Why are you Hindu?

[Vinayaka]

I've noticed that one of the reasons we (in the Hindu DIR) get so much argument is that the threads that people start are often conducive to that. If some thread title gives an either/or, then it's hard not to express a POV without debate. It's difficult to determine what is debate, and what isn't. I'm just glad I'm not a moderator.

Anyways, as before, I'm going to try to post stuff on topics that are conducive to sharing far more than to debate. I would encourage my fellow Hindus on this site to overwhelm it with positivity, in the way of threads. Get rid of the negative by throwing in positive. Light gets rid of darkness. So here goes.

I can think of 6 big reasons why a person might be a Hindu. I'm sure there are other reasons.
1) philosophy ... it makes sense on an intellectual level, you enjoy discussing
2) Guru ... you have or have met a Guru and that takes a lot of your attention. His/her teachings are of utmost importance.
3) culture ... you love the dance, food, clothing, music
4) people ... you feel at home with others, you enjoy the camaraderie fellow Hindus of like mind provide
5) temples ... the Hindu temple is your second home
6) mysticism ... meditation, the esoterics of Godmen and Gurus, the mystic energy you get from all of it is what keeps you

So the sharing part is to give it some reflection, and rank theses six in importance to yourself. This will also help all of us understand each other a bit better.

My ranking is: mysticism, Guru, temples, people, culture, and finally philosophy

Aum Shanthi Shanthi Shanthi

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

Namaste,

Think you Vinayakaji for coming back and trying to charge this forum with positive energy. It's been a weird few months for debate here.

I'd rank what you listed as follows, : Philosophy, mysticism, people, culture, temples, Guru.

While Philosphy keeps me, mysticism and culture were what snagged me up to begin with. I remember timidly walking into my first temple. It wasn't even finished - still under construction and a little disorganized, but I remember the feeling and I remember thinking, "There is something here." Breathing became easier. I haven't looked back yet.

:camp:

 

[ShivaFan]

Namaste Vinayaka

All these are great examples, there might even be more. But if using this list, believe it or not I rank "people" as (my personal) first but not in the sense of camaraderie but more in the sense of association.

I have been given blessings from welcoming Hindus that without, I would be a wild wolf only interested in my next meal and running in a pack of like hunters. The other things, these blessings, including "philosophy" et all, all stem from this association. I then expand this experience (Hinduism as an experience defines Hinduism as living) to these other important things, such as association with mystic communion or temple, teachers and teaching (philosophy) and so on.

These Hindus who by the wonderful chance of association, range from almost Buddha like atheists to great polytheists who look to an eventual moksha, to the Hinduism of the village which is full of so many adventures, to great Veda scholars, great Bhaktas who often speak of the very importance of association, Sadhus and Jnanas who may be misunderstood if observed only by words in a book or magazine but become Great Heroes and Jinas and Viras and Rishis and Swamis and visible when observed in actual life, on and on, they allow association that Hindus as myself will die very fast once the nectar of such wonderful association gives but is lost or denied after for some cruel reason. My list uf such association is not the complete list. This association does not bring a scattered house but a stronger focus and meditation. The nectar of such association gives me the adventures of my life and what is to come. It is the reason I see Shiva at all.

Om Namah Sivaya

 

[Aupmanyav]

Philosophy, culture, people. All three are equally important for me. All three can be affixed with the adjective 'my'. I am nothing without them. It would be impossible to exist.

 

[NobodyYouKnow]

Namaste.

I would say that a healthy blend of philosophy, culture and mysticism is what makes me a Hindu.

Well, there's that and the fact I don't seem to belong anywhere else...maybe Wiccan...I do have some Buddhist tendencies as well....but Hinduism doesn't mind too much if I explore these within the framework of Hinduism...yeah, too much. lol

Hinduism isn't all that rigid in a framework besides Sanatana Dharma, which I still don't follow 100%....or even 50%.

Yet, I am not really all that much of a Buddhist enough to call myself one, and I don't do any spell, magic or ritual stuff (besides puja) so I am not really Wiccan either and being a 'Hindu' is all that's left.

I think I believe in enough of it, but I need to practice it more and do more sadhana.

Om Namah Shivaya

 

[Sumit]

I've noticed that one of the reasons we (in the Hindu DIR) get so much argument is that the threads that people start are often conducive to that. If some thread title gives an either/or, then it's hard not to express a POV without debate. It's difficult to determine what is debate, and what isn't. I'm just glad I'm not a moderator.

Thanks for the nice post, I was going to make same but you beat me on that.
I follow Hinduism because of my experience with it. It has soo much to explore, one Dharma many philosophies and hundreds of great saints. Hymns of Vedas and Mystic Tantra that explore cosmic powers to it's depth, Upanishads and Darshans giving us ideal way to lead life. Hinduism is both philosophical and scientific and finally it makes me happy.

 

[Sb1995]

Great post, JAI SHRI RAM.
culture,temples,people,philosophy,mysticism,guru

 

[Vinayaka]

But if using this list, believe it or not I rank "people"

So much of what you say rings true with me. People (my wife, the Guru, temple priests, other devotees) are essential, no doubt. And yes, there is much more ... I started with 3 things, expanded it to 6 ... ... now I'm thinking ... family, ethics, and more.

We're leaving for pilgrimage/retreat in about an hour, so I won't be posting much, if at all. Have an auspicious Maha Sivaratri, everyone. Something tells me I will.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Shivaratri, that is the most important festival for Kashmiri Brahmins. It is a three day festival and all formalities which are observed in a marriage are repeated, since it signifies the marriage of Shiva with Parvati.

After the Puja, one member of the family goes out (door is closed) and knocks at the door.
Those inside ask "Who is there?"
Reply from outside "Rama Braur." (Rama the cat).
Those inside ask "What have you brought Rama Braur?"
Rama Braur "I have brought good fortune, riches, health, education, etc."
Door opens " Come Rama Braur, you are welcome."
Family members are not supposed to go out of the house after Rama Braur's visit.

 

[Sb1995]

Shivaratri, that is the most important festival for Kashmiri Brahmins. It is a three day festival and all formalities which are observed in a marriage are repeated, since it signifies the marriage of Shiva with Parvati.

.

Definitely true, I recall stories from my father of growing up in Srinagar.

 

[George-ananda]

Hmmm,

My number 1 reason didn't make the 6.......Vedic Science

Vedic Science explains the details of the universe and man above the physical level.

 

[ratikala]

namaskaram:namaste

Why are you Hindu?

Anyways, as before, I'm going to try to post stuff on topics that are conducive to sharing far more than to debate. I would encourage my fellow Hindus on this site to overwhelm it with positivity, in the way of threads. Get rid of the negative by throwing in positive. Light gets rid of darkness. So here goes.

jai jai , good question ....Why am I Hindu? .....because as a buddhist who had the greatest love for the Deity forms and manifestations of the divine nature of bhuddi ,

I found a little gopala krsna on a junk stall so I addopted him and took him home and put him with my buddhas in the shrine room ...well to cut a long story short he took me to his temple and introduced me to his serva , ....when they say that Krsna steals the heart and steals the mind it is definately true .

there is without doubt a divine plan ... we think that we are in control but that turns out to be an illusion when krsna wants your serva ...he allways gets his own way

no doubt shiv ji is just the same :namaste

[quote }
Aum Shanthi Shanthi Shanthi[/quote]

and of course its limitless depths and beauty

Aum Shanthi Shanthi Shanthi :namaste

 

[Jaskaran Singh]

I've noticed that one of the reasons we (in the Hindu DIR) get so much argument is that the threads that people start are often conducive to that. If some thread title gives an either/or, then it's hard not to express a POV without debate. It's difficult to determine what is debate, and what isn't. I'm just glad I'm not a moderator.

Anyways, as before, I'm going to try to post stuff on topics that are conducive to sharing far more than to debate. I would encourage my fellow Hindus on this site to overwhelm it with positivity, in the way of threads. Get rid of the negative by throwing in positive. Light gets rid of darkness. So here goes.

I can think of 6 big reasons why a person might be a Hindu. I'm sure there are other reasons.
1) philosophy ... it makes sense on an intellectual level, you enjoy discussing
2) Guru ... you have or have met a Guru and that takes a lot of your attention. His/her teachings are of utmost importance.
3) culture ... you love the dance, food, clothing, music
4) people ... you feel at home with others, you enjoy the camaraderie fellow Hindus of like mind provide
5) temples ... the Hindu temple is your second home
6) mysticism ... meditation, the esoterics of Godmen and Gurus, the mystic energy you get from all of it is what keeps you

So the sharing part is to give it some reflection, and rank theses six in importance to yourself. This will also help all of us understand each other a bit better.

My ranking is: mysticism, Guru, temples, people, culture, and finally philosophy

Aum Shanthi Shanthi Shanthi

My ranking of most to least importance would be Philosophy, Mysticism, Temples, People, Guru, then Culture....

 

[ShivaFan]

Shivaratri, that is the most important festival for Kashmiri Brahmins. It is a three day festival and all formalities which are observed in a marriage are repeated, since it signifies the marriage of Shiva with Parvati.

After the Puja, one member of the family goes out (door is closed) and knocks at the door.
Those inside ask "Who is there?"
Reply from outside "Rama Braur." (Rama the cat).
Those inside ask "What have you brought Rama Braur?"
Rama Braur "I have brought good fortune, riches, health, education, etc."
Door opens " Come Rama Braur, you are welcome."
Family members are not supposed to go out of the house after Rama Braur's visit.

Thiss is wonderful, thank you for sharing this!

 

[Aupmanyav]

This is wonderful, thank you for sharing this!

Rama Braur is supposed to talk in the gruffiest of the voices, normally the elder of the house.

One more thing about Hinduism. It is the freedom to range free that attracts me. No fetters. Fetter it and it does not remain Hinduism. Krishna does not mind if you worship Durga, and Shiva does not mind if you worship Rama. This is contrast to the monotheistic religions where cultures were destroyed, idols were broken to pieces and heads were severed. What Hinduism did - adopt Vedas as the divine book, adopt Buddha as an avatara of Lord Vishnu.

 

[Satyamavejayanti]

My ranking is: mysticism, Guru, temples, people, culture, and finally philosophy

Aum Shanthi Shanthi Shanthi

Nice to have you have back Vinayaka Ji.

As for why am I a Hindu, i would say:

1) Identity - For me the most important aspect of why im a Hindu is the fact that it provides me with a Identity. The Hindu identity provides me with a sense of belonging and a link to a old civilization, Hindu identity gives me a particular culture that is unique to Hindus, this Hindu identity is not based on any racial marker but is the foundation about the knowledge of my self and my Dharmah. This Identity reminds me of my Dharmah in society, this identity makes me think about , and when i walk out into the street i am confident in who i am. This identity helps me to explore the ingrained philosophy of the Hindu tradition, culture and people. My Hindu identity gives a alternative perspective of the world.

2) Knowledge - This is second but equally important. Knowledge about my self is my most important reason I am a Hindu. Hinduism puts in me the seed of inquiry about my inner Atman, The Philosophy of Dharmah in Hinduism helps my understanding of my natural duty in this world. The Karma theory shows to me the nature of the ever changing world in a cycle and recycle motion. Hindu philosophy stirs in me the Kama (desire) to know (Ved) and understand my existence. The idea of Adhyatmik vidya (knowing the inner self) clears my misconceptions about my own self and by doing this strengthens my identity as a Hindu. Hinduism has inspired to think on my own as a free man.

3) Dharmah - This is next but interwoven into my identity and knowledge of my self, its hard to explain Dharmah but here goes. Hinduism tells me about the Dharmah which is my own, My Dharmah of being a Son, Brother, Father, husband and friend, My Dharmah at work and in public, it advises me of my Dharmah towards others in my society and the rest of the world, Hinduism tells me my Dharmah towards nature, my Dharmah towards my culture, my Dharmah to understand the Hindu philosophy and my Dharmah in my overall life. Hinduism advises my Dharmah of respect, of honesty, of Love, of family, of culture, of tradition and my Dharmah of all my Karma (actions).

Well thats all i can think of.

OHM TATH SATH

 

[NobodyYouKnow]

Yet, even more reasons why Hindu DIR should be Blue. That's all I gotta say.

Om Namah Shivaya

 

[NobodyYouKnow]

Also, regarding Hindu Women - they have always 'worn the pants' and nothing has changed there.

Yeah, Hindu women are submissive and subservient, but there's a very good reason for that. Their power hides in their oppression. Hindu women are 'Devi' or 'Goddess' so, of course they will respect their husband as a 'God'.

They are fulfilling their Dharma that way, and if the husband doesn't reciprocate, they will be punished, not the woman, and the guys all know this, but they cannot speak of it.

Behind every powerful and successful man in India, there's a woman.

Om Namah Shivaya

 

[Aupmanyav]

Yeah, Hindu women are submissive and subservient, ..

:lol: You have not seen it all.
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Most Powerful Women in Business 2013 - | Photos | Business Today |

For more see this: https://www.google.co.in/search?q=p...j8&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8

 

[Kalidas]

Yes I agree Vinayaka(and thanks for coming back lol) the arguing is getting to be to much, even I left for a month simply because it annoyed me that much.

Philosophy,mystacism,culture,people,temples,guru. Much like Fireside its the philosophy that drew me in but the mysticism that keeps me in. Culture over peoplr simply because aside from all of you I actually have no Hindu friends . So few live where I live. I have only been to one temple so for all I know they could be an unhappy experience for me but so farI loved it there. Guru last only because I do not have a guru, I'm sure one day guru will trump even philosophy but that is not now.