Author: Ramesh Rao
Date: October 20, 2004
Publication: India Post
URL: http://www.indiapost.com/members/story.php?story_id=3874
The word "Hindu" has become a term
of contention if not abuse, and while a variety of enemies proclaim
that they are not against Hinduism but against Hindutva, or Hindu fundamentalists,
or against the RSS or BJP, we need to be careful at taking them at face
value. For what is being attacked is Hinduism as a way of life, and Hindus
as a political and social force.
Unfortunately, many modern day Hindus
are not aware about these battles, and sometimes even less aware of their
own way of life. It is therefore important to teach Hinduism to Hindus,
so that they become more effective political and social actors.
Nature of Hinduism
According to experts, Hinduism had
originally a geographic significance - the faith of the people of "Indus-land".
Indigenous names for Hinduism are "Sanatana Dharma" and "Vaidika Dharma".
Veda means "God knowledge", and this knowledge does not owe its origin
to any historical personage or prophet. Though the Vedas are considered
an authority, Hinduism is not a dogmatic or authoritarian religion. Philosophy,
in the West, arises out of intellectual curiosity, but in the East, philosophy
has always been regarded as a way of life, and an avenue for spiritual
realization. Philosophy, in India, is the pathway to religion.
Hinduism admits that there is a
soul of goodness in things evil. Transcendence of evil is the end. All
Hindu sects emphasize the need for ethical life as an indispensable condition
of spiritual realization. Right speech, right thought, and right action
are insisted upon by every school of Hindu thought. Conduct counts more
than creed. Thus Hinduism, both philosophy and religion, is not so much
a way of thought as much as a way of life.
The greatest feature of Hinduism
is its "catholicity". It allows the widest freedom in matters of faith
and worship.
The Vedas constitute the primary
source of Hinduism. One of the fundamental beliefs of Hinduism is that
there is one all-pervading and all-transcending Spirit that is the source
of all beings - God (Ishvara) or Absolute (Brahman). The universe rises
from, remains in, and returns to God. This God is all - masculine, feminine,
young, old, facing in all directions, has taken all the forms that we see.
This conception of the Godhead has led to the Hindu doctrine of incarnation
(avatara). God is not a detached spectator of the world-process. He guides
it, participates in it, but is not defiled by it.
Hinduism, along with Jainism and
Buddhism, lays great stress on non-violence (ahimsa). God is all. Joy is
not in hoarding but in giving. Attachment to the finite and the perishable
is evil, and is the cause of sorrow. Renunciation of attachment is the
highest good.
Now that I have summarized what
I believe is the fundamental thrust and shape of Hinduism, let me talk
about the challenges Hindu Americans face, and the opportunities they have.
About Challenges
* Hindu Americans are divided and
identify themselves according to linguistic and caste groups.
* Hindu American concerns and challenges
need to be identified in terms of their socio-economic backgrounds.
* There are generational and ideological
differences among Hindu Americans.
* There is no clear understanding
of the fundamental principles of Hindu philosophy and way of life.
* There is a divide between those
who identify themselves as "secularists" first and as Hindus second.
* Hindu Americans are still a new
and small minority.
* The carryover of social, cultural,
and familial practices from India and the clash of those practices with
the reality of mainstream America can and has led to a variety of interpersonal,
family, and social conflicts.
* Inability to discuss interpersonal
problems and family issues has led to generational conflicts about sex,
drugs, marriage, dating, food, choice of careers, etc.
* Hindus have been called "anarchic
individualists" and as such we see the constant splintering of Hindu groups,
most often than not due to personality conflicts and agendas rather than
on philosophical or ideological matters.
* Inability to focus on specifics,
importance to symbolism rather than substance, lack of conflict management
and public speaking skills have marred many Hindu American efforts.
* India beset with a variety of
problems - poverty, overpopulation, security threats, illiteracy and poor
education, malnutrition, poor infrastructure, lack of medical facilities,
regional/religious/caste divisions - and these problems/ challenges color
our response to challenges we face in the US.
About Opportunities
* Hindu Americans are a fairly wealthy
group, with still untapped resources.
* We are a well-educated group with
English language skills.
* We have quite a large number of
professional people with great managerial, scientific, and technical skills.
* We have a great culture -- meditation,
yoga, ayurveda, and vegetarianism - which is in major demand in mainstream
America.
* Ours is not a proselytizing religion,
despite the Hare Krishna movement or the Art of Living clubs!
* We do not have a rigid hierarchy/structure
in the community and so there is the possibility of putting plans into
action quickly (it can have the opposite effect too.)
* Second generation Hindu Americans
are hungry for knowledge/information on India, and in turn these youngsters
are comfortable with and confident in dealing with mainstream America.
* We have a large group of academics.
Those in the technical, business, and professional fields are inclined
to favor Hindu-American efforts. We need to watch out for those in the
social science and humanities areas who tend to hog more media space and
who are critical of Hindus and Hindu practices.
Academic exercises have their place,
but we should realize that neither should we be bamboozled by them, or
resort to them without specific need.
(The above is paraphrased from a
speech delivered at the Hindu Ideological Empowerment Symposium 2004, held
at Nashville, Tennessee on September 18 2004. Ramesh N. Rao is professor
of communication at Truman State University, Kirksville, Missouri.)
