Overview
Hinduism is one of the oldest surviving religions in the world and has over a billion followers in India and across the globe. While historically, Hinduism has traditionally been an inherent religion passed down to generations, can you actually choose to convert to Hinduism if you are not born into it? In this article, we will explore this possibility and discuss the various concepts and practices involved in such a conversion.
Systematic Conversion
The notion of conversion to Hinduism is historically complex and yet very interesting. It is quite hard to define a systematic process for conversion given how diverse and non-dogmatic Hinduism is; this religion is fluid, open to new interpretations and is a mix of various religious philosophies, texts, and traditions.
An informal understanding is that for someone who has the ‘calling’ or the urge to convert, the process starts by studying the text of the Hindu scriptures and integrating them into one’s life, having an initiation ceremony from a Guru or a Hindu priest, observing certain rituals and religious practices and finally embracing completely the beliefs and customs of Hinduism.
Traditional Approach
The traditional approach to converting to Hinduism has been heavily focused on the patriarchal lineage, meaning that a person is only accepted as a Hindu-by-conversion if he or she is willing to acquire a new identity through the paternal line, much similar to how it operates with Hindu customs of marriage.
Nevertheless, such a practice is increasingly seen as outdated and has nowadays been replaced with a much more open and liberal attitude towards accepting converts. This change has been brought about by the reforming of religious integration regulations, granting Hindus seeking to convert recognition from their local society as well as from their families.
Effects on Society
Hinduism’s openness to accepting converts has enhanced religious harmony within the Indian context. Shifts in public opinion, inclusive regulations, and India’s long-standing Hindu-friendly traditions have all contributed to the modern day liberal acceptance of ‘convert Hindus’; allowing them to occupy a certain status and hierarchy within their communities.
Interestingly, this has also encouraged social groups being on the margins of the Hindu religion to be accepted more widely amongst their societies, consequently strengthening the notion of religious pluralism in the country.
Future Challenges
Despite the reforms made to accept Hindus by conversion, the process for becoming an accepted convert remains complex. Often, prospective converts look for guidance to determine the validity of the conversion process, which might bring about an occasional conflict with various religious rituals. This is particularly an issue for prospective Hindu converts from other religious backgrounds.
Another common challenge for Hindu converts is adapting to the core customs and principles of the religion, which sometimes differ from the ones from their original faith. With that in mind, understanding the dynamics and generational differences between these two religious ideologies might prove to be difficult, forcing the convert-Hindu to often be torn between the two widely disparate beliefs.
Discussion
Questions concerning conversion usually lead to complicated conversations, with many nuanced points of view. According to Hindu scholars, accepting converts is not only a religious matter, but a cultural question. For instance, the nature of a religion changes with its followers and the culture they live in. As such, if converts are accepted, they must be willing to accept the social framework of Hinduism.
Interestingly, Hinduism values self-preservation as one of its duty, therefore a convert-Hindu must not disrupt the equilibrium and maintain the cultural fabric, by following their new faith. Moreover, it is expected for a convert-Hindu to deal with difficult instances, when accepting Hinduism sometimes involves obstacle and criticism from the skeptical members of their families, relatives or the society in general.
Identity and Values
At the very core of Hinduism lies the understanding of personal identity and religious values. While individuals may vary in their personalities and beliefs, Hindus still support the spiritual path, which stands out as the supreme value over anything else.
It is argued that unlike conversion to other religions, conversion to Hinduism is a personal journey of self-discovery, as adherents must learn to integrate and adhere to the traditions with an understanding of their true identity, instead of focusing the religion on any one individual. Therefore, the best value that a convert-Hindu can bring to the religion and its followers is to bring a new perspective, while being rooted and respectful of the existing society and its values.
Comprehending the Texts
Often, converting to Hinduism is synonymous with understanding and applying the core values of the scriptures. Guided by a Guru, the seeker must focus on their own spiritual journey, personal growth and liberation and be open to comprehending the meanings of the sacred texts.
Most Hindu religious texts focus on developing the capacity for self-enlightenment and discovering methods of removing the individual’s ignorance by accepting and internalizing the true principles of life and existence. Moreover, Hindus believe in karma, or an interconnected relationship between the individual and the universe. This means that any good deed that a person does will eventually come back to them as long as they stay focused on the path of self-realization and emancipation.
Practices and Rituals
One of the most appealing aspects of Hinduism lies in its diversity in beliefs, customs, rituals and practices. On one hand, new converts would be expected to follow inner and outer rites, while on the other it encourages the individuals to find their own personalized spiritual journey.
A few rituals that a convert-Hindu must follow include wearing the sacred thread, a physical significance of the Hindu religion on one’s body, and being clean and sober, refraining from activities like smoking and drinking alcohol. In addition, chanting mantras and worshipping a chosen deity is important to stay in the path of self-enlightenment and moksha or freedom from the cycle of birth and rebirth.
Exploring Scriptures
On the spiritual journey of conversion to Hinduism, exploring the key scriptures is a critical aspect that should not be taken lightly; this includes familiarizing with Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita and other major texts. These scriptures take the role of a teacher, capable of answering fundamental questions about the nature of being and the universe.
The Vedas, in particular, provide an ancient overview on the requirements of decent living and whether it is an individual component or a journey specific to a householder, the Vedas offer a complete and well-structured guidance. Similarly, the Bhagavad Gita provides an exhausting overview on the path towards self-realization and the Upanishads revolve around the qualities of devotion and realization of the divine.
Modern Application
In today’s ever-evolving society, converting to Hinduism might present a challenge, since the religion may not be applicable to the modern world and its customs pertaining to social norms and gender roles.
Oftentimes, if individuals take up Hinduism with an intention of following a specific practice, they would have to bear the consequences of not being able to apply it fully to everyday life. Moreover, being part of a culture and being accepted into it, usually require significantly more time and effort than a one-time ceremony, which might be the case for some converts.
Inclusion and Respect
When attempting to convert to Hinduism, it is essential to accept the individuals who are already part of the religion. Be it other worshippers from the temple or members from the same society, respect must be present, or else any form of conversion would be impossible.
In addition, being open to the usual rituals, customs and beliefs of the Indian culture is paramount, as the journey to converting to Hinduism is as much about embracing the open-mindedness and accommodating the religion within an individual’s life, as it is about implementing what is accepted in the society.
Legitimacy and Acceptance
Legitimacy is often the challenge for a convert-Hindu, seeking to prove their equal status within the religion. Hindus have taken many steps in the right direction to make all individuals responsible for themselves, in terms of their spiritual beliefs and practices. This should guarantee that the convert-Hindu is treated as if they were internally born into the religion, with equal rights and responsibilities.
Acceptance of a convert-Hindu is also based on the individual’s behavior and choice of actions, which needs to further centred around accepting and respecting all the key concepts of Hinduism such as atman, samsara, karma and moksha, as some of the fundamental components.
Conclusion
The process of converting to Hinduism is quite complex and may require immense amounts of research, study and practice from the seeker. However, with a clear purpose and dedication, anyone can be accepted into the faith and make a positive contribution to their community and embrace the philosophy of Hinduism.
