This post is really a summary of points made in various other posts. I have put it together becaus this is a question I often see asked in various forums. Also, it has been a while since I published anything, as I have been rather busy recently. This is also a question to which you will see several different answers, and I think it is useful to put them together in one post.
Some people say “No”.
There are a few people who say that you should never convert; whatever religion you are born into should be yours for life. I think that this is incorrect, if you have a strong feeling towards a religion and you feel that the religion you are born into is not for you then follow the path that you feel guided on. Hindus believe that people can be guided by gurus that are not physically present (see my post “Books, Leaves and Gurus“). If you are convinced that a path is right for you, and have seen signs that it is right then don’t worry about this argument. This argument also does not take into account people brought up with patently wrong beliefs; should the children that survived the Waco seige continue to follow the teachings of David Koresh?
I have had nothing but support from Hindus I have met, I have only read this point of view on a few blogs. I would not worry about conversion being opposed. As mentioned later there are many Hindu schools that openly accept conversion and have a process of accepting new membes.
Some say that “Hindu” does not refer to a Religion.
Some people may quibble that Hindu refers to origin (People beyond the river Indus) rather than belief. They say that you can follow Sanatana Dharma (The eternal way) but this will not make you a Hindu any more than if you joining the Greek Orthodox Church would make you Greek. To me this is just word play, many words have changed from their original meaning and certainly in English the word “Hindu” is used to refer to belief. If someone insists that you can only be a follower of Sanatana Dharma and not a Hindu I don’t think it is worth arguing over, it is only a word and what is important is belief and practice.
Some say “Just say you are a Hindu and you are”.
Other people say that you don’t have to convert, just follow Sanatana Dharma. All you have to do to become a Hindu is to follow the principles of Hinduism. If that is sufficient for you then fine. I certainly would not argue with anyone claiming to be a Hindu who held Hindu beliefs and followed the practices.
Some say “Become a Hindu Indirectly”.
Another answer that you might get is that becoming a Hindu is analogous to becoming a European citizen. You cannot become a European citizen directly, but by becoming a citizen of one of the European countries you are automatically a European citizen. Similarly there is no process or admission into “Hinduism”, but there are many Hindu Sampradayas, organisations, and traditions that do have processes of admission. By joining one of these one becomes not only a member of the particular tradition but also become a Hindu. Personally I think this is better than the “self declared” route, because the tradition will assist you in learning and following practices.
I would recommend the book “How to become a (better) Hindu“ available online or to buy. This book takes the third point of view and describes the various Hindu schools and their beliefs.
nice discussion.why do westerners want to convert to Hinduism?if they want to convert why do they go to gurus,babas etc.in 21st century India close to 70-90% of so called babas,gurus are cheaters what they are teaching is bullshit they are not spiritual healers they are money suckers.
We should convert foreigners without rejudice to their culture.The native culture should be innovated based on the Best elements of Hinduism.Swami Vivekananda has whole heartedly welcomed the idea of conversion to Hinduism.
In Arabia – You have nothing to hide to your wife/wifes and Slave women – Slave women means – wife of soldiers/inmates of acountry defeated by another Arab King. It may also means that the stronger can take away the wife/sister of weak, just for Sex. that is why whereever Arabs forces were successful,Women community was at great … great distress. Such country needs the lofty,peppy message of Kural – Greatest virtue is Stare not the wife of another. Sri Rama says – I would not take a glance of women other than Sita – his wife. The concept of Brahmachariyam is utterly unknown to Arab world. The Arab culture should be desilted with the help of Hindu philosophy and Literature. Conversion is essential.
Christianity has some innate deficiencies.Jesus says ” Go not into Gentiles but to Jews ” only. Jesus was crucified because he was unable to prove his title over ” Christ”.Eliya should preceede Christ.Jesus claimed that he was christ and John is Eliya.The Court rejected his claim and crucifed him as traitor of Veda. But church says falsely that Jesus died for the sin of the humanity.A great lie. Christianity is too poor to encourage people to higher life.Islam and Arab imperialism is both sides of a single coin.Arab religion is too poor to inspire a Modern man. Hinduism is the Best alternative available. Unity in diversity – one of the greatest achievement of Hinduism, would work wonders all over world.
Thank you for for that entry. I have, after a few months of thinking about it, just yesterday decided to convert to Hinduism entirely. You actually seem to have captured the essence of the meaning of “Don’t study the religion. Study the teachings.” and have made it clear what is the difference between a religious conversion and what is an exercise in anthropology.
Commitment.
I will continue my learning with this lesson in mind.
Have an awesome day.
I was searching the material on conversion to hinduism on internet but unfortunately found nothing in this regard. I found numerous christian and islam websites doing the work in their favor.
Basically all hindus are secular by nature.They never think that other religion follower change his faith. they take spiritual massage from any source and treat spiritual leaders of other sects religions like gurus and respect them. i am a born traditional hindu many times went to dargahs of muslim saints church gurudwaras. I am pantheist, monotheist and believe in one god isvara or Brahman I am also polytheist worship many deities. I have my personal hindu deity through which i always get spiritual support.& I have no prejudice against any religion or its philosophy.
But here we have a question that a person from other faith is interested in hinduism and willing to come into its fold. In hindu scriptures there is no procedure mentioned for conversion into hinduism from other faith.That does not mean that hinduism does not allow conversions. It is upto the hindu sects, people, organisation whether to accept the outsider into their stream . Hinduism is also a way of life, both a culture and religion. How an outsider will get acquaintance without having introduction of you. In olden days people start practicing hinduism without having introduction or permissions from any body. we can see that so many local tribes, kings came into the fold of vedic culture in ancient time. But in modern time every person has a right to chose his spiritual path. He is coming from an social organisation and think that hinduism is also an organised social structure. Instead of confusing him he should be given new identity in new system so that he can enjoy new spiritual and social life in it. See what want to say hindus do not eat beef. New convert should know this taboo. If he continues to eat beef after his conversion the other hindus will avoid him. Therefore it is the duty of particular culture people to give him introduction of do’s and dont’s of your culture. He who wants to become hindu should be given introductory lessons by hindus around, religious ceremonies and philosophy of Hinduism. Mostly seeker needs education, introduction and welcome gesture in new system for getting assimilation & becoming comfortable in it. The hindus converts who have become seniors should take responsibility of preaching hinduism to both nonhindus and hindus as the traditional hindu may have less interest in this subject due to various personal ethnically reason like earning, livelihood, caste, creed, avoidance of beef eating people etc. Traditional hindus dont marry in other castes.
I therefore suggest that newly converted hindus should come together for the propagation and preaching of Hinduism in their own way.
All nontraditional hindus or converted hindus should make their own forum or organisation because now they have sizable presence in various sects of hinduism .