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Inspired by Smorgasbord’s recent blog on Hinduism, I want to add my two cents worth. Religion has been a topic of discussion ever since I learnt the art of thinking. I can remember umpteen nights we spent on discourses (rather, discussions with no end in sight) on Hinduism and its relationship to the other major religions, primarily Islam. My following ramblings are heavily inspired by the Speaking Tree column by S G Vombatkere (date unknown) which sits pasted on my wall near my study desk.
For me, however cliched it might sound, Hinduism is a way of life. The Hindu way of life appeals to me because it gives me the freedom to think and act. It does not, most importantly, bind me to rigid codes but only requires that I try and follow certain basic tenets i.e.two parts of the eight fold ashtanga yoga that require me to be a good member of the society I live in. Hindu philosophy admits the atheists and the worshipper of the formless god. I pray sporadically to the extent that I light an agarbatti to a plethora of pictures and idols. Yet, I am a Hindu. The fact that makes me most proud of my religion is that the Hindu accepts all other ways - Buddhist, Jain, Christian, Muslim, Sikh - as valid. Hinduism is the only religion one cannot convert to. To be a Hindu, you have to be born one - in a Hindu home. Nor is anyone converted to Hinduism under the guise of relief, promises of equality or financial aid.
The much-maligned caste system is merely a social construct that depends on the work an individual performs to earn a livelihood. I am virtually a mix of all castes and my being born a Somavanshiya does not give me hereditary claim to the Kshatriya caste. I am a brahmin because I use my knowledge and intelligence to earn a living. I am also a kshatriya because I was in the NCC (being in the armed forces is more appropriate though). I save money regularly and invest wisely that makes me a vaishya and I personally clean my toilets and carry out the garbage; that makes me a Shudra too. The general interpretation of the present class struggle in the Indian society is highly skewed by the political and uppity social class to its advantage. Of course, the historical societal discrimination cannot be ignored but it stems more from the orthodoxy of the society than from the religion.
I meet with Hindus and non-Hindus. None of this makes me less a Hindu, just as my worshipping in a temple regularly will not make me a better Hindu. Tolerance and non-violence are my guiding principles, but don’t misinterpret them as cowardice or meekness. Hindu philosophy tells me that faith in God and whether and how to worship is a matter of belief that is personal and private. I cannot change my neighbor’s belief just as I cannot change even my children’s beliefs. All I can do is to influence their thinking if I think the issue is important enough.
I don’t allow God or religion to intrude into interpersonal and social matters, as it only leads to discord and conflict. Religion for me, is a personal matter. Hindu philosophy is one of peace for the individual and society. All said and done, nothing works if we let personal misguided judgments affect our basic way of life. Every religion preaches peace and should never attempt to supercede other religion….Peace be to all !!!
by Patrix | on Wednesday, June 25th, 2003 at 5:12 pm | 
India, Personal, Philosophy, Recommended, Religion . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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June 22nd, 2005 at 4:32 am reply
What you think is not widely accepted by Hindus inpractice.
It is one thing to think which really does not cost anything and another to practice which does have some social cost.
The caste system is a monstrous construct under which the untouchables have a future which I am sure the author would not like to experience.
September 12th, 2005 at 7:17 pm reply
Hey, read ur earlier post on religion too. I think we have a lot in common- (economics being one of them). by the way you have described ur religion- I have a better name for it- its a religion called humanity. i like to be like you in all ways- invest money smartly, make money using knowledge, be open-minded to other faiths etc etc etc- but unlike you, I do not get it from the religion that I was born with-Hinduism.
In our religion you are born a hindu and born a caste- u must read our epics to see - only a king’s son is a king..a smarter person born to a servant can only serve. Go and read manusmriti to see how wife beating is good and serves women right. and go and read a class Xth sanscrit textbook (cbse board) . all sholkas would tell you traits of an ideal woman or one who is bad. and how women are the root cause of all evil…the sholakas about other things also use these “facts” such as- “the way a woman is incomplete without her parmeshwar, a king is incomplete without a male child…,” . I strongly feel that believing - we are the best and “letting” others be is a form of fundamentalism. The only good thing about most hindus is we dont think that- we are as lopsided as any other religion but we as people have evolved over time..We believe that there is not just one way of reaching God. We have changed a lot of things about the way we worship God even though they still exist in the scriptures and I wish people with all faiths did that. Some say in forgetting the scriptues we lose ourselves, I say it was worth losing all that- I definitely dont want my children to know what their religion says about widows. And believe me all that nonsense has been exploited by politicians but is there in scriptues.