In our modern, Westernized age, Hinduism seems to dilute further as each generation comes and goes. But why exactly does this occur? Is there no way in which we can act to prevent such dissolution of an entire history's worth of beliefs and values? What exactly is it that could pose such dangers to an entire faith?
To be completely honest, I fear the future of Hinduism. I have not learned nearly as much as my parents, who have not learned nearly as much as their parents, etc etc. Living in the United States, it has been difficult for us as students to receive information about our faith.
Diversity of Hinduism is both a strength and weakness. It creates a lot of confusion in the minds of people, as to which path to follow, whom to worship and what to practice. We have many scriptures and teachings of countless gurus and traditions and do not know what to study. A vast majority of Hindus therefore practice popular religion because it is easier to do. Most of us go to temples, follow a religious guru, his or her teachings, do some puja at home, believe in some kind of practices and superstitions, but are hardly well versed.
Another aspect, is the lack of a conversion process within Hinduism. Apart from the radicals, that are apparent in any religion, Hinduism is open to many different ideas. Some of the older texts themselves contradict each other. There is not formal process of converting people from outside religions into Hinduism. However, other religions who do have a conversion process have converted many Hindus to different practices.
Do you think the lack of a conversion process will hurt Hinduism in the future?
Do you think Hinduism is under any threat at all?
What are your thoughts on the future of Hinduism?
To be completely honest, I fear the future of Hinduism. I have not learned nearly as much as my parents, who have not learned nearly as much as their parents, etc etc. Living in the United States, it has been difficult for us as students to receive information about our faith.
Diversity of Hinduism is both a strength and weakness. It creates a lot of confusion in the minds of people, as to which path to follow, whom to worship and what to practice. We have many scriptures and teachings of countless gurus and traditions and do not know what to study. A vast majority of Hindus therefore practice popular religion because it is easier to do. Most of us go to temples, follow a religious guru, his or her teachings, do some puja at home, believe in some kind of practices and superstitions, but are hardly well versed.
Another aspect, is the lack of a conversion process within Hinduism. Apart from the radicals, that are apparent in any religion, Hinduism is open to many different ideas. Some of the older texts themselves contradict each other. There is not formal process of converting people from outside religions into Hinduism. However, other religions who do have a conversion process have converted many Hindus to different practices.
Do you think the lack of a conversion process will hurt Hinduism in the future?
Do you think Hinduism is under any threat at all?
What are your thoughts on the future of Hinduism?
Hi HSA, I really like this topic and personally feel that Hinduism is not under a direct threat, per se, but rather it is in danger of being diluted down to the point where its not what it used to be. Hinduism is such a personal journey that you are basically given a set of tools but left to do your own thing with them. I, however, want to argue specifically the language issue right here.
ReplyDeleteI feel that the way that we do prathnas and shlokas and other similar prayers is very bad. No matter how many translations you read of what you are saying, its pretty much entirely pointless for you to say the verse in Sanskrit. What does that achieve, if you're always going to have to refer to another interpretation of it in order to even know what's coming out of your own mouth? I say it achieves absolutely nothing. For some, it may even be better to just say it in English. At least then the thoughts in their heads while saying/singing the verse will correlate with what they're actually saying (because its truly understood then, at least in a derived sort of form).
This is an issue in that it really takes away from the meaning of all the rituals and other spiritual things we do. Only those who are either engrossed in their spiritual learning or have grown up in a society where the these are well known and practiced are able to truly derive significant meaning from them; the majority of us are left to sift through many different others' interpretations to derive our own. Unless of course, we choose to throw a significant portion of our lives into the study of a tradition we don't understand too well to begin with anyway.
I'm not trying to say that any of this is not our own fault, I just observe this happening around me and to me, and it makes me feel, as you said, fearful for the future and what might happen to the tradition we see today as Hinduism.
Yes Conversion is the Big Issue for us Hindus. Because, If you are Non-Hindu and, to be Hindu You have to born in a Hindu Family. Yo cannot be converted to Hinduism. Some people for example, white americans, follow Hinduism and Hindu rituals because their parents have been following Hinduism since time of Hippies. and most of them are drug addicts. Specially in ISKCON temple, ex-hippies are "converted" to Hinduism. But i really think that they were drugged and brainwashed to Hinduism. if you talk to them they pretend to (or faking) to have more knowledge than any other normal Hindu.
ReplyDeleteAnother Issue is marrying to someone who is non-Hindu. Hindu girl marrying a non-Hindu, has to follow her husband's religion regardless of being in USA or India. We should try to convince them not to have inter-religon marriages. and convince them to follow what their parents have been following. that would keep them from detaching from Hinduism.
The main reason that muslim population is growing faster in India is have more kids. this solution is however not practical because it brings poverty.
Hi Mitul,
ReplyDeleteI more or less think that Hinduism is a way of life. I don't think that Hinduism is exclusively for brown-Indian-Hindu people. I believe that the way to truly follow one's own religion is to become more educated about the religion and their practicies. So even if one is born in a Hindu family, one might practice Hindu traditions, but if one doesn't know why they are following those traditions or what is the purpose of those traditions, then I don't believe that individual really knows what Hinduism is. Why should one blindly follow what their parents tell them to follow? Religion is a matter that one explores through their own spiritual experiences. And even in the inter-religion marriages, if your own faith is strong in your religion, I don't think either of the partners will feel the need to change their faiths. Marriages are built on trust not conditions. Trust in the other to be a good person, regardless of the religion they chose to follow. I understand that some issues might be more easily resolved if both partners are of the same religion, but that doesn't mean that having the same religion should be a make-or-break deal.
Hi Heli,
DeleteI am sure you have enough education about your religion and your parents taught you why to follow certain practice in our religion. and every parents teach their kid why they do certain rituals or practice Hinduism.
BUT you can not teach your infants why you are following Hinduism. Initially they follow your foot steps, they find out by them selves as they grow older. And this is how the traditions and culture are absorbed by an individual in every family in this world unless the individul is a foster or homless.
For example, suppose you were fed chicken your whole life since you were born. Then parents say "we will let you decide to be vegetarian or non vegetarian when u grow old." But how is that possible? You have eaten chicken your entire life. How can you think of being vegetarian? your taste buds have gotten used to with chicken. you will not be vegetarian. yes, some people do try to become vegetarian because they think morally and ethically in their later lives.
and for the matter of inter-religion matter, Hindu girls are are being brainwashed and being "trapped" in love, and they are brought to the point where they have no other choice except conversion to other religion. Here in the United States it is easier that way that partner from 2 different faiths can marry and live together but in India its not possible. In India they have to follow the faith that their husbands follow.
Although I'm non-Hindu (I'm Catholic), I'll give you my thoughts on your post. You mention the strengths and the weaknesses of diversity on Hinduism, but didn't talk about the strengths. I understand the problems that come with so many variations. It's a similar problem with christianity and all the different denominations. Though I'm not obviously religious (I don't regularly go to church, attend bible study, or talk about it with my peers), I have an optimistic point of view.
ReplyDeleteTo me, the religions that survive deliver the same message in a different language. Styles and forms come and go because that's how languages endure. If they were not fluid, they would die out. The same with religion. Though the practices may differ from generation to generation, the most important thing is that the message lives on. Instead of thinking of the changes as threats, it may be more useful to think of them as challenges...or even opportunities to modernize Hinduism so generations to come will continue practicing.
Hopefully, I'm not overstepping, but maybe a more accurate description of your fear is that you're worried about the future of your culture. Since, I believe the core beliefs of religions (unstated or not) are the manifestation of humans' journey for goodness, our upbringing/culture is the reason we have so many different languages and religions.
-Le
Hi!
ReplyDeleteI do believe Hinduism is under a threat, but for a different reason. Given the fact that there are so many different types of Indians speaking a wide assortment of languages, second generation Indians living in America must speak English with one another. Since we have grown up speaking English (rather than our mother-tongue), we are more likely to also speak English with our spouse. Hence, it will become that much more difficult for our children to speak, read, and write our native language since they will be living in a household where English is the predominant language. This is why English translations are required in the first place, since Indian youth no longer can speak and properly understand their native language. But the real question is, how will Hinduism change in an environment where English becomes the most commonly used language?