Globalization and Reshuffling of Energies in Hindu Dharma
Meditationtime Forum Post
Date: Posted 3 years before Jan 13, 2016
Alfredo 3 years ago
Sanātana Dharma is the eternal religion, originally from Bharat Ma (Mother India). This last term is not well-known, so for now it is better to use the term Hindu Dharma, and even Hinduism. Two thousand years ago Hindu Dharma, whether directly or by influence, covered 2/3 of Asia. After a period of contraction and external challenges in the last 1,000 years (Muslim invasions, Mughals, and British Raj), Hindu Dharma, since the early 1900s, is once again on the move. How? Tentatively and heavily challenged within India itself, expanding rapidly globally, and heavily in the United States. Who are the Neo-Hindus in the US? Calculated at over 10 million, these are native and western elements that one way or another follow Hindu Dharma. I elucidate on this in the following 4 points:
1) Why is Sanātana Dharma important? - For several reasons. It has great globalization potentials, as this religion is eternal and non-sectarian, and it is akin to many other older religions or aboriginal practices that once flourished in places like Europe and other continents, thus could blend with ease with these practices. It is also inclusive and has assimilated and tolerated in India other religions for the longest time. It is propped up by the oldest scriptures of mankind, the Vedas and their supporting literature and sciences. Sanātana Dharma is better adapted to the environmental challenges facing earth, including the advantages of a vegetarian diet, and the principle of Ahimsa or non-injury. Finally, its outlook has always been universal, as Vishva Dharma, and a bringer of truth as Vaidika Dharma, capable of covering all aspects of consciousness.
2) The Challenge in India – Even though there has been some expansion of the Hindu Dharma in the last 2 decades within certain sectors of Indian society, specifically the middle class, the challenges for the survival of Hinduism within India remain daunting. The responsibility rests with the Hindus themselves. Lacking an understanding of their own Dharma, many a Hindu, including Brahmins, are nowadays shy if not downright fearful in defending their own history and religion. The worst legacy of the British Raj was to leave behind a class of educated Indians whom outlook is Western and anti-Hindu, as represented by many famous influential professors from Delhi University. Socialism and then communism, and the mistaken approach of Nehru with his disastrous “Hindi-Chini bai bai” policy, was a result of the affirmation of this class. Today corruption in India is rampant. Negationism the name of the game in school curriculums. Conversions to other religions, mainly Christian Catholic, are a common occurrence everywhere, even within the Brahmin caste. The future of Hinduism in the cradle of it birth is being challenged from within.
3) The Global Indian Diaspora – This is a very positive expansion. Has anyone noticed that the Hindu immigrant community in the US is perhaps the only one in which some kind of organized crime or mafia has never flourished? Hindus in the US are one of the most advanced, income-producing, law-abiding, citizen groups ever to have arrived to America. Every major city or population area in the US has one or more beautiful Hindu temple. Hindus excel at their profession and trades and worship quietly in their community. This Diaspora, which is also big in places like Great Britain, Canada, and now Australia, is one of the major factors contributing to the globalization of the Hindu Dharma. Ashrams, yoga and yoga center, Ayurveda, Vedic Astrology and other hallmarks of the Hindu Dharma are fast spreading in the world.
4) Neo-Hindus in the US – This is a hidden secret. Millions of Americans, citizens or residents, of Western and other backgrounds other than Hindu, in some degree follow the Hindu Dharma. Some say the number is more than 10 million. Add them to the Diaspora Hindus (approximately 3 million or 1% of the US population with a growth rate of 70%) and one starts to get the idea of the political possibilities of this group and its ability to spread the Hindu Dharma, not only as consumers, but also as conscious activists. This is a fast and furious trend at this moment in the US with no sign of slowing down in the near future.
These are a few of the major factors influencing, and challenging, the globalization of the Sanātana Dharma.
