Hinduism is a religion that is predominantly practiced by the people of India and Nepal and spreads to Balokistan, Indonesia, Mauritius, Fiji, UAE, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Trinidad, Tobago, and Bangladesh. Hinduism is not a single spiritual philosophy, but rather a collection of a number of darshana teachings and thoughts and beliefs. Also known as Sanatana, or immortality, Hindusism pays great attention to one's dharma or virtue, and karma or principles of action, to get out of the cycle of samsara, or the endless cycle of birth, death, and reincarnation. Unlike other major religions, Hinduism does not adhere to strict orthodox concepts. Thus, the process of converting to Hinduism is actually quite simple, as long as you have the will to understand and practice its teachings.
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Part 1 of 3: Becoming a Hindu
Step 1. Understand that converting to Hinduism is just a matter of practice
There is no official conversion process or ceremony to convert to Hinduism. To become a Hindu, one only needs to have the determination and commitment to study the scriptures and practice the right ones. Although it is an old religion based on rituals, it is not exclusive in the sense that one has to be formally recognized to be a believer.
Hinduism teaches the basic principle that there is no need for conversion; the wisdom of the universe is for all, if they will seek it
Step 2. Find a stream that is willing to accept you
Do some research to see if there are any Hindu temples or organizations in your area and find out what the requirements are to join. Many contemporary Hindu sects will gladly accept adherents of other religions and anyone interested in learning Hinduism. Consider whether the beliefs and practices of the sect you are considering joining are in line with what you would like to gain by becoming a Hindu.
- Most Hindus have practiced this religion since birth so consider it a right of inheritance. There are those who claim that you cannot "convert" to Hinduism; If you weren't born a Hindu, you could never be a Hindu. However, this view is somewhat outdated as Hinduism has become the main religion in the world and many people flock to learn its ways.
- Two important examples of Western schools that have embraced Hinduism are Hare Krishna and Transcendental Meditation schools.
Step 3. Engage yourself in ritual worship
After becoming part of a Hindu temple or organization, you will be expected to participate in worship, or ritual worship. Worship ceremonies often consist of various symbolic actions, such as sanctifying statues representing Hindu deities, making offerings, and reading spiritual scriptures. Participating in worship will help you understand more about Hindu religious rituals and the significance of all of them.
In addition to its role as a communal practice, worship is considered a highly individual worship; many prayers and offerings are done from the privacy of one's own home
Step 4. Practice yoga and meditation
Learn proper asanas, or meditative yoga moves, to complement prayers and ritual offerings. In Hinduism, meditation can be done either in a resting position, as is done conventionally, or through the practice of yoga, which is basically a form of motion meditation. Traditionally, yoga involves transitioning through a series of difficult postures that serve to purify the body and make the mind and spirit receptive to enlightenment.
- Although it has become a trendy form of exercise in the West, the practice of yoga is considered an integral part of the spiritual duties of Hindus.
- Yoga requires you to be flexible, which promotes proper breath control and circulation, strengthens your body, and increases your ability to focus your mind.
Step 5. Be determined to improve your karma
Strive to live a good life, care about suffering in the world, show kindness to others and apply the wisdom of the Vedas, or classical scriptures. Karma is a central teaching in Hindu philosophy and is at the core of all human interactions. This is effectively an inventory of one's moral character, and through the cultivation of pure karma comes the possibility of breaking free from the cycle of reincarnation.
Karma can be understood as a kind of yardstick-if your karma is bad or low, you will often experience difficulties and injustices, even in your later life. However, if your karmic measure is full, if you always act with good intentions and devote yourself to alleviating suffering in this world, you have the opportunity to attain liberation and thus be liberated from Samsara
Part 2 of 3: Connecting with the Hindu Community
Step 1. Become a member of a temple
Find out if there is a Hindu temple or community center in your area that allows you to join their association. The spread of the world's major religions has led more and more people to seek places of worship in unusual locations. As a member of a temple, you will be guided to worship and guided in doing yoga meditation and understanding the Vedas (holy scriptures), which will help you on your spiritual journey.
Unfortunately, the refusal of Westerners and people of other faiths to practice Hinduism in a formal capacity is still rather common. If this happens to you, keep looking until you find a temple that will accept you, or continue your own study and worship
Step 2. Participate in ritual practice
Learn ritual activities from your temple or community leaders and incorporate them into your own practice. Apart from worship and yoga, there are many other rituals that cover important aspects of Hinduism. While most are spiritual and centered on reverence for divinity, others are more personal and practical, and function almost like auspicious rituals or reminders of the need to excel at your own living conditions.
- Worship is the most common form of ritual in Hinduism, and is usually practiced every day. Other important rituals that Hindus must adhere to include making offerings and sacrifices (symbolic meaning) to various gods, adorning the body with signs representing spiritual goals and sitting in meditation contemplating the Vedic truths.
- Other more advanced rituals, collectively known as yajnas, require supervision from trusted saints and usually require systematic group offerings and blessings. These rituals are more similar to what you might find practiced in places of worship of the Samawi religions. If you belong to a Hindu temple or spiritual community, the yajna will likely be performed by the most prominent leader of the group.
Step 3. Attend Hindu celebrations and festivals
Hindu festivals are based on seasons and are usually to commemorate or symbolize important events in Hindu theology. Some of these celebrations, such as Makar Sankranti, require a visit to a cultural site such as the Ganges River, but many sacred events can be performed anywhere with special prayers and offerings on the day. To fully understand the teachings of Hinduism, try to learn the importance of marking these events and participating in celebrating them.
- Among Hinduism's most revered annual celebrations are Holi, a celebration of spring and rebirth that occurs the day after the full moon in early March; Diwali, the "line of lights" celebration that commemorates the end of the Vikram calendar; and Mahashivaratri, the birthday celebration of Lord Shiva, one of the three supreme gods in Hinduism.
- Most Hindu religious celebrations are scheduled in the Vikram calendar, which follows the movement of the moon, and falls on important days in the lunar cycle.
Step 4. Make a spiritual pilgrimage
If you are fully committed to the Hindu religion, you should plan a pilgrimage to visit India's holy sites and remote areas and pay their respects. Embarking on a pilgrimage will give you the rare opportunity to see the shrines of gods and saints, refocus your spiritual devotion and cleanse yourself of sin and dirt. Pilgrimage is both time-consuming and expensive, and perhaps impossible for all adherents to do, but the tradition is still held in high esteem in Hinduism.
- Some of the famous pilgrimage sites include the "four great cities" in India: Puri, Rameshwaram, Dwarka, and Badrinath, as well as holy sites in Nepal such as the Pashupatinath Temple.
- A few of the larger Hindu organizations funded by the local community can offer free group pilgrimage opportunities to people who cannot afford it. Check and find out if your temple or organization is one of them.
Part 3 of 3: Understanding Hindu Religious Beliefs
Step 1. Accept your differences
If you come from a place with a vastly different religious background, not all Hindu beliefs and teachings will make sense to you at first. You may also face some resistance to your desire to be a follower of this religion if you were not born into it. Be patient with this difference and try to look further ahead. You are entitled to seek your own spiritual path, and nothing can hold you back once you decide to devote yourself to Hinduism.
- Most of the cultural prohibitions in Hinduism stem from the Indian caste system. People are born into a certain social class and they cannot go up or down caste by themselves. Since non-Indians are outside the caste system, they are also considered to be outside Hindu spirituality.
- If you can't find a temple or group to join and are forced to continue your practice from home, don't despair. There are many modern teachers willing to share their teachings with adherents through recorded content such as books and audio recordings, and communal interactions can be found through chat rooms and international conventions.
Step 2. Learn the concept of dharma
Dharma is a complex term with various interpretations, referring to the order of the universe, the "right way of life" or the overarching teachings of the gods. This idea is a basic principle of Hinduism. Even though you may not immediately understand its meaning or application, try to extract as much practical wisdom from the scriptures you study as possible. As your learning continues, the interrelationships of all these concepts will unfold before you.
All Hindu beliefs have their place. Instead of getting caught up in the more fantastical elements of scripture, concentrate on understanding what it has to offer in terms of truth and knowledge
Step 3. Know the importance of karma
Pay attention to the concept of karma at all times and think about how your actions affect your own morality and the well-being of others. Karma should be at the center of every decision you make. Examining each action will bring you closer to realizing moksha, or spiritual liberation, but also ensures you are making the right choice at any given time.
- Karma is more complex than just punishment or reward for your actions. This is the common thread of all successive rebirths. Introspection of one's karmic state will create a kind of feedback system to evaluate the goodness of one's life.
- Bad karma is thought to follow an individual through different lifetimes, manifesting in the form of misfortune in this seemingly random world.
Step 4. Strive for spiritual liberation
Meditate often contemplating salvation and the means to attain it. The ultimate goal of any religion is to overcome the struggle for human existence and manifest the divine aspect in a person. This can be achieved through a focused approach to spiritual learning. Try to apply the wisdom you gain to your daily life. You will find that through enlightened awareness, your own quality of life will improve, which will allow you to positively influence the lives of those around you.
Moksha can simultaneously be understood as a literal spiritual "breakthrough" after which the mystery of existence seems to vanish, or as a consciously maintained state that recognizes the need for compassion, selflessness, and surrender
Tips
- Anyone with a pure heart and a desire to gain wisdom and live a good life can become a Hindu. Don't let cultural barriers get in the way of your spiritual progress.
- There is no procedure for converting to Hinduism. This is not a certificate, course, or ordination religion. For this reason, anyone is free to become a believer.
- A large number of Hindu worships, ceremonies, and rituals are based on local culture and traditions. Don't worry if you don't understand what's going on right away. Over time, you will gain more knowledge about the history of Hindu doctrine.
- Respect everyone and know that every action has a much wider impact. Make reducing suffering in this world one of your highest priorities.
Warning
- Make sure you comply with important rules and prohibitions in Hinduism. For example, most sects in Hinduism respect cows and other milk-producing animals as carriers of life and therefore advocate abstaining from meat. You don't have to be a vegetarian to be a devout Hindu, but it's good to understand these and other customs.
- Just as you don't want to be judged by others for your chosen faith, don't discriminate against others who hold different views from yours or treat them unfairly because they don't share your spirituality.
