Hinduism: Why I'm A Hindu, And Other Thoughts  

By G VOMBATKERE

I am a Hindu because I was born in a Hindu home. The Hindu way of life appeals to me because it gives me freedom to think and act. It does not bind me to rigid codes or to some particular book, but only requires that I try to follow the first two parts of the eight-fold ashtanga yoga, namely, yama or abstentions and niyama or observances, expecting me to do nothing more than being a good member of society. Practice of the next six parts is optional.

Hindu philosophy admits the atheist and the worshipper of the formless God, nirguna brahman , as well as those who worship one or more deities of the Hindu pantheon. I am not an atheist; neither do I pray or perform puja . Yet, I am a Hindu.

The Hindu accepts all other ways - Buddhist, Jain, Christian, Muslim, Sikh - as valid, demonstrating the universality of Hindu philosophy of which I am proud; but I'm ashamed of the system that denigrates and oppresses others within and outside the Hindu fold.

I was born into a Konkani-speaking family; so my mother tongue is Konkani. My inherited physical characteristics, language and religion are all by chance of birth. But in my 60-plus years, I have come to hold opinions and perform actions for which only I am responsible.

Caste is a Hindu social construct that depends on the work an individual performs to earn a livelihood: "Brain-workers", those who work the land and/or defend it, those who conduct business for profit, and those who provide services and labour for their society.

With such an interpretation of caste, I am today a mix of all the castes as indeed most of us are. My being born a Saraswat does not give me hereditary claim to the brahmin caste.

I am brahmin because I use my knowledge and intelligence to earn a living. I am also kshatriya because I served in the army to earn a living as a grahastha .

I have saved some money and invest it so that it will multiply, and that makes me a vaisya , too. I personally clean my house toilets. I carry household garbage to the dustbin, I dig and plant in the garden - and that makes me sudra also.

In my daily life I meet, mix and dine with people of all 'castes' as well as with non-Hindus. None of this makes me any less a Hindu, just as my worshipping in a temple will not make me a better Hindu.

Religion should inspire a person to a higher level of thought. Co-operation and understanding are the necessary and sufficient requirements for happiness in any society. Tolerance and non-violence are my guiding principles, but I don't believe that they mean cowardice or meekness.

Hindu philosophy tells me that faith in God and whether and how to worship is a matter of belief that is personal and private.

I cannot prove the existence or attributes of my God nor disprove the existence or attributes of anybody else's God.

I cannot change my neighbour's belief just as I cannot change even my children's beliefs, for they believe according to their individual experiences. But I can try to influence their thinking if I think the issue is important enough.

I can only try to change myself according to my belief and experience, and God has nothing to do with it.

I should not allow God or religion to intrude into interpersonal and social matters, as it only leads to discord and conflict.

Hindu philosophy is one of peace for the individual and society. An important Hindu prayer says: "(Take me) From untruth to (realising) truth, from darkness (of ignorance) to light (of knowledge), from (corporal) death to eternal life. May there be peace!"

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See also: Hinduism, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)