ENCOUNTERING HINDU DHARMA Most of us are familiar with accounts of how a person has changed from one
religion to another, becoming a Christian, Muslim or a Buddhist. In the modern world we
are coming to recognize pluralism in religion just as in culture, ethnicity or language.
There is no more only one true religion for everyone than there is only one true race,
language or way of life.
However, going from Christianity to Hinduism is a rarer story,
particularly for a westerner, because Hinduism does not aim at conversion. Many people
think that Hinduism does not take new members at all. It is also a more complex tale
because Hinduism is not only a religion, but also a culture and, above all, a spiritual
path.
To enter into Hindu dharma involves much more than a shift of belief or
accepting a new prophet. To really understand Hindu dharma requires taking on a new way of
life, of which religion is only one aspect. As a
pluralistic system Hinduism does not require that we hold to a single belief or savior or
give up an open pursuit of truth.
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