Hinduism Doesn’t Need Me

Sometimes on my Facebook page I post quotes about Hinduism, particularly quotes from western people who are praising Hinduism.

I think a lot of people enjoy seeing non-Hindus acknowledge Hinduism’s best qualities.

Every so often though, someone will make the point that Indian Hindus shouldn’t need praise from the West to believe in Hinduism.

For example this comment on a picture shared by Resurging Hinduism on FB:

Ashwin Kumar: we Hindus are in a pathetic stage that some one from western country should certify our religious books,then only we belive in it. But we still proud to be Hindus

And I think he is absolutely right.

Indians do not need western people to validate Hinduism for them and I hope that those who feel like they want the support of westerners will come to realize that they don’t need it.

But that doesn’t mean it is bad for westerners to praise Hinduism!

I praise Hinduism not because I think Hinduism needs my praise. I praise it because I love it and I feel lucky to have it in my life. I think most of the time when western people admire Hinduism they don’t mean to say “I am giving my blessing to this lovely, quaint practice. You may now continue to exist because I, a white person, have approved it.” I think they are meaning to say, “I wish I had known about this wonderful religion sooner, but I’m so glad that now I have discovered it.”

Indians made Hinduism what it is and I am endlessly grateful. I want to say thank you for the philosophies and beliefs.