I was talking to my brother about a family event to happen in a few
days. The 7 day event was a hindu puja ritual ('chaturveda yajna' with
'Bhagwat Sapthah') that was a pretty big deal to be done in today's
times. After talking a bit about it, his reaction was clear that he was
not really interested in it and would probably be there on the last day
only. At the time we talked it did not strike me but thinking back I
know why he felt the event not interesting. Here is my explanation with
an example.
If I ask you to come along for a game of Cricket and you are familiar with the basic rules of the match, maybe you would agree to come along. If you knew the players and have your favorite teams, maybe you might show more interest. If you have Cricket as your favorite sport and have spent your childhood playing on the grounds with your friends, definitely you will join in and maybe drive me there too.
But if you never knew what was the game all about and I tell you its a test match which goes along for three days, you will not join me.
This experiment is pretty straight forward - there was no education about the subject and therefore no interest. and this principle applies to most other things if not all, for there can be some things, like say an amusement park activity, which we never did before but have an idea that it wont be boring for sure.
So coming back to why Hinduism as a religion, in todays times, sees a lot of isolated interests. With modern education breaking its back, robbing it of the original language and looting away the spirit of Indian cultural practices, what is left behind is a dry ritualistic approach. The only way I can think of to educate at this point in time, would be that parents show interest in whatever bit of hindu religion that practice and educate themself with why they are doing those customs. If someone knows the meanings behind these practices, they should come forward and provide ways to spread this education.
Even today the Brahmin families have kept themselves isolated from the rest of the community. This has already back fired to the extent that only a few individuals within their family really practice the rituals, and even they may not be knowing the meaning behind it.
There is a necessity now to help hindus around the world get educated right with the meaning behind the practices. Unless the meanings are clear, the practice wont have interest in the hearts of a common man.
If I ask you to come along for a game of Cricket and you are familiar with the basic rules of the match, maybe you would agree to come along. If you knew the players and have your favorite teams, maybe you might show more interest. If you have Cricket as your favorite sport and have spent your childhood playing on the grounds with your friends, definitely you will join in and maybe drive me there too.
But if you never knew what was the game all about and I tell you its a test match which goes along for three days, you will not join me.
This experiment is pretty straight forward - there was no education about the subject and therefore no interest. and this principle applies to most other things if not all, for there can be some things, like say an amusement park activity, which we never did before but have an idea that it wont be boring for sure.
So coming back to why Hinduism as a religion, in todays times, sees a lot of isolated interests. With modern education breaking its back, robbing it of the original language and looting away the spirit of Indian cultural practices, what is left behind is a dry ritualistic approach. The only way I can think of to educate at this point in time, would be that parents show interest in whatever bit of hindu religion that practice and educate themself with why they are doing those customs. If someone knows the meanings behind these practices, they should come forward and provide ways to spread this education.
Even today the Brahmin families have kept themselves isolated from the rest of the community. This has already back fired to the extent that only a few individuals within their family really practice the rituals, and even they may not be knowing the meaning behind it.
There is a necessity now to help hindus around the world get educated right with the meaning behind the practices. Unless the meanings are clear, the practice wont have interest in the hearts of a common man.
