Why Be A Hindu?

Why Be A Hindu:

The Advantages of the Vedic Path

By

Stephen Knapp

Description of "Why Be a Hindu"

(From the Preface)

This book is my response to the fact that sometimes I get a little concerned, as I was when I took one of my tours of India (June, 2001), when I see the efforts of those who try to demean and unnecessarily promote serious misunderstandings about Hinduism, the Vedic culture. 

This often times is done in the attempt to convince others of the greatness of some of the minority religions there. This is something that is increasingly going on in India. It is also increasing in other parts of the world in what is called "Hindu bashing." 

I have also witnessed young Hindus who have moved to the West and sometimes exhibit confusion or disregard in their attitude toward their own culture, some of which is a result of the Western attitudes and misunderstandings toward Hinduism. 

So this booklet is written in response to that confusion, trouble, and the unnecessary campaigns for conversion. All of this is merely due to a lack of a clear understanding of Vedic culture and what it offers. So I wanted to bring out some simple yet important points, in the form of this booklet, that I thought people should consider in their view of the Vedic spiritual path.

Hinduism, or the Vedic culture, is not merely a religion. 

It is a spiritual path and way of life. Quite honestly, nothing compares with it. And I know. I grew up in the West as a Christian, studying the Bible from cover to cover due to my own curiosity. However, when I was about 19 years old, I still had many questions that were not and could not be answered within the Christian philosophy. So, I made great studies of the various religions and civilizations throughout the world, finally finding the Vedic culture as perhaps the most profound tradition of all. It is one that offers more insights into life and the purpose of it, especially the spiritual aspects, than any other culture one can find today. In this way, I found the kind of answers I needed in the Vedic literature, especially in the Bhagavad-gita, Bhagavat Purana and others. Only then did things of this world begin to make sense to me.

So what's so great about Vedic culture and its philosophy? 

This booklet describes some of the elementary details that differentiates Hinduism, the Vedic path, over all others. And I am glad to share this with my fellow human beings who are open-minded enough to consider the various avenues that can help us understand more about our spiritual identities and the purpose of life.  

This is not an attempt to say that the Vedic path is better than anything else for everyone, but there are distinct advantages worth considering from which a person can benefit.

After each point about the advantages of Vedic culture in the booklet, there are a few paragraphs that elaborate on it to make it more clear. The points that are considered include:

1. What does Hinduism stand for? 

2. Hinduism is the oldest living culture in the world. 

3. The Vedic literature is the oldest and most complete scripture found anywhere. 

4. The Vedic path has a most developed and complete spiritual philosophy.  

5. The Vedic literature offers more information on the science of life after death, karma and reincarnation.  

6. The Vedic philosophy offers a most complete understanding of God and the spiritual dimension. 

7. Hinduism and the Vedic literature has many direct words and instructions from God. 

8. The Vedic path offers the most loving and beautiful forms of God. 

9. The Vedic culture has some of the greatest spiritual teachers and masters that you can find. 

10. Vedic culture offers a most direct path to personal spiritual enlightenment and realizations. 

11. Because Hinduism is one of the most expressive paths, it is also one of the most emotionally fulfilling. 

12. Hinduism, Vedic culture, offers a scientific way of life, from diet, lifestyle, daily schedule, etc. 

13. Anyone in any position can be a Hindu and practice and benefit from the Vedic teachings. 

14. The Vedic path views all religions as truth, or portions of the One Truth, and ways of salvation. 

15. Hinduism, Vedic culture, does not present God as a Hindu, Muslim, Christian, or Sikh God. 

16. This is why Hindus, the followers of the Vedic path, can live peacefully with those of other religions. 

17. Hinduism has no concept of Jihad, holy wars, crusades, or martyrdom on its behalf. 

18. Followers of Vedic philosophy do not target others for conversion. 

19. Hinduism accepts that everyone has the right to choose one's own path to enlightenment or salvation. 

20. Hinduism offers a universal God and consciousness, beyond a mere local tradition. 

21. Hinduism promotes seeing God in all living beings. 

22. In Hinduism you can ask all the questions you want without being considered a blasphemer or a doubting person. 

23. Hinduism is like the million dollar culture. 

24. The Vedic process offers the easiest path back to God. 

25. Hinduism advocates a universal rather than a self-centered consciousness. 

26. Hinduism promotes the cause of real care and concern for others. 

27. With or without a church or institution, Hinduism shows and establishes that everyone has a personal and independent relationship with God, which only needs to be reawakened. 

28. In essence, Hinduism, the Vedic system, opens the door to the real meanings of life.

To read the book in detail check the below link,

Why be a hindu? booklet...