Genuinly interested, this is not a wind-up: can you tell me in a nutshell what it means to be a Hindu ? Can a white English man become a Hindu ?
I studied a little in religions and ways of life a couple of years ago and Hinduism seemed to be very colourful.
2007-01-14 19:05:53 · 7 answers · asked by chillipope 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The main ideas of Hinduism are :-
1_ There is one Supreme Consciousness (called God or Aum or Brahm), who manifests as a Trinity for creation of the universe viz. Brahmaa (creator), Vishnu(Preserver) and shiva(Destroyer)
2- Hinduism gives full liberty to worship/love god in any form...like Father, Mother, friend, Guru or a child...hence different people worship the Same God with different names.
3- Hinduism has 2 parts Mythology and Philosophy. Mythology is as questionable as any other religion..because it has a seprate cultrual back ground, not understood by foreignner.
4- The philsoophy of hinduism is the real Backbone of our faith. This philosophy tells us how the Universe is born, how human beings come into existence, and where they go after death and what is the way out of this loop of re-births and karma
5- Yoga and Meditation are 2 main ways of hinduism to achieve Enlightenment (Moksha)
Hinduism is the most misunderstood religion in the world...mainly due to bad publicity by westener media
Most of the poeple make fun of hinduism in the name of cows, idols, castes, sati and some rituals.
They fail to understand that hinduism is the oldest religion and it has no central authority to control people...moreover it gives full liberty to its followers to worship god in any form they like.
Over the years there have been some rituals in India which have no standing in Hinduism
Our core philosophy is stated in Vedas, Upanishadas and Gita... and none of the haters have read an iota of our philosophy.
The philosophy of hinduism is deep, and deals mainly with the mysteries of the Universe, Life, Death, Re-birth, Karma, astral lives and God.
Hindus have never attacked any country in the name of religion. Hinduism does not condemn other faiths to hell
Our philosophy is - "Vasudhaiv Kuttumbakam" all human on earth is my family; and
Like all rivers rush towards ocean, all faiths point towards truth (including atheists)
2007-01-14 20:46:39 · answer #1 · answered by ۞Aum۞ 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
mmmmm the bottom line is this you should not smoke drink and eat meat. there are many gods you thought the Greeks had lots of gods you ant seen nothing yet. there is a class system in Hinduism weather people agree with it or not its there and Very strongly held. there are more festivals then you could count.
yes a white male can become Hindu there are many out there some are workers in the temple. Karma is followed in a big way. what ever you do now you will be returned later in life weather that's in a day a week or in years so be good. be kind humble honest and respect your elders that's there cos remember you will be there in time too. some facts Hinduism is know to be\Very old around 14000 years yes you have read this right Buddhism was an off spring religion of Hinduism.
hope this helps
2007-01-15 03:35:44 · answer #2 · answered by Sonu S 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
First of all the word Hindu came out from "Indu", the one belong to Indus Vally. So by wast meaning all people of sub-continent of India are Hindus, geographical meaning wise.
So a white English man can not become Hindu, as per Geographical meaning.
But as the matter is concerned, religion wise, there are so many religions in this region, like all Arabs are not only Muslims. So all Hindus are not the one who believes Hinduism.
This was the answer of your first part of Q.
For rest I can't, as I do not belong to Hinduism.
2007-01-15 03:36:59 · answer #3 · answered by Ishfaq A 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
There are many God's and deities in hinduism, many of the hindu beliefe though is based on mythology, Check out this book Mankinds Search for God, it gives an overall description of most all major religions and it is very accurate and unprejudice to the religions. It explains what they entail and believe, has a good chapter on the hindu religion.
2007-01-15 03:14:13 · answer #4 · answered by A man 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Interesting question. I will watch your answers. I know very little about Hindu.
2007-01-15 03:14:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
To be a true practicing hindu/muslim/christian/buddest is to love all, Great and Small, to harm no one, or any creature, and to forgive all tresspases.........OH and you must also believe their dogma, and that their past spiritual leader can STILL do for you, what he did for those when they walked the EARTH IN PHYSICAL FORM...........
2007-01-15 03:15:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anybody can convert to any religion . if you dont mind worshiping an Elephant go ahead
2007-01-15 07:12:52 · answer #7 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋