A question for HINDUS???

Question

According to the ancient Hindu texts, Hindus are actually NOT permitted to build idols of the holy scared deities. Thus, in essence (on a theoretical level at least) Hinduism ironically is not an idol worshipping religion because we are not "supposed" to build idols. The reason for this was because the ancients were worried in case the sacred idols were not treated with proper care, respect and may be disrespected.

Today, I can finally understand why that particular religious rule was espoused. In today's world the idols of Hindu deities are treated worse than rubbish. Hindus keep stacks and stacks of idols in their domestic shrines which they do not bother to clean, wash and nurture. Pictures of Hindu deities are printed on hand bags, T-shirts, calendars, food boxes, incense tins - all of which end up in the bin. In India, shoe polishers even keep photos of deities in their shoe cleaning box!!! In Holland they even have a statue of my beloved Shiva in a Cannabis clinic!!!

People have used the sacred images of Hindu deities as if they are like a fashion symbols. Not only does this make our religion appear to be cheap on the surface, but it is also completely disrespectful to our deities. When will Hindus finally start taking this seriously? Hindu deities are made a mockery out and nobody says anything. When the prophet Mohammed was depicted in Danish cartoons, look at how seriously the Muslims viewed it. Yet when Hindu gods are being made a mockery out of, by gays like Boy George, or when they are used as Tattoo pictures in places like Miami, Hindus act as if it is acceptable.

The reason that Hindus chose to prevaricate the religious law, which forbids the building of idols, was because they discovered that idols were a good way to focus and direct worship and meditation. But now, due to the way Hindus have allowed the idols to be exploited, nobody views Hinduism as a serious religion. To many it is a hippy joke.

My question is:

DO YOU AGREE WITH ME THAT IT IS ABOUT TIME THAT HINDUS STOP CONSTRUCTING IDOLS OF HINDU DEITIES???

Answer 1

No.

The idol has nothing to do with god. It is not divine whatsoever. It doesn't matter what I do with it.

It is just a focus for religous devotion. We all know it is easier to visualize somethings. But the actual devotion is to the gods, not to the idols. The idols don't matter at all. Naturally, it is good manners to treat the image well, but the gods couldn't care less as no idol can capture their power. The idols ARE NOT DIVINE they are simply focus points. THe various texts obviously have dfferent opinions on this subject, as idols are clearly a cultural part of Hindu India today.

Kuan you do not understand. All gods have a male and fenale form; this makes them gods not hermaphrodites. They are not actually both forms in the same body, they are separate bodies.

It does not matter how others bview hinduism. And it is not religously insulting. It is in fact a permeation of Indian culture into Indian society. I appreciate your concern, but as this is not religously offensive I see no reason to discontinue.

Answer 2

In the first place, we should understand that, there is no single word, Hindu or Hinduism" in the whole of the Vedic literatures. This word has been introduced by the Muslims from provinces next to India, such as Afghanistan, Baluchistan, and Persia. There is a river called Sindhu bordering the north western provinces of India, and since the Muslims there could not pronounce Sindhu properly, they instead called the river Hindu, and the inhabitants of this tract of land they called Hindus. In India, according to the Vedic language, the Europeans are called mlecchas or yavanas. Similarly, Hindu is a name given by the Muslims.

But, you are right in pointing out that the Vedas don't instruct one to build idols. Vedas give instructions to install deities or arca vighrahas which are worshipable in the temples. There are so many self-manifesting deities from previous yuga, satya, treta and dvapara yugas. Some of the self-manifesting deities are Balaji in Tirupati, Jagannatha in Puri, Rangantha in Srirangam etc... These deities and other deities, for instance, Sri Krishna deity installed and worshiped in Udupi by Sri Madhvacharya after he got in a gopicandan are sacred

You are right that one should not treat the deities worse than rubbish, for instance, shoul not put the statues of your beloved Lord Shiva in unclean in places. Lord Shiva should be worshiped in a proper standard.

Answer 3

I have read and discussed many ancient Indian scriptures and never came across a single sentence "NOT permitting" to build idols. In fact this concept of "NOT permitting" itself is foreign to Indian tradition.

There is nothing without Brahma. If the entire universe resides inside the Vishwa Roop, the idols too are there. Sagun Bhakti is a very important stream of Hindu philosophy.

We do not believe in dividing the world between black and white. Instead we accept and respect the grey matter. ;-)

"Asato ma Sad Gamay" is a continuous process where we try to keep moving from lesser truth to higher truth as contrary to other philosophies which divide people among followers of True or False God.

Answer 4

I am a Muslim [hope you don't mind, since you addressed the question to Hindus] and I fully agree with your feelings. Many a times I have pointed out this to my Hindu friends but they are as helpless as you are.

That's why my dear friend, it is prohibited in Islam.Even prophet Mohammad, the most beloved for Muslims can not be depicted in any form whatsoever.

Moreover it could lead to worshipping of Mohammad instead of Allah.That is why such things are already predicted in Islam, hence strictly prohibited.

Answer 5

Where is your source of Hindu text? Which of the Vedic Scriptures? Which part in the Mahabharata? Which of the SUstras, Shastras or Tantras?

Dont just state "the Texts" name them like CHristians names verses and chapters to prove your point

Add: You talk about "Gays like Boy George" with disdain... Doesn't Hinduism teach you not to discriminate? Isnt one of your "Beloved Shiva's" form a hermaprodite? Half man and Half Woman?

add: You are obvious in your ignorance... or you have not been to India's Ganges River during festival... there are MILLIONS of serious Hindus. Hinduism is about cutting off the ego and pride in service and devotion to God ( be God Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva or Shakti ), Hindusim is abo0ut self cultivation ( like Buddhism and Taoism also )... so in thatpoint they are not and should not be concerned about "what others thin of them", THAT is the ego and pride talking, read and understand your texts before coming and showing off your ignorance like a Peacock spreading its tail feathers for all to see..

Answer 6

My dear Hinduism is not a religion and its a way of living life

Answer 7

I give you full points. God is to be worshipped by heart and not by visiting shrines.

We do not know what God is. For us ' our god ', is more important than ' their god '. For us ' our religion ', is more important than ' their religion '.

We try to explain ' our god ' to others, oblivious to the fact that God can neither be explained nor comprehended with our, senses, heart or mind.

When we are able to understand the definition of God , then only we can know Him.

And till that time , whether we worship idols or Amitabh Bacchan/ Sachin Tendulkar, it is all the same.

Answer 8

Hinduism is like linux, its a free religion. Worship as you wish but if you are true to God you will get him.

Answer 9

the thank you to degree that somebody is conscious extra or much less? i'd say that Hindu faith is so deep that anybody who has committed his entire existence will nevertheless be left with lots to appreciate..

Answer 10

YOU HAVE NOT GONE THROUGH ADEQUATE LITERATURE ANDYOUR QUESTION AREBASED ON OERVERTED VISION BECAUSE OF NON OF THE TWO PARAS OF YOUR ILLUSTRATION OF QUESTION IS TRUWHY NOT ONE SHOULD DO SOME HOME WORK TO ASK GEUINE QUESTION THEN EXPOSING ONES REACTION