Don't Trust all you Read

January 31, 2002

Hi Group,

I want to comment on the 'becoming a Hindu' steps and thoughts by the

Guru.

I do not want to offend anyone, but as I understand a Guru helps one

on their spiritual path. Ok, but one surely should be careful in

choosing a guru. I have no disrespect for Gurus (though some have

been accused of unlawful things) but at the same time, we should not

take everything in life at face value, what ever the source.

This guru who posted these How to Become a Hindu resources is the

same I believe as the one who wrote The Loving Ganesha. That book

was indeed the greatest book I ever read, minus the last few pages on

conversion to a Hindu.

A few things that were mentioned on that book and on this site were

to be a Hindu, one has to change their name, one has to sever ties

from former religion, and one must be a temple, idol worshiper.

I say to that NO, NO, NO and NO again! Go to India, there are many

Hindus who do not fall into any of these categories (in not all

instances is an Indian name necesarily Hindu, though most Hindus do

have Hindu rooted names). I do not agree with any of this.

I have been through in my mind again and again to change my name.

Yes in India I have faced problems, because though Jennifer may not

be a common name, in Films, if the heroine is Christian, her name is

usually Jennifer. So people equate Jennifer with Chrisitianity and

hence I have faced problems in my belief due to that. But mostly

people don't care what your name is. It is what you believe in your

heart that counts. Ganesha or any other Hindu god doesn't care about

a name change. Yes, it may help one embrace the religion more, but

maybe not, also.

Now, why would a 'convert' to Hinduism have to sever ties to their

old religion and friends? Now, if your former friends are evil and

have made you become evil and you want out, then that may be a

different story. Firstly, the main reason I am so strongly against

these 'steps to become a Hindu' is because "Becoming Hindu' is not

like converting into Christianity or a religion where there are set

rules. If this is true then if one becomes a Hindu, one can not

worship Jesus or other gods that are not native Hindu Gods. As we

know through the list that Hinduism loves all faiths, so this is far

from true to abandon your old thoughts.

Lastly regarding idol and temple worship. Yes, a majority of Hindus

do use idols for worship, but not all. It is fine just to sit and

read scriptures and meditate. Secondly many upon many Hindus never go

to temple. Maybe they go for special functions only, but the way he

wrote it translates into saying 'if you don't go to temple you are a

bad Hindu, like if you 'dont go to church you are a bad Christian'

I hope I have not offended anyone by posting my views, but it are

these reasons I have not d to Hinduism Today (the same guru

is behind this) It is nice to get the information, but Hinduism is

not an organized religion, and these rules attempt to organize it.

If there are any counterpoints, don't worry you can't offend me

easily:)

Or, if you have interpreted it differently, please let me know!

Jennifer

January 31, 2002

Dear Jennifer,

Thank you for your words.

I am a Christian, but with a very soft spot for Shri Ganesha. (I'm listening to

a rendition of the Atharvashirsha right now.)

In today's Hinduism, I have noticed that there are a number of factions. That

this is so is no surprise because every religion has its factions, divisions,

etc. In Hinduism, theology aside, we have conservative, moderate, and liberal

Hindus. Most Hindus are of the last two categories. The Himalayan Acadamy,

Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and other such organizations are conservative Hindus.

In my opinion, conservative Hindus such as these deny some elements of Hinduism

that make it the special religion that it is. Hinduism accepts all religion and

seeks no converts. One may even say it is impossible to convert. Nothing in

Hinduism says, "You must be Hindu to attain salvation." Nothing in Hinduism

says, "We're superior." Yes, Hindus believe that Hinduism is the best system,

etc., but that it cannot supplant any other religion.

Mahatma Gandhi, as a matter of fact, was strictly against conversion out of or

in to Hinduism. He believed strongly that belonging to the religion one was

born into is one's dharma, and that there is no use whatsoever in conversion.

This is an argument that go against Hindu, Muslim, and Christian

convert-seekers.

"Loving Ganesa" is a wonderful, fabulous book, except for its invectives

against other religions. Even though it proclaims respect for all religions, it

laughingly and proudly proclaim it's winning converts from Christianity. This

is not good Hindu dharma.

What matters in Hinduism is not one's jati, dharma, religion, name,

associations, or whatnot. One can be a Brahmin, perform the necessary rituals

every day, and yet not attain moksha. What matters is one's heart and

behaviour. This is the major thrust of the Bhagavadgita: salvation is through

God independent of other chains (name, family, religion, etc.). God loves us,

and He doesn't care if we are going to the temple every week or performing our

daily pujas. The beauty of Hinduism is how dynamic and personal it is.

Unfortunately, the Himalayan Acadamy seems to want to impose an

official/orthodox Hinduism on all of Hindutva and draw converts into this

official Hinduism from all faiths.

True Hinduism is this: love God, love all humanity, love all living things.

Everything else are appendages to this.

Just my thoughts.

Great stuff seeking new owners in Auctions!

http://auctions.

January 31, 2002

Denderah

I think we agree on many things! I was afraid a bit to post what I

did, thinking it may have lots of opposition

> seeks no converts. One may even say it is impossible to convert.

I agree with this. To me conversion implies to give up something

fully to accept something new and not accepting anything that you did

before you changed. Becoming Hindu or even believing in Hindu gods is

not meant to make one 'guilty' to also think of other religions.

> This is an argument that go against Hindu, Muslim, and Christian

> convert-seekers.

You are right. And it is funny to talk about 'hindu conversion' as I

think is it like an oxy-moron:) (I love that word)

>

> "Loving Ganesa" is a wonderful, fabulous book, except for its

invectives

> against other religions. Even though it proclaims respect for all

religions, it

> laughingly and proudly proclaim it's winning converts from

Christianity. This

> is not good Hindu dharma.

Yes, and this is the biggest fault in the book for me. If not for

this, I would find it the best book about Ganesha. The factual parts

about Ganesha are indeed wonderful, taken apart from the unneeded

comments (we refer to)

> every day, and yet not attain moksha. What matters is one's heart

and

> behaviour. This is the major thrust of the Bhagavadgita: salvation

is through

> God independent of other chains (name, family, religion, etc.). God

loves us,

> and He doesn't care if we are going to the temple every week or

performing our

> daily pujas. The beauty of Hinduism is how dynamic and personal it

is.

I feel this is true, and I feel all religions are personal But one

thing I wanted to know is (maybe it is best to ask lots of native

Hindus) their concept of God. Coming from a Christian background, I

feel God is a loving friend, protector and provider, someone I can

talk to about my problems. Many Hindus I asked about this in India

said their relationship with GOD was somewhat impersonal. They did

not 'talk to God' They asked for their life to be better, yes, but

mostly they sat infront of God and said mantras. Maybe this is a

different kind of conversation. I don't really say mantras, mostly I

talk to God, ask him questions and analyze things (if one heard me

they may think I am talking to myself

> Unfortunately, the Himalayan Acadamy seems to want to impose an

> official/orthodox Hinduism on all of Hindutva and draw converts

into this

> official Hinduism from all faiths.

I don't know much about this Hindutva, but I heard there are militant

Hindus. Now this is the height of oxy morons!

Thanks for sharing, it is an interesting conversation

Jennifer

February 1, 2002

Namaste:

I would like to second these words...

There is tendency among all the major religions for those who are most

conservative to declare themselves the keepers of whichever true faith that

they to... We have seen the effects of this in Afghanistan and New

York, and although there may be some who would differ with me, I'm not sure

that a Hindu Taliban would be a better, kinder, or less destructive option...

I have also gained from "Loving Ganesha" while be being disturbed by the

negative tone towards other religions... in fact, it was the discussion in this

book which led me to pose my questions to our friend Lambodara Das, since the

discussion of conversion in LG entails taking on caste etc...

I think that it is valuable that those of us who love much of what Hinduism

offers define ourselves firmly in the moderate camp... I'm sure I'm misquoting

Yeats, but he said, in effect:

"The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity..."

Jai Sri Ganesha! (And all the infinite forms of the infinite...)

Rick

Denderah Luxor <denderah_luxor >

Thu, 31 Jan 2002 15:21:58 -0800 (PST)

Re: Don't Trust all you Read