The mistreatment of Hinduism
This is a post probably no one will read. But that is okay. I am writing it because I want it to be out there in the world.
I am a Hindu. So I will be largely speaking of the religion that I follow, but I suppose a lot of things apply to Buddhists as well because of the cultural similarities.
I want to write this because as a Hindu, it pains me everyday to see people talk left and right about cultural appropriation, yet not address why my culture is represented like this.
Cultural appropriation for me is about taking an element out of a culture, removing the cultural source from it’s identity, and flaunting it.
I am not to say what is wrong and what is right, but god damn it pisses me off.
So I will do what I can do best about it- rant on the internet.
Yoga
Yoga is an ancient Indian practice that was scoffed at by every westerner until Indians made a move to prove that it is actually, medically valid. Then it exploded.
And, I am very happy about that. I really am. It is so nice to see people trying to do something from my culture, to respect something about it. But here is the thing- a lot of people don’t actually respect it. Treat yoga as an exercise, or a part of your spirituality if you will. But don’t cheaply imitate what yogis have been doing.
Which brings me to another point-
DON’T CALL YOURSELF A YOGI unless and until you are well-versed in the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of Yoga. Just practicing yoga as an exercise DOESN’T make you a Yogi.
Namaste
Do you know that not even most Indians greet each other by Namaste? So why would you casually use this word as a synonym for ‘Hello’? It really isn’t that. Now this one isn’t 'wrong’ , of course. But still, if you have to use this word, it would be good if you know what it meant.
In Hinduism, it means “I bow to the divine in you”.
No, it doesn’t mean 'Hi’.
Third-eye
Oh this one makes me hella angry. People use the word third eye as casually as their normal eyes, as if this has not been part of both Hindu and Buddhist traditions for Gods know how long.
This word means 'eye of insight’. As Wikipedia says, 'The third eye refers to the gate that leads to inner realms and spaces of higher consciousness.’
The opening of the third eye is symbolic to achieving spirituality in many parts of India. And sometimes of Shiva’s godly wrath.
So, no you cannot casually roll your third eye.
Swastika
Yes, Hitler used it. Yes, it is an evil sign standing for the slaughter of millions of people.
But that is the inverted Swastika.
Swastika in Hinduism and Buddhism is an extremely important religious symbol. You can’t expect a billion people to abandon something so very close to them because someone made it stand for something different.
Not one Hindu looks at a Swatika and goes, 'Huh, that stands for genocide.’
Not to us, it doesn’t. We use it in our festivals and during our rituals and during our ceremonies. And we are not trying to disrespect the memories of the people who died. But that symbol was long before the Nazis, hundreds of years before them.
And it is not even the same thing. And Hitler’s representation of Swastika is just another point in a long list of why I hate him.
There are so many things like these.
I don’t expect anyone to do deep research for every single thing that they are unsure about. That would be extremely stupid on my part.
But, if we are screaming cultural appropriation, let’s be more inclusive. Let’s call out stuff that actually needs to be stopped instead of stuff like 'Hymn of the Weekend’.
Wear lehengas, or saris, or bangles, or whatever you want to wear. Wear it the way you want, just respect it while wearing it.
Just because my skin is brown, and I was born into Hinduism does not give me sole rights over this culture’s elements. It would be a shame if no one ever got to experience what being in this culture is like.
But experiencing it as a part of the culture, or at least being respectful while you use some things is the least anyone can expect of anyone. What does respect even entail?
It just means keeping in mind that there are people in this world who have deep love for their religion heritage and culture, they identify themselves with it. You don’t need to do things the exact way they are doing. You don’t need to wear a sari exactly like Indian wear it. Your sindoor could be blue.
It sounds weird, but if you are mindful of not hurting people and actually try, to me that is enough.
Of course, it doesn’t apply to only white people. As a brown person, I can’t go on using African traditions just for fun. Or I can’t start pretending I am Jesus.
That would be deeply hurtful.
At the same time, I do feel that we shouldn’t over-identify ourselves with our race, heritage or culture. But, that doesn’t mean it’s no part of my identity at all.
Hate a culture. Love it. Feel meh about it.
But, respect it all the same.