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Monday, January 10, 2011

If we adopt a few religions in doing various activities, is it wrong?

No, it is not wrong. Hinduism believes in the truth of all religions and it does not restrict people of other faiths in adopting Hindu practices neither does it legislate against Hindus in adopting practices that they feel an affinity to, even if it is of another faith. Studying scriptures of other religions and drawing wisdom from them are also acceptable practices.


My parmaguru (guru's guru) Satguru Yogaswami was a staunch Saivite. On occasions he quoted from the Bible and Buddhist teachings. My guru, Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami for a time received guidance from a Theosophist teacher, a Christian man who was a buddhist monk and a Musliim mystic before he found his ultimate guru, Satguru Yogaswami.


If you went to some of the major religious festivals in India you would see a diversity of people from different religions following the festivals. For instance the Tiruvembavai festival, Navaratri (Dusheera), Ram Jeyanthi is celebrated across the board not only by Hindus. Devotees of other religions are also swept up by the wave of devotion. Equally if you went to the Annai Velankanni Church in Nagapattinam, during the Saint Ann's feast you will observe that it is a festival that is celebrated by Hindus, Christians and Muslims alike.



Sometimes though, your parents may not agree with some of your adoptions. If this is the case it is best for you to follow the guidance of your parents until later in life when you can make your own decisions. Hinduism is really a very personal religions. Though all the sects and sub-sects of Hinduism do have specific codes of conduct, they are not restrictive, or at least they are not supposed to be restrictive. My usual quip "as many Hindus as there are in the world, there are as many versions of Hinduism" as each devotee endeavours to find their way back to God.

Written by Guhanatha Swami (http://www.myhindupage.org/index.php/5-unique-questions-on-hinduism#4)

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