converts and jata

[Kapalika]

This is aimed particular at Indian Hindus and American Indian Hindus, but how do you feel about white U.S. American converts having jata (commonly called dreadlocks here)?

I know it has been practiced by Shaivites for centuries, but is there also other sects that dreadlocks have been part of in Hinduism? To my knowledge, earlier practices were due more to homage and imitation, later had more to do with symbols of forsaking certain things like vanity (such as what the Shadhus do). Am I correct on that matter?

 

[Aupmanyav]

You are right, but it is for renunciates (sadhus, they don't care about appearance) and not for others. For others this:

 

[Kapalika]

Though rare, I feel as if I've encountered shaivites and some small shaivite groups that have jata not tied to the level of asceticism that Shadhus have. Could an argument be made for deity imitation or homage more along the lines of what was common centuries ago? I know it is... Well unorthodox (but hey a lot of shadhus are of heterodox traditions themselves) but six years ago I made a vow to Shiva in reguards to keeping jata. This was actually at the suggestion of an initiated Kuala Shaivite living in India which I had been in contact with in the past.

I'm readdressing if there might of been a theological or cultural misstep in that decision, although I don't think it's possible to undo such a serious vow I made even if I wanted to. I'm thinking more along the lines of needing to adjust some parts of how I'm living to better reflect those considerations.

 

[Vinayaka]

This is aimed particular at Indian Hindus and American Indian Hindus, but how do you feel about white U.S. American converts having jata (commonly called dreadlocks here)?

I know it has been practiced by Shaivites for centuries, but is there also other sects that dreadlocks have been part of in Hinduism? To my knowledge, earlier practices were due more to homage and imitation, later had more to do with symbols of forsaking certain things like vanity (such as what the Shadhus do). Am I correct on that matter?

I've never seen a single American convert with dreadlocks. In Rastafarianism for sure. But that's not Hinduism.