Before I say anything, I have to make sure I understand

[Shântoham]

Thank you for the explanation.

You are welcome.

Isn't this one of the things that the American Hindu Association is trying to combat?

Yes, the AHA is fighting it - but, as Hindus, we all need to be fully - and not partially - aware of the issue.

Pranāms

 

[Shântoham]

I am sorry but this writing is spewing the same type of post modern drivel most academics in anthropology and cultural studies cling to, the same none sense that has made me an outcaste in my doctoral program. The writer relies on hot words and tag lines like "colonial histories", "subaltern", and " orientalism". Do these ideas have a place in discourse, of course. However what many who use these terms fail to see (including this author) is that in claiming "post traumatic, post colonial servile disorder" he has completely taken any agency out of the hands of diasporic Hindus. They become weak and not responsible for what happens to them. He neglects to recognize the fact that when Hindus decided to move out of India they also chose to take part in an inter religious/ inter cultural narrative where people move among belief systems.

This author is using an idea of identity not his own but thrust upon Hindus first by Muslim conquerors then exploited by British colonialists. He is arguing against the results of a colonial history and yet he is to blind to see that the very corner stone of his argument was invented by non Hindus.

Works like this massage the egos of an intellectual elite situated in the ivory tower of academia. I guarantee that the majority of his readers will not be Indians but white upper middle class 30 somethings who have taken the idea of reflexivity to such an extreme that to show interest in a non western system is orientalist longings sprinkled with a colonial sentiment. To take pride in one's native culture is just as bad as for these people it becomes jingoistic racism.

Aum Hari Aum!

Very very true indeed!

Pranāms

 

[Shântoham]

I don't know if I would define Wendy Doniger as a Hindu Hater. I just find her use of Psychoanalysis as a method to interpret Hindu scripture as absurd. I see Dr Doniger as more of an old hippy.

Namaskāram

The hatred comes out in her personal dealings with the Hindu diaspora and with those who disagree with her - including other scholars. You can find her personal correspondence with several members of the diaspora on line. She can be quite vicious.
Furthermore, her books - and the books of her posse - influence the opinion that many people have on Hinduism - and truly offend millions of devoted Hindus. Personally, I could never finish reading any of her books or interviews. Her translation of the Vedas is - at best - laughable - Sanskrit wise. So many mistakes and even more distortions. But only a hanful of her peers - all of them Sanskritists - had the guts to speak publically about it.

Pranāms

 

[Maya3]

Namaskāram

The hatred comes out in her personal dealings with the Hindu diaspora and with those who disagree with her - including other scholars. You can find her personal correspondence with several members of the diaspora on line. She can be quite vicious.
Furthermore, her books - and the books of her posse - influence the opinion that many people have on Hinduism - and truly offend millions of devoted Hindus. Personally, I could never finish reading any of her books or interviews. Her translation of the Vedas is - at best - laughable - Sanskrit wise. So many mistakes and even more distortions. But only a hanful of her peers - all of them Sanskritists - had the guts to speak publically about it.

Pranāms

Wow, I just looked in my bookshelf, of course that is the copy of the Vedas I have. Interestingly I have never been able to get through it.

Maya

 

[Krishna Chaitanya]

Not sure if I understand this person correctly?

But is he saying that we Non Indian Hindus are mocking Hinduism?

Deepak Sarma: White Hindu Converts: Mimicry Or Mockery?

Maya

Hi,

IMIHO, this guy doesn't really seem to understand Hinduism and is entangled in illusion (more precisely, racism and other bodily/material attributes).

Here is a response to the article

Mimicry, Mockery, or Mumukshutva? Jeffery Long's Response to Deepak Sarma

Maya

This response is more sensible. However, he mentions that he does not in favor of people getting hindu names, dresses but raises the point that one can practice Hinduism without becoming Indianized etc. Of course, he express his favor in one of his comments in the reply section. My understanding of the similarities is that:

One could practice Hinduism without having for example, Indian names - since its ultimately the intent of the heart that the lord looks at, and not necessarily the content.

However, Hinduism (rather, Sanatana Dharma) is based on Vedas. So, in order to remember the Vedas and make it a part of ones life (as an expression of intent mentioned above), the culture has given way to such Sanskritic names (like Govinda, Shiva, Durga, Gita etc.).

When someone has such names and remembers the true meaning of such Vedic names, then it helps the consciousness to get deep rooted in scriptures like Bhagavad Gita etc. by remembering which at the time of death, one can get freed from the cycle of birth and death.

Though it is not true with all people unfortunately, but this is the intention behind having such names (it essential makes on closer to Vedas - and coincidentally to India).

Back to the point, details apart:

The Vedanta Sutra begins with Athato brahma jignaysa ('Now inquire about the absolute truth'). At the very beginning itself, the boundaries of caste, creed, race etc are broken. Sanatana dharma (the real name of Hinduism) teaches about the soul and its relationship with the supreme. So, Hinduism can be practiced by any sincere person irrespective of caste, creed, gender etc...

In conclusion, IMHO, the people who are materially of high caliber (industrialists, professors etc.) should be trained well in shastra and culture/life-style so that at most it inspires people to understand the efficacy of Sanatana Dharma in transforming people's hearts. On the other hand, at the least does not mislead people from other religious/cultural background by giving them wrong views about Hinduism.

In my viewpoint, one's own possibility as a Hindu to clear such misconceptions (to misled people) is that,

1. When we become selfless in our example (to whatever extent possible) and show love and compassion to everyone else, people's heart will change by seeing such genuine character.

2. When we use share our intellectual capabilities to our best extent (writing, discussing etc.) after understanding the shastra properly, it can help in the intellectual awakening of open-minded thinkers still seeking unbiasedly for truth.

Thanks,
Chaitanya

 

[Sumit]

But is he saying that we Non Indian Hindus are mocking Hinduism?

Hinduism is almost doomed and we are responsible for that not you. Today what we see is just a trace of ancient Hinduism.

 

[Maya3]

Did anyone write to this guy?
Did you get a reply?
I wrote him on Monday, but no reply.

Maya

 

[Poeticus]

Hinduism is almost doomed and we* are responsible for that not you**.

As an Indian Hindu...I vehemently concur.

*Indian Hindus
**non-Indian Hindus

 

[Aupmanyav]

Deepak Sarma: White Hindu Converts: Mimicry Or Mockery?

Unfortunate that this person is a Professor of South Asian Religions and Philosophy. No evidence in the article, just assertions.

Here is a response to the article: Mimicry, Mockery, or Mumukshutva? Jeffery Long's Response to Deepak Sarma

Excellent response.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Wow, I just looked in my bookshelf, of course that is the copy of the Vedas I have. Interestingly I have never been able to get through it.

Read it as a book of history and the yearnings of herder communities vying for space to graze their cattle, afraid of loosing their cattle by theft, and you would get through. Of course, I do not know what caricature Wendy Doniger made of it.

However, Hinduism (rather, Sanatana Dharma) is based on Vedas.

That is a very one-sided view. In one stroke you remove Rama, Krishna, Shiva, Parvati, Ganesha, Murugan, all, since they are not mentioned in the Vedas. Why do you need a 'rather'? Is not Hindu Dharma exactly the same as Sanatan Dharma?

 

[Aupmanyav]

Hinduism is almost doomed and we are responsible for that not you. Today what we see is just a trace of ancient Hinduism.

As an Indian Hindu...I vehemently concur.

Hinduism will prove you wrong. It is not for anything that it has survived for thousands of years.

 

[Poeticus]

Hinduism will prove you wrong. It is not for anything that it has survived for thousands of years.

"Hinduism" doesn't need to prove anyone anything, Aup. I am agreeing with Sumit on the basic premise that Indian Hindus, themselves, may lead to a schism of shifting realities: the innate withering of Hinduism-s in India only to be resurged in Western communities or enclaves of people from differing backgrounds. Sumit has a point. While a majority of Indian Hindus do not really care and they identify as Hindus due to cultural notions and paradigms, "Hinduism" is being greatly affected, and it can be argued for the worse as it pertains to its situation in India.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Oh, these city types. But India lives in villages. Hinduism will win because, like in a wrestling contest, it does not give the opponent any hold. How can one defeat an opponent who does not give a hold? Now, I am an atheist Hindu.

 

[satyaroop]

"Hinduism" doesn't need to prove anyone anything, Aup. I am agreeing with Sumit on the basic premise that Indian Hindus, themselves, may lead to a schism of shifting realities: the innate withering of Hinduism-s in India only to be resurged in Western communities or enclaves of people from differing backgrounds. Sumit has a point. While a majority of Indian Hindus do not really care and they identify as Hindus due to cultural notions and paradigms, "Hinduism" is being greatly affected, and it can be argued for the worse as it pertains to its situation in India.

I have to read your some of your posts more than once to understand what you're saying because of your intricate language
that fast moving dancing guy doesn't make it easier either, he makes me slightly nervous, as if rushed for time

makes me feel like a caveman:banghead3

 

[Vinayaka]

"Hinduism" doesn't need to prove anyone anything, Aup. I am agreeing with Sumit on the basic premise that Indian Hindus, themselves, may lead to a schism of shifting realities: the innate withering of Hinduism-s in India only to be resurged in Western communities or enclaves of people from differing backgrounds. Sumit has a point. While a majority of Indian Hindus do not really care and they identify as Hindus due to cultural notions and paradigms, "Hinduism" is being greatly affected, and it can be argued for the worse as it pertains to its situation in India.

I think a lot of this has to do with a time lap between cultures. India (and elsewhere) seems to be about 20 or so years behind the west. I would imagine trying to find gluten free for example would be an insane task in India. White bread and white rice still rule, but I bet in 30 or 40 years there will be lots of whole grain, and brown rice.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Why should one search for gluten free grain if there is no sensitivity to it? I have not come across any person in India who needs gluten free diet. I prefer thick rotis, like those of workmen. More than wheat, I have started liking corn and 'bajra' (pearl millet) which are gluten free. I am familiar with both as I am from Rajasthan. I intend to try barley, sorghum, and ragi soon. Whole grain bread (oat bread in metros) is available everywhere. Brown rice too, but then it is supposed to be hard to digest (wife says, and she knows the best).

 

[Vinayaka]

Why should one search for gluten free grain if there is no sensitivity to it?

That's exactly the way we thought here too - 20 years ago. But if you explore 'indigestion' problems there, and did some testing, you'd find it. It's cause is genetic, so deny as much as you want, it would still be there. In the meantime, millions of people suffer because of some sort of cultural pride "We don't have that here." In Islamic countries, there is no homosexuality either.

Here's a link... http://celiacdiseaseindia.com/

 

[Kalidas]

That's exactly the way we thought here too - 20 years ago. But if you explore 'indigestion' problems there, and did some testing, you'd find it. It's cause is genetic, so deny as much as you want, it would still be there. In the meantime, millions of people suffer because of some sort of cultural pride "We don't have that here." In Islamic countries, there is no homosexuality either.

Here's a link... Celeiac Disease India

He's right. My friend has Celiac and had a bad habit of getting sick easily. Well one day he got checked out and bam Gluten allergy. Its one of those allergies that's hard to pin point, so many people just think "oh I just get sick a lot" or "I just get stomach problems" never finding out it IS avoidable

 

[Aupmanyav]

"Life can be as enjoyable without gluten." This is a doctor's advertisement. Sure, life could be enjoyable without gluten if somebody had a sensitivity. Does not apply to majority who do not have any.

"Our study results revealed a prevalence of 0.3% (1 in 310) which is comparable to the disease prevalence in Western countries."
0.3% will mean some 4 million people in India. Good that a large percentage of people in India are rice eaters.

 

[Aupmanyav]

.. did some testing, you'd find it. It's cause is genetic, ..

Did I deny it? I said we may have 4 million people suffering because of it, if we go by universal percentage. It is another matter that I have not come across any. One of my grandson's has a sensitivity to odors like phenyl. Happens.