The Pagan, Buddhist, and Hindu Thread

[JustGeorge]

I was unknowingly trained in (Rinzai?) Zen practices (no theory) by my Sen-Sei as part of my martial arts training. I didn't realize this until years later. *doh!* Classic!

Unknowingly trained... that's interesting. What was it you found yourself trained in that you weren't being aware that you were being trained in?

Personally, I don't believe very many, if any aspects of Hinduism have outlived purpose. The Kumbh Mela celebrates an astrologically significant time. The person whom I knew who went, went from Mauritius, walked the 10 miles in, did his dip, and exited on the same day. That kind of sacrifice and commitment builds will. There has to be a massive sannidhya to the crowd itself.

Refresh my memory on some of the things done/seen on the Kumbh Mela. You say it celebrates an astrologically significant time; what is the event that it celebrates?

 

[crossfire]

Unknowingly trained... that's interesting. What was it you found yourself trained in that you weren't being aware that you were being trained in?

I didn't know that the meditations, koans, and mondo he slipped in during martial arts lessons was Zen.

 

[Jainarayan]

How did you come to realize this was the path for you?

I’m not really sure, truth to tell. Probably the first deity I was drawn to was Hanuman when I was a runner and weightlifter. Then when I started playing guitar I kept a small picture of Saraswati where I played. I like to think they both helped me in those endeavors. I think they both “introduced” me to Krishna. But it wasn’t love at first sight. He seemed remote and distant. I think he was giving me my space and not being pushy. Now,
aham śrī kṛṣṇasyāsmi sevāyām ... “I am in Lord Krishna’s service”. I want to be the best devotee I can be.

 

[VoidCat]

How do Hindus feel about pagans worshiping deities such as Kali and not knowing much about Hinduism? I've heard of some pagans worshipping her and other Hindu deities and I'm kinda curious how Hindus feel about it.

 

[The Hammer]

How do Hindus feel about pagans worshiping deities such as Kali and not knowing much about Hinduism? I've heard of some pagans worshipping her and other Hindu deities and I'm kinda curious how Hindus feel about it.

I'm curious as well.

 

[VoidCat]

I'm curious as well.

From what I've gathered but I just wanted to ask here as well it's fine for nonhindus to worship Hindu deities but they should have a basic understanding of Hinduism and how that deity is honored in Hinduism. But im not hindu so I'm trying to see if that's indeed the case if Hindus on here agree with this or not.

 

[Jainarayan]

How do Hindus feel about pagans worshiping deities such as Kali and not knowing much about Hinduism? I've heard of some pagans worshipping her and other Hindu deities and I'm kinda curious how Hindus feel about it.

I’ve heard of Wiccans worshiping Shiva and Shakti as their God and Goddess. Personally, I have no problem as long as their attributes are kept intact and they’re not turned into something they’re not. There’s a saying, and Sri Ramakrishna also said it, “In whatever way one imagines God, in that way God appears”.

 

[Jainarayan]

but they should have a basic understanding of Hinduism and how that deity is honored in Hinduism.

That’s what I forgot to add... cultural context is important. Hellenic and Norse deities are offered meat and alcohol, though it’s optional. I worship Thor, but Thor is a chow hound and likes anything and everything. So I offer him veg. items, because that’s what I offer the Hindu deities. I would tell a Hellenic polytheist that it’s fine to worship Krishna, as long as it’s in the Hindu context of veg. offerings.

 

[VoidCat]

I’ve heard of Wiccans worshiping Shiva and Shakti as their God and Goddess. Personally, I have no problem as long as their attributes are kept intact and they’re not turned into something they’re not. There’s a saying, and Sri Ramakrishna also said it, “In whatever way one imagines God, in that way God appears”.

That’s what I forgot to add... cultural context is important. Hellenic and Norse deities are offered meat and alcohol, though it’s optional. I worship Thor, but Thor is a chow hound and likes anything and everything. So I offer him veg. items, because that’s what I offer the Hindu deities. I would tell a Hellenic polytheist that it’s fine to worship Krishna, as long as it’s in the Hindu context of veg. offerings.

That all makes sense thank you

 

[Vinidra]

Heyyyyy, y'all! I'm thrilled to see this thread.

How do Hindus feel about pagans worshiping deities such as Kali and not knowing much about Hinduism? I've heard of some pagans worshipping her and other Hindu deities and I'm kinda curious how Hindus feel about it.

I am a Shakta Hindu--a Hindu who sees the Goddess as Supreme--and I have zero problem with it. Ideally, they would want to learn a bit about the Hindu-ness of Kali and any other Hindu deities before they start worshipping them, though. But I think devotion would build curiosity, too, so maybe they could learn one way or another.

I say this as someone who also worships some pagan Goddesses as well, though, so my opinion may not be the same as that of someone who strictly worships the Hindu deities.

 

[Vinayaka]

Unknowingly trained... that's interesting. What was it you found yourself trained in that you weren't being aware that you were being trained in?



Refresh my memory on some of the things done/seen on the Kumbh Mela. You say it celebrates an astrologically significant time; what is the event that it celebrates?

I don't know details, but this paper explains a lot.

https://health.ucdavis.edu/radiology/images/diversity-inclusion/DEI-Kumbh-Mela-Jan-14-2021.pdf

 

[Vinayaka]

From what I've gathered but I just wanted to ask here as well it's fine for nonhindus to worship Hindu deities but they should have a basic understanding of Hinduism and how that deity is honored in Hinduism. But im not hindu so I'm trying to see if that's indeed the case if Hindus on here agree with this or not.

Generally it's not a problem, but context does matter. as Jainarayan has indicated.

 

[The Hammer]

I still feel swept under the rug here....

No one actually answered my questions.

*Shrug*

 

[Vinayaka]

I still feel swept under the rug here....

No one actually answered my questions.

*Shrug*

You mean the one about meditation to Salix, or did I miss something?

 

[VoidCat]

You mean the one about meditation to Salix, or did I miss something?

There was two I believe. One towards @SalixIncendium and the other towards @crossfire

 

[Twilight Hue]

In another thread, I told someone I feel that us Buddhists, Pagans, and Hindus get swept under the rug around here.

So, I'm making a thread devoted to these three(very vast) worldviews. Any and all may participate, but this thread may not delve into discussions of Abrahamic viewpoints, scriptures, or their God.

Anyone have anything interesting to share or ask?

Did they all walk into a bar one day?

 

[Twilight Hue]

Would you believe I have the remains of just a few peanuts and plenty of spicy chickpea crumbs from a nearly finished bag on top of my fridge?

The crumbs are my favorite part of the bag!!!

It's where all the flavor goes.

 

[Vinidra]

I still feel swept under the rug here....

No one actually answered my questions.

*Shrug*

I'm sorry.

I didn't answer because they weren't directed at me, but if you have a more general question (or if you want to ask something of me in particular), I'll (try to) answer!

 

[Clara Tea]

In another thread, I told someone I feel that us Buddhists, Pagans, and Hindus get swept under the rug around here.

So, I'm making a thread devoted to these three(very vast) worldviews. Any and all may participate, but this thread may not delve into discussions of Abrahamic viewpoints, scriptures, or their God.

Anyone have anything interesting to share or ask?

What about delving into the idea of extending the hand of friendship to exchange ideas in order to find points of commonality, and points of dissention?

The chief point should be peace, followed by protection of the weak and poor. Many nations have failed on these points.

Isn't it odd that both Pakistan and India, which used to be one country at one time, both demand peace in their respective religions, yet, it wasn't such a long time ago that both had nuclear weapons trained on each other, and it was a miracle that no one launched first?

We need to place God's interests before our own.

 

[Clara Tea]

It gets a bit musty under the rug. Good crumbs though.

Everyone go to Hammer's house for a dinner of rug crumbs. (And I used to think that Jesus was thrifty for feeding a huge crowd with just a few fish and loaves).