Who is a Hindu ? This question arises all the time in various situations and Hindus are unable to answer it exactly, precisely, satisfactorily and with confidence. I have asked this question to many people including eminent Hindu scholars, Sadhus, religious leaders, professors and Pandits but without a satisfactory reply. Fortunately I have found the most fitting , exact, precise and above all satisfying definition of a Hindu by a great revolutionary, author, orator, poet and patriot Veer Vinayak Rao Damodar Rao Savarkar. In 1905 while in the prison at Andamon- Nicobar island he thus wrote :
Asindhu Sindhu Paryanta yashya Bharat Bhoomika,
Pitribhu Punya Bhuschaiva Sa vai Hindu Riti Smritah.
"There is a vast land between river Sindhu and Hind Mahasagar called Bharat and those who accept that this is their fatherland or / and a holy land, land of pilgrimage are all Hindu."
This definition includes Sanatanis, Saivas, Vaishnavas, Buddhists, Jains, Arya Samajis, Sikhs, Harijans, members of International Society of Krishna Consciousness or ISKCON, Adibasis, Tribes, Yogis, Sadhus, Dalits, followers of Swaminarayan, atheists and various other sects without exception are all Hindus . This is the first lesson the Hindu parents can give to their children. Teachers and leaders must learn this definition and covey and spread the correct information to unify the Hindu society.
Referring to my previous comment: "Hinduism is comprised of many sects. besides the Sanatanis.
For instance, there are the Arya Samajis, the Vaishnavas, the Shaktas, the Shivaites etc etc etc. They are all referred to as Hindus."
HERE IS A FANTASTIC IDEA!
John, if you wish to be a Hindu, and you are attracted to the Divine Mother, then simply consider yourself as a SHAKTA. Nobody is going to argue with you on that...
Of course, John can be anything he wants. No question about that at all.
However, in order to avoid unecessary arguments,
and subequent loss of precious time; perhaps it is better to be more specific; like: VEDANTIST, SHAKTA, SHAIVA, VAISHNAVA etc.
"Hindu" is just too broad a term.
For instance, in the French dictionary, a 'hindou' is an 'Indian of India'.
In other words, according to the French definition, His Excellency, Cardinal Ivan Dias, R.C. Archbishop of Mumbai [Bombay], would be considered a 'Hindu'......
RE Previous Posting: "In other words, according to the French definition, His Excellency, Cardinal Ivan Dias, R.C. Archbishop of Mumbai [Bombay], would be considered a 'Hindu'......"
Correction:
It is actually, His Eminence, rather than His Excellency. Sorry about that.
When this question first arose I found myself wondering: Why do we need to "belong?"
In my own lifetime I longed to be Christian. I did not like Christianity as I knew it, but I longed to be Christian nonetheless. I had no "use for" Jesus as he was presented. Yet, I longed to be accepted as a Christian.
My coming in contact with Vedanta and the teachings of ancient and modern saints is the very thing that has given Jesus and Christianity meaning. Through the years, my own spiritual quest has become more important than traditional labels. I had always been a child of God. Now I am a Child of Mother. :)
Thank you, respected sister Jayanti. I think Swami Vivekananda also said, "It is good to be born in a church but not to die in one!"
With regards and good wishes on Lakshmi Puja.
You wrote: "When this question first arose I found myself wondering: Why do we need to "belong?"
In my own lifetime I longed to be Christian. I did not like Christianity as I knew it, but I longed to be Christian nonetheless. I had no "use for" Jesus as he was presented. Yet, I longed to be accepted as a Christian.
My coming in contact with Vedanta and the teachings of ancient and modern saints is the very thing that has given Jesus and Christianity meaning. Through the years, my own spiritual quest has become more important than traditional labels. I had always been a child of God. Now I am a Child of Mother. :)"
Comment: We agree, through our common experience, that the intense exposure to the Holy Trio, is 'the key' to understanding 'TRUE' Christianity.
