What Makes You a Hindu?

[Shivani Devi]

Namaste.

So, if you are using this part of the forum you probably define yourself as one with a label because it somehow 'defines us'...but please tell me what is it about this religion you love?

You can include inspirational pictures, quotes from gurus and teachers and favourite bhajans or just tell me why you are a Hindu.

I'll upload some pics and stuff later.

1) Freedom - I like the fact that it's not strict and dogmatic (unless you go into some of the Vaishnava sects), but I have freedom to 'be myself' within it.

2) The Vedas and Upanishads - I like the 'old ways' of the religion and how things have been done for centuries. I particularly like the Agamas and the Mundaka Upanishad (but Katha was good too). My favourite Veda is Rig Veda and I like all the fire sacrifices (Havan/Homa) and hearing of Shiva being referred to in His most Sacred forms - Maha Rudra and Pashupati and I also worship Surya Deva, the Sun God.

3) Lord Shiva - In all His miraculous forms, but particularly, Bhairava, Dakshinamurthy, Bhuteshvara, Asutosha, Neelkantha, Nataraja and Ardhanarishvara. I also worship Devi too in the form of Kali, Durga and Mother Kundalini, but not as much as Siva. I am just a bit biased that way. lol

4) Other Texts/Books - like Vijnana Bhairava Tantra, Kundalini Tantra, Shiva Puran, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Patanjali's Yoga Sutras and Saundarya Lahari.

5) My Gurus - Adi Shankaracharya, Shiva Himself, Patanjali, Lord Buddha, Swami Shivananda, Swami Satyananda and I'm sure there are a few more my blank mind can't process right now.

6) Tradition and Ritual - From Diwali to Holi and secular festivals like Thaipusam and Nyepi and the puppet shows and all of the dancing and singing, role playing characters out of the classic tales, like building a 30ft 'Ravana' and setting it alight - that's always fun as. making Diwali boats...oh the memories.

7) Dharma - The most basic foundation. There are parts of it like the Caste System I don't like and I'm not too sure about Karma and reincarnation, but as far as the rites of passage and the duties of religious/spiritual aspirants it is great. It's like the Hindu 'commandments' and I follow it as best I can.

8) Colour and vibrancy - It seemed to be like the most 'fun' religion out there, c'mon - it has god-intoxicated people dancing in the streets while singing and smiling from ear to ear...I have often thought about buying myself a Damaru, just so I can play it when I want to.

9) Sankirtan - just the gathering of souls together to share spiritual experiences and study the holy books and sing kirtans before indulging in like a 10 course Indian meal - can it really get any better than that?

10) There is an 'esoteric side' to it which I like. I'm not 'mainstream' and I like to uncover what is hidden. Not many religions still have that anymore. I like all the astrologers, palmists, clairvoyants and soothsayers - bless you all.

I think all the above makes me sorta 'qualify' as one. This is not me doubting my belief though it's me creating a nice thread about a nice topic - what makes you a Hindu.

Aum Namah Shivaya

[Govind]

The true faith and belief in god and also believe in afterlife. we respect all religions and their rules and values. Always live with peace and togetherness and help other people, All these things made us Hindu.

[Shivani Devi]

Thank you for posting and that's also very well expressed and true, but a lot of those things would also a Christian make.

I should of been more specific...what particular aspects of the Hindu religion as an informative and cultural religion do you like? stuff like this:

Lord Shiva in Haridwar before the floods destroyed it



Rangda as Kali



Thaipusam:



Bhairava statues:



Tantric Yantras:



I'm done now. lol

Aum Namah Shivaya

[Miss Hepburn]

What I love about Hinduism...tho, I can not say I am a Hindu or a member of any religion.

So: The deep understanding that has been revealed to the writers of
the great Scriptures is what I love.
There are so many...what comes to mind is that this is a dream.
Was it Nirada, ?, that slips out of Brahma's Dream and finds himself in the
a complete Infinite Void, terrified at the experience he slips back into the dream of Brahma....now knowing the truth.

[Vinayaka]

Being alive on this planet makes me a Hindu. I couldn't possibly have it any other way. Acorns don't become avocado trees.

[kris]

Here is my way to look at this. And I think history supports my view. I am a Hindu because I was born to Hindu parents. The benefits of being a Hindu is that I am free to search truth without any dogma dogging me.

Miss H, I think you are referring to Nārada.

[Bindu*]

I was into tantric yoga in the teens starting with Satyananda yoga. Tantric hatha yoga and meditation. Then it continued with grace based Kundalini yoga and Shaktipat. I have a great love for Shiva/Shakti. I try to do japa continously as a base for my path and sense of being able to live in a sane way in this changing and sometimes chaotic worldplay.
Somehow this thing is growing more and more, and I let it.
My family is not Hindu. So I have to keep some practice secretly going in my mind as to not disturb them too much. They think I'm a fanatic anyway
Sometimes I think my life would have been easier if I had incarnated in India instead of in europe. But lets do the dharma as it is....

[Still_Waters]

In my opinon, the Bhagavad Gita of Hinduism is one of the best scriptures in the world. It addresses three ways to approaching Godhead with each suited to people of different temperaments.

1. Self inquiry (Jnana Yoga) -- "Know Yourself".

2. Bhakti (Devotion).

3. Karma - losing one's self in service to others.

There is something for everyone based on temperament.

[whitelotus]

Originally Posted by kris

Here is my way to look at this. And I think history supports my view. I am a Hindu because I was born to Hindu parents. The benefits of being a Hindu is that I am free to search truth without any dogma dogging me.

Miss H, I think you are referring to Nārada.

I loved your view.......I am also born in hindu family and to me more than relegion it is a path(sanatma dharma )of seekers of the truth.

[Shivani Devi]

Belonging to the lineage started by Adi Guru Shankaracharya and paying homage to Govind Bhagavatpada and Vyasa Muni.

Sometimes I need a good kick up the spiritual backside to be reminded of it.