Thoughts on Hinduism

So over the past few months Ive had a spiritual awakening and changed a lot of things in my life and I stumbled across Hinduism and once I started reading about it I started wondering why dont we know anything about Hinduism in the west? We all know about Buddhism but technically I guess there are more Hindus than Buddhists worldwide so why arent they teaching us anything. Most of my friends just think Hindus worship a cow or something and there is a lot of ignorance when it comes to India and the culture. Im planning on taking a trip soon and I am look forward to the wealth of knowledge and spirituality I hope to experience while I am there. I told my family and I thouight they were gonna say Im crazy but they acknowledged there is a huge lack of spirituality over here and they were really encouraging (or they just want to get rid of me) haha just kidding I hope thats not the case but I just wanted to share this with everyone. I love this forum. I spend an hour or so everyday just going through random posts and learning as much as I can.

Ah, but some of us do know about Hinduism in the West Glad you're "One of Us" now

One possible explanation (of many) is that Buddhism is largely perceived in the West as a philosophy that can be incorporated and assimilated into the Western mindset and outlook, a way of looking at the world. Hinduism is perceived as a "religion" per se, not primarily a philosophy but primarily a practice involving idols, cows, etc. as you said in your post. The practice is not appealing to the Western way of life, but the "philosophy" of Buddhism is appealing. Further, Hinduism is perceived as isolated to India itself as opposed to a growing "worldwide" movement of Buddhism. These beliefs of the West may not be accurate, but I think they are are reasons for the difference in interest and perception.

I think hinduism is too complicated for most people who are used to a stereotypical framework that supports most other religions. Those based on a book (Islam) or the life of one prophet (Buddhism). Where does one start with hinduism? You can ask 10 hindus this question, and you will probably get 11 different answers.

Very true. I was confused about where to start with hinduism so I picked up the gita and the upanishads and am currently working my way through those. Great reads so far. I wish I knew sanskrit. I wonder how much gets lost in translation?

I have seen translations ranging from good to terrible. Generally speaking, what most translations get "right" is the word-for-word transcribing. The issue is that when you translate Sanskrit word-for-word into English, the original intent can get distorted.

My humble advice to you is to start with the translations of classical commentaries on the texts you are alluding to above, as opposed to the texts themselves. There is also an order in which you want to ideally go about reading these texts to maximize their impact. As a case in point, the Mundaka Upanishad is the shortest (just 12 teeny tiny verses), but you probably want to re-read it multiple times as you go work through the texts and incrementally gather context.

Eventually, you can graduate to the texts themselves, and try to form your own interpretations.

Adiyogi

Well, speak for yourself on that one.


In your country, according to the statistics, you have more Buddhists that Hindus. Indeed, you have more Muslims, but, with respect, I don't think your population knows too much about that, either.

http://www.census.gov/compendia/stat...es/12s0075.pdf

I guess if your marketing campaign is led by the Dalia Lama and Steven Segal, and Richard Gere, and Leonard Cohen; and Tibet becomes a cause célèbre, you're going to have a certain profile.

If Hindu promotion was shaven headed white kids singing Hare Krishna, and no celebrities that I can think of - well, it's a tough gig.

Yep.

http://youtu.be/q566ys0sqVQ

http://youtu.be/HY8u54jFubM

http://youtu.be/xuKMtLOKG8k


Perhaps - but Americans keep claiming religiosity.

http://www.salon.com/2012/01/08/so_w...ion/singleton/

What I meant by we dont know anything about Hinduism in the west was that they teach us about Buddhism in school. I remember having to reading Siddhartha in high school but dont recall anything on Hinduism and I would remember cause Im a history buff. I was referring to the education system. I should have been more clear. Its not entirely the american peoples fault they dont know. So please dont bash on them or stereotype us all (or post vids making fun of the uneducated).

Curious101, I am a teacher, and I agree with your statement. I teach 7th grade world geography, and as part of the curriculum I teach the culture of the countries we study. I do teach Hinduism, but we have only a limited time to cover many nations. So, Hinduism is not studied in depth. The students learn only the very basics of all the religions I teach. Dr. Rudi, I also touch on Islam, and my goal is to instill a respect for all the religions we learn. You do have a valid concern, Curious101 - I wish I had more time to teach the different religions, for the students, and because I find it fascinating.


I just now looked at the videos, Dr. Rudi. Wow, I would never have bashed your country like that. Sorry you hate Americans so much.

They are all you need,but be sure to read Viveka Chudamani;
http://www.estudantedavedanta.net/Vivekashudamani.pdf

If you want it in book form then look for the translation by Mohini M Chatterji,youll find it on the net.KK

Isn't anyone recommending the epics? Ramayana and Mahabharat?

Reading them (in a decent translation) is more like getting to know the gods and heroes and stuff on a meet-the-family basis.

I especially like the Ramayana!

If DrRudi knew the basics of Hinduism, he wouldn't be posting this reply

No need to know the family,that will just lead to much confusion,the God's are to do with Religion & unless you were born a Hindu then you can't be one,it won't be much use to you.

Out with the God's....throw them to the lions!
Know Thyself!
KK

Most of us Indian Hindus are ignorant about Hinduism and would be hard pressed to articulate it accurately ! We only practice what is naturally ingrained in us and these things are common even to those Indians who practice Islam , Christianity and other religions in India, though they go to Mosques and Churches and not temples.

Growing up I knew more about Christ and the Bible than I did any of the Hindu Scriptures. So its hardly surprising that people in the west know very little about Hinduism.

The other reason is that you cannot pigeon hole Hinduism , and say this is it! If one were to come up with and an accurate definition of a religion, Hinduism may not be a religion per se!

The worship of cows , snakes and other inanimate objects such as the worship of tools used to earn ones livelihood etc. is as misunderstood as most other aspects of Hinduism, it is just the belief that everything is sacred and worthy of respect!

Unlike other religions I can believe Christ is Lord or Mohammed is the last Prophet , not go to temples, and perhaps even be an atheist or antagonistic and still be a Hindu.