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WHAT CAN ONE PERSON DO?
Dr. BABU SUSEELAN
What can one person do? People who are concerned about the state of
Hindus around the world and want to correct it frequently ask this
question. More often than that, it is asked in a form that indicates the
cause of their helplessness: "What can one Hindu do?" "How
can an individual propagate the ideals of Hinduism on a scale large
enough to effect the immense changes which must be made in every walk of
life in order to create the kind of ideal society? Some ask the right
questions, some feel that some wider scale of action is required. Many
others ask the question, but do nothing. Some expect to perform
instantaneous miracles; some however paralyze themselves by projecting an
impossible goal. Some want to overhaul Hindu society overnight, and they
tend to regard knowledge of Hinduism as irrelevant.
CHANGING MINDSETS
If you are a Hindu and are concerned with the present state of affairs,
begin by identifying the nature of the problem. The battle is primarily
intellectual, not merely political. Politics is the practical
implementation of the ideas that dominate our culture. One cannot fight
or change the consequences without fighting and changing the cause, nor
can one attempt any practical implementation without knowing what one
want to implement.
In an intellectual battle, one need not convince every one. History is
made of minorities, or more precisely, intellectual movements which are
created by minorities make history. Intellectuals with foresight and
commitment can develop abstract and functional strategies to change the
society. An intellectual battle is a battle for man's mind, not an
attempt to enlist blind followers. Only people who understand them can
propagate ideas. An organized movement has to be preceded by an
educational campaign, which required persons. Such trained persons are
the necessary precondition of any attempt to change the Hindu society.
The immense changes, which must be made in every walk of life, cannot be
made singly, piecemeal or retail. But the factor that underlies and
determines every aspect of Hindu life is Hindu ideals. Teach every man
the right Hindu ideals and his own mind will do the rest.
Hindus cannot exist without practicing and protecting
Hinduism. Every Hindu is not intellectual innovators, but they
are receptive to the ideas, when and if it is offered. There are also
great numbers of Hindus who are indifferent. Such Hindus accept
subconsciously dualistic and divisive ideas of other religions and
thoughts without critical evaluation. They also accept whatever is
offered by the distorted secular culture, and swing blindly with any
transient ideas. They are merely oscillators-be they politicians,
bureaucrats, businessmen, or educators-and by their own choice,
irrelevant to the fate of the world.
Today, most Hindus are acutely aware of cultural pollution, coercive
religious conversion, terrorism, ideological confusion, distorted
secularism, and political turmoil created by the pseudo secularists and
alienated intellectuals. But they are anxious, confused and groping for
answers. Are we able to enlighten them? Can we answer their questions?
Can we offer them a consistent ideology? Do we know how to convince them?
Are we immune from the fallout of the constant barrage aimed at the
destruction of a Hindu movement? To provide them with clear, consistent,
and correct concepts, we need an intellectual, social and political
struggle.
If we want to influence a country's intellectual trend, the first step is
to bring order to our own ideas and integrate them into a consistent
case, to the best of our knowledge and ability. Knowledge necessarily
includes the ability to apply abstract principles of Hinduism to concrete
problems, to recognize the principles to specific issues, to demonstrate
them, and to advocate a consistent course of action. Our Rishis and Acharayas have
given us philosophical guidelines in the Vedas, Upanishads and Darshanas.
When our convictions and commitment to Hinduism are in our conscious,
orderly control, we will be able to communicate them to others. This does
not mean one must make philosophical speeches on Hinduism when
unnecessary and inappropriate. We need the philosophy of Hinduism to back
us up and give us a consistent case when we deal with or discuss specific
issues.
How can we propagate our ideals of Hinduism? Do not wait for a national
audience. Speak on any scale open to you, large or small---to your
friends, your associates, your professional organizations, or any
legitimate public forum. You can never tell when your words will reach
the right mind at the right time. You will see no immediate results---but
it is of such activities that public opinion is made.
Make any issue or problem an ideological issue. An issue of Hindu ideals
versus sectarian philosophy (pluralistic, all inclusive, spiritual, open,
and systemic philosophy versus pseudo secular, fundamentalist, dualistic,
divisive, rigid, all exclusive, mechanical models).
Do not pass up a chance to express your views on important issues
affecting Hindus. Whether it is discrimination, prejudice, race
relations, international affairs, religious conversion, terrorism,
distorted secularism, fundamentalism, personal law, polygamy, or any
social, political or religious issues. Write letters to the editors of
newspapers and magazines, to TV and radio commentators and, above all, to
the political leaders.
Remember, the best democracy is still no guarantee against intolerance
and bigotry, and eternal vigilance is an expression that will never
become obsolete. The opportunities to speak about Hindu philosophy are
all around you. Hindus need to repeatedly examine incidence and issues of
prejudice and false propaganda. Hindus should not keep silent when the
philosophy of Hinduism and Hindu values are being questioned. Always be
vigilant and recognize warning signs of intolerance and its perpetrators,
and contribute to efforts to preserve religious freedom to practice and
promote Hindu values.
Always explore the nexus of pseudo-secularists and deprogrammers who want
to demoralize Hindus. Above all, do not join the wrong ideological groups
or movements, in order to do something. By ideological (in this context),
I mean group or movements proclaiming anti-Hindu values. Many anti-Hindu
groups substitute anarchism for liberal democracy, pluralism for
theological fundamentalism, and reason to whims and faith. To join such
groups means to reverse the noble philosophy of Hindus, and to sell out
pluralistic principles for the sake of some superficial and intolerant
ideologies. It means that you help defeat the noble values of Hinduism
and the victory of sectarian and exclusive ideas.
FORGE PARTNERSHIP
The groups one may properly join today are organized to achieve a single,
specific, clearly defined goal, on which men of differing regions and
backgrounds can agree. These groups have no hidden agenda, selfish
motives or sectarian political purpose. The other is an inner imposed
mandate of a personal mission and desire to assist those Hindus in
difficult circumstances to improve their life. It is important to
establish close working relationships with other Hindu organizations to
foster coordination, cooperation and coalitions addressing specific Hindu
needs. All across the globe thousands of volunteers regularly give their
time and talents to make a positive difference in the lives of Hindus.
They are proud of their part in a great endeavor. For Hindu society to
prosper and survive, we all must live up to our responsibilities as
Hindus.
It is a mistake to think that the intellectual movement to propagate
Hindu ideals is without difficulties. It requires a profound conviction,
that ideas based on Hinduism are important to you and to your own life.
If you integrate that conviction to every aspect of your life, you will
find many opportunities to enlighten others.
There is no short cut to achieve our objectives. Hindu philosophy is a
permanent fuel and ideological powerhouse. So propagate it with activism.
If others destroy our identity, and establish a mechanical, all exclusive,
narrow minded and rigid political philosophy and life style, it will be
the default of those who keep silent. We are still free enough to speak,
organize and act. Do we have time? No one can tell. But time is on our
side-because we have an indestructible and invincible thought
system-Hindu ideals.
(Note: Original article was
abbreviated and edited. - Editor)
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