What Makes a Hindu a Hindu?

[Poeticus]

but could you still say this if your parents were adharmin

Namaste, Bhaginī-ji:

It depends on how one's parents are like. I am devoted to my parents for the undying love they have showered upon me. They have guided me throughout my youth with truthful, dharmic conduct and have given me those virtues as boons through the lessons they have taught me. They are, to me, primordial divinities, they are my uttara-ishta-devtas (Supreme Dearest Lighted Ones).

Furthermore, ancestor worship is a big part of my tribe (Karadva). They are symbolized within the community I come from as each rising sun.

Mahajana Shri Prahlada had an adharmic father. His father poisoned him and even attempted to have him burned alive. But, M.S. Prahlada's devotion to Lord Shri Vishnu kept him unharmed. In this situation, Lord Shri Vishnu was his mother and his father. When your progenitors are adharmic, one may find eternal parenthood within the Holy Shri Gods - who show no disdain for those who approach Them with just heart and selfless maryādā (noble conduct).

The Shri Trtsus were heavily outnumbered by adversaries that wished to conquer them and wipe out the yajavānic rites and establish adharmic principles in North India. Yet, to those of right conduct came Lord Shri Indra to assure them of their protection and in the end brought the downfall of the transgressors. The Holy Shri Gods show no disdain for those who approach Them with just heart and selfless maryādā (noble conduct).

Suyodhā (Great Warrior) Devrata Shri Bhishma's father, Shantanu, jeopardized the future of the Kurus by falling to lust; his lusting for Satyavati led to the alteration of the Kuru lineage. Yet, Bhishma did not falter, for his love not only for his father but for that of his Mātrabhūmi (Mother-Land) was overpowering. He vowed to protect the Kuru land and the Bharata Empire - who he personified as mother, reminiscent of his Mātā Shri Devi Gangā (who Herself was the mother of that land, the holiest of the rivers). Mother Earth showed great affection for her son who discarded his heritage to his throne to not only fulfill his father's (questionable) actions but to protect the land (Dharti).

Lord Shri Krishna would (probably) say to those with adharmic progenitors to fixate their veneration upon Him instead, for His love is eternal and not an illusion. For His withstands Time, for His is sanctified by the Laws of Rta and Dharma.

These are my takes on the matter. So, do not take these as definitive.

M.V.

 

[ratikala]

namaskaram maitra varuni ji :namaste

Namaste, Bhaginī-ji:

It depends on how one's parents are like. I am devoted to my parents for the undying love they have showered upon me. They have guided me throughout my youth with truthful, dharmic conduct and have given me those virtues as boons through the lessons they have taught me. They are, to me, primordial divinities, they are my uttara-ishta-devtas (Supreme Dearest Lighted Ones).

first thank you for your kind post ,
I am so happy for you that you were born into a good hindu family , it is so important and so valuable to be brought up with the correct awareness around one .

Furthermore, ancestor worship is a big part of my tribe (Karadva). They are symbolized within the community I come from as each rising sun.

these traditions are invaluable ,

here the only interest is name , fame and temporary pleasures ,

Mahajana Shri Prahlada had an adharmic father. His father poisoned him and even attempted to have him burned alive. But, M.S. Prahlada's devotion to Lord Shri Vishnu kept him unharmed. In this situation, Lord Shri Vishnu was his mother and his father. When your progenitors are adharmic, one may find eternal parenthood within the Holy Shri Gods - who show no disdain for those who approach Them with just heart and selfless maryādā (noble conduct).

Ahhh ..... hiranyakashipu was seriously adharmic !!!

The Shri Trtsus were heavily outnumbered by adversaries that wished to conquer them and wipe out the yajavānic rites and establish adharmic principles in North India. Yet, to those of right conduct came Lord Shri Indra to assure them of their protection and in the end brought the downfall of the transgressors. The Holy Shri Gods show no disdain for those who approach Them with just heart and selfless maryādā (noble conduct).

Suyodhā (Great Warrior) Devrata Shri Bhishma's father, Shantanu, jeopardized the future of the Kurus by falling to lust; his lusting for Satyavati led to the alteration of the Kuru lineage. Yet, Bhishma did not falter, for his love not only for his father but for that of his Mātrabhūmi (Mother-Land) was overpowering. He vowed to protect the Kuru land and the Bharata Empire - who he personified as mother, reminiscent of his Mātā Shri Devi Gangā (who Herself was the mother of that land, the holiest of the rivers). Mother Earth showed great affection for her son who discarded his heritage to his throne to not only fulfill his father's (questionable) actions but to protect the land (Dharti).

Lord Shri Krishna would (probably) say to those with adharmic progenitors to fixate their veneration upon Him instead, for His love is eternal and not an illusion. For His withstands Time, for His is sanctified by the Laws of Rta and Dharma.

These are my takes on the matter. So, do not take these as definitive.

M.V.

they are good ''takes'' I do not have much time this morning but I will come back to this subject later as it is very interesting and I am sure affects many devotees (particularly in the west) in some way or another .


jai sri krsna :namaste

 

[ratikala]

namaskaram :namaste

I continue ....

because of my own family situation , I very much feel for others who may be in simmilar dilemas , as hindu we should care for our parents love them and obey them , .... but some of us canot .
I canot discuss my faith with my parents it just causes them to behave ignorantly , I canot even mention some of my personal preferances because it is too weird for them , there is allways some dig dig going on as if I have failed them ,...?

yet I feel for them , so I can only pray for them quietly .
sometimes they openly punish me for my beleifs , saying things that they know I will not respond to , putting things in my food that I do not eat , knowing that I will have to eat it out of politeness , they have even tried to embarass me into eating meat , telling me I am a nuisance luckily this one thing has stoped many years ago but still my mother likes to put onion in food she has prepaired for us , and smiles and says it is just a little bit , no mother this is not funny and my father allways trys to persuede my husband to drink , it is like having to deal with naughty children , so we do not go there often , any way I canot afford to go there often as petrol here is so expencive , but now that they are getting old I worry about them , when ever our guru says ''matrudevabhava'' , ''Matashree'' , ''Pitashree'' , .....I am feeling very sad also I know it is not only me I know indian girls here whos family do not want them to go to the temple so allways I tried to look after them as a sister , these parents sometimes they behave so badly and it brings a shame on the person as if they come from a bad family and a low caste .
maitra varuni ji , you are so right we need to take shelter of our eternal father and mother , also we need to ask their blessings for our physical parents , they are causing suffering for us but this is because they are suffering themselves they are traped in maya .

Pralad maharaj ki jai , Narasimhadeva ki jai

 

[Vinayaka]

Ratikala, I had very similar situation, and I think it's reasonably common. Utmost respect is the ideal, but sometimes other factors override that, especially in the kali yuga. (Parent can be an abuser for example)

 

[Aupmanyav]

Oh, such wonderful 20 questions. Why did not I reply to it? (the last reply was before I returned to RF).

Do you do a daily puja? No.
Do you attend temple once a week? No.
Do you have a Hindu name? Yes. 1
Have you been had the equivalent of a baptism, or formal entrance? Yes. Annaprashana, Mundana, Yajnopavita, Vivaha; now only one remains, Antyeshti. 2
Do you meditate daily? No.
Do you pilgrimage near of far at least once a year? No.
Are most of your friends Hindu? Yes, two out of three, one is a jain. 3
Do you listen to Hindu music primarily or exclusively? No. I do not listen to music now.
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? No, but beef is out of question.
Do you dream about Hindu stuff? Yes, I think about it all the time. My dreams are very mundane. 4
Will you call yourself Hindu in public? Yes. 5
Will you consult an ayurvedic doctor? Never, my father was a doctor. I sold medicines as a young man for some time.
Will you consult a Hindu astrologer? Never, I am against superstitions, though I have a birth-chart curtesy my grandfather.
Do you know your nakshatra? Yes, but do not remember. Can check any time. 4 1/2
Do you believe fully in reincarnation? No.
Do you believe in karma? Karma as in present life. But that is not the main-line Hindu view.
Do you believe in a divinity within all things? No, I believe that one entity constitutes all things in the universe, Brahman/physical energy.
Do you avoid wearing leather? Shoes are many a times leather.
Do you know at least a few bhajans? Yes, but none completely, not even 'Jai Jagdish Hare'. 5

5 yes, that should be sufficient for me to be a Hindu. If it is not, I still remain a Hindu.

 

[NobodyYouKnow]

Besides coming on the internet and claiming you're a Hindu, what makes you a Hindu?

Do you do a daily puja? - A few times a week, not daily.
Do you attend temple once a week? No.
Do you have a Hindu name? I used to, but I abandoned it. I am waiting for Siva to give me another one.
Have you been had the equivalent of a baptism, or formal entrance? I got Mantra Diksha once, does that count?
Do you meditate daily? Yes.
Do you pilgrimage near of far at least once a year? I cannot afford it.
Are most of your friends Hindu? Friends?
Do you listen to Hindu music primarily or exclusively? Half Hindu, half English...I don't know which way those scales tip.
Have you been initiated or taken diksha from a bonafide Hindu teacher? A long time ago.
Are you a vegetarian, or at least realise you should be one? I realise I should be one.
Do you dream about Hindu stuff? Yes.
Will you call yourself Hindu in public? Yes.
Will you consult an ayurvedic doctor? Yes. Allopathic doctors know nothing...Nothing! (about me anyway)
Will you consult a Hindu astrologer? No. I find it difficult to believe in astrology.
Do you know your nakshatra? No.
Do you believe fully in reincarnation? I'd like to believe, but the 'jury is still out' on it.
Do you believe in karma? Yes.
Do you believe in a divinity within all things? Yes.
Do you avoid wearing leather? All except for my hat which I cannot seem to part with.
Do you know at least a few bhajans? Yes, many, many of them.

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 don't know.

BTW, I can honestly answer yes to all 20.

There, I have answered the best that I can (answers in bold).

 

[Vinayaka]

This was never intended as some quiz of 'official' entrance, but just as discussion. I never even intended to have anyone answer them. But I guess it's human nature that when you see such a question, you have to answer it. Several more questions were added as others discussed. The point is that all in all, what determines a 'Hindu' is pretty vague, at best, with tremendous variety from person to person. There could be yet more questions like:
"Were you born into a Hindu culture?"
"Do you speak a language of 'Hinduism?" etc. that could also be in the many faceted attempt to define us.

 

[Aupmanyav]

I will try my hand at an official one. Please send more questions like Vinayaka has done in his post above.

 

[Contemplative Cat]

There are a lot of different types of "Hindus", just look at the Nath yogis, and the Aghori.
I do pooja twice a day
Gods temples are under trees
My Hindu name is Sadhu Ramesh, but it is neither used or thought about.
I have a Brahman cord, that was traded for a vamacharya cord.
Meditation is just a thing people do.
Hindu is a label people give all vedik traditions, so to assert or imply that a real Hindu is someone who egoisticly claim exclusive membership to the Hindu club. And if taking on Hindu philosophy, gurus,and ideology doesn't make you a Hindu nothing does.

Have you considered Balinese. HINDU agama dharma. They have been isolated from India for centuries, and are monotheistic.

Besides coming on the internet and claiming you're a Hindu, what makes you a Hindu?

Do you do a daily puja?
Do you attend temple once a week?
Do you have a Hindu name?
Have you been had the equivalent of a baptism, or formal entrance?
Do you meditate daily?
Do you pilgrimage near of far at least once a year?
Are most of your friends Hindu?
Do you listen to Hindu music primarily or exclusively?
Have you been initiated or taken diksha from a bonafide Hindu teacher?
Are you a vegetarian, or at least realise you should be one?
Do you dream about Hindu stuff?
Will you call yourself Hindu in public?
Will you consult an ayurvedic doctor?
Will you consult a Hindu astrologer?
Do you know your nakshatra?
Do you believe fully in reincarnation?
Do you believe in karma?
Do you believe in a divinity within all things?
Do you avoid wearing leather?
Do you know at least a few bhajans?

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?

BTW, I can honestly answer yes to all 20.

 

[NobodyYouKnow]

Have you considered Balinese. HINDU agama dharma. They have been isolated from India for centuries, and are monotheistic.

Every single waking hour of every single day, my friend.

Om Swastiastu.

 

[Kalidas]

Every single waking hour of every single day, my friend.

Om Swastiastu.

I did some research of Balinese Hindu in a Child development class. It may be a good mix for you.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Hindu is a label people give all vedik traditions, so to assert or imply that a real Hindu is someone who egoisticly ..

HINDUISM IS NOT ALL VEDIC. What is hindu is indigenous. Vedic dharma is just icing on the cake, an assimilation. Yes, Hinduism is the best. It does not have a jealous God or Goddess and gives you a freedom which you would not get in any other religion. (In Buddhism, which is the closest, you have to submit to Buddha and Sangha. In Hinduism you just have to submit to humane action)

 

[NobodyYouKnow]

I did some research of Balinese Hindu in a Child development class. It may be a good mix for you.

A good mix for me?

Agama Hindu Dharma is my religion already. :yes:

I have spoke of naught else since I have been here. lol

Where do you think all my Tantric thoughts and ideas come from? Why I love my Maharaja Dewata so much? Balinese Hinduism just flows through my veins like quicksilver.

It's not entirely accurate to say the Balinese are Monotheistic. Their main Deity of worship is the Trimurthi (IF they worship a Deity).

They also believe in Ramayana, Bhagavad Gita, Mahabharata etc (as displayed by their puppet shows and ritual dancing) and they worship Gods like Bhima (Werkudoro), Lord Rama...and they are very big on Hanuman:

[youtube]t0HY0oD84OM[/youtube]
Kecak Dance / Uluwatu, Bali - YouTube

I took instruction under a notable Dukun:
Dukun - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Yeah, so my beliefs closely parallel and align with this...although I was raised as a Saiva...Ciwa is Achintya!

I miss watching the Ogoh-Ogoh (Bhuta-Kala) dance during Nyepi. =(

This is my 'brand of Hinduism' already.

 

[Kalidas]

A good mix for me?

Agama Hindu Dharma is my religion already. :yes:

I have spoke of naught else since I have been here. lol

Where do you think all my Tantric thoughts and ideas come from? Why I love my Maharaja Dewata so much? Balinese Hinduism just flows through my veins like quicksilver.

It's not entirely accurate to say the Balinese are Monotheistic. Their main Deity of worship is the Trimurthi (IF they worship a Deity).

They also believe in Ramayana, Bhagavad Gita, Mahabharata etc (as displayed by their puppet shows and ritual dancing) and they worship Gods like Bhima (Werkudoro), Lord Rama...and they are very big on Hanuman:

[youtube]t0HY0oD84OM[/youtube]
Kecak Dance / Uluwatu, Bali - YouTube

I took instruction under a notable Dukun:
Dukun - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Yeah, so my beliefs closely parallel and align with this...although I was raised as a Saiva...Ciwa is Achintya!

I miss watching the Ogoh-Ogoh (Bhuta-Kala) dance during Nyepi. =(

This is my 'brand of Hinduism' already.

They are also the only Hindus I know that have no issues eating beef.

 

[NobodyYouKnow]

They are also the only Hindus I know that have no issues eating beef.

Some do, some don't.

It's like Hindus being vegetarian in total...some are, some aren't.

Yeah, but they don't worship Mother Cow or anything like that and those who abstain from beef, usually abstain from pork as well.

It's not like in India, where every Hindu doesn't eat beef...I don't know if the Aghore do or not, but Balinese Hinduism is a lot like the Aghore tradition in many other ways.

As for the practice, being in isolation from India has also helped preserve the purity of some of the more esoteric teachings...I like to think sometimes that this is how Hinduism was like a thousand years ago.

 

[Vinayaka]

Never underestimate the influence of secular and 'other' systems in India, especially where invaders spent their time diluting the bhakti through debate and outright condescending tactics.

Which immigrants build temples? Not the ones influenced by Vedanta, secularism, or other non-Hindu ways of life.

 

[Contemplative Cat]

HINDUISM IS NOT ALL VEDIC. What is hindu is indigenous. Vedic dharma is just icing on the cake, an assimilation. Yes, Hinduism is the best. It does not have a jealous God or Goddess and gives you a freedom which you would not get in any other religion. (In Buddhism, which is the closest, you have to submit to Buddha and Sangha. In Hinduism you just have to submit to humane action)

Sorry some of its tantrik or indigenous ideas, your right

 

[Contemplative Cat]

These are things that relatively make a Hindu, but nothing is set in stone, although a minority we can see the radical differences between a Vaishnava, and an Aghori.
Often they don't understand each others methods, so they think their sect is always the best.

- beleif in Vedas, upanishads,
and any other reveared texts as divine.
- Practice of some sort of Yoga.
- beleif in the four dharmas, and four stages of life
- Practice a Hindu philosophy in Astika

Otherwise Hinduism is a made up religion that is used to pigeon hole the vast array of Indian religious traditions.

 

[Contemplative Cat]

On namah Ciwa achintya

 

[Vinayaka]

Otherwise Hinduism is a made up religion that is used to pigeon hole the vast array of Indian religious traditions.

Not all, but most.