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 First Hindu and Budhhist in Congress
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Posted on 11-08-12 2:03 PM     Reply [Subscribe]
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History was made yet few more times this election. Hawaii has elected the US first Hindu and Budhist congresswomen (note Nikki Haley and Bobby Zindal are both hindu/sikh turn Christians so they don't count):


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/07/buddhist-hindu-congress-mazie-hirono-tulsi-gabbard_n_2088939.html



Tuesday's elections brought two historic firsts for religion in American politics: A Buddhist senator and a Hindu representative -- both from Hawaii -- will join Congress.

Democrat Mazie Hirono beat former Gov. Linda Lingle (R), making Hirono the first Buddhist in the Senate. In Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District, Democrat Tulsi Gabbard defeated Republican opponent Kawika Crowley, making Gabbard the first Hindu in Congress.

Both elections were cheered by Hindu and Buddhist Americans, members of two faiths that share a common history that traces back to ancient India.

"These are all signs of dharmic communities being accepted in the country," said Anju Bhargava, founder of Hindu American Seva Charities. "It's all about inclusion and acceptance. The feeling that my faith and my people are accepted. Ultimately, politics comes down to 'how does it impact me?' or 'how am I included?' It will mean so much for the upcoming generations of Hindus and Buddhists."

Hirono, who was born in Japan, practices the Jodo Shinshu tradition of Buddhism. She was first elected to Congress in 2007 to represent Hawaii's 2nd District, the seat that Gabbard won Tuesday. Prior to that, Hirono served 14 years in the Hawaii state legislature and was the state’s lieutenant governor for eight years. She is also the first Asian-American woman senator and the first senator born in Japan.

“I certainly believe in the precepts of Buddhism and that of tolerance of other religions and integrity and honesty," she said when she first joined Congress.

Buddhism, which includes a widely diverse set of spiritual practices, is one of the largest religions in the U.S., but statistics vary on how many Buddhists live in the nation. Surveys have estimated the population between 1.5 and 3 million.


Gabbard, 31, was born in American Samoa, and raised by a Catholic father and a Hindu mother. She moved to Hawaii when she was 2 and in 2002, joined the Hawaii state legislature at age 21. She served in the Hawaii National Guard the next year and, in 2004, went to Baghdad to be a medical operations specialist. In 2008, she was deployed to Kuwait to work with the nation's counterterrorism trainees.

Gabbard chose to embrace the faith after her mother started practicing it when Gabbard was a teen. The congresswoman-elect, whose first name refers to a tree that's sacred to Hindus, follows the Vaishnava branch of Hinduism, which focuses on the Supreme Lord Vishnu and his 10 main incarnations. She relies upon the Bhagavad Gita as her main source of scripture.

In an interview with Religion News Service prior to her election, Gabbard said she hopes to be a bridge between cultures and nations. “Hopefully the presence in Congress of an American who happens to be Hindu will increase America's understanding of India as well as India's understanding of America," she said.

Like Buddhists, estimates of the Hindu-American community in the U.S. also vary. Largely made up of Indian-Americans, the Hindu population is between 600,000 to 2.3 million. Unlike most Hindus, Gabbard is not of Indian heritage. Her father is Samoan and her mother is a convert to Hinduism.

The two best-known Indian-Americans to be elected to office are Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, who was raised Hindu but converted to Catholicism, and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who was raised Sikh but converted to Methodism. Haley had both Christian and Sikh wedding ceremonies, and has said she attends Sikh services on occasion out of respect to her family's culture.

Hirono and Gabbard will join an increasingly diverse Congress. The first Muslim to join the House or Senate, Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), was first elected in 2006 and reelected for a fourth term on Tuesday. In 2008, Rep. Andre Carson (D-Ind.) was the second Muslim elected to Congress. In 2008, Rep. Hark Johnson (D-Ga.), another Buddhist, also joined Congress, making history with him and Hirono the first Buddhists to be elected to Congress.

More than a century prior, smaller religious groups also made headway into congressional seats for the first time. Lewis Charles Levin of the American Party was the first Jew elected to Congress in 1845, and represented Pennsylvania in the House. The first Mormon was John Milton Bernhisel, who joined Congress in 1851 to represent Utah. The only Sikh congressman, California Democrat Dalip Singh Saund, was elected for three terms beginning in 1957.

 
Posted on 11-08-12 3:07 PM     [Snapshot: 95]     Reply [Subscribe]
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Interesting but this is hardly surprising given the changing demographics of the US society.

What's rather surprising is none of the 500 sth congress and senate combined have a single person who is not religiously affiliated or has come out saying he/she is not a person of faith. Compare that stat with other countries.

http://chronicle.com/blogs/brainstorm/no-atheists-in-congress-why/31230

 
Posted on 11-08-12 3:29 PM     [Snapshot: 137]     Reply [Subscribe]
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That's a good question.
Polls have shown that the % of atheist in US could range from 6% (Gallop) to 15% (Aris report). Let's say 10% do not believe in any religion/God. That's a huge percentage, compare that to the homosexuals in America, which constitute around 3.4% (Gallop) and they already have few Congressmen/women (Barney Frank is one I know, there was another lady from CO elected who is openly gay). Could be a grassroot movement issue? Or people are just comfortable not divulging about their religious affiliation (or lack thereof) outright.
This should change in 10 years, guaranteed.
 
Posted on 11-09-12 9:30 AM     [Snapshot: 538]     Reply [Subscribe]
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 What an irony
The real sons/daughters of Hindu with ties to India gave up their religion and adopted something else for political reason. And now the "white" convert into Hindu comes along and her daughter insist of her mon's belief and get elected. If you have not read the story correct, Tulsi Gabbard is a mix race of Samoan and white. Her white mother practised Hinduism.This goes to show perseverence. Good for here. But what I know of Hinduism, you're NOT a hindu unless you're born into it. So technically, she is not a Hindu. Am I right? Don't we call "Hippy" for people like her mother? 
Last edited: 09-Nov-12 11:44 AM

 
Posted on 11-09-12 4:29 PM     [Snapshot: 708]     Reply [Subscribe]
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Vhotee, you got wrong info, you don't have to be born into it. Were you thinking of Brahman or Kshatriyas? Even the castes can be adopted/earned per the scripts.
 
Posted on 11-09-12 6:09 PM     [Snapshot: 737]     Reply [Subscribe]
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 Kiddo
That's the thing about these ancient beliefs. Time and time again, when we had discussion here on sajha before, many of the so called "expert" has used those phrases "You have to be born a Hindu". I don't care and don't know much, but it is very amusing that most people are so open to embrace positive things about religions, but when you point out negetive things, they get foul and loose judgement, become very defensive.
Ancient Hinduism is "Brahamism", what exactly type of Hindu are you talking about? Hare Rama, Hare Krishna is not a Hindu. You can change caste too? Are you sure you're reading the right book?
 
Posted on 11-09-12 6:34 PM     [Snapshot: 756]     Reply [Subscribe]
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@vhootee ..Can you expalin me how many types of Hindu there are then ? 
Hare Raam hare krishna is not Hindu ...LOL who told you this .
Next time don't tell me that God Shiva is not hindu coz he smokes "ganza" ..LOL .

 
Posted on 11-09-12 6:49 PM     [Snapshot: 766]     Reply [Subscribe]
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When somebody claims certain book or branch to be the definition of Hinduism, then be skeptic. Hindu religion has multitudes of books and scriptures. Relatively newer religions such as Christianism has so many versions of bible, it is bound to have the same with Hinduism. Is Geeta the ultimate book? Or is the four Vedas? Is "Ma" the creator of everything or is it Krishna. Our religion is based upon the ideas passed upon generations of generations, first via word of mouth and later via scriptures. As such you will find many variations and versions. So, please don't claim one aspect (Brahamism) being the sole hinduism.

You ask what book I am reading. Have you heard of Vishwamitra? Son of a Kshatriya, he later became a brahmin. Shivaji Maratha also changed his caste from lower dalit to Chatrapati (Kings or Kshatriyas).
 
Posted on 11-09-12 7:16 PM     [Snapshot: 777]     Reply [Subscribe]
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 @Fantush
While I was growing up in Nepal, Hare Rama was nothing but a bunch of hippies from Bay area which was ridiculed by nobody but my Hindu friends. Everybody told me they were clowns. I don't know maybe I've missed something if Hare Rama has becomed a legit Hindu sect for which you've so much respect. As I've said, I'm not an expert. I'm saying what I know and have seen. 

@Kiddo,
Let us not dwell into history. I've few questions then
1. What type of Hindu are we Nepali?
2. Why is there a caste system then?
3. Why is Vishwamitra Hindusim not practised instead of Brahmanism in Nepal?
Some honest answers will be appreciated, not just narrating history. 
Thanks.

Last edited: 09-Nov-12 07:17 PM
Last edited: 09-Nov-12 07:18 PM

 
Posted on 11-09-12 10:29 PM     [Snapshot: 870]     Reply [Subscribe]
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I am hoping we're not just arguing here for the sake of arguing. I really have no interest on making my point right, but if you insist on the questions, I cannot not answer.
You said, not to dwell into the history. I am not sure how else one can answer the question about an entity that is bestowed upon us by our history. But I will follow the instructions.

1. What type of Hindu are we Nepali
Not sure why the question. The article in question doesn't talk about Nepali Hindu. But let's just answer your question...hmm..without talking about history. When you say Nepali, I assume you mean Hindu religion practiced by most in the capital; as when you go outside you will see a vast variety. I have seen Tharus and Kirats worshipping different Gods; but I digress. Anyway, we are Swasthani reading, Tri-dev worshipping, Kul devta respecting bunch. Sanatana dharma rings a bell? Not sure how that's relevant to the discussion, but I answered the question.

2. Why is there a caste system then?
Really? I have to goto history, c'mon now. Ok, my theory is that we needed it for division of labor. Back then only brahmins and select few kshatriyas were educated. That population was minimal. what other qualification would then separate an army from farmer and from a janitor? Easy solution, caste system.
Now this is at least a relevant question. What's the use of caste system if one can convert...that's what you're thinking right? I said even castes could be adopted/earned per the scripts...didn't mean every other person was practicing this. Look at Gita, it says four varnas (what you talk about caste) are divided by innate properties and action; not a birthright:
catur-varnyam maya srstam guna-karma-vibhagasah
tasya kartaram api mam viddhy akartaram avyayam


3. What's Vishwamitra Hinduism? Is there even such a thing? Again, why are we referring back to Nepal? THe article is about a Hawaiian (Samoan) of Indian origins.


 


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