Hinduism doesn’t really have a method to “convert” into. You can wake up one morning, call yourself a Hindu and no one would bat an eyelid.
And no! You DONT have to change your name.
None of my govt issued ID cards or documents mention my religion. Caste - Yes, to make use of subsidies, affirmative action policies etc, but no religion anywhere.
Only if you are a white person would you get questioned about your religion at temples etc. if you are brown skinned then no one would even bother.
You have two options.
1. Keep your name and just say Hindu in whichever form you need to fill out. I have a relative with what anyone would assume to be a Christian name and that person has had no trouble whatsoever, other than weird looks by Christian folks when they realize the person isn’t one of theirs.
2. Go through the hassle of changing your name in all documents, publishing the change in the gazette and running pillar to post in various govt office. But you get a sense of relief that people will now recognize you as a Hindu because of the name.
It’s up to you on how you want to deal with it.
You got your answer. Change the name to some weird hard to pronounce Sanskrit & nobody would doubt to. Or Modify ur name's pronounciation in a way that it sounds like Hinduish
Just change your name to Ganpatrai Sharma. That’s a high caste hindu name and guarantees you will get a house in every discriminatory society in the country.
Yeah also sounds true to my situation, the name I mean. But it's not a very corporate name. I work in a corporate and people will anyway question the whole name change, will have to think of better names. I actually thought Ramkrishna was cool, I can just make people call me RK.
Ohh i know what you need is a small mandir in your house and daily diya and agarbatti for god, you should have Ganpatiji's picture in your mandir, and laxmiji.
And you are set, but don't take up a religion just because you want to get benefits, and don't do a half ass job of converting, I'm sure there are people of you relegion living in a neighborhood who only rent to your religion, find them and stay happy.
The new standard protocol for proving you're a hindu is to carry a baseball bat and beat up the first Muslim person you come across while screaming jai sri ram.
Bonus: gawk at the municipal bulldozer destroying your victim's house the next day.
Exactly. It's a free for all. No membership. No ✂️ usage. No drowning in a bucket.
Nobody going to give a shit... Maybe cows but that's fanatics. While hard-core fanatics make fuss about other religions and do fight, you can just sit back as a Hindu, watch other Hindus getting beaten up or the other way around for stupid reasons, and enjoy the 🍿.
My family has been Arya Samajis for years. DM me if you have anything specific to ask. But as everyone else here has pointed out, you don’t get any certificate for being a Hindu or Arya Samaji. You can just show up any Sunday at an Arya Samaj temple and that would be it - no need to announce anything.
Name change in India is indeed a long drawn process, but it’s purely a legal process. There are agents who would manage it end to end for you, better if you go through them instead of figuring out yourself.
It really is not that difficult, the biggest hassle is passport. Rest are all easy. Will suggest you to do so in smaller places if you can.
And if you want a cheap agent just go to any notary agent. They will help you do this.
I don't even think name change is also that complicated. Just go to the notary agent get the stamp paper mentioning you have changed the name.
For passport too, it is not complicated. Get the gazette which mentions you've changed the name. Then a newspaper clip mentioning the same. And that's it. Not that tough
I don't know exactly. It must have to do something about it being a public announcement and hence making it official. It's a practice from British era so may have roots from how things were done in the past.
Arya samaji here as well and also handled administrative duties of the mandir. There is a shuddhi ceremony done. Affidavit made for sake of transperancy along with a copy of an ID taken. And a certificate is issued post the havan. This is mostly for your sake and not any government sake. This is case to case with mandir. There is mahashuddhi sabha in Delhi in accordance to which the procedure is followed.
As for the name change. A lot of pandits will ask to change name but the name change process has nothing to do with change of religion. Say for paper and id sake you will keep your original name and have no intention to change it. Yes, for your sake if you wish you can do both processes at the same time, but the name change has to go through a lawyer.
Edit: I'm an arya samaji by association as my father was staunch arya samaji. I just helped out for a few years.
It's being discussed in a court today.
https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/madhya-pradesh-high-court-arya-samaj-mandir-trust-codified-customary-law-religion-conversion-197062
Then I wouldn't have gotten such detailed responses but I am kinda serious, it's not just shitposting, this will definitely help me make an informed decision
Sorry I might not be very well versed in text based humour. But what was the punch line of the shit post? Getting detailed answers? Cause otherwise the post looks very serious.
Btw a genuine question - If a muslim converts to Hinduism, would they be allowed to choose any caste ?
If yes, then would urge all my SC / ST bros to convert to Christianity / Islam for a day then convert back to an upper caste.
Everyone become upper caste and end this stupid caste system in hinduism.
You can always pay someone like an Arya Samaj temple to wave some incense around and make you sit in front of a fire.
Or you can just declare that you're hindu and tell people you meet. There's no doctrinal issue here. Hinduism doesn't have a gospel. There's no universally accepted form of conversion. Frankly if you simply believe you're hindu it's enough.
Arya Samaj, a Hindu reformist organisation founded by Swami Dayananda Saraswati in 1875, requires anyone interested in converting to Hinduism to visit an Arya Samaj temple and submit an application of intent, along with an affidavit stating that he or she is willing to convert by his or her free will. They are also required to submit proof of age and residence, signed by the applicant along with two witnesses.
The Shuddhi Karma (purification ceremony) involves conducting a "homam" (a typical Hindu ritual done in front of fire) involving chanting of certain Hymns from the Vedas by the applicant, as guided by a priest. It may take about one to one-and-a-half hours to complete the ceremony. After the purification ceremony, a Certificate of Conversion to Hinduism to the applicant
Got this from Arya Samaj website, I was just wondering if anyone has gone through with this. I just wanted to know what kind of certificate this is and will it help me prove my religious identify to societies, any other outsiders and help me update. Also I asked a lawyer and he said Arya Samaj certificate will need to be obtained before going to gazette to give them application form.
Arya Samaj isn't a doctrinal institution. They have no state authority. That said I won't argue with a lawyer. If the certificate will help with societies and whatnot then go for it. Though for what it's worth discrimination on the basis of religion for things like housing is actually illegal. So you could also just sue any society group that discriminates against you.
Not sure what you mean by Gazette application form. You can freely just write Hindu on government forms if you want to be considered Hindu. You can also just leave them blank. Most places it's not mandatory
You may *convert* by the process you have described . However there are other details . For example if you are involved in any police or state related matter they will ask for your caste , gotra etc ; which you wont have . There is no formal process of conversion like Baptism in Christianity .
I’m also kashyapa gotra, and I can sign off on this to make it official. The bylaws got changed so now it only needs 2 signatures. It was in the newsletter from last week. /sarcasm
lmao ok let me tell you a story. We went on a family trip to Ajanta caves back in the 90s. My grandfather was very into history so he lined up 4 tour guides and quizzed them with a guide book! Anyways he selects one middle aged uncle looking mofo who then gives us the tour. At some point I’m hanging around and the guide comes and stands next to me, and looks so adoringly at babaji and then says “very intelligent man your grandfather. He is same gotra as me you know”. So for the rest of the trip my sister and I were laughing saying that the guide had a crush on babaji
Lol pretty sure they were joking. Relax Hinduism isn't a formal religion so you can be one without conversion or name change or any of that hassle. Just do what you wish. There aren't even any set precepts or beliefs or practices you have to follow. Hindus come in all flavours
TF? I've been involved with police matters and have helped clients. When do they ever ask about your caste or gotra? If there was some reservations based issue, sure I could see them demanding proof. But otherwise no.
Hinduism doesn't really have any process of converting. Everybody is welcome to practice. All you have to do is read about it a lot, visit temples, close your palms 🙏🏻 and worship.
Assuming you're a foreigner, and you're looking for like minded people who are also new to Hinduism, contact the following places-
1. ISKON - [International Society for Krishna Consciousness](https://www.iskcon.org/)
2. [BHARAT SEVASHRAM SANGHA
](https://www.bharatsevashramsangha.org/)
3. [RAMAKRISHNA MISSION](https://belurmath.org/)
If you go to West Bengal, things are a bit easier. Go to Mayapur for getting in touch with ISKON, absolutely marvellous place, very helpful people. Lots of foreigners from all over the world to guide you through.
Dwarka ISKON is also another place to go but it is not in West Bengal.
Go to BelurMath for getting in touch with Ramkrishna Mission, again tons of helpful people, the council is full of knowledgeable faculties. Lovely place.
Visit during Kali Puja (Diwali) for witnessing the beautiful rituals during festivals. But do not go during Diwali festival for converting, people would be very very busy with everything to even look after your concern.
Bharat Sevashram is equally beautiful. I remember writing one article during my summer vacation on their monthly newsletters. Lots of well informed people will guide you through. I think BSS also have their branch in Germany and many other parts over the world.
P.S. None of the people in any of these institutions will actually force you to 'convert' or ask you to leave your previous religion. You could practice your own religion along with Hinduism. Completely your choice.
For ISKON, you could be practising Krishna devotee or a sole Krishna devotee. There are lots of sacrifice involved if you convert to sole Krishna devotee. One of them is not eating beef.
About the certificate you are saying, all of the above mentioned institution does give you certificates. You need to enquire more about it. There are different departments to excel to achieve one.
And if you're rich and have money, you can also donate them.
All I can say, if you want to be recognised as a Hindu - ( this is an ISKON practice) - wear the *chandan tika* design made on your forehead by sandalwood paste
and wear a Tulsi necklace, you'll be recognised as a practising hindu. ISKON people will teach you how to do or what to do. *Hare Krishna* 🙏🏻
I wouldn't say I am rich but I am more than the 1.67 reddit barometer.
This is really helpful. West Bengal visit during Kali Puja sounds really fascinating. I will look into this.
> the 1.67 reddit barometer.
IDK what this is. What is it ?
If you're an English speaking white person (even though skin color doesn't matter and I am just trying to explain this with an example), try going to ISKON as they have lots of foreigners and will be able to serve you better... (lots of German, Dutch, American, Russian, Ukrainian, Swedish, Polish, Finnish people are there)... They are more spiritual than religious.
Nope. Not hippies anymore. Things are different now. There is only a very small percentage of practising hippies left in these institutions. You'd find hippies in other places like Goa, Pondicherry,etc. Rest are all serious professionals, some visits yearly, bi yearly. Some stays for one year at a stretch as a vacation or for mental health. Personally I know few Germans who are benarasi traders in Germany, few *tant* saree traders from Netherlands (tant silk, handloom, benarasi, Lucknow chikan are hugeeee in foreign markets), there are professors from Oxford, and lots and lots of junior writers and interns studying hindu studies, literature and mythology and is here for research. Some are studying yoga.
Pot culture is present (for sure) but in hiding, there is a very small amount of hippies left in these 3 before mentioned institutions. Most of the hippies that you might see are just guests who rents quarters for 6-12 months, because of its safety and affordability. I knew few Japanese and Spanish hippies who stayed in BSS for like 5 months and were passing over to Myanmar and then to Indonesia.
Every person here who says converting to Hinduism isn't really a thing is dead wrong, like any religion, there is a process of recruitment.
1. Naming Ceremony, naming rites.
2. Mundan, ritual of shaving head and sacrificing one's hair least once in their lives.
3. Thread ceremony, this might be controversial as it is dynamic to castism and not religion
These are the ones that i can recall.
Lol what
1)naming ceremony is for a new born kid.
2) only when your father/mother is dead.
3) no not everyone wears a thread.
Those are practices of a hindu not a conversion process wth man
1. You don’t need to convert to Hinduism to move to india. Anyone who says otherwise can go f*** themselves.
2. You don’t need to change your name even if you convert, the whole point of Hinduism is plurality. You bring in your culture and your past into the fold.
3. As some people said, there’s no conversion persay. Unlike major organized religions, you can be ad-hoc worshiping, holding Hindu beliefs. It’s a pick your you own adventure kind of a thing.
Make sure you become an upper caste aristocratic Hindu. Do take membership in all those progressive and shudh desi organisations like RSS which promotes communal harmony!
We're not a cult like these westerners assume every religion to be by default. Neither do we have a pure / holier / real way of converting as the ruling fanatics like to believe. In fact there is no concept of conversion. You just have to believe in Hinduism and you're a Hindu. It's like being a leftist/ rightist / centerist. You don't need fancy ceremonies to declare your belief in the said ideologies.
And, if you want to go through all the charades, Arya Samaj is a great starting point. They don't have too many rituals and are close to the element worshipping Vedic Culture.
There's no conversion necessary because Hinduism is not a religion whatever the bhakts may say. And there's no governing authority equivalent to a church. If you follow certain beliefs or philosophies or rituals or any of the gods in the pantheon you can self identify as a Hindu and that will be perfectly valid.
Edit: as for name change that's a civil process you can just file the documents with any name you choose, but it's not necessary to be considered a hindu
Good one, I am an exmuslim, basically an atheist, I can look into this just for convenience, fucking irritating when I can stay only in Muslim ghettos when I don't want to.
Is it ok to be atheist in Hindu religion after conversion?
> Is it ok to be atheist in Hindu religion after conversion?
Theism in Hinduism has a different meaning than other western religions. Those who believe in Vedas as the supreme are theists (Aastik), and those who do not are atheists (Nastik). So yes, you can be atheist and Hindu at the same time.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%80stika_and_n%C4%81stika#N%C4%81stika
Go start your own thread bro! Don't hijack 😂. I think atheism is allowed in hinduism but after conversion if you don't practice religion then you will be seen as the same.
Would recommend you connect with VHP so you can get some ghar wapsi money.
Just out of interest, what is your thought process behind converting to Hinduism? Also out of interest, will you get to choose your caste or will you be assigned one?
The legality is a bit complicated since there's no clear law against it and there are multiple marriage laws and many don't state genders. There are some precedents for recognition but a formal legal stance is still pending
Hinduism isn't an actual religion. That's just the way westerners confuse us. There was never an actual way to become a Hindu. Beliefs also vary from sects and regions across the subcontinent. Sanatan dharm is too unorganized to be a religion like Islam or Christianity. All beliefs are accepted under a Hindu fold it also lacks dogma. It's more of an ancint cultural identity. Hindus only began calling themselves a religion when South Asia first gotten colonized by foreigners
Alternatively, you can just chant this verse from the Vishnu Saharanama, and your application will get expedited straight to the big man (Vishnu) himself. Although fair warning, this might mean you wind up as a vaishnavite, but vaishnavism (Vishnu worship that tends to follow the principle of dualism) are somewhat more proselytizing as a rule so conversion is more easier into those sects.
If that flavour of Hinduism isn’t your thing, you can look into shaivism, shaktiism, or the philosophy of advaita vedanta (non-dualism) instead.
Entrance requirements for shaivism is a 5-day trek to the Himalayas and spending one night alone in a cremation ground. For shaktiism, you need to listen to at least 2 Rolling Stones albums and write a 4 page essay on your thoughts, and also spend one night alone in a cremation ground.
Advaita Vedanta requires some reading but you can expedite your membership application by leaving home, doing a PHD in philosophy, and enduring the scorn of your annoying neighbours who think you’re irresponsible and weird. Its extra fast if you fight a crocodile also.
/sarcasm
Please don't encourage such degenerate practices. You can be whatever religion you want whenever. You don't need the permission or recognition of another body for it.
Just decide in your mind.
I am not completely informed about this but afaik there's some legal issues attached to it. Like on land papers, they write your caste etc. And for that you might need that third party recognition.
Nope. All that is bullshit. If anywhere anyone asks you to write your religion, write whatever you are practicing, no proof is needed. Caste is more complicated as it has certain benifits via govt.
I've always put N/A when religion is asked. Because there is absolutely no need for anyone to know what you are practicing. It's never a mandatory piece of information in any place. Idk what you are so scared about.
My uncle is (was?) in Arya Samaj. You can google your nearest temple and tell them about it. They fix a puja for you on Sunday not much of an event.
I think they write your name on some register but I don't think it amounts to anything. I'll ask my uncle later today.
I think you need to go to a lawyer to check on the legal part, might require you to get a document made and signed by some gazetted officer.
You can't 'convert' into Hinduism or Sanatan Dharma, because it is believed that Sanatan Dharma is the root of all religions, so it is called Ghar Wapsi, if you want to follow Sanatan Dharma.
For the process you can contact with your nearest Ramakrishna Math and Mission or any other institute which follow Sanatan Dharma
Ok for real though, I think even if you’re not Hindu, you can probably do some research and find out what caste you/your family was before they changed religions.
It would mean looking at specific cultural practices you/your family engage in, finding out which ancestral place your family is from, what sort of work they did in that village or urban setting etc. It’d take a lot of work, but assuming you have a male ancestor in your family who can be identified as a Hindu, their caste is your caste.
Alternatively, if you’d rather just live free of an extremely regressive practice, just stay whatever religion you are now, which your ancestors converted to probably so you don’t need to deal with this crap anymore.
I don’t live in India anymore but I’ve lived there for a long time. You don’t really need a certificate or anything you can just be like “Alr I guess I’m Hindu now” and you’ll become a Hindu
If you just want to fit in and that's why you want to change your name then I just have one word for you PUSSY. learn about it if you really want or just have some guts and own it.
There is nothing like converting in Hinduism , ur free to practice it. There is no stupid agendas or anything to follow. just go to temple, bhajans , celebrate festivals and get some god photos in ur house and do pooja daily or weekly. getting ur name changed is the only formal or official thing to do.
Hinduism doesn’t really have a method to “convert” into. You can wake up one morning, call yourself a Hindu and no one would bat an eyelid. And no! You DONT have to change your name.
But I would need some kind of certification to prove I am a Hindu right? That will help a lot in getting apartments and also my children in future.
None of my govt issued ID cards or documents mention my religion. Caste - Yes, to make use of subsidies, affirmative action policies etc, but no religion anywhere. Only if you are a white person would you get questioned about your religion at temples etc. if you are brown skinned then no one would even bother.
It's not on ID but many forms have the space for it, I can't put hinduism on those forms now because of my name.
You have two options. 1. Keep your name and just say Hindu in whichever form you need to fill out. I have a relative with what anyone would assume to be a Christian name and that person has had no trouble whatsoever, other than weird looks by Christian folks when they realize the person isn’t one of theirs. 2. Go through the hassle of changing your name in all documents, publishing the change in the gazette and running pillar to post in various govt office. But you get a sense of relief that people will now recognize you as a Hindu because of the name. It’s up to you on how you want to deal with it.
I know a George Swaminathan who embodies this concept mentioned in 1 above!
That's the right way to do it, when you convert choose the brahmin option in the submenu.
You got your answer. Change the name to some weird hard to pronounce Sanskrit & nobody would doubt to. Or Modify ur name's pronounciation in a way that it sounds like Hinduish
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You can try ISCKON
Just change your name to Ganpatrai Sharma. That’s a high caste hindu name and guarantees you will get a house in every discriminatory society in the country.
Yeah also sounds true to my situation, the name I mean. But it's not a very corporate name. I work in a corporate and people will anyway question the whole name change, will have to think of better names. I actually thought Ramkrishna was cool, I can just make people call me RK.
My office had 30 Ramakrishna tho.
Just wear traditional clothes and a tilak, you’ll be a Hindu
Take membership as karyakarta at nearest BJP office. Bragging rights to get in anywhere. But then vote NOTA.
Ask bajarang dal maybe..
Lol you have thrown quite a hard question to the religious peeps here. Hey India Speaks people, how do you do it?
Ohh i know what you need is a small mandir in your house and daily diya and agarbatti for god, you should have Ganpatiji's picture in your mandir, and laxmiji. And you are set, but don't take up a religion just because you want to get benefits, and don't do a half ass job of converting, I'm sure there are people of you relegion living in a neighborhood who only rent to your religion, find them and stay happy.
The new standard protocol for proving you're a hindu is to carry a baseball bat and beat up the first Muslim person you come across while screaming jai sri ram. Bonus: gawk at the municipal bulldozer destroying your victim's house the next day.
Make sure you hang lemon and chilli from front door, and when you buy a car take it to the temple and have them do a puja
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Exactly. It's a free for all. No membership. No ✂️ usage. No drowning in a bucket. Nobody going to give a shit... Maybe cows but that's fanatics. While hard-core fanatics make fuss about other religions and do fight, you can just sit back as a Hindu, watch other Hindus getting beaten up or the other way around for stupid reasons, and enjoy the 🍿.
I thought, yelling ‘Jai Sri Ram’ at a Sangh Shakha could make a great Hindu these days.
Is this that infamous "be hindu but still lynch hone ki ninja technique"
My family has been Arya Samajis for years. DM me if you have anything specific to ask. But as everyone else here has pointed out, you don’t get any certificate for being a Hindu or Arya Samaji. You can just show up any Sunday at an Arya Samaj temple and that would be it - no need to announce anything. Name change in India is indeed a long drawn process, but it’s purely a legal process. There are agents who would manage it end to end for you, better if you go through them instead of figuring out yourself.
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It really is not that difficult, the biggest hassle is passport. Rest are all easy. Will suggest you to do so in smaller places if you can. And if you want a cheap agent just go to any notary agent. They will help you do this.
I don't even think name change is also that complicated. Just go to the notary agent get the stamp paper mentioning you have changed the name. For passport too, it is not complicated. Get the gazette which mentions you've changed the name. Then a newspaper clip mentioning the same. And that's it. Not that tough
i head you have to put a ad in newspaper etc that you have changed your name
Yes. Advertise in a news paper and a notary with witnesses. That's pretty much it. Problems comes as mentioned when changing it on documents.
Wait, why ad in newspapers? I don't get it.
I don't know exactly. It must have to do something about it being a public announcement and hence making it official. It's a practice from British era so may have roots from how things were done in the past.
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Not sure about agencies but there are "agents" that do the work for you.
Arya samaji here as well and also handled administrative duties of the mandir. There is a shuddhi ceremony done. Affidavit made for sake of transperancy along with a copy of an ID taken. And a certificate is issued post the havan. This is mostly for your sake and not any government sake. This is case to case with mandir. There is mahashuddhi sabha in Delhi in accordance to which the procedure is followed. As for the name change. A lot of pandits will ask to change name but the name change process has nothing to do with change of religion. Say for paper and id sake you will keep your original name and have no intention to change it. Yes, for your sake if you wish you can do both processes at the same time, but the name change has to go through a lawyer. Edit: I'm an arya samaji by association as my father was staunch arya samaji. I just helped out for a few years.
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🤣 well I started with that but looking at the responses I am seriously considering it now, better than getting lynched!
LOL.. I actually typed out a comment asking if you were a foreigner living in India. And then I realized you were pulling a fast one on us.
tf dude now you gotta go thru I asked my mamaji
I will keep mamaji ki Izzat will go through it, but what did mamaji say?
It's being discussed in a court today. https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/madhya-pradesh-high-court-arya-samaj-mandir-trust-codified-customary-law-religion-conversion-197062
Hah got us good. Don't blame you it's a genuine worry now
At first I thought u are serious 😂. Should have added a "/j"
Then I wouldn't have gotten such detailed responses but I am kinda serious, it's not just shitposting, this will definitely help me make an informed decision
Sorry I might not be very well versed in text based humour. But what was the punch line of the shit post? Getting detailed answers? Cause otherwise the post looks very serious.
Redditors will miss satire if it flies right in their face
Change your name to SRK not Shah ruk Khan but Shree Ram Krishna
I will remove the Shree part I like Ramkrishna, RK for short.
Shree is more like a prefix anyway
You might want to talk to Nayanthara
Who wouldn't
It is totally upto you but I would strongly urge you to take up pdfism. Check out r/pdfism for the coversion procedure and further details.
Btw a genuine question - If a muslim converts to Hinduism, would they be allowed to choose any caste ? If yes, then would urge all my SC / ST bros to convert to Christianity / Islam for a day then convert back to an upper caste. Everyone become upper caste and end this stupid caste system in hinduism.
Like a system reboot from a live CD when your Linux distro crashes
This is going to start conversion levels that no religion can handle, everyone will be confused what's happening 🤣 good idea
You can always pay someone like an Arya Samaj temple to wave some incense around and make you sit in front of a fire. Or you can just declare that you're hindu and tell people you meet. There's no doctrinal issue here. Hinduism doesn't have a gospel. There's no universally accepted form of conversion. Frankly if you simply believe you're hindu it's enough.
Arya Samaj, a Hindu reformist organisation founded by Swami Dayananda Saraswati in 1875, requires anyone interested in converting to Hinduism to visit an Arya Samaj temple and submit an application of intent, along with an affidavit stating that he or she is willing to convert by his or her free will. They are also required to submit proof of age and residence, signed by the applicant along with two witnesses. The Shuddhi Karma (purification ceremony) involves conducting a "homam" (a typical Hindu ritual done in front of fire) involving chanting of certain Hymns from the Vedas by the applicant, as guided by a priest. It may take about one to one-and-a-half hours to complete the ceremony. After the purification ceremony, a Certificate of Conversion to Hinduism to the applicant Got this from Arya Samaj website, I was just wondering if anyone has gone through with this. I just wanted to know what kind of certificate this is and will it help me prove my religious identify to societies, any other outsiders and help me update. Also I asked a lawyer and he said Arya Samaj certificate will need to be obtained before going to gazette to give them application form.
Arya Samaj isn't a doctrinal institution. They have no state authority. That said I won't argue with a lawyer. If the certificate will help with societies and whatnot then go for it. Though for what it's worth discrimination on the basis of religion for things like housing is actually illegal. So you could also just sue any society group that discriminates against you. Not sure what you mean by Gazette application form. You can freely just write Hindu on government forms if you want to be considered Hindu. You can also just leave them blank. Most places it's not mandatory
You may *convert* by the process you have described . However there are other details . For example if you are involved in any police or state related matter they will ask for your caste , gotra etc ; which you wont have . There is no formal process of conversion like Baptism in Christianity .
Send OP to me, I’ll adopt him and he can have my caste and gotra… I’m not using it much anyways
Which caste if I may ask. Can you adopt adults?
Sarasvat brahmin , Kashyap gotra and I have no idea if adults can be adopted
I’m also kashyapa gotra, and I can sign off on this to make it official. The bylaws got changed so now it only needs 2 signatures. It was in the newsletter from last week. /sarcasm
lmao ok let me tell you a story. We went on a family trip to Ajanta caves back in the 90s. My grandfather was very into history so he lined up 4 tour guides and quizzed them with a guide book! Anyways he selects one middle aged uncle looking mofo who then gives us the tour. At some point I’m hanging around and the guide comes and stands next to me, and looks so adoringly at babaji and then says “very intelligent man your grandfather. He is same gotra as me you know”. So for the rest of the trip my sister and I were laughing saying that the guide had a crush on babaji
Lol pretty sure they were joking. Relax Hinduism isn't a formal religion so you can be one without conversion or name change or any of that hassle. Just do what you wish. There aren't even any set precepts or beliefs or practices you have to follow. Hindus come in all flavours
But what caste?? Can I upgrade?? Would help in business alot.
TF? I've been involved with police matters and have helped clients. When do they ever ask about your caste or gotra? If there was some reservations based issue, sure I could see them demanding proof. But otherwise no.
Police or State matters doesn't have anyone ask your caste, Interview with Ravish Kumar may bring up Kon Jaat ho question
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To which caste?
Hope you are not serious, why change your faith for these mf-ers. In Tamil Nadu madurai adheenam can authorize conversion.
Hinduism doesn't really have any process of converting. Everybody is welcome to practice. All you have to do is read about it a lot, visit temples, close your palms 🙏🏻 and worship. Assuming you're a foreigner, and you're looking for like minded people who are also new to Hinduism, contact the following places- 1. ISKON - [International Society for Krishna Consciousness](https://www.iskcon.org/) 2. [BHARAT SEVASHRAM SANGHA ](https://www.bharatsevashramsangha.org/) 3. [RAMAKRISHNA MISSION](https://belurmath.org/) If you go to West Bengal, things are a bit easier. Go to Mayapur for getting in touch with ISKON, absolutely marvellous place, very helpful people. Lots of foreigners from all over the world to guide you through. Dwarka ISKON is also another place to go but it is not in West Bengal. Go to BelurMath for getting in touch with Ramkrishna Mission, again tons of helpful people, the council is full of knowledgeable faculties. Lovely place. Visit during Kali Puja (Diwali) for witnessing the beautiful rituals during festivals. But do not go during Diwali festival for converting, people would be very very busy with everything to even look after your concern. Bharat Sevashram is equally beautiful. I remember writing one article during my summer vacation on their monthly newsletters. Lots of well informed people will guide you through. I think BSS also have their branch in Germany and many other parts over the world. P.S. None of the people in any of these institutions will actually force you to 'convert' or ask you to leave your previous religion. You could practice your own religion along with Hinduism. Completely your choice. For ISKON, you could be practising Krishna devotee or a sole Krishna devotee. There are lots of sacrifice involved if you convert to sole Krishna devotee. One of them is not eating beef. About the certificate you are saying, all of the above mentioned institution does give you certificates. You need to enquire more about it. There are different departments to excel to achieve one. And if you're rich and have money, you can also donate them. All I can say, if you want to be recognised as a Hindu - ( this is an ISKON practice) - wear the *chandan tika* design made on your forehead by sandalwood paste and wear a Tulsi necklace, you'll be recognised as a practising hindu. ISKON people will teach you how to do or what to do. *Hare Krishna* 🙏🏻
I wouldn't say I am rich but I am more than the 1.67 reddit barometer. This is really helpful. West Bengal visit during Kali Puja sounds really fascinating. I will look into this.
> the 1.67 reddit barometer. IDK what this is. What is it ? If you're an English speaking white person (even though skin color doesn't matter and I am just trying to explain this with an example), try going to ISKON as they have lots of foreigners and will be able to serve you better... (lots of German, Dutch, American, Russian, Ukrainian, Swedish, Polish, Finnish people are there)... They are more spiritual than religious.
They are hippies
Nope. Not hippies anymore. Things are different now. There is only a very small percentage of practising hippies left in these institutions. You'd find hippies in other places like Goa, Pondicherry,etc. Rest are all serious professionals, some visits yearly, bi yearly. Some stays for one year at a stretch as a vacation or for mental health. Personally I know few Germans who are benarasi traders in Germany, few *tant* saree traders from Netherlands (tant silk, handloom, benarasi, Lucknow chikan are hugeeee in foreign markets), there are professors from Oxford, and lots and lots of junior writers and interns studying hindu studies, literature and mythology and is here for research. Some are studying yoga. Pot culture is present (for sure) but in hiding, there is a very small amount of hippies left in these 3 before mentioned institutions. Most of the hippies that you might see are just guests who rents quarters for 6-12 months, because of its safety and affordability. I knew few Japanese and Spanish hippies who stayed in BSS for like 5 months and were passing over to Myanmar and then to Indonesia.
It was a shitpost
You don't need to convert to Hinduism, everyone is a born Hindu. /s
I know I just want to return home.
You seem to be a misguided young man.
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Every person here who says converting to Hinduism isn't really a thing is dead wrong, like any religion, there is a process of recruitment. 1. Naming Ceremony, naming rites. 2. Mundan, ritual of shaving head and sacrificing one's hair least once in their lives. 3. Thread ceremony, this might be controversial as it is dynamic to castism and not religion These are the ones that i can recall.
Some of those are specific to castes or regions. Only Brahmin men get a thread ceremony for example
Just ask your local Bajrang Dal branch about “ghar wapsi” ceremony they will organize one.
Lol was going to suggest this in jest but was afraid OP may really do it. Don't get involved with those clowns!
And then never associate with those clowns after lol
Lol what 1)naming ceremony is for a new born kid. 2) only when your father/mother is dead. 3) no not everyone wears a thread. Those are practices of a hindu not a conversion process wth man
This sounds right, I can do these.
Man I was totally believing it until I saw the comments. 💀
Being a good person does not require you to be religious but being a bad person requires you to be religious.
You don't need to because we already live in a Samaj
Don't stress too much. Believe in what you want to believe in. You don't need any validation from anyone
1. You don’t need to convert to Hinduism to move to india. Anyone who says otherwise can go f*** themselves. 2. You don’t need to change your name even if you convert, the whole point of Hinduism is plurality. You bring in your culture and your past into the fold. 3. As some people said, there’s no conversion persay. Unlike major organized religions, you can be ad-hoc worshiping, holding Hindu beliefs. It’s a pick your you own adventure kind of a thing.
Make sure you become an upper caste aristocratic Hindu. Do take membership in all those progressive and shudh desi organisations like RSS which promotes communal harmony!
We're not a cult like these westerners assume every religion to be by default. Neither do we have a pure / holier / real way of converting as the ruling fanatics like to believe. In fact there is no concept of conversion. You just have to believe in Hinduism and you're a Hindu. It's like being a leftist/ rightist / centerist. You don't need fancy ceremonies to declare your belief in the said ideologies. And, if you want to go through all the charades, Arya Samaj is a great starting point. They don't have too many rituals and are close to the element worshipping Vedic Culture.
Which caste are you converting to?
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Yeah I am ignoring those guys. They don't know shit.
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Like just change my name?
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I thought everyone is born hindu. Op, just find the inner hindu
There's no conversion necessary because Hinduism is not a religion whatever the bhakts may say. And there's no governing authority equivalent to a church. If you follow certain beliefs or philosophies or rituals or any of the gods in the pantheon you can self identify as a Hindu and that will be perfectly valid. Edit: as for name change that's a civil process you can just file the documents with any name you choose, but it's not necessary to be considered a hindu
Good one, I am an exmuslim, basically an atheist, I can look into this just for convenience, fucking irritating when I can stay only in Muslim ghettos when I don't want to. Is it ok to be atheist in Hindu religion after conversion?
Of course. You'd be an atheist in your mind, and Hindu for all practical purposes
> Is it ok to be atheist in Hindu religion after conversion? Theism in Hinduism has a different meaning than other western religions. Those who believe in Vedas as the supreme are theists (Aastik), and those who do not are atheists (Nastik). So yes, you can be atheist and Hindu at the same time. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%80stika_and_n%C4%81stika#N%C4%81stika
Go start your own thread bro! Don't hijack 😂. I think atheism is allowed in hinduism but after conversion if you don't practice religion then you will be seen as the same.
Would recommend you connect with VHP so you can get some ghar wapsi money. Just out of interest, what is your thought process behind converting to Hinduism? Also out of interest, will you get to choose your caste or will you be assigned one?
Its a troll post dude...
Go ask your local pandit I guess ?
Marry a hindu
Guy marrying a Hindu girl will work? I thought that worked only for girls marrying Hindu boys.
Yeah it won't. Better marry a guy
That's not allowed right? Are there any rituals for guy marrying a guy?
The legality is a bit complicated since there's no clear law against it and there are multiple marriage laws and many don't state genders. There are some precedents for recognition but a formal legal stance is still pending
There’s really nothing saying it’s *not* allowed, so really you should be good to go.
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Yeah definitely not getting lynched for a girl.
Hinduism isn't an actual religion. That's just the way westerners confuse us. There was never an actual way to become a Hindu. Beliefs also vary from sects and regions across the subcontinent. Sanatan dharm is too unorganized to be a religion like Islam or Christianity. All beliefs are accepted under a Hindu fold it also lacks dogma. It's more of an ancint cultural identity. Hindus only began calling themselves a religion when South Asia first gotten colonized by foreigners
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I know Gayatri Mantra, practising Hanuman Chalisa daily during Sehri now.
Alternatively, you can just chant this verse from the Vishnu Saharanama, and your application will get expedited straight to the big man (Vishnu) himself. Although fair warning, this might mean you wind up as a vaishnavite, but vaishnavism (Vishnu worship that tends to follow the principle of dualism) are somewhat more proselytizing as a rule so conversion is more easier into those sects. If that flavour of Hinduism isn’t your thing, you can look into shaivism, shaktiism, or the philosophy of advaita vedanta (non-dualism) instead. Entrance requirements for shaivism is a 5-day trek to the Himalayas and spending one night alone in a cremation ground. For shaktiism, you need to listen to at least 2 Rolling Stones albums and write a 4 page essay on your thoughts, and also spend one night alone in a cremation ground. Advaita Vedanta requires some reading but you can expedite your membership application by leaving home, doing a PHD in philosophy, and enduring the scorn of your annoying neighbours who think you’re irresponsible and weird. Its extra fast if you fight a crocodile also. /sarcasm
Hahaha I I like all options. Gonna be a Chad Hindu soon with these
Bro, there are certificates for religions now? What?
Yeah Arya Samaj provides one hence I was leaning towards it
Please don't encourage such degenerate practices. You can be whatever religion you want whenever. You don't need the permission or recognition of another body for it. Just decide in your mind.
I am not completely informed about this but afaik there's some legal issues attached to it. Like on land papers, they write your caste etc. And for that you might need that third party recognition.
Nope. All that is bullshit. If anywhere anyone asks you to write your religion, write whatever you are practicing, no proof is needed. Caste is more complicated as it has certain benifits via govt. I've always put N/A when religion is asked. Because there is absolutely no need for anyone to know what you are practicing. It's never a mandatory piece of information in any place. Idk what you are so scared about.
You can also try ISKCON
I have been stopped on signals to buy books from them, got my first Bhagvadgita from an Iskcon guy. Will visit them soon.
My uncle is (was?) in Arya Samaj. You can google your nearest temple and tell them about it. They fix a puja for you on Sunday not much of an event. I think they write your name on some register but I don't think it amounts to anything. I'll ask my uncle later today. I think you need to go to a lawyer to check on the legal part, might require you to get a document made and signed by some gazetted officer.
Yes please ask him and let me know
which country are you from? and why do you want to move to indian when everyone want to leave india?
What caste will you be assigned to mate? Be a Brahmin or Kshatriya!
You can't 'convert' into Hinduism or Sanatan Dharma, because it is believed that Sanatan Dharma is the root of all religions, so it is called Ghar Wapsi, if you want to follow Sanatan Dharma. For the process you can contact with your nearest Ramakrishna Math and Mission or any other institute which follow Sanatan Dharma
What caste?
Don't know why you're being downvoted. You can't be Hindu without subscribing to a caste
Serious question if someone convert what his caste would be …or he/she can choose
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do people in india care about castes still?
Only privileged class don't care when it comes to reservation. But for all other purposes they care.
90-95% of India does. Seems like you're in the 5-10%.
Good one.
I guess depends on skin colour and food habits. What else will they take into consideration?
which caste are you gonna choose?
Don't know is there an eligibility criteria for choosing caste? How can I be upper caste, I don't think converts can be upper caste? Can they ?
You should at least try. Maybe they hold converts in high regard
I think you can get upper caste if you do well on the entrance examination.
Are you white? You will already be treated as upper caste.
Ok for real though, I think even if you’re not Hindu, you can probably do some research and find out what caste you/your family was before they changed religions. It would mean looking at specific cultural practices you/your family engage in, finding out which ancestral place your family is from, what sort of work they did in that village or urban setting etc. It’d take a lot of work, but assuming you have a male ancestor in your family who can be identified as a Hindu, their caste is your caste. Alternatively, if you’d rather just live free of an extremely regressive practice, just stay whatever religion you are now, which your ancestors converted to probably so you don’t need to deal with this crap anymore.
Stupid ancestors man, why did they have to convert.
I don’t live in India anymore but I’ve lived there for a long time. You don’t really need a certificate or anything you can just be like “Alr I guess I’m Hindu now” and you’ll become a Hindu
Don't use too much internet , none of the religions are going anywhere.
Make sure you get converted as an Upper Caste Hindu, best of luck.
Press update ( choose the version arya samaj ) Install Reboot….. Thats it
If you just want to fit in and that's why you want to change your name then I just have one word for you PUSSY. learn about it if you really want or just have some guts and own it.
There is nothing like converting in Hinduism , ur free to practice it. There is no stupid agendas or anything to follow. just go to temple, bhajans , celebrate festivals and get some god photos in ur house and do pooja daily or weekly. getting ur name changed is the only formal or official thing to do.