I was born to a Hindu father (Pakistani) and Catholic mother. I was brought up with touches of both cultures but have not completed any significant rituals in either faith - no naamkaran in Hinduism or baptism in Christianity - in order to keep an equal balance between them until I was of age to make an informed decision concerning my spirituality. Or so I was told.
In any case, two years ago my father died and I was left with my mother who fell into a deep depression. It was during that time which I began to think more seriously concerning faith. It was through that experience as well as many other shaping events that I found my heart in Hinduism where I feel it has been all my life.
So I began living as a full Hindu. However, I want to go on pilgrimage in India sometime in the near future but fear not being able to enter Hindu-only establishments because of my upbringing and lack of formalities. I question whether or not I can even call myself Hindu. What should I do?
2006-08-14 17:44:14 · 14 answers · asked by The Goddess Saraswati 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
i m hindu. hinduism is not like christianity or islam where u hav 2 follow rules and regulations. where there is a way and path prescribed 2 worship a god.
hinduism is a religion of peace, tolerance and sacredness. u dont need 2 read any book (like bible or quran ) to b called urself as hindu. infact there is no need 2 go 2 temple also. hinduism teaches only one thing. that is "EVERYTHING IS GOD". or god is everywhere. hinduism say "live and let live". there is no hard n fast rules 4 it.
well if u want 2 follow it seriously. then go 2 any temple. if u want ask d preist 4 help. within couple of days u will b an expert.
2006-08-17 18:23:18 · answer #1 · answered by crackluver007 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Dont follow any path just because that's what someone else did. Follow it because you've come to the realization that it is truth and all others are false. If you think that Hinduism is the way to a relationship with God then check very carefully into it's history and how it originated. Find out why Shiva, Vishnu, Hare Crishna and all the others claim to be gods and what is their justification. Were they who they claimed to be or was it based on a myth?
Know what you believe, dont just follow it because it "feels" right. Emotions can't be trusted.
2006-08-15 00:57:53 · answer #2 · answered by foxray43 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dear hindu....you allready are one
im a self declaird white hindu, no one told me i coulnt become one??
[hinduism today] the news paper, sais ...if you are a hindu in your heart..you are a hindue, many other sites say the same thing, you dont have to have brown skin to be a hindue...>>>>.its how you feel in side<<<<. hinduism is all inclusive, they reject no one.....i dont agree with that ...but that how othere hindues that i met believe
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1.meditate....go inside and see.....what is for[ you].
2.use you brain....and resurch all the religions
3.ask others , that you trust , what there experences of the devine are.
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4, from my personal point of view............throw out all religions AND LOVE YOUR SELF, worship, the invisible [life force] that keeps you alive every second , and beeeee a GOOD PERSON.
to me that is true non -religion,love goodness, laghter,beauty,friendlyness, and loving the devine creator mother
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100,000 people go to india , all the time and i have never heard of any one....saying you cant see any guru, go in any temple[during telple hours], or go any were in india.
resurch your trip....make shure you are safe. there are thousands of american hindues that will give you the ins and outs of traveling in india...there is a indian counclet in america, and hindu travel agents that would be glad to help you. you can go as a tourist on a package vacation...and visit with a group,...if your fathers relatives dont have , family members that live there.
if you have a temple were you live, contact them and they will help you
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http://www.hindu.org
WHO IS A INDU
http://www.hindunet.org
http://www.sacred-texts.com
http://hinduismtoday.com
http://www.pluralism.org/
http://www.vhp-america.org
http://www.pathsofdevotion.com
http://www.roopverma.com good ethnic music
2006-08-15 02:42:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Dear friend,
Hinduism is not like that. Only Christianity, Judaism, and Islam have such ignorant rules. Hinduism is a peaceful, kind religion. Go to the pilgrimage and find your true nature, become solid in your path, find refuge in your Atman and Higher Self and merge into God's bliss.
Be good.
2006-08-15 00:50:59 · answer #4 · answered by molon_labe_rkba 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
All religions have something to offer as well as their red herrings. I suggest being a spiritual independent and take what is good from each while leaving the rest. This gives room for independent thought while avoiding dangerous & or dysfunctional dogmas.
As for Hinduism, there is usually no problem accepting other faiths as they are all manifestations of the divine and eventually lead one back to the source of all. With this said I also have heard there are prejudices within the culture such as the cast system and other traditions that have crept in like the burning or out casting of widows.
Again, no religion is perfect, or without something you can learn from. Even a fool has his/her story to tell. The world is our guru if we chose to learn from it.
One question, just out of curiosity what is naamkaran? I am not familiar with that term. Feel free to contact me if you wish with this information.
Best of wishes on your continual & spiritual Journey. May it be relatively free of unnecessary suffering.
Godspeed
2006-08-15 01:08:10 · answer #5 · answered by Love of Truth 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you have anyone from your father side ask them to help you farther your teachings in the Hinduism or try and find a Church in the Hindu faith but dont give up. seek and ye shall find
2006-08-15 00:54:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is no RITUAL (baptism) to become a Hindu.If you feel you are a Hindu in your heart and interested to read Vedam ,you are a Hindu.Naamakaranam you can do it yourself.Hinduism believes in ONE and only "Brahman"-the omnipresent,pmnipotent,omniscient,allimbibisive ,all pervasive, Ultimate reality.People are given freedom to see Brahman in any form (Roopam) and name(Naamam)-"Ekaiva Brahmam satyam-Param naasti-Vipra bahudha vadhanthi.
You can go on a pilgrimmage to India,Nepal, Singapore and many hindu temples.You are welcome in all temples.You need not know any formalities.but your faith is the only criterion-Somayaji
2006-08-15 20:12:30 · answer #7 · answered by ssrvj 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
All religions are accepting if you are one of them. Some may question and some will take you under their wing to show you the way. I have noticed in all my findings in all religions that they feel "either your will us or against us" Everyone feels that their religion is the only real religion, so by you taking in anyone you will have someone whom is willing to teach you all that is known. To you i wish you luck in your journey, and peace with in!
2006-08-15 00:54:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You ask God himself where TRUE PEACE IS FOUND? I am not
shouting just emphasizing.There is but one true God and He Loves
You and wants to give you that gift.
Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
I pray that God will show you the TRUTH. God can NOT LIE.
In Christ in LOve,
TJ57
2006-08-15 01:44:12 · answer #9 · answered by TJ 57 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask around for other Hindus in your area. Im not HIndu but im not christian either.
2006-08-15 00:50:08 · answer #10 · answered by brianna_the_angel777 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋