A Hindu Perspective by Dr. Balliram Chadee. PhD.

www.thehanumanmission.com. bally@thehanumanmission.com or Bally 416-992-2487.

This is the 35th in a series of articles by Dr. Balliram Chadee & Hotshots Newspaper to bring a Hindu Perspective to educate our community. Comments & suggestions are welcome.

Question: Is Respect a Mandate of Hinduism? If so, why? What are the benefits?

  Ans : Hindus have traditionally been taught to “Respect” as a primary mandate of daily practice and daily life. Over generations, for as long as we can remember, we would agree that as Hindus, at least those of us from the Caribbean , this was something that our parents embedded in us and there was no compromise, under no conditions to do otherwise. So why is Respect important for us as Hindus? What are the benefits? What change does it bring to our lives? Has it helped us? Would it help us?

According to religious doctrines, we have been exposed to a society that grew out of built-in political pressures and social injustices in the Caribbean Region. As Hindus, we had to forge our way to sustain Sanatan Dharma and Hinduism, in order that future generations would have this privilege to call themselves Hindus and be proud to do so. We only have to look at the countries in the Indian Diaspora and watch the trend over the past 200 years and we would agree that certain disciplines had to be maintained for Hindus to remain intact as a group. Whether we view this discipline as religious or cultural, there were certain benefits to society, culture, religion and family ties. The Hindu process of teaching and education; the Guru-Shisya or Guru-Chaylaa relationship, which equals to Teacher-Student model, has played a significant role in the respect lifestyle of Hindus. It has always been said to Hindus, that we have three levels of respect: firstly to our Mother , secondly to our Father and thirdly to our Guru , even know we have traditionally tried to respect all three equally. So the question remains then, why is Respect so important to Hindus? It is so important because like Discipline, Commitment and Obligations, Respect to Elders, Respect to Family, Respect to Society and most of all Respect to others, have shaped our lives and have continue to be the lighting torch to which we hold our heads high. We believe as Hindus in the Brotherhood of man and the Fatherhood of God. We believe in the concept of “see God in all living beings and living things ” It has been said by many, that it is not left up to us, as Hindus, to deny the existence of the God to whom others worship . It is our mandate to respect others , irregardless of their mode or method of worship. It is a fundamental value of Hindus that we command respect; not demand respect ; in our actions, in our deeds, in our attitudes and in our behaviors. We must show respect to others in our daily lives, in our spirituality, in our religion, in our volunteerism and most of all in our society. We must; as Hindus, live with the principle of Respect as a fundamental mandate in our lives. Lord Rama, Bhibishan, Hanumanji and Mother Sita, as we have seen, who were under tremendous adversities and trials, maintained respect as their foremost objective. Despite all the obstacles which came their way, they respected others and commanded respect from others, never forgetting their ultimate goal.

Therefore as parents we must ensure our children are guided by respect in their daily lives; be it at home, at school or in social circles. As children, we must show and live respectable lives with our parents. It is important for us to remember that no matter how successful we become or are today, without the blessings of our parents, we could never progress, never! We must seek our parents' blessings and have respect for them as the loving embodiment of God on earth, if we are to be successful in any endeavor we pursue. When we tread lives of respect, others admire and trust us. They have faith and confidence in our actions; they will support and assist us. These are some of the benefits. Our name and lifestyle itself earns respect from others as default. When we live disrespectful lives or have no respect for ourselves or others, we should expect nothing less than dis respect from anyone. Today in North America we see a drastic change in the attitudes and respect of the younger generations and how they treat elders. We as Hindus have always been taught we must respect elders, irregardless of who they are, for by such actions, we secure blessings to progress. We have lived our lives this way as a model for generations. We have seen that straying away from this approach degrades our society. The moral fabric disintegrates. Social structure crumbles. Families ties and relationship shatter. We can change. We can make a difference. Our elders and spiritual teachers of the past were right in their conduct and approach. Let us reflect on those ideals and re- instill Respect into our lives. Now you know the difference and benefits, would you change? Would you follow the correct path of tradition? Would you live a life of respect? You decide & be the Judge!