Hello to all in India! I am a citizen of the U.S. I have been reading about Hinduism and was wondering if a person who was not born into Hinduism can convert into the religion and if so, how does one go about it? I am also female-is there anything in particular that women have to do/not do? If I cannot convert is there a reason why? Thank you!
2007-06-26 14:20:32 · 16 answers · asked by shayeshayeshaye 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Hi, I am not from India, and I am a convert to Hinduism. You may practice Hinduism freely, and it has been my experience that the vast majority of Hindus I meet accept me as a Hindu, because I believe in its Scriptures and practice its rituals, etc. The thing about Hinduism is that you do not HAVE to convert according to any Hindus. You are welcome to practice your own religion if that is the path that best leads you to God. We do not look down on other religions. But for me, I have found that Hinduism is the path that works the best for me. It is the most natural to me, and helps me live the life I want to live, with closeness to God. And I love the Scriptures, and the beliefs and practices are very natural to me.
I think what is important is that you find the path that suits your soul the best. Remember that God is not a pathway, God is just God. But there are many pathways (religions) to God. Get on the one that you can walk with the least difficulty, and which makes the most sense to you personally.
You might be interested in reading the book called "How to become (a better) Hindu" which is available online. It is written from the Shaivite perspective (followers of Shiva) whereas I lean more towards Vaishnavism (followers of Vishnu). So I do not agree with some things in the book, like I do not think it is necessary to have the formal break with your old religion, and the formal ceremony of conversion into Hinduism. But if you want to that's fine. It's just that I do not think it's necessary. But other than that, the book is really nice, and you might find something of value there.
2007-06-26 20:53:30 · answer #1 · answered by Heron By The Sea 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Hello dear new friend you are much welcome to become a Hindu but the Hinduism you have to seen is not have its true picture because the evils have entered in this and if you want really to know about Hinduism you please visit my yahoo messenger rlal2474@yahoo.com I will wait for you to suggest and guide you and nothing is negative ideas in my mind for you as I proud of such a person like you who is interested in Hinduism
2007-06-26 21:57:11 · answer #2 · answered by loving_human 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Namaskaram
Any one can be a Hindu rather it is Sanatan Daharam.
There is no Hard and Stringent Rules in this Dharam.
There is no conversion in this Dharam
If you feel that You are a Hindu thats it.
Read Geeta translated by Sri PrabhuPada of ISKON.
Chant Hare Rama Hare Krishna this is the best one
Or OM Namah Siva:
It is Enough Nothing Much Required.
2007-06-26 17:55:02 · answer #3 · answered by The More I learn The More I'm Uneducated 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is my personal opinion. You can still be a Hindu even if you worship Jesus or Allah. Because Hinduisnm says that god id one referered as "Nirguna Brahman"or "Para Brahman" ang he can be worsipped in billions of forms. It is quite a flexible religion. It does not bind you to follow its rules and regulations like other religions. You can ignore caste system. It has numerous scriptures which help us in god realization. Women should not visit temples during mensturation and except that there is no other restrictions for women. Even if you are not mentioned as Hindu / converted Hindu you can still read all the valuble scriptures like vedas and upanishads and be a practising Hindu.
2007-06-26 19:44:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Hindus are a pantheistic people. The enact a caste system that at times forbids them to associate with their own blood, relatives. Hinduism is cluttered with rights and rituals that no one knows the significance. Furthermore, there religion is mythology. You should become a Sikh. Sikhism boasts all the wonderful things that Hinduism has to offer, without the caste system and the Pantheon of mythical gods. Sikhism is the best religion in the world.
2007-06-26 17:51:55 · answer #5 · answered by Sanjay 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋
A religion contains four aspects and they are
1.Symbols
2.Customs
3.Traditions
4.Values
Symbols, customs and traditions are to enjoy and remeber the various aspects of the Values.
Values are the heart and brain of religion.
Convertions is only a robe. But real embracement only comes when we make the values as our lifeline. Values of all religion would end up in saying the same thing.
2007-06-26 22:01:43 · answer #6 · answered by M.L.M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is nothing like joining or leaving Hinduism.You simply follow it .That is all. The caste system is only a social order.Usually marriages are arranged within a caste.But nowadays inter caste and inter religion marriage also has become quite common.We respect other religions.
2007-06-27 00:10:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
hinduism is not a organised religion like others.once you read some upanishads or brief summary of vedas or simply a geeta book ,you will be 'hindu' by spirit.you may continue in your religion and sect but once you believe that universal brotherhood ,world is afamily ,our quest is for perfect life and man not materialism ,goal of life is celebrating exitance without doing any harm to any body,disciplened life of yoga..or any rules good enough for a good human being...then you may or not worship any idols if you do not feel..All thet is good in you and others is GOD..queat is from within go inwards more..act for your and common good ..society benefits and you are a hindu ..even in a mosque or church believe that there are many paths leading to the TOP and all must be good ..you choose yours..and seek bliss within ..read Shanakaracharya or yoga sutra of patanjali -georg feuerstein/inner traditions vermont...www.gotoit.com..and geeta by iskon movement and continue wherever you are doing good work..the other things asso with hinduism are its peripheral individual choices..best wishes for discovery ..
2007-06-26 16:40:29 · answer #8 · answered by doctor 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
yes u can...
i appreciate "Chathrapathi's" words..
it is admirable that u have learnt to respect/love/learn from the other part of the world..
and regd caste system...every thing in this world has its good/bad..it is upto u to choose the best n leave the bad..
be like the goose that drinks only the milk from a mixture of milk n water..
u have many holy men here in hinduism...my suggetion to u is to study the vedas n follow it..that is in itself in essence the proper way of practisin hinduism..
hari om
2007-06-26 21:16:36 · answer #9 · answered by rudrashiv_747 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are no rules to get converted, Hinduism is more or less a mode of life, a awy of thinking.
2007-06-26 16:21:11 · answer #10 · answered by arun d 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋