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Re: REQUEST : Can non-Indians become Hindu?
In article <ghenDx9t13.Btn@netcom.com>,
Jason Menayan <jmenayan@slip.net> wrote:
>Can non-Indians become Hindu?
>
>Also, is there a good website that describes in general terms the tenets of
>Hinduism? I'm interested in learning more about this religion.
According to no less an authority than Hinduism Today, non-Indians can
become Hindu, but be prepared to pay about $900 for the privilege of
being counted among the 800 million or so who are Hindu for free
(well, or for the price of being born). You'll also have to change
your name from Jason if you're serious, according to this
article. They seem to indicate that using both your Christian and
Hindu names will "reap no spiritual benefit". Apparently, God must
care more about what you call yourself than what you do.
[note to Ken Stuart and other contributors here with non-Hindu names:
better hurry up and change your name if you want to get on the fast
track ;-) ]
I got this information from:
http://www.HinduismToday.kauai.hi.us/ashram/HimalayanAcademy/Publications/JnanaDana/BecomeHindu.html
but that URL might have changed by now. I'll include an excerpt from
that article below. For the purposes of accuracy, however, I should
state that not all groups believe in charging you to enter their
faith. In fact, one of the ones that comes under attack here quite
regularly seems to believe that how you live and your sincerity are
more important than how much money you pay to get your spiritual name.
Anyway, on with the Hinduism Today article...
HT> It is important to know that one cannot simply enter the Hindu
HT> religion. That is not possible. It is necessary to enter one of
HT> Hinduism's specific sects or denominations. Even in these tempestuous
HT> times, the subtle differences of Hindu lineages are clearly and
HT> methodically demarcated by our priesthoods. Go with your Hindu friends
HT> to a Hindu priest in a temple of your choice and arrange for the
HT> name-giving sacrament, namakarana samskara. Your beliefs and way of
HT> life have affirmed your inner decision to become a Hindu. This
HT> ceremony brings you formally into the Hindu community, recognizing and
HT> ratifying your proclamation of loyalty and wholehearted commitment to
HT> the Sanatana Dharma and validating, now and forever, your Hindu first
HT> and last name.
HT>
HT> A model namakarana certificate is included in the book Loving Ganesha
HT> that you can photocopy or re-typeset to document the event, signed by
HT> the priest and several witnesses, especially members of the society
HT> you are entering, who will share your joy in becoming a full-fledged
HT> Hindu. Then have your new name made legal on your passport, social
HT> security card, driver's license, telephone listing and more.
HT>
HT> The certificate marking entrance into the Hindu fold is a legal
HT> document giving the name of the temple, home or hall the ceremony was
HT> performed in. It is signed by yourself, and by the priest, his
HT> assistant and at least three witnesses who are established members of
HT> Hinduism. It is proof of your Hindu name which can be used for name
HT> changes on other documents, though ideally the name change should be
HT> legalized before the namakarana samskara. In the United States, a
HT> legal change by court order is required to obtain a passport and in
HT> some states it must be signed by a secretary of state. Each country
HT> has its own rules, and for these matters it is best to consult the
HT> proper authorities. For strength of character, commitment, loyalty and
HT> integrity, a double standard should be avoided at all costs, such as
HT> being a Hindu in the home and a non-Hindu to others by using the
HT> former name, or using a Hindu on your driver's license but a non-Hindu
HT> name on your passport for international travel. This type of behavior
HT> reaps no spiritual benefits.
HT>
HT> When seeking out a liturgist who will perform the name-giving rite, or
HT> namakarana samskara, it is necessary to approach a priest from within
HT> the sect that one wishes to enter. Bring with you to the ceremony an
HT> offering basket of incense, fruit, coconut, candy, loose flowers and a
HT> beautiful flower garland for Lord Ganesha. Dakshina, a love offering
HT> for the priest, is traditional in appreciation for his services in
HT> bringing you into the Sanatana Dharma sect of your choice. A generous
HT> dakshina, a sum of $900 or more is appropriate by 1995 standards in
HT> the US, depending upon the number of priests attending. It is
HT> estimated that such a Vedic ceremony will take one to two hours and
HT> require many more hours of strict preparations. The presiding priest
HT> would be given us$301 or more, his second helper $201 and other
HT> helpers $101. Traditionally, cash is wrapped in a betel leaf or its
HT> equivalent, and handed personally to the priests right after the
HT> ceremony. Since this is a once-in-a-lifetime happening, the cost of
HT> the giving should not be a consideration. Of course, when the rite is
HT> performed in a temple, the management should also be given $100 to
HT> $200 for the use of their facilities, which would be arranged in
HT> advance with the management and could be paid by check. In general,
HT> generosity is preferred to miserliness when it comes to rewarding our
HT> priests for these enormously important sacred ceremonies and
HT> passages. Such appreciation in the form of equitable payment ensures
HT> the gratitude and good feelings of the priests for the life ahead. If
HT> more than one family member is receiving the namakarana samskara, the
HT> amount paid to the priests and the temple would not necessarily be
HT> increased. This depends on the protocol of the particular temple. Any
HT> reception held afterwards would, of course, involve additional
HT> costs. You may elect to give gifts to the temple, such as a picture of
HT> your guru and his books and other publications, in thanks for the
HT> assistance and services.
-Vivek
