Author: Gloria Labounty
Publication: The Sun Chronicle
Date: August 14, 2006
URL: http://www.thesunchronicle.com/articles/2006/08/15/city/city6.txt
It’s one of the oldest religions of the world and one that is becoming more prominent in this area, but it is also one of the most misunderstood.
With its unique view of divinity, its belief in a cyclic universe and its stress on spiritual exploration, Hinduism is a faith that many Westerners fail to grasp.
"There are a lot more misconceptions than real knowledge," said Sampath Kumar of Attleboro.
Now residents of this area will have a chance to learn more. Kumar has arranged a two-day visit by a traveling exhibition that depicts, through 30 posters, some of the aspects of Hindu faith, culture and traditions.
The free exhibit will be at the Attleboro Public Library on North Main Street from noon to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 23, and Thursday, Aug. 24, and will be open to the public.
Sponsored by Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, a non-profit cultural organization aimed at promoting and preserving Hindu culture, the exhibit has been making its way around the country and has been well received by both Hindus and non-Hindus, said Kumar, who is a member of the organization.
The posters touch on various themes, including Hinduism’s basic concepts and way of living, its temples and traditions, its contributions in math and science, its Yoga and dharmic nature, its roles for women, and its art, architecture, dance and music.
Kumar, who came to this country 16 years ago from his homeland of India, is now enlisting the help of other local Hindus to staff the exhibit and answer questions posed by visitors.
Hindu families moving in
A number of Hindu families have been moving to the Attleboro area and buying homes here, he said, but their culture and their faith may not be as readily understood because Hinduism is not an organized religion the way Christianity is, and is not as visible.
Although Hindus have temples, such as the ones in Ashland and Fall River, they do not gather there frequently and instead pray any time of the day, and often pray at home, where many of them have set aside special rooms with altars.
For Hindus, Kumar said, the focus is on looking inward, toward peace and meditation, and on a one-on-one communion with God.
"This is a very different approach to spirituality," he said.
Hindus do not proselytize and have no mandate to convert others, Kumar said, so the exhibit is not meant to influence anyone’s religious perspective.
There is no one message, no one book, no one messiah in Hinduism, he said, and people are free to explore and to inquire, because the more they ask, the more they will realize.
"Simple answers to spirituality do not satisfy people," he said.
In general, Hindus see the divine in every living thing, and believe in gods and goddesses, but as manifestations of the one God, a view that is often misconstrued.
Yet Hinduism is not only about God. It is also about art, architecture, science, math, and many other aspects of Hindu culture and tradition that American Hindus are hoping to preserve through the younger generations, and hoping to demonstrate through this exhibit.
Kumar hopes people will come to see Hinduism as a gentle, tolerant religion that focuses on harmony and mutual respect.
Hindus, he said, are a model ethnic group that is generally well educated, law abiding and family focused.
"We have set the right tone to be accepted into American society," Kumar said.
Ever since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, he said, Americans have become more aware of the need to understand other religions and cultures.
He wants that awareness to include Hinduism, which he said is now a permanent part of the American landscape.
"The more we know about each other, the more understanding we have, the more we appreciate each other," Kumar said.
To learn more about the traveling exhibit, visit www.hssus.org.