Hi all, how do Hindu's view caucasian members?

[Wannabe Yogi]

I think Hindus and the Hindu temples should make more efforts to welcome new members and not just whites. The other day I saw 3 muslim walking past me - one was white, the other black and the third asian and brown like me. I have to say I was jealous. The overwhelming color of Hinduism is brown, that needs to change.

This is some what true, but take these few facts in to account :

-The Ramakrishna mission ( A large group that has many official and un official centers all over America and Europe. Is made up of about 1/2 non indians. Many very important western intellectuals have come out of this group.

-Most Non Indians who practice Hinduism don’t call themselves Hindus they use words like Yogi and Vedantian to describe themselves.

-I went to a Kirtan in Berkeley Ca last month. There were a 1000 people, and only 4 or 5 Indians.

- ISCKON has many white members.

-In very urban areas in “Blue States” you find many Yoga Groups and organizations. Most non-indians go to that type of thing In stead of Temples. Many of these groups are run by Swamis. This type of organization tends to be very westernized but still teach the basic’s of Indian philosophy.

The white Hindu’s tend to be more hidden then the Buddhists or other groups. I read one study that said that maybe a million non Indians follow a Hindu belief system in America. Even some white swamis dont call themself Hindu.

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet
-Shakespeare

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

Some pictures from a temple in the LA area called the Kali Mandir.

https://www.kalimandir.org/application/Kalipuja.aspx

You can tell it's a mixed group of people.

 

[rcscwc]

The white Hindu’s tend to be more hidden then the Buddhists or other groups. I read one study that said that maybe a million non Indians follow a Hindu belief system in America. Even some white swamis dont call themself Hindu.

Hmmm. They hide themselves because they know the kind of hostility in store for them.

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

Hmmm. They hide themselves because they know the kind of hostility in store for them.

That depends were you live. In San Francisco you might get more hostility aimed at you if you are a Christian.

 

[Yogi1054]

Looks like there are still problems for foreigners wanting to visit temples in Nepal

Being treated differently in Nepal & being refused from Hindu temples | white girl in a sari

 

[InfiniteBeloved]

At some temples, if you can make contact before you go, you can arrange to meet with someone from the temple when arriving, to make the experience less daunting than just walking in off the street and not knowing what to do, who to speak to etc.

The other option could be to find an ISKCON (Hare Krishna) temple as they absolutely love new visitors and are generally easily contacted (eg. by Facebook etc).

 

[Vinayaka]

Very old thread, and old topic. I have pondered how I'd do in Nepal too. One never knows, but one thing for sure ... I wouldn't take it as personal insult. Our Hindu temples have some incredibly good reasons for doing what they do.

 

[Vinayaka]

My problem is you aren't given the whole story. It seems that when someone complains, the temple's side is not told. Most 'offending' temples are in high tourist areas. People come in, not knowing the sanctity rules, and are physically dirty, taking pictures, talking all about it, etc. You have to remember that Nepal, particularly Kathmandu was once Hippy Haven East. So who knows how long the temple authorities stressed over this decision? It may have been years. There could have been theft of murthis, jewels, disrespect by public urination, and all kinds of other stuff going on for years. So finally the last straw was hit and that sign goes up.

In Madurai, another tourist destination, there is also a sign. Few people mention exactly where it is, and that is just in the inner corridors. Tourists are free to wander the exterior part to their heart's content, and Hindus are allowed in. There is no race factor on the sign. Of course race is a clue, as most white people coming are indeed tourists.

The temple I attend regularly changed their sign recently (just last week I think) . It used to politely ask that cameras aren't allowed and that cell phones be turned off. Now the sign says flat out "No cameras, cell phones, or other electronic equipment allowed inside the temple premises."

I know why. The managers and board finally gotthe last straw. After reminding people umpteen dozen times to not take pictures or use cell phones, it became incredibly frustrating. Nobody can worship in peace, too many distractions. So they are trying a blanket almost rude sign to see if that works. It may. It may not. But time will tell.

So someone will come along and complain. But they don't know the whole story.

 

[Contemplative Cat]

Hindu dharma(s) are for all races and technically all religions are types of Hindu, that's what swami said to me.
That said they could care less if you went or not to temple, they don't. Want to save you or anything.
just go to a local temple and suck up the vibes.
Temple is a place of spirituality, a sense of community is optional. Most Indians are kind people, but you will run into the occasional racist, with a this is mine mentality.

In America yogis are often on their own, except for gatherings for gurus like Amman. Which is why Buddhism has gained such popularity.

The remotness and separation from traditional communities have caused many American Hindus to not appear "Hindu enough" so they are labeled as new age or neoAdvaita.

The great thing about temples though is that they don't preach, normally. They let you do your thing.

 

[Nyingjé Tso]

Vanakkam,

I agree with you VinayakaJi because I have seen this myself at many holy places. Especially at MahaLaxmi mandir. I've seen many tourists coming and some were being very disrespectful, wearing short pants, speaking on the phone and taking photos in the sanctuary... I was very offended as a Hindu. But from these attitude people should not generalize to say that all white people are disrespectful tourists. I never had this problem because I am always dressing like every other devotee, and not like a tourist. But if one day I am refused entry in a holy place I've travelled thousand of km to go there, what should I think/do ?

Aum Namah Shivaya

 

[Yogi1054]

I think the key point here is RESPECT - I can understand why many Hindu temples do not let non-Hindus in, the problem comes when as a white hindu you are not allowed into the temple - how can you prove that you are hindu?

 

[Vinayaka]

But if one day I am refused entry in a holy place I've travelled thousand of km to go there, what should I think/do ?

Me personally. It hasn't happened .... yet. But it might. I'd say, "Well, that's karma for you," and move on to the next temple. So it would be a non-issue.

There are several major branches of various faiths and religions that do not allow certain things by outsiders of that faith. Marriage inside, communion, etc etc. In my opinion, each religion has the right to do this, just as each individual has the right to lay down laws pertaining to his or her own house. "Hey, you can't smoke or drink or eat meat in my house."

 

[Vinayaka]

I think the key point here is RESPECT - I can understand why many Hindu temples do not let non-Hindus in, the problem comes when as a white hindu you are not allowed into the temple - how can you prove that you are hindu?

You can only try. These are a few ideas. Not all will be applicable to all people.

1) Wear Hindu clothing and appropriate forehead marks. (Mystically the Gods can see the forehead marks.)
2) Have some idea about the customs, like removing shoes, being clean, being quiet.
3) Ask respectful questions, respectfully.
4) Know some basic chants or slokas. Recite them.
5) Give your Hindu name if you have one.
6) Show them a picture of your Hindu guru.
7) Show then a conversion certificate.
8) Put the camera and cell phone away.

 

[Contemplative Cat]

T

Vanakkam,

I agree with you VinayakaJi because I have seen this myself at many holy places. Especially at MahaLaxmi mandir. I've seen many tourists coming and some were being very disrespectful, wearing short pants, speaking on the phone and taking photos in the sanctuary... I was very offended as a Hindu. But from these attitude people should not generalize to say that all white people are disrespectful tourists. I never had this problem because I am always dressing like every other devotee, and not like a tourist. But if one day I am refused entry in a holy place I've travelled thousand of km to go there, what should I think/do ?

Aum Namah Shivaya

Namaste not to sound overly dramatic but if the spiritual leaders are poisoned with hate sickness, and are racist, then they have nothing to teach, nothing to give, their blessing is a curse and their prasad poison. It doesn't matter which religion it is.
They are wetiko, mental illness, stay away or you'll catch their insanity.

 

[JaiMaaDurga]

Namaste,

A certain amount of guardedness or wariness is understandable; at least here in
the USA, there are those who are simply fascinated by what they consider to be
"exotic" and non-threatening, and dabble in various forms of "Eastern spirituality"
because they think it makes them a more interesting person..
Also all the points that Vinayaka and others have made are a factor.

Forgive me, but may I also point out that there is still shock/backlash that seems to
occur when those Americans which, out of ignorance, assume that the religious
tolerance associated with Hinduism does not automatically extend to all facets of
social existence? A theoretical example:

"What a bummer it was to find out Shreya's parents are, like, super strict and, like,
even vote Republican! I thought they'd be, like, more mellow about weed and stuff..
Dude, I'm, like, totally vegan and even have a Shiva sticker on my skateboard, but
they don't want her seeing me anymore? That's, like, SOOOO uncool, man- they
should, like, totally dig me and everything."

So- aside from some of these factors, there is no reason to think one will get treated
badly- just be respectful, courteous and sincere.

JAI MATA DI

 

[ShivaFan]

Namaste

It can be a problem in some temples in India and Nepal. Specific to Nepal, I have been there many times and visited lots of temples, I recall one that wasn't going to let me in (actually, I didn't even try, so maybe I could have if I tried and have been successful in the past such as in India, but I didn't really need to see the main alter anyway in this case).

What I hate is to see western tourists who carry cameras and go "click" like crazy and are not Hindus. But if you are a sincere Hindu, you should be let in. The problem is, in a lot uf cases in India I am smashed in a crowd queued and sort of shoving along to pass the Murti, you really do not have much time to view, not always that way and don't get me wrong because I actually enjoy a crowded temple more than an empty one, but what I am saying is how is someone supposed to tell a "sincere Hindu" from a "tourist" in such a situation?

I don't think I have an answer to that. I wish I did, because I feel bad about temples which are discriminating, but again I have gotten in but also I have Indian relatives with me and my Didi Maa is, well, "upper class", she can get me into any temple in WB no problem.

But back in the days when I was travelling with my "white" friend sometimes it was a problem. Honestly, I don't like it even though I don't like tourists going into temples in India either.

In US Hindu temples, it is unheard of.

Om Namah Sivaya

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

While I would be sad to be turned away from a Hindu Temple in India, I would have to accept it, even though it is probably a rule enforced based on race. No, it's not fare, but they have have bad experiences with disrespectful tourists and with the ways that Hinduism is marginalized and attacked, I can understand the push back.

I think this woman in the article above didn't really do adaquate research before going to Nepal/India. I've only just started researching for a trip and I could have told her "You are going to be charged 3 times as much for everything, so just deal with it." Also "You might not be allowed in some temples." This is the law of the land. You're not in the US anymore and your sense of personal freedom and ethics don't apply. If you don't like the rules, get off the field.

If you can do pradakshina around the temple, or where you stand out front, then do so. God does not leave you out, just because other people do.
:camp:

 

[Sb1995]

I think the key point here is RESPECT - I can understand why many Hindu temples do not let non-Hindus in, the problem comes when as a white hindu you are not allowed into the temple - how can you prove that you are hindu?

Lol just start singing Hanuman Chalisa or any aarti and I'm sure you will get in faster than the wind

 

[Vinayaka]

T

Namaste not to sound overly dramatic but if the spiritual leaders are poisoned with hate sickness, and are racist, then they have nothing to teach, nothing to give, their blessing is a curse and their prasad poison. It doesn't matter which religion it is.

I certainly have never heard of a Hindu leader 'poisoned with hate sickness'. Maybe I don't get around enough.

 

[Yogi1054]

Well on a different note here is a story about my Ishta goddess and a Caucasian who is honoured by many Hindus as an incarnation of her

Unemployed Steve ascends to Goddess status (From Wimbledon Guardian)

My School - I wish: Bizarre or WHAT ?