Viral: What do the Chinese think of Hinduism?

Hinduism has always gone through a series of test since the last 2000 years. Hinduism has been wiped out from few countries, and in few other places, Hinduism is in threat. But you’ll be astonished to know that Hinduism has made its mark even in the countries where the Hindus are hardly seen.
Hinduism is a faith which is not even recognized in the five official state-recognized religious organizations in China. In this communist country– the most populous in the world– consists of 74% who are either non-religious or practice Chinese folk belief, another 16% follow Buddhism, 2% practice Christianity, 1% follow Islam, and another 8% practice other religions including Taoists and folk salvationism.
Even though there are claims that the name “China” is thought to have been originally derived from the Sanskrit word Cīna (चीन), there are hardly any Hindus in this nation. Now you’ll be curious to know what will be the views on Hinduism of the people of China who hardly see any Hindus in their day-to-day life.
A Chinese girl who is married to a Hindu narrates what’s her view on Hinduism. “I am married to a Hindu, though he is very much an atheist – and what I have seen of the religion so far in 10 years, it has indeed been an eye-opener” she says.
Nowadays, Hinduism is called as a religion of hate and violence. Few even tagged Indians as intolerant, but this girl called out the lies of the haters of Hinduism by calling Hinduism a peaceful religion. She said “It is one of the most peaceful religions I have seen. The philosophy behind it is different as compared to several other religions”, so she has claimed that Hinduism is unique from other religion.
“With a manifold of deities worshipped, it can be quite confusing in the beginning. Though at heart lies the omnipresent ONE-NESS of Ishwar (God)” she says.
How can one resist oneself from getting attracted towards the Hindu festival if he/she is already in love with Hinduism? The Chinese praised the Hindu festival by saying “The religious festivals are the best – it is more or less like what us Chinese do…a getting-together of family and friends and having a good time. I personally like Diwali and Holi”.
She continued saying “Though born and brought up as an atheist myself, I am happy to visit temples along with my in-laws and I do participate in the activities”.
Hinduism in the eyes of a Chinese artist and journalist!
The description given by a Chinese artist and journalist for the question “What do the Chinese think of Hinduism?” is a must read not just for the haters of Hindu religion but even to the people who are unaware of their own religion.
The Chinese named Flora Ding said that “Hinduism is closely related to Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism”. She continues to mention that “It’s one of the oldest religions in the world, it says Rig Veda was written more than 3800 years ago”.
Highlights of what the Chinese said on Hinduism:
• Bad karma leads to negative result while good karma brings rewards.
• Many Hindus refuse to eat animals because animals also have souls. Just as Mahatma Gandhi said “I’m a Hindu because it’s Hinduism which makes the world worth living. I’m a Hindu hence I love not only human beings, but all living beings”.
Indians are really amazing and incredible, says a Chinese!
Another Chinese says that Hinduism and Buddhism has a close relationship, and this is so true. “There is a clear relationship between Hinduism and Buddhism, so when I read the Buddhist scriptures, I also try to search for its original version” he said.
This Chinese who couldn’t stop from praising India and the Indians said “Indians are really amazing and incredible. They are philosophical and religious peoples. In ancient India, priests and monks were the most respected people. Until today, India is still a pious country”.
Sri Aurobindo had once said,
“India is the meeting place of the religions and among these Hinduism alone is by itself a vast and complex thing, not so much a religion as a great diversified and yet subtly unified mass of spiritual thought, realization and aspiration”.
Below are few of the opinions of prominent personalities on Hinduism!
Best selling novelist Dan Brown had said “I spent some time in India and thought I might write about Hinduism. But it’s so far removed from my experience, I couldn’t even get my mind around it to write about it. Christianity, Judaism and Islam share a gospel, and it’s the one I grew up with. … Hinduism is not monotheistic; that’s my tradition. And this is a religion of many gods. I can’t decide whether it feels more advanced or less advanced. It’s just so different”.
English writer, novelist, philosopher, and prominent member of the Huxley family had praised Bhagavad-Gita by saying “The Bhagavad-Gita is the most systematic statement of spiritual evolution of endowing value to mankind. It is one of the most clear and comprehensive summaries of perennial philosophy ever revealed; hence its enduring value is subject not only to India but to all of humanity”.


Source: Postcard