Hinduism - advice please!

[manuka]

Hello! I'd like to learn about Hinduism but don't know where to start. Are there any good books that would be easy to read for someone who knows nothing about it?

[manuka]

bump

[Chopster]

it is difficult to know where to start. I started learning when I met dp 5 years ago, but it really is such a complex religion. There are many different traditions and beliefs depending on caste, and area of India, and they vary immensely.

A good place to start is www.hindunet.org which has tons of information in it. If you live anywhere near London there are a couple of mandirs (temples) worth visiting - the swaminarayan in Neasdon, which has a exhibition, and the Hari Krishna place in Watford, who are wonderfully welcoming and informative.

HTHs, do you mind me asking why you are interested?

[manuka]

Thankyou for your help! I'm actually from a Jewish family but I'm not religious. dh is from a Christian family but spent a lot of time in India and stayed with Amma for a while. Have you heard of her? If not check out amma.org/index.html I went to see her in London and it was the most amazing experience I've ever had and so that's drawn me to want to learn about Hinduism. Also the whole reincarnation thing is something I've always felt strongly about.
So is your dp a Hindu? Do you enjoy learning about it?

[Chopster]

Yes my dp is hindu, and our dts are being brought up hindu. I have two children from a previous relationship who are now being given the chances to learn about Hinduism at home, and Christianity at their CofE school and will hopefully make their own minds up.

I've loved learning about the religion. The thing that I love most about it is the fact that each individual is free to use their own path, there isn't the prescription found in other religions as to how you must act. Religion and culture is so deeply entwined though for Indians, it is hard going! I'm still learning all the time.

I hadn't heard of Amma, thanks for that link. She sounds an amazing woman. I will read more when I get a chance. I'd love to go to India one day to take the children to where their family comes from.

It reminds me too, I have read a lot, and spoken via email to a lady called Jennifer/Jayanthi who is American born and has studied Hinduism for many years. She married a Hindu a few years ago and I think she would describe herself as a Hindu now. Her website is full of information. here is her original website, and this one started up last year irrc.

[manuka]

Thanks for those links!
We're hoping to go to India in a couple of years when dd is about 3ish to stay at Amma's ashram. If you ever get the chance to see her its really worth it! She usually comes to London at the back end of the year. It's a huge event with loads of Indian music and food and stalls selling Indian clothes and jewellery. The atmosphere is amazing!
It's such a totally different way of life isn't it? So alien to me! Dh feels really at home with the Indian way of life from having lived there for so long but I think it'l take a while for it to become 'normal' for me if you know what I mean.

[Chopster]

I guess I gradually sort of got into it, as my relationship with dp got stronger. In a way we do live a more Indian way of life. We have a mandir at home, we celebrate hindu festivals, eat lots of indian food, don't eat beef, eat vegetarian on special occasions, follow various customs etc. I wear indian clothes when we go to mandir and shop at indian grocers for supplies. I love the food.

Melas are great for that sort of atmosphere, and last year we went to Janmashtami at the Hari Krishna place - Bhaktivedanta Manor, which was great - music, stalls, food, darshan, etc. I find that the people are less reserved than the english, and it really is so sociable!

I will keep a look out on that site, I'd love to go see her.