Aupmanyav
Be your own guru
No, FS, haughtiness is not advocated in Hinduism. Abhimana, dvesha.
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Dharma and race
- Thread starter Andal
- Start date
Nyingjé Tso
Dharma not drama
To come back to this a little (sorry) I agree completely but there is a huge difference to be made there.
Those people are not to be considered as "western hindus" by other hindus or born indian. They are not "hindu converts". They are juste hipsters adopting a style or whatever, it's a trend for them. They don't go to temple, they don't do seva, no sadhana, they don't read, they don't pratice or experience anything. They are not hindus, and they have not to be mistaken with sincere converts, that are unjustly victim of this "western convert" stereotype.
This is what a "western Hindu" look like
These people ARE NOT Hindus. They are just idiots. Not Hindus.
Difference have to be made between those two type of people.
Indeed they are not Hindus. Still, I think some Indian Hindus who have a clouded perspective have never seen white people in India behaving in a traditional Hindu manner like in your wonderful pictures.
I know there is no excuse, but it helps me understand why they think the way they do.
I know there is no excuse, but it helps me understand why they think the way they do.
Fireside_Hindu
Jai Lakshmi Maa
I say that about a lot of things, Aup - I mean it only in jest. If you could see my car you will note that it is bumper sticker free.
:camp:
Fireside_Hindu
Jai Lakshmi Maa
The trouble arises when the sincere Hindus are made to feel like they must prove it. If someone came up to me now and asked me to recite my favorite line from the Gits in Sanskrit, Or asked me what my favorite purana was, I'd have to shrug my shoulders. I could defend myself (I'm only two years in!) but that's not what they are looking for. At some point, Sincere converts have to smile as those that doubt them and wish them well. God will know me when she sees me. It's hard because most of us need the community to feel connected to the tradition at some level, but I try not to stress about it as much as I used to.
:camp:
I still don't get it. Who are these people, (besides the internet bullies) who try to make you prove it?
Maybe my experience has been different. I just went to 13 temples, and never once had this feeling of having to prove something. We're Hindu, it's as simple as that. There is nothing left to prove.
Nyingjé Tso
Dharma not drama
I still don't get it. Who are these people, (besides the internet bullies) who try to make you prove it?
Maybe my experience has been different. I just went to 13 temples, and never once had this feeling of having to prove something. We're Hindu, it's as simple as that. There is nothing left to prove.
I have encountered those "it" in temples and in the street several time...
Maybe it is because you are older than us ?
Maybe it is because you are older than us ?
To tell the truth, I don't know why.
But it could have something to do with age.Then again, maybe I'm just completely unaware. When I go to temples, it's just me and God anyway.
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Fireside_Hindu
Jai Lakshmi Maa
It's largely the internet bullies or stoies I"ve read from the experiences of other people. Thankfully no one has challenged me to some sort of Hindu-ness duel but if it ever did happen I feel since I've never been one for snappy come-backs all I could do is smile and walk away.
:camp:
Fireside_Hindu
Jai Lakshmi Maa
That's an interesting thought. Younger folks (Maybe 35 and below?) have a general reputation for being impulsive, following fads, not taking things seriously etc. People may look at you and go, "He's been around long enough to understand who he is, so he's probably serious."
It's a complete blanket statement and really, a mature person would let people 'prove' themselves through their actions. I know I try to give people the benefit of the doubt.
:camp:
Fireside_Hindu
Jai Lakshmi Maa
Instead of a gun, pull out some flowers, a few namaskarams, and some chanting.
The idea of having a flower holster is delightful.
:foryou:
:camp:
Encounters have always been out of curiosity, but pleasant and polite. Only once in real life have I ever encountered what might have been disapproval, though it may have been nothing more than curiosity and language barrier. I was in the gym one night wearing a sleeveless t shirt. My ॐ is visible on my delt. A young south Asian guy (maybe Indian, maybe Hindu, maybe Pakistani, maybe not ) asked me "why you have that?" I said, because I am Hindu. He looked at me with a look that I thought said "well that's weird" (given that I am not Indian). One of the mechanics who works on my truck is Indian from Guyana (or Trinidad). The first time he pulled my truck in he said "ah you have ornaments [small statue of Ganesha on my dashboard, a couple of deity pictures]; have you been to India?" I said not in this lifetime, but I am Hindu. He did not seem surprised, but made an approving sound like "hmm, interesting".
) asked me "why you have that?" I said, because I am Hindu. He looked at me with a look that I thought said "well that's weird" (given that I am not Indian). One of the mechanics who works on my truck is Indian from Guyana (or Trinidad). The first time he pulled my truck in he said "ah you have ornaments [small statue of Ganesha on my dashboard, a couple of deity pictures]; have you been to India?" I said not in this lifetime, but I am Hindu. He did not seem surprised, but made an approving sound like "hmm, interesting".
IMO, such friction happens with every kind of other-ness. Males herd together and women do the same. People of one political party will be nasty to people of other parties etc. etc.
There is a deeper aspect in this too. Rishis Vashista and Visvamitra, both said to be brahma rishis, fought. It is the Gunas that act. Because we are attached to these Gunas as 'Me', we invariably get affected.
There is a deeper aspect in this too. Rishis Vashista and Visvamitra, both said to be brahma rishis, fought. It is the Gunas that act. Because we are attached to these Gunas as 'Me', we invariably get affected.
Nicely said. Like Nandi getting smaller and smaller towards garbhagriha in a shiva temple.
Aupmanyav
Be your own guru
Perhaps Pakistani ('you could have better accepted Islam!').
A young south Asian guy (maybe Indian, maybe Hindu, maybe Pakistani, maybe not
It's so hard to guess. Some of the people, (only in my experience, mind you) that really get offended are Indian Christians. It really puzzles them because they are incredibly programmed about the evils of Hinduism.
Kalidas
Well-Known Member
The "evils of Hinduism"! You know they are idol worshippers! Also did you know they DON'T believe Jesus is the son of GOD!? *swoon*
That is very true too. I once stopped for gas where the attendant was Indian or Pakistani. He began to comment that Hindus are idol worshippers and worship false gods and blah blah blah. I said no, we don't worship idols or false gods. There is only one God Hindus worship, and it is not an idol. Apparently he had been brainwashed because then he gave me a sort of sheepish "oh, well then... " and then shut up about it. Btw, I haven't been back to the gas station since.