<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->One aspect of this new problem is this. This new definition of "Hindu", as a religion, has caused many to cultivate a distance from the term Hindu, particularly the minority traditions of Hindu Dharma-s (like Jains and Sikhs). Although as much a part of Hindu Civilization, since they see the term "Hindu" being claimed as a label for some particular religion different from theirs, they start calling themselves as non-Hindu, which in turn causes many more serious repurcussions. Consider the classical case of RKM, who went up to the courts of law to claim that they are not "Hindu Dharma" (and lost). Supreme Court in the historic judgement rightly said that Hindu is not a religion but a way of life."This new definition of "Hindu", as a religion, has caused many to cultivate a distance from the term Hindu".<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd--><i>In English and other western languages</i>, "Hindu" has a particular meaning and refers to a particular religion of the Hindu civilisation.
And since you say "Jaina" is its own religion, then there is another religion (also a subgroup of the Hindu civilisation and a subgroup of the overall Dharmic traditions of India) that is also distinct, and to which I and many another belong. What is its name, I'd still like to know.
I thought I read that RKM declared itself a minority religion ("not Hindu") in order to escape the anti-Hindu actions of the communist govt, particularly in W Bengal.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Enough of this boring subject when we can talk about Hindu Muslim marriage and the such.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->Hindu muslim marriage discussions, while important, are not really interesting to me.... (And I think/hope I've said everything I had to say about it already.) <Snip. Irrelevant>
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Now, Let us get back to enjoy the "mitrotsava holiday"!<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->Mitrotsava is not a tradition in my family.
Instead, at this time we used to honour ancient Dutch tradition when in NL: celebrating the shortest day of the year by carrying out their ancient traditional fir tree celebrations. (Teachers explained that their "ancestors had found the winter harsh, the land white and brown as if all life had gone, and it looked like summer and the warm sun would never return. Then they saw the ever-green fir tree - a sign of hope in winter, the promise that life and greenery remained and would return... -" and it was obviously love at first sight for them. Decorating the beloved tree followed.
Dutch kids in primary school were moved to tears every time the lovely story was repeated and we'd all end up singing "O Denneboom..." <!--emo&
--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo--> )
Though I don't know Mitrotsava, and winter solstice does not happen at the same time the world over, I will wish you "Dies Natalis Dei Solis Invicti" instead - in honour of Julian, his comrades and the other traditionalists of ancient Rome and their traditionalist descendants. After all, Julian's God (Ishtadevam) is my God, his Gods are my Gods and his religion is my religion.
And since you say "Jaina" is its own religion, then there is another religion (also a subgroup of the Hindu civilisation and a subgroup of the overall Dharmic traditions of India) that is also distinct, and to which I and many another belong. What is its name, I'd still like to know.
I thought I read that RKM declared itself a minority religion ("not Hindu") in order to escape the anti-Hindu actions of the communist govt, particularly in W Bengal.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Enough of this boring subject when we can talk about Hindu Muslim marriage and the such.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->Hindu muslim marriage discussions, while important, are not really interesting to me.... (And I think/hope I've said everything I had to say about it already.) <Snip. Irrelevant>
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Now, Let us get back to enjoy the "mitrotsava holiday"!<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->Mitrotsava is not a tradition in my family.
Instead, at this time we used to honour ancient Dutch tradition when in NL: celebrating the shortest day of the year by carrying out their ancient traditional fir tree celebrations. (Teachers explained that their "ancestors had found the winter harsh, the land white and brown as if all life had gone, and it looked like summer and the warm sun would never return. Then they saw the ever-green fir tree - a sign of hope in winter, the promise that life and greenery remained and would return... -" and it was obviously love at first sight for them. Decorating the beloved tree followed.
Dutch kids in primary school were moved to tears every time the lovely story was repeated and we'd all end up singing "O Denneboom..." <!--emo&
--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo--> )Though I don't know Mitrotsava, and winter solstice does not happen at the same time the world over, I will wish you "Dies Natalis Dei Solis Invicti" instead - in honour of Julian, his comrades and the other traditionalists of ancient Rome and their traditionalist descendants. After all, Julian's God (Ishtadevam) is my God, his Gods are my Gods and his religion is my religion.
Death to traitors.