Don't Trust all you Read

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Those posts by your "gas-bag" (me) were generally intended as food for thought.

They were not intended to promote an organization nor to convert anyone :-)

"Thought-provoking food for thought" is more like it. Like yourselves, I've

read "Loving Ganesha" and feel the same way about certain parts of the volume.

 

"Thank you" to yourself Denderah and all others who've shared their thoughts and

wisdoms of which most aspects I am in resonance with. Sanatana Dharma is not a

"proselytizing religion" - it is a way of life.

In my days living amongst Hindus in Asia, there is no such thing as

"conversion". A person is either born into the Dharma (as Rajat put it) or

simply adopts it and lives and breathes it. (At least that was my experience

in a particular community.) There are some who go with their heart and make it

official in that they approach temple priests and go to the extent of changing

their names. Most simply adopt Hindu names but others retain the names they

were given at birth. There are no strict rules about this.

Going to a church does not make a Christian. Going to a temple does not make a

Hindu or a Buddhist a devout devotee. God/dess is in the heart. For some of

us, the "Temple is in the Heart" or "The Temple is in the Soul". Hope I make

sense.....

In this group, we are all Ganesha's children, all with different backgrounds,

preferences and each is an individual in our own right. The Gracious Lord

"discerns" but does not discrimminate amongst His children, and indeed the

Universe which resides within His Auspicious Stomach. May we Be Guided by His

Wisdom in the way He sees appropriate.

Jai Ganesh!

Sy

Denderah Luxor <denderah_luxor > wrote: Dear Jennifer,Thank you for

your words.I am a Christian, but with a very soft spot for Shri Ganesha. (I'm

listening toa rendition of the Atharvashirsha right now.)In today's Hinduism, I

have noticed that there are a number of factions. Thatthis is so is no surprise

because every religion has its factions, divisions,etc. In Hinduism, theology

aside, we have conservative, moderate, and liberalHindus. Most Hindus are of

the last two categories. The Himalayan Acadamy,Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and other

such organizations are conservative Hindus.In my opinion, conservative Hindus

such as these deny some elements of Hinduismthat make it the special religion

that it is. Hinduism accepts all religion andseeks no converts. One may even

say it is impossible to convert. Nothing inHinduism says, "You must be Hindu to

attain salvation." Nothing in Hinduismsays, "We're superior." Yes, Hindus

believe that Hinduism is the best system,etc., but that it cannot supplant any

other religion.Mahatma Gandhi, as a matter of fact, was strictly against

conversion out of orin to Hinduism. He believed strongly that belonging to the

religion one wasborn into is one's dharma, and that there is no use whatsoever

in conversion.This is an argument that go against Hindu, Muslim, and

Christianconvert-seekers."Loving Ganesa" is a wonderful, fabulous book, except

for its invectivesagainst other religions. Even though it proclaims respect for

all religions, itlaughingly and proudly proclaim it's winning converts from

Christianity. Thisis not good Hindu dharma.What matters in Hinduism is not

one's jati, dharma, religion, name,associations, or whatnot. One can be a

Brahmin, perform the necessary ritualsevery day, and yet not attain moksha.

What matters is one's heart andbehaviour. This is the major thrust of the

Bhagavadgita: salvation is throughGod independent of other chains (name,

family, religion, etc.). God loves us,and He doesn't care if we are going to

the temple every week or performing ourdaily pujas. The beauty of Hinduism is

how dynamic and personal it is.Unfortunately, the Himalayan Acadamy seems to

want to impose anofficial/orthodox Hinduism on all of Hindutva and draw

converts into thisofficial Hinduism from all faiths.True Hinduism is this: love

God, love all humanity, love all living things.Everything else are appendages to

this.Just my thoughts.

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