
In this episode HAF’s Mat McDermott talks with author Phil Goldberg (American Veda, The Life of Yogananda) about the history of Hindus and Hinduism in the United States, the growing influence of Hindu Americans, and what he thinks are popular misconceptions about Hindu beliefs and practices.
Dear Phil,
Thank you for sending us your talk.
My simple take on the subject is that Hindu historically was a term for people of Hind. They were possibly Persians terms for the subcontinent and its people. Only after the intrusion of Islam into the subcontinent it was used as a term for the non Muslim population. Under colonial rule it got classified as a religious group to distinguish them from Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains as an aspect of their divisive policies. The term Hinduism was British invention. For Hindu people themselves religious duties were defined by the terms: Karma for rituals, Dharma for duties, Yoga for disciplines, and Bhakti for devotion. They define our understanding of our religion.
Regards,
Shri ( Srinivas )