Guest guest Report post Posted August 23, 2005 Namaste, Is it true that one has to be born a Hindu to be one? Some sources say it is strictly ancestral, others say that anyone from anywhere could convert. Help? Also, does Vaishnavism hold any beliefs in a soul-mate? Often it seems like Vishnu and Lakshmi hold such a relationship and if they are the Divine Parent, I would think that we also have a "better half"? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted August 24, 2005 conversion is based on faith. theres no such thing as being born hindu. one is taught the values of hinduism as one grows up (if one is born into a hindu family) as the years pass, and as the understanding expands, one becomes firmly hindu/ or not. if one isbrought up in another religion and genuinly shows an interest or is drawn to hinduism, or if one finds truth in the hindu teaching, then one need only follow the concepts of dharma to be hindu. hinduism is not like western religions. it is not an organized set of beliefs for everyone to follow. it is up to each individual to find his or her path in life and hinduism leaves the path open for you to decide. Its not like theres a list that says all hindus must wear dots on their heads, all hindus must worship cows, all hindus must worshi vishnu or shiva. thers no such thing A hindu is one who worships any religion of india that is not Buddhist, Jain, Sihk, Christian, Muslim, Jewish or Zoroastrian. That was how the name hinduism came up. Before that, it was a mixture of many religions taking from eachother whereever they saw the truth. Follow your heart in what you believe in. Believe in God, Stay fast to dharma or righteousness. Treat others with respect and kindness and control your emotions so they dont get the best of u. Study what scriptures teach. Find your truth in that and follow that. As for a soul mate, God is the only true soul mate. He is the only one that can possible equate the same as our soul, for every other soul is different. Some people find other people in their lives that are so compatible that theyfeel that is their soul mate. That is fine. Does that mean everyone has one? who knows. maybe they do, maybe they dont. Even if you do, who knows if you will ever meet that person. If you do, im very happy for you and most jealous. I wish you luck on your journey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maadhav 0 Report post Posted August 24, 2005 << Is it true that one has to be born a Hindu to be one? >> not at all. hinduism is universal and for all. << Also, does Vaishnavism hold any beliefs in a soul-mate? >> no. however, each soul already has eternal relation with god/krishna, but we have forgottn it. the bhakti process revives that relation. <<Often it seems like Vishnu and Lakshmi hold such a relationship and if they are the Divine Parent, I would think that we also have a "better half"? >> they do, but not we. however, if you can say to you wife that she is her eternal life partner, and if she loves you, then she will love you more. so, it does no hurt to say so. also, cases have happend that some couples find and marry each other over a few lives in human forms. such intense love is needed for krishna though. then one goes to krishna. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
barney 0 Report post Posted August 24, 2005 [A hindu is one who worships any religion of india that is not Buddhist, Jain, Sihk, Christian, Muslim, Jewish or Zoroastrian. That was how the name hinduism came up. Before that, it was a mixture of many religions taking from eachother whereever they saw the truth.] Hindus do not worship religion or for that matter any religion. Hinduism is a way of life. Hindus worship the only one Supreme Being in many forms because a Hndu believe God can manifest in all forms. The thirumoorthy [brahma, Vishnu and Shiva]is th main icon of Hinduism. Get the facts right before you post your answers. Hinduism is a name given to the Sanadhana Dharma or Saiva Sithandha Sanadhana Dharma by Persians. Go to history of Hinduism to get your facts. The rest is fine but please explain the core of Hinduism so that people of other faith would really understand what it means to be a Hindu. Hindus do not see others as their enemy as what Muslims or Christians do. Hinduism believes in karma and all living creatures have souls. We are here to fulfill our destiny and when it is over we live this body to take another according to our past karma. Yes, Hindusim accept new converts through the Namakarna Samskara. The Namakarana Samskara The name-giving sacrament, namakarana samskara, can be held at any Hindu temple. Before the ceremony, the devotee informs family, relatives and close friends of his or her name change and intended entrance into Hinduism. At the sacred name-giving rite, the Hindu name is formally received, vows are taken and a certificate is signed, documenting the former name and the new name, place of ceremony and signature of the priest and at least three witnesses. If one does not wish to go through such, he can always be a Hindu at heart and follow Hinduism as per order. But the proper way would be better as when such person dies there would be no confusion to his last rites. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted August 25, 2005 [A hindu is one who worships any religion of india that is not Buddhist, Jain, Sihk, Christian, Muslim, Jewish or Zoroastrian. That was how the name hinduism came up. Before that, it was a mixture of many religions taking from eachother whereever they saw the truth.] --it is right The thirumoorthy [brahma, Vishnu and Shiva]is th main icon of Hinduism --it is false... in comparison with the reality of the spiritual existence, the trimurti is engaged in a very marginal task.. the one to give energy to the conditionated soul to act according their desires the topmost reality in sanatana dharma is sri krsna bhagavan who performs his eternal lilas without even the need to be recognized as god by his intimate associates... then comes mahavishnu who is krsna in his "job" of creating and sustaining the universe.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted August 25, 2005 {Saiva Sithandha Sanadhana Dharma by Persians} What do you mean by this? Did the persians found Saiva Siddhanta? I thought it was Maharishi Nandinatha. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saiva_Siddhanta Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Azygos 0 Report post Posted August 25, 2005 Hinduism is a science "the science of realization". Hence it does not seek conversion of faith......true conversion is "conversion of character"... IN the advaita vedanta; there is only one final conclusion; man is god himself; everything else is apparent reality due to power of maya. Thus, logically everyone is a Hindu this way. FOrmal conversion is unnecessary except for performance of last rites if one so wishes. Regards, Saurav Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
barney 0 Report post Posted August 26, 2005 Sanatana Dharma or Righteousness Forever was the original name of Hinduism. It was Persians who invaded India during 6th century B.C. who gave the name Hinduism meaning the religion of people living near the Indus river[sindu River]. In Persian the letter H and S are pronounced almost the same so they mistook the word Sindhu (Sanskrit name for Indus) to H and then started calling Hindus and Hinduism. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
barney 0 Report post Posted August 26, 2005 Yes, that is the final upon selfrealization not before. Most of the Hindus in India and elsehwere have yet to come to this term because of their low spiritual value. And morever it would be difficult for them to understand such a concept as they believe in karma and suffering. They do not relaize that it can be reverted upon self-realization instead prefer to remain in the ignorant state. They should read the doctorine of Swami Ramakrishna and Swami Ramalingam. ATMAN IS BRAHMAN I AM IN YOU Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
