Why Am I a Hindu?, by Sanchay Jain
It is important that we discover the answer to this fundamental question. After all, it is a defining question, one from which our identity takes shape. If we appreciate what makes us Hindu, then our convictions are strengthened, and we can adapt to the changing conditions of the modern day.
Why am I a Hindu? Why am I a Hindu? In both instances, the answer rings hollow and unsatisfactory: “I don’t know.” In the first case, the young person uses this ignorance as an excuse to sever their roots in order to start a new life as a Christian. In the second case, the youth marches forward passionately, glossing over the answer and trying to overcompensate for the confusion it represents.
Neither situation is positive. The former individual could develop into an honorable and successful entrepreneur, but one bereft of cultural identity and simple pride. The latter could be seen as a dedicated worker looking to preserve his or her heritage, but upon further scrutiny, this person ends up looking like a robot, incapable of practically applying the values he or she esteems.
It is important that we discover the answer to this fundamental question. After all, it is a defining question, one from which our identity takes shape. If we appreciate what makes us Hindu, then our convictions are strengthened, and we can adapt to the changing conditions of the modern day.
So why am I a Hindu? I can’t answer this question for you, but I can answer it for myself, and perhaps through this answer, it will give you some ideas as to how you wish to answer the question for yourself. The fact that the question can be answered in multiple manners is a reflection of Hinduism’s diversity, just one of the many aspects that make it a vibrant way of life.
The smart-aleck way of addressing why I am a Hindu would be to say that I am a Hindu because I was born a Hindu. But in fact, it is an accurate statement. I was born to Hindu parents, who fostered in me Hindu mythology, traditions, and values. If I were born to parents who regularly attended Catholic Church, then there is a good possibility that I would have become a staunch Catholic instead. But that merely scratches the surface of the topic.
As we all know, just because you were raised in one manner doesn’t mean that you will end up a carbon copy of your parents (ask the mother of a murderer and 90% of the time, she will say that she has not killed anyone). Children can renounce official religion and become atheists or agnostic, or they can join the ranks of another religion. At the same time, people can abandon one lifestyle for its polar opposite (like vegetarians who eat meat). Being born Hindu is how I was first introduced to its tenets, but in order to remain Hindu, something else must keep me steadfast on its path.
Through my parents, and through Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh’s shakha activity, I have learned a tremendous amount about Hinduism. But with that knowledge comes a responsibility to uphold its lessons and to share its wisdom with the rest of the world. After all, Hinduism has been handed down from generation to generation without dying out. If it has lasted this long, it must have some salient aspects which could enlighten the others. How will we know that for sure unless we ourselves are willing to share what we know about this way of life?
Of course, many of the positive aspects that are worth sharing with the world are shared in common with other ways of life and religious affiliations. A famous Hindu maxim, roughly translated as “truth will always prevail” is mirrored in the Roman Catholic Church’s version of the Ten Commandments as “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” It would be easy to say that because of these commonalities, the Hindu way of life does not need to be an important influence—why not embrace Christianity. After all, don’t all paths lead to spirituality?
But if there is nothing wrong with Christianity, there is certainly nothing wrong with Hinduism. And of course, not all ways of life are identical. Hinduism contains profound principals such as Dharma (the idea that every living being in the universe has certain responsibilities) and Karma (for every action we commit, there is a consequence, not only on the world around us, but on ourselves). Such ideas can be found nowhere else. Society cannot afford to lose them.
Who will imbibe these qualities if not me? Who will practice them if not me? Who will preserve them if not me? I accept this responsibility as the reason why I am a Hindu. Having explained myself, I wish to ask you all the same question I have asked myself: why are you a Hindu?
Sanchay Jain is in twelfth grade at Boston Latin School. You can contact him at jetblackskj@yahoo.com.
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August 3rd, 2009 06:23
[...] Here is the original post: Why Am I a Hindu?, by Sanchay Jain [...]
August 3rd, 2009 11:54
excellent article Sanchay !!!
Yes, we all need have ’sanchay’ of this greatest “Dharma” !!!
I feel proud to be Hindu …. the pride increased further after reading your words !!!
Dhanyawaad,
Rajesh
August 3rd, 2009 21:45
Awesome Article Sanchay..
Explained in very simple way and High School kids will definately enjoy this.
Rajesh Jaiswal
August 4th, 2009 08:17
This topic is hot and irritates other religions which fail to bring the cat out of the bag. The fundamental truth in Hinusism is tolerance which is misunderstood by others simply because they are not DHARMA. To say that Hinduism is a religion is not true. There is no equal word in English language for DHARMA. A Hindu is proud that it has discovered God since mellenium years ago. All the worlds other so called great religions can be great in number of people observing some of the tenets of that religion. Most of the similar things in a particular number of people does not make it great. Only one tenet of Dharma AHIMSA observance by Mahatma Gandhi made him a great man while politically he had failed miserably.It is only a Hindu who recognises the presence of God in all living things such as animals birds, plants and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam makes a Hindu a member of the family of man and the light of God in every particle. ISHA VASYAMIDAM SARVAM. Gods administration in the form of various Devi Devtas ruled by One Single Almighty admistrating automatically we human beins are Jeevas governed by various demigods an goddesses that is why we . worships them for our desires
Incarnation is taught to the world by the Hindu. Trinity Brahma, the creator, Vishnu the Preserver and Mahesh the inhilator are under stood even by an illiterate or a person with a Doctorate. Flexibility Vnamrata had kept it alive.
All other mat matantars , faiths, beliefs, are opinions only Where as it is only Hindu prays :_
HIRANMAYEN PATREN SATASYA PIHITAM MUKHAM
TAT TVAM PUSHAN APAVRINU SATYA DHARMAYE DRISTAYE.
The TRUTH is covered with golden lid in a vessel.. O Pooshan uncover the TRUTH so that i may see the truth.
Some of the Unique features are that EKASYA BAHUSYAM ( One God had taken many shapes) that denotes His powers.It is in reality Monotheitic.
People have explained in various ways. I appreciate the efforts of Mr. Jain who had presented in modern way. PANDIT VATS
August 5th, 2009 06:19
Namaste Sanchay,
When I recently asked myself this question, my answer was exactly the way you answered this question Sanchay. I also believe it depends on the person’s ability to realize the qualities that Hinduism teaches in his or herself. You can be born to Hindu parents and be born as a Hindu but as parents and as their dharma they can only plant a seed in you to follow such valuable principles and values Hinduism teaches. A person is their ownself, they can decide what is right or wrong for themselves so in this analogy it is up to the seed to grow and bloom into a beautiful tree with the help of the elements around it which will definitely aid in its journey through good advice and guidance. It is the realization within the person that takes place at a point in their life that makes them ask this question, if the spark turns into a peaceful fire and burns then the question is answered internally. This happens to some earlier and for some later in life but what is important is that such realization should never be forced, it shall come from with in. Just wanted to say these few words.
I am happy that you wrote this article, it was a great insight and I hope it helps others answer this question as well. Good work.
August 5th, 2009 19:23
>>>>I was born to Hindu parents, who fostered in me HINDU MYTHOLOGY, traditions, and values>>>
Master Jain, have a look at those two words I have emphasized in bold letters in the above sentence quoted from the, by all means, well written piece by you: ‘Why I am a Hindu’?
As you know the term ‘MYTH’ means something which is false or unproven. Just as it is said that history is written by the winners to glorify their own actions and belittle those of the losers so also is the purpose behind coining the term ‘myth’ by Christian religionists who destroyed all the old religious systems in Europe and around the Mediterranean is to belittle those vanquished religions as false on the one hand and to glorify their religious system as true on the other The upshot is that the deities of Greek,Roman,Babylonian pantheons such as Zeus,Appolo,Bal et el overnight became mythical characters or non –entities and the Pagan religious texts became mythology whereas Jehovah, Abraham, Jesus et el were elevated into the status of ‘true’ gods and Bible became ‘holy scripture’.
In other words, a myth is what the ‘the other’ believes in; mine is always religion. Have you ever heard some one in the U.S terming the Bible as mythology? You might not have because to say so would be taboo except for hardcore atheists. Because India was under Christian rule for more than two hundred years and also the theatre for Christian conversion activites,to succeed in that efforts it was necessary to represent Hindu religious system as based on myths and superstition as in the case of European Pagan religion. These are same groups or their supporters who have been still engaged in describing Hindu religious deities as mythical characters and its religious writings as mythology. Constant use of the term has achieved some sort of acceptability. That is dangerous. There is no more mythology in Hindu religion than in any other religion. So please refrain from using that term in connection with Hindu religion
Finally, one of the finest blessings of the Hindu religion is the freedom its adherents enjoy by being in it. You leave it and join some other organized religion and you lose your freedom. That is why it is the most precious thing and worth preserving
August 13th, 2009 00:22
Good article Sanchay.
Hinduism stands out due to
- harmony (ex. never invaded any community for the sake of religion)
- tru freedom ( you do not have to be slave of a single prophet, or a single faulty book)
- progressive outlook towards spirituality
- most ancient and the only tradition which will lead the world to true peace and prosperity
- closely connected to Sanskrit, the mother of languages, and mother of cultures,…and shelter to humanity
Hindu is the one who
- understands the values embedded in Vedic way of life/ sanatana teachings such as in ramayana
- who fearlessly defends these qualities anywhere, any time
- who lives thru them
http://www.putindiafirst.blogspot.com
Sandeep
September 2nd, 2009 16:36
My hats are off to Sanchay Jain for his very thought provoking summation about “Why Am I a Hindu?………Years ago I asked the same question and I decide to write and publish the international best seller AM I A HINDU? which is translated to Hindi [ "Kya Mai Hindu Hai?"] and Indonesian ( APAKAH SAYA HINDU ?) languages.
Now the question I like to ask and every one is
WHAT ATTRACTS ANY ONE TO HINDUISM?
Answer is the concepts of UTMOST FREEDOM OF THOUGHTS And ACTIONS. That what attracts every one to Hinduism. Hinduism never forbids any one to question its fundamentals. Even an atheist has teh right to condemn in public and still proudly say he or she is a Hindu.
In fact the CHARVAKA philosophy or NASTIKA philosophy, [existed during the Vedic period] founded by CHARVAKA rejected the existence of God and considered religion as an aberration. Unlike in other religions, nobody physically or verbally attacked Charvaka. He died in bed of old age.
Voltaire in Essay on Tolerance wrote:
“I may disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death, your right to say it.”
Hinduism is the symbolic representation of what Voltaire wrote.
September 14th, 2009 18:34
Very nice article…..
September 14th, 2009 19:19
Dear Sanchay
YOU ARE A HINDU BECAUSE OF YOU COME FROM A PARENTAGE THAT IS BORN OUT OF THE ROOTS OF SANATANA DHARMA SOIL OF ANTIQUE BHARAT.
You have a strong foundation, loving family and a secured upbringing. That “foundation” is the basis of your way of life. It is almost like the moulding of the butterfly from the cocoon.
The astika and the nastika are branches of the same dharma, same roots, as much as Buddhist and Jainism sprout from the same roots. Sikhism sprouts from the same root yet it is “Kshateria” part or the warrior or the patriotism of India that sovereign protects and guards the land and mothers of India. Guru Nanak was born to Hindu family. The vast diverse and immensely broad spectrum of cutlures INHERENTLY composite part of Hinduism including Marathi, Kerala, Telugu, Tamil, Bengali, Gujurati, Nepalese, Punjabi, Uttar Pradeshi, Rajesthani, Culcutta, and much more all together 36 different cultures embrace “HINDUISM” under Sanatana Dharma. The sheer magnificence of Hinduism is so great that Swami VivekAnandji, and Swami DayaAnandji both gave an ovation a standing and an outstanding garland of appreciation by stating that “HINDUISM IS THE MOTHER OF ALL RELIGIONS”. “It is within one grand umbrella, we find diverse brothers and sisters embrace one another purely out of one “raksha-bandhana” ceremony and Bhai Beej ceremony elebrated throughout India.
I am very grateful to GOD, that I am born HINDU, and, I would NOT change THE WAY of GOD.
Hinduism is about righeousness and karma, doing and thinking divinity. Hindu DIVINITY is not based on prophets or founder but on self-discovery process of self reliasation based on karma, dharma, and humanity at large. Many aspects of it are man made over time - some of which are NOT part of the real true meaning or essentially real true interpretation like the distortion of the caste system. One needs to ponder why Arjuna, had to blend a culmination of five different castes and talents in one embodiment to transpire out of the fifteen years of imprisonment under the Duryodhana regime. One needs to become like Arjuna, therefore, and adapt to the world in many qualities at varying adversities. We have grand lessons to learn from GITA, which we regard as our mother, our guru, our guide and our holy scripture.
LOVE AND PEACE
AUM SHANTI