is it possible for a white person to study and consider themselves a hindu? would they be accepted by asian hindus? i am learning new things all the time about hindu gods and loving what i am hearing and want to learn more - i think hinduism is for me but i am wondering if my colour would be an issue - anyone know?
2006-12-26 10:45:50 · 10 answers · asked by loco_purple_haze 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes, it is possible for anyone to learn Hindu ways and be accepted in a religious sense.
However Hinduism is an entire cultural system so without Hindu parents, without a Hindu caste or geographic roots you will always be slightly apart from Asian Hindus.
This will probably manifest itself in avoidance from some members of the Hindu community especially women, as well as a mild, unintended patronising attitude which stems from your lower obligations as someone without the cultural peer pressure to conform to Hindu norms.
2006-12-26 11:06:49 · answer #1 · answered by Peter F 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've been a big fan of certain Hindu gods for a good while, and I've never encountered a color barrier with other Hindus. In fact I find many Hindus very respectful of me, probalby because 1) I'm a math teacher, and teachers have a certain "vibe" that is scorned here in the states but respected in India and many other countries. 2) I've served as an avatar (that is, an earthly manifestation) of certain gods, and people can probably sense this as well.
As for color, in India, people come in all colors, from very light to very dark. People there don't seem to pay as much attention to color as to caste. If you're literate enough to study other cultres and get to online you'd probably be regarded as equivalent to a higher caste and so be respected.
2006-12-26 18:53:56 · answer #2 · answered by Joni DaNerd 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Many Hindu gurus take Western students (not just white). Grab up a copy of "Hinduism Today" it's a great mag and you can usually find it at Borders Books and Music and I think you can order it online through their magazine website. There are also lots of good websites and books on Hinduism at your larger bookstores.
_()_
2006-12-26 18:51:06 · answer #3 · answered by vinslave 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't concur with Pangel's "glad-hand" approach to your question. In essence, she is saying "sounds great, sure why not let's do it." Religion is a cultural phenomenon. These people have thousands of years of tradition behind them. This is something that you will never be a part of. The Dali Lama says that a lot of people who call themselves Buddhists are just attracted because it seems exotic to them. Then they don't want pay all the obeisances that the religion requires (similar to being a Roman Catholic in that it is authoritarian and dogmatic). Personally, I am ethnically Irish and raised as a Roman Catholic. I questioned my lack of faith until I saw somewhere that "the true Celtic mind is thoroughly resistant to conversion." So you see I consider myself genetically adverse to the reception of the seed of "Continental" Christianity. Can white people rap? Sort of.
2006-12-26 18:58:12 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
people make the choices of what they want to be and other can not discrimminate because you are white if you want to study hinduism then that is your choice to believe in what you believe in I do not think it will be a problem ask around to some people who are hindu and tell them you are interested in Hinduism
2006-12-26 18:49:47 · answer #5 · answered by Melody-Lynn 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
you can study and consider yourself anything at all
and i agree that Hinduism sounds great and i wish to learn more about it also
i am unsure how you would stand with Asian Hindus though .. but i dont think it is a problem
2006-12-26 18:48:13 · answer #6 · answered by Peace 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You shouldn't care what other people think. Nobody has a monopoly on God.
If you're worried about being invited to tea parties and such, rethink why you're interested in Hinduism in the first place.
Alot of their religion has to do with Asian traditions and language and songs and the like. You may feel out of place, and you'll never be one of them in that respect.
But who cares?? Nobody owns God. . follow your heart!
2006-12-26 19:01:24 · answer #7 · answered by ThatGuy 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
With 10,000 hindu gods, I don't think they are strict about another race worshipping with them. Anything goes and acceptable with this religion.
2006-12-26 18:59:30 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, forget color. Have you visited ; syda.org/theguru you will find Swami Chidvilasananda there, She is a realized Saint with the power of God to give shaktipat initiation(baptize with spirit).also See swami muktananda paramahamsa he was her guru and my guru, he took mahasamadhi in 1982. She teaches mahasiddhayoga.
2006-12-26 19:16:05 · answer #9 · answered by Weldon 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Practically all religions are eager to accept new customers... the color of your skin is no barrier at all.
2006-12-26 18:54:20 · answer #10 · answered by eldad9 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋