What Makes a Hindu a Hindu?

[Maija]

what makes you a Hindu?

Well, if you asked Mahatma Gandhi..

“If I were asked to define the Hindu creed, I should simply say: Search after truth through non-violent means. A man may not believe in God and still call himself a Hindu. Hinduism is a relentless pursuit after truth... Hinduism is the religion of truth. Truth is God. Denial of God we have known. Denial of truth we have not known.”

Most interesting statement, I'm sure controversial.

He also says...

Hinduism is a relentless pursuit of Truth. Truth is God and if today it has become moribund, inactive, irresponsive to growth, it is because we are fatigued; and as soon as the fatigue is over, Hinduism will burst upon the world with a brilliance perhaps unknown before.

I'm completely the wrong person to answer this question..

Currently, more important than rituals to me (most likely because I don't know any!) are ahimsa, compassion and humility.

So, avoiding useless gossip and words or speech that bring harm and focusing on compassion.

Of course once I learn more rituals will be incredibly deep and meaningful.

But to answer some of the questions:

Do you do a daily puja? not every week
Do you attend temple once a week? no temple near by
Do you have a Hindu name? "Maija" is pronounced "Maya"..kinda
Have you been had the equivalent of a baptism, or formal entrance? no
Do you meditate daily? not always
Do you pilgrimage near of far at least once a year? no
Are most of your friends Hindu? no
Do you listen to Hindu music primarily or exclusively? not 100%
Have you been initiated or taken diksha from a bonafide Hindu teacher? no
Are you a vegetarian, or at least realise you should be one? since i was 11
Do you dream about Hindu stuff? only 1 time
Will you call yourself Hindu in public? no
Will you consult an ayurvedic doctor? my indian dr didn't want to risk treating me with ayurvedic meds when i suggested them
Will you consult a Hindu astrologer? prob not unless i had a good reason
Do you know your nakshatra? no
Do you believe fully in reincarnation? not sure
Do you believe in karma? 100%
Do you believe in a divinity within all things? need to come back to this one
Do you avoid wearing leather? no
Do you know at least a few bhajans? YES !

 

[Vinayaka]

Reflecting back on the time I started this thread, it was in response to observing and contrasting the people I was talking to here, and the many Hindus I know in person. On the one hand, the people here seemed to be primarily discussing the philosophy, perhaps even knowing more than the people I know in person.

But the people I know do a ton of practice. Hinduism is in the actions (for them), not so much in the philosophy. So I wanted to point this out by describing many of the actions I have seen, and temple worship is a huge part of it for many.

Thanks to anyone who responded.

 

[Maya3]

Do you do a daily puja?
No

Do you attend temple once a week? No, hardly ever, by the time I leave work puja is over. Only if I happen to have an odd day off and we are home.

Do you have a Hindu name? No

Have you been had the equivalent of a baptism, or formal entrance? No

Do you meditate daily? Yes

Do you pilgrimage near of far at least once a year? If Ashram visits count, then yes, several times a year.

Are most of your friends Hindu? No

Do you listen to Hindu music primarily or exclusively? No

Have you been initiated or taken diksha from a bonafide Hindu teacher? No

Are you a vegetarian, or at least realise you should be one? Yes, have been for over 30 years

Do you dream about Hindu stuff? I don´t know, maybe.

Will you call yourself Hindu in public? Yes

Will you consult an ayurvedic doctor? No

Will you consult a Hindu astrologer? No

Do you know your nakshatra? No

Do you believe fully in reincarnation? Yes

Do you believe in karma? Yes

Do you believe in a divinity within all things? Yes

Do you avoid wearing leather? Yes

Do you know at least a few bhajans? Yes

20 questions ... and one more ... how many of the above do you have to answer 'yes' to before by all measures, an onlooker would consider you a Hindu?

I´m sure many here after reading this, their suspicion that I´m actually a closet Christian are confirmed

You didn´t ask anything about scriptures.

BTW, I can honestly answer yes to all 20.

 

[Poeticus]

Namaste,

Do you do a daily puja? Yes
Do you attend temple once a week? No
Do you have a Hindu name? Yes
Have you been had the equivalent of a baptism, or formal entrance? Yes
Do you meditate daily? Yes, after puja.
Do you pilgrimage near of far at least once a year? No
Are most of your friends Hindu? Yes, the Hindu Gods.
Do you listen to Hindu music primarily or exclusively? Primarily, no. Exclusively, yes.
Have you been initiated or taken diksha from a bonafide Hindu teacher? Yes
Are you a vegetarian, or at least realise you should be one? No, as long as I don't consume the meat of the female cow, I am allowed to consume meat as per Shruti law.
Do you dream about Hindu stuff? Yes, all the time.
Will you call yourself Hindu in public? Always have, always will.
Will you consult an ayurvedic doctor? No. Many are frauds, like Deepak Chopra.
Will you consult a Hindu astrologer? I already have my Kundalini (my birth map).
Do you know your nakshatra? Yes
Do you believe fully in reincarnation? Yes
Do you believe in karma? Yes
Do you believe in a divinity within all things? Yes and no.
Do you avoid wearing leather? Yes, I avoid cow-leather.
Do you know at least a few bhajans? Yes

20 questions ... and one more ... how many of the above do you have to answer 'yes' to before by all measures, an onlooker would consider you a Hindu? One would count, and at the same time, all 20 would count as well.
------------------------------------------------
But, to be honest. These are as general as possible. A few of them are silly, in my opinion.

M.V.

 

[Sb1995]

Hey I have a question, do you attend the mandir after eating meat or do you pray at home after eating meat?? I also eat meat but I don't eat meat on Tuesdays and Thursdays in respect to Hanumanji/Ganeshji.

 

[Vinayaka]

Hey I have a question, do you attend the mandir after eating meat or do you pray at home after eating meat?? I also eat meat but I don't eat meat on Tuesdays and Thursdays in respect to Hanumanji/Ganeshji.

lol ... I don't eat meat.

And ... I repeat .. This was not a test.

 

[Sb1995]

Vinayaka ji that question was for M.V.

 

[Poeticus]

Hey I have a question, do you attend the mandir after eating meat or do you pray at home after eating meat?? I also eat meat but I don't eat meat on Tuesdays and Thursdays in respect to Hanumanji/Ganeshji.

Namaste,

I don't observe fasts, unless it is my parent's birthdays or the numerous Jayantis.

M.V.

 

[Sb1995]

That's strange because my parents always tell me it's forbidden to eat meat on the day you visit the temple. But after you if you wish to eat meat that's up to you but regardless I don't eat meat on Tuesday/Thursday

 

[Poeticus]

That's strange because my parents always tell me it's forbidden to eat meat on the day you visit the temple. But after you if you wish to eat meat that's up to you but regardless I don't eat meat on Tuesday/Thursday

Namaste,

As long as they do not eat cow, it is all good, in my honest opinion.

M.V.

 

[ShivaFan]

Namaste

This is a really good thread.

There was something Vinayaka said that seems to true, viz:

" Hinduism is in the actions (for them), not so much in the philosophy.."

That really connects true so often, maybe it is definitive almost in nature. For example, while not devaluing the philosophers of Hinduism, I have sort of noticed the devotees which are the most "breathing" and "living" Hindus day in and day out are those who are actually experiencing Hinduism by pujas, temple, who love the action in Hinduism and color, the communion, fellow devotees, going on pilgrimages, care for and love of the cows and of course live in every step with love for fellow creatures including the little ones and birds and admiring non-violence over "punishment" and all those things that really are more "action oriented" instead of necessarily "philisophical".

I may not be explaining my feel on this very well, again nor am I discounting philosophy, however I have noticed some who wear the monicker of a philosopher spend time telling others how they cannot be a Hindu than actually living a Hindu in action. Sort of like book worms who despite quoting this or that book, are often the selfish ones, lazy in action, and have personal issues often rooted in hate of others due to feelings of lack of real self esteem or other odd inadequacies. But those who are action Hindus they may appear outwardly simple, which is actually an admirable quality, but are inwardly deep, complex, and very much "living".

In the end, we benefit from both. And yes there are those who are both. Birds of a Feather may be part of this, too. This is simply a generalization and observation. Take a Hindu who is reading the Ramayana, and then goes out in nature and sees Hanuman may be around any corner, and who visits the Temple to see the Divine with thoughts inspired by the scripture. This is an example of actionable Hindu, doing the actionable things that Vinayaka outlines in the list. Doing.

Om Namah Sivaya

 

[Poeticus]

Namaste, ShivaFan:

What is your opinion of Hindus that do pretty much everything on that list (as general as that list is) except attend a temple once a week? They pretty much conduct action (karma), but do not go to temples (maybe because they see havana/homams as more important)...your thoughts?

M.V.

 

[Sb1995]

Namaste, ShivaFan:

What is your opinion of Hindus that do pretty much everything on that list (as general as that list is) except attend a temple once a week? They pretty much conduct action (karma), but do not go to temples (maybe because they see havana/homams as more important)...your thoughts?

M.V.

In my a opinion it is even fine for a Hindu to NEVER go to the temple. All the prayers and worship can be done from home at your shrine. (Regardless I still go 3 or more times a week )

 

[Poeticus]

In my a opinion it is even fine for a Hindu to NEVER go to the temple. All the prayers and worship can be done from home at your shrine. (Regardless I still go 3 or more times a week )

Namaste,

I have two temples: my mother and my father. Jai Matashree Jai Pitashree!

M.V.

 

[ShivaFan]

Namaste,

I have two temples: my mother and my father. Jai Matashree Jai Pitashree!

M.V.

Very powerful! You are a great Hindu!
Om Namah Sivaya

 

[ratikala]

namaskaram maitra varuni ji :namaste:namaste

Namaste,

I have two temples: my mother and my father. Jai Matashree Jai Pitashree!

M.V.

not a nice question , but could you still say this if your parents were adharmin

 

[Poeticus]

namaskaram maitra varuni ji :namaste:namaste




not a nice question , but could you still say this if your parents were adharmin

Namaste,

What a tricky question you have asked, I must ponder this!

M.V.

 

[Maya3]

Namaste,

What a tricky question you have asked, I must ponder this!

M.V.

If you know that God is everything, it´s not that tricky.

Maya

 

[Poeticus]

If you know that God is everything, it´s not that tricky.

Maya

Namaste,

Which sect of Hinduism purports what you speak of?

M.V.

 

[Sb1995]

If you know that God is everything, it´s not that tricky.

Maya

The most simplest things always require the most thought