What else should they take back to claim ownership of the faith? This recent story (via a friend's Facebook posting) in CNN's Belief section caught my eye due to its proximity to my home. The opinions expressed in the article by young American Hindus of Houston appear mildly paranoid and parochial to me. But then I am not a practitioner and religious identity never meant much to me. Many Hindus like other religious conservatives, are steeped in beliefs and rituals that define and delineate them from followers of other theological and philosophical dogma; that in itself is not remarkable. What struck me as more interesting is that the attitude of the young Hindus quoted here is being characterized as "Americanization." Perhaps there is some truth to it. Or would "Texanization" be more accurate?
Driving to lunch recently at a strip mall Indian buffet, he spoke of trying to forge a distinctly American Hindu identity that’s more tightly woven into the national fabric.
“The immigrant generation is focused on India, on the home country,” he said, noting that the TV in his parents’ house is often turned to a Hindi-language channel beamed in from the subcontinent. “I’m focused on the United States, which is my home country.”
That helps explain why a national group he’s involved with, the Hindu American Foundation, recently launched a Take Back Yoga campaign, aimed at raising awareness about the practice’s Hindu roots and values among non-Hindus.
And it's why Bhutada testified at the Capitol in Austin last year against a statewide school curriculum that calls Hinduism a polytheistic religion, a characterization many Hindus reject.
And it's why one area temple has begun placing copies of the Bhagavad Gita, a Hindu scripture, in thousands of Texas hotel rooms, right next to the Gideon Bible.
The developments speak to a new, publicly assertive stance that’s shared by many first-generation American Hindus across Houston, home to one of the country’s largest and fastest growing Indian enclaves, and by many young Hindus across the nation.
The article notes correctly that Hinduism is not a proselytizing faith. Why then the Gita next to the Gideon's Bible in hotel rooms and who are the competitors for the "Americanization" efforts?
Some young Hindus are envious of the attention that American Muslims and Mormons have received in recent years – even if not all of the attention has been positive – and are trying to raise Hinduism’s national profile.
The goal seems to be for Hindus to become more vocal, assertive and un-selfconscious about their beliefs in public. The approach appears to have somewhat of an evangelical flavor. Sujatha wondered, as did I, whether the demonstrative devoutness of other religious communities in Texas including evangelical Christians, has rubbed off on the local Hindus who find themselves surrounded by public religiosity. The Christian right of the Lone Star State after all, works tirelessly to put a stamp of its faith on matters of the state including public school curricula.
The BAPS Swaminarayan Temple featured on this page and in the CNN report, is on a good day, almost walking distance from my house. It is a beautiful structure and I have taken many visitors there to have a look around. I also go there occasionally to buy the excellent and freshly prepared Indian desserts sold on the premises. I don't participate in the religious activities but did note with interest that the main evening prayer session at the temple is segregated by gender. Women sit in the back cordoned off from the men. A sign near the cut off area reads, "No Ladies Allowed Beyond This Point." No one seems to mind.
As I mentioned to you earlier, if the Hindus in Texas were subject to a more tolerant environment, they might not imitate the worse aspects of the evangelical Christianity they see around them.
Here in Southwestern PA, the concern in the local temples is more about maintaining ritual sanctity rather than attempting to blend into or imitate Western culture. The only concession that they make to western concepts is stretching their charity dollars to things like disaster relief, rather than narrowly focussing on religious education/pathshalas.
Or maybe I am simplifying things to describe the charitable work as a 'western concept', in light of the recent discoveries at the Padmanabhaswamy temple. The nexus between temples, rulers and populace was and still is, more complex than that. Temples appear to have been treasuries, cultural and communal centers, and emergency centers.
Regarding the Gita next to the Bible in hotel rooms, it's a free-for-all out there. I've seen the Book of Mormon in one hotel, another had some New Agey book of thoughts. A hotel does whatever it wants as a business decision, based on requests from the clientele. Presumably, the Gujarati-owned-motel connection makes placement of Gitas easier, but I don't know if this trend will spread to other states.
Posted by: Sujatha | July 18, 2011 at 05:56 AM
Wonderful post, Ruchira. Having grown up in a vaguely Vedanta household without strong roots to a conservative religious identity, I felt more Indian than Hindu. I still identify culturally with a broader vision of the subcontinent which embraces everything from Bharatanatyam to ghazal; Rabindra Sangeet to Qawali...I find an identity as a "Hindu-American" to feel strange and forced (and in fact am really more a Buddhist in any case)...
Posted by: Arun Rangaswami | July 18, 2011 at 09:46 AM
assertion of religious/cultural/national identity seems to be stronger among NRIs than at home - probably on account of fear of erosion of Indian identity.
onam is celebrated on a grander scale by AmMallus than kerala Mallus.
a very interesting phenomenon, particularly considering the fact that NRIs wont stick their necks out for culture!
thought provoking post
Posted by: kochuthresiamma P J | July 18, 2011 at 12:47 PM
a very interesting phenomenon, particularly considering the fact that NRIs wont stick their necks out for culture!
thought provoking post.
I know the phenomenon of overdoing Indianness by immigrants. The same mentality explains why Hanukkah, a minor Jewish holiday which falls around Christmas time is celebrated with more fanfare by Jewish Americans than Israelis.
Posted by: Ruchira | July 18, 2011 at 02:30 PM
Regarding the 'overdoing of Indianness', it can go to ridiculous extents. I know of families who spend their entire weekends at the local temple, partaking of shloka classes, Balavihar (children's classes), Sanskrit lessons, Tamil lessons, dance lessons, SAT training (starting in grade 5!!!), all in sequence. These are people who have to drive at least an hour one way, too.
The kids grow up, graduate, move out of town, and promptly find a non-desi girl/boyfriend, just to get away from the desitude they grew up with :)
Posted by: Sujatha | July 18, 2011 at 03:17 PM
Sujatha, the scenario you describe would appear to be the predictable outcome of militant identity training. But the Texas story seems to indicate that it is the second generation Indian Americans who are more energetic than the parents in clinging to the "roots."
Posted by: Ruchira | July 18, 2011 at 06:16 PM
"Catholics want to take back prayer from Transcendental Meditation."
A few decades ago there was an article in the Catholic Knights of Columbus magazine that took the position that TM was simply prayer, and that it was nothing new, and Catholics had it all along. They could not find any terrible flaw in TM practices, but they were jealously defending their turf from invading newcomers.
Underneath all of this is more than a turf war, however. It is a fight to preserve several things: a unique faith identity, a participating faithful, a power base that includes membership numbers and money, and protection.
So what is this Yoga take back? Of course, there is identity and belonging. However, others more familiar with it will have to say, and already have, above. In my personal opinion, I think it is a good thing, and I am not even Hindu.
First, I see a partial parallel with earlier European migrations to the U.S. in the 19th and early 20th centuries. First generations came to make their fortune and then return to their home country. It was important for them to maintain their language, religion, and maintain their own schools. Some did return but most stayed along with a second generation born to them.
The second generation saw themselves as Americans and did not identify with their parents home country. They became Americanized, and dropped their parents language and modified their customs.
The third generation rediscovered their national and cultural roots and began a relearning and sought an identity apart from being American. My third generation cousin Louis, a biochemist in Chicago, is the official family historian and genealogist for the Sicilian side of my family. He traced our ancestry back a number of centuries, through Germany and beyond. I knew we had a Semitic influence, and I thought it was Saracen. It turns out we are more Jewish, with ancestors who were Conversos and Muranos, with names like Rubino, and Solomani.
Here is where I make a bit of a leap of interpretation. It seems to me that what I described as the first generation for Europeans did not happen in the same way for people of South Asia, at least not to the same degree. South Asians, I will substitute Hindu, came here to stay. It is their children who are seeking to preserve a religious, cultural identity - but it is going to be as American Nationals. If I am way off the mark, I am sure someone will let me know.
For those whom it is important, I want to see an assertive public identity for American Hindus. It is especially important in a nation of strident and vociferous Christians who eschew tolerance and deny commonality with others not like themselves. An assertive American Hindu identity is a means of educating members of other faiths (and their children) that the world is made up of other faiths with whom they will live side-by-side. I am not speaking of proselytizing; rather I am talking about being informative and educational.
Many Americans know something about the content of Christianity, and Judaism. Today, people know a little more about Islam. Almost no one knows a damn thing about Hinduism.
The Catholic Church in America is a de facto American Catholic Church. It has a history of some substantial differences with the Roman Catholic Church. Through most of U.S. history, the Roman Church viewed American democracy and separation of Church and State as a marriage made far from heaven. A few popes, as late as the early 20th century, condemned the stucture of the U.S. government that had no room for God at its center. Thank Goddess the American bishops held fast with the idea that we were different, but in a GOOD and uniquely American way. The party line in Rome is still that our form of government is defective; but nobody wants to make a big deal about it. Rome still does not get the concept of academic freedom in the U.S.
Is there a future American Hindu Religion in the making? Who knows? It may be necessary for the protection of individual rights of those who are religiously or culturally Hindu, or whose national origin is India. Catholics and Jews know this problem first hand. Maybe Hindu-Americans will not need this kind of communal protection, advocacy, and support? I do not know. Time will tell.
A prediction: With each passing day more South Asians find more Americans of varied backgrounds sexy and compatible. Non-south Asians return the complement. More grandmothers will be arguing with each other as to how to raise their grandchildren. This is progress, really!
Posted by: Norman Costa | July 18, 2011 at 10:04 PM
It's people trying to find an identity. Their parents seem to identify with 2 rings greatly. Their indianness and their hinduism. The indiannes is alien to the kids, so they cling to the Hinduism.
The evangelizing is also easy to understand. You grow up in an environment where every religion you see around you is exactly the same. You try and understand your religion in the same context and so try to imitate the same thing you see in other religious communities in your religious community (e.g. Being embarrassed by the fact that hinduism is not a monotheistic religion, or needing to have a bhagwad Gita in every hotel room, although the Gita is a small part of one of many epics and books which influence hinduism.
Finally I think the hare Krishna movement also probably plays a role. The hare Krishna movement was a clever entrepreneur's attempt to christianize Hinduism so he could sell it to the american public (hence the ascension of the bhagwad Gita, to provide an abrahamic like, 1 Book above all, or the transformation of Krishna into a Jesus like figure).
Posted by: Addicted44 | July 18, 2011 at 11:00 PM
Indeed it is about asserting one's identity. Minority groups choose to emphasize one aspect of their cultural background over another, depending on what they feel is under attack or is being trivialized. It can be nationality, language or religion. Which is why often second and third gen immigrants are more "observant" than their parents. Here is my review of a book by Amin Maalouf that addresses the phenomenon.
Norm, thanks for the wonderful Catholic angle of Americanization. It was also interesting that you brought up the Converso roots of your family. Here is another book review of that history.
Posted by: Ruchira | July 19, 2011 at 10:43 AM
Rucira:
Wow! Thanks.
Posted by: Norman Costa | July 19, 2011 at 01:15 PM
I am reading this post and these comments while listening to WFMU's Brian Turner, who has just spun "Coca Cola Coca Cola" from the soundtrack to "Mangamma Sabbatham." Among the comments by listeners to Brian's program:
It is signed, "Mumbai, India."
Posted by: Dean C. Rowan | July 19, 2011 at 03:56 PM
I think its good to know the underlying spiritual principles of Yoga.
I can personally attest when I did Yoga I was much more calmer, relaxed and far more energetic. I'm a big fan and need to take it up again.
Posted by: Zachary Latif | July 19, 2011 at 06:40 PM
Zachary, do take it up again. I have been a regular practitioner of yoga for well over a decade. I have always done cardiovascular exercises and occasional weight training but as I started growing older, I realized that stamina and strength are not enough. I needed to stay flexible. Yoga does wonders for that as also mental focus and relaxation. My yoga class is a secular one. People of many faiths are members. We do say "Namaste" with the last move but that is as far as we evoke the Indian / Hindu roots of the practice.
My problem with the movement to "take back yoga" in this article was with the vague militancy of the attitude. If this wonderful activity is gaining popularity to the benefit of everyone, let it be. Why make a fetish out of its spiritual underpinings when the benefits accrue whether you are chanting a "mantra," counting backwards from 100 or focusing on your breath. Everything good originated somewhere and if it becomes universal, more power to the transfer of information and good habits. I have heard of some fundamentalist Christian resistance to yoga based on religious suspicions. Well, they are the losers. What is the attitude of Muslims? Is yoga popular in Pakistan and the middle east or is it avoided because of the same reasons?
@Dean: Take back "Mangamma Sabbatham," dosa, chicken tikka masala, chutneys ... and Coca Cola!
Posted by: Ruchira | July 19, 2011 at 07:14 PM
Yes, take (back) Coca Cola...please!
Posted by: Dean C. Rowan | July 20, 2011 at 10:36 AM
Apparently yoga is huge in Pakistan (among certain classes of course).
Well that's what I hear; but there is curiosity about all things Indian & Hindu, I know astrology is big there.
I don't know about the rest of the Muslim world but I'm sure it must be big; in Dubai for instance Bollywood is as popular as Hollywood among the locals (Arabs) so Indian culture has huge cachet. I remember in Morocco they would scream out Shah Rukh Khan at our group because we were desis and they loved Bollywood.
Anyway back to Yoga; I agree the whole "taking back" think is slightly ridiculous but just as we appreciate Sushi as being Japanese thought with local variations, adaptations and fusion so we should treat Yoga as Indian Hindu but then allow it to adapt and transform in whatever its natural evolution is meant to be.
I do like the idea of *patenting* heritage as they do in Europe where certain products have their regional label; who knows soon certain types of paneers will then have their regional mark.
Posted by: Zachary Latif | July 20, 2011 at 02:13 PM
Zachary,
If various regional products are marketed in the U.S. with their respective regional marks, you can bet it signals a strong, visible, and numerous presence of South Asians. Of course, I see this as good. Bordeaux wines, Normandy butter, Sacher Torte, Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte, Parma Hams, are marketed to everyone, not just the French, Austrians, Germans, and Italians in the U.S.
Speaking of regional marks or labels, here's a funny story. I was traveling in Europe on an Alpine Tour in the summer of 1982. One of the important locations was Salzburg, in Austria. My wife, her mother, and her daughter were big fans of a line of women's wear, Lanz of Salzburg. They were known for sturdy, soft, and beautiful cotton nightwear.
I decided, before our trip, to get my mother-in-law a matching nightgown and robe from the flagship store in Salzburg. My wife and her mother came from Croatia and still had the old world regard for Europe as a place for higher quality merchandise of all kinds. Just imagine. I will be giving my mother-in-law a Lanz of Salzburg nightwear set from the original Lanz store in Salzburg. It does not get any better than that.
We left our tour group to find the Lanz store and, indeed, we did. I spent some time looking at all the dirndls and lederhosen. Dirndls are not great fashion, but they are very pretty and distinctive. I still wonder how I would look in lederhosen and Tyrolean hat.
We found a matching gown and robe and maybe even matching booty slippers. Mom is going to love this. The garments were soft, beautiful, and you could just feel and see the high quality of fabric and workmanship.
I stood on line for the checkout with the other summer tourists. I happened to take a look at the care tag and brand label.
Now, let me say that what I am going to tell you is not made up. I may sound like I am protesting too much, but this is the truth. Underneath the brand name, Lanz of Salzburg, and a declaration of 100 percent cotton in several languages, it said, "Made in Hoboken, New Jersey, USA."
We left the register line, threw the garments back on the shelf, and walked out.
Posted by: Norman Costa | July 20, 2011 at 04:16 PM
Ruchira, I wish my parents could read this! 'Twould seem advanced PKD! In the Texas of my foundational era with them, there was no South Asian presence, there was no yoga, and, if you think ethnic restaurants portend anything, there was only WASP food, Mexican food, BBQ, and a solitary Chinese eatery so full of East Asians that it was hard to get a table. I have made two flying trips back in the last calendar year, but encountered or had reunions with no Texan from whom yoga needed taking back. This is inspiring me to a closer look next time.
Posted by: Elatia Harris | July 20, 2011 at 07:40 PM
Elatia, you come on down! Let me give you a tour of Houston. I am not that plugged into the local desi scene. But I can show you enough that will be far removed from you own childhood days in Texas.
"Made in Hoboken, New Jersey, USA." Of course!
Posted by: Ruchira | July 20, 2011 at 08:04 PM
Norman your story surprises just how commercial the world's got (and I'm a proud liberal capitalist!).
Posted by: Zachary Latif | July 21, 2011 at 04:47 PM
I'm also from Sugar Land, but I thought most mainstream Hindus regard the Swami Narayan folks as fairly cultish, not least because of the gender segregation!
It's a very weird place. I walked in once to buy snacks and went into the wrong building and found a hundred women in a dark room sitting on the floor and rolling dough to make the bakshanam. It was disturbing to say the least.
Posted by: theoncominghope | July 21, 2011 at 06:13 PM