Anti Racism from a Hindu Perspective - As demonstrated by a "Golu"
Sometimes I get REALLY ANNOYED with my interfaith work. Recently I was asked to provide "texts" from Hinduism for "anti racism" as a spiritual practice. If you NEED a "book" to be "anti racist" well...
I get it that many people rely on books to understand Hinduism due to widespread misconceptions and lack of understanding about the faith. There aren't many books from a Hindu perspective since Hinduism is misunderstood in the west and many "Hindu" texts are written from a colonial perspective (British, western perspective, etc.)
I wrote my own after staring at "Golu" or doll display at the Ganesha Temple in Queens.
During Navarathri, the Hindu holiday celebrating the feminine divine, the South Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh celebrate by constructing Golus. The arrangement of the dolls represents the interconnectedness of all life and the presence of the divine in every aspect of creation.
In this Golu every skin tone is shown, Lord Jesus (middle eastern Jewish man), and Shirdi Sai Baba (Muslim saint early 20th C) are also included, showcasing the beauty, diversity, and acknowledging the divinity and equality of all faiths in Hindusim.
Hinduism, the oldest living faith tradition globally, differs from the Abrahamic faiths like Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, as it lacks a historical founder or central holy texts such as the Bible, Torah, or Quran.
With diverse practices influenced by factors like language, family, personal belief systems, demographics, and region, it thrives in its inability to be rigidly defined, embodies its strength in diversity.
The term "Hinduism" itself is relatively recent, dating back only 2,500 years, while the faith's true name, "Sanathana Dharma" or "eternal way," predates it by millennia. “Hind” came from the Persian language after the ancient river Sindu which ran through what is now modern Pakistan. Persians couldn’t pronounce “Sind” so it became “Hind” so “Hinduism” literally means those folks who live on that side of the river!
Hinduism is the most inclusive faith, acknowledging and respecting all religions, advocating for “no conversion” as all creation has the right to perceive the divine and worship as they choose. It advocates for equal rights for women, marginalized communities, LGBTQI+ communities, and sees divinity in all living creatures, including nature and animals.
Hinduism is free of judgment and accepts all as stated by: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (Sanskrit language) “The world is one family!” “Ekam Sat”, “All is one, paths are many, all faiths are one, lead to same divine”
Ohm Loka Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu “May all beings everywhere be happy/free, may the thoughts, words, actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and freedom for all”
This originates from the Maha Upanishad, a collection of texts dating back to 1200 BCE, and possibly even earlier.
In Hinduism, racism finds no place, as the rich descriptions of deities' diverse skin tones and facial features illustrate emphasizes “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (Sanskrit language)”
“The world is one family!”.
From the fair-skinned Goddess Saraswati to dark-complexioned Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva's dreaded locks, Goddess Meenakshi’s “fish eyes”, Lord Muruga’s curly black hair, Goddess Lakshmi’s golden complexion etc. We even have major deities like Lord Hanuman and Lord Ganesha, who do not possess human-like features, emphasizing our reverence and affection for all creation, recognizing that everything is an extension of the divine. Hinduism embraces the beauty of diversity.
Originating in South Asia but embraced worldwide by different nationalities and races across the globe, Hinduism teaches the unity of all creation, transcending boundaries of faith, race, gender, and orientation.
Given the recognition of equality among all religions, numerous Hindus actively participate in the worship and traditions of Muslim, Christian, Jain, Sikh, and Jewish faiths, seeing no distinction in worshiping alongside followers of other religions, as they perceive the divine as singular and universal.
With a belief in the divine essence within all beings, Hinduism fosters inclusivity and respect, inviting participation in diverse worship traditions as a celebration of the interconnectedness of all religions.
