg.. Prabhupada refused to bulge a bit.
Today, we see Sai Baba, etc calling to all and sundry, telling them that no change in religion is necessary, nor life style, even eating beef is perfectly OK, as long as they do this or that, they will attain salvation and find personal fulfillment, etc.
To Conclude, the identity of being a Hindu is one that comes after countless lives among lower species. To be born as a Hindu to Hindu parents in India is a life that even Devas worship and do austerities for millions of years to get. This identity is precious. Not cheap that any westerner can wear an 'OM' t-shirt, lisen to Goa trance and claim to be a Hindu.
It requires hard work and a life of renunciation to be a true Hindu. Much more to become one if one is not born as a Hindu.
Just my thoughts.
Jagan Mohan.