Hindu Festivals and Associated Foods
Primary Teacher Guide 1.1
Stereotypes about Hinduism
Even with the best intentions, it is easy to distort another’s tradition by seeing and evaluating it through our own limited world-view, our own cultural values. Some pupils will pick up on these stereotypes, from home, the media, their peers, and so forth. Teacher may need to constructively confront them.
Naturally, it would be preferable in the teacher finds out what his or her pupils’ specific perceptions and misperceptions are. Nonetheless, the following are examples of common stereotypes that we may watch out for. This list could be amended in terms of our experience in the classroom.
Please note that some of these may go beyond primary children. I have included them just in case they are useful to us teachers who may also have unwittingly picked up wrong ideas. The responses in green are not so much definitive answers as opportunities for discussion, reflecting (we hope) a broad-minded and thoughtful approach to Religious Education.
All Hindus are from India or of Indian descent
There are quite a number of white, British Hindus
Hindus eat rice and curry
I have practiced the tradition for thirty years, and am not sure what curry is.
Hindus are less civilised than Westerners
What are our criteria for civilisation?
India has always been as poverty stricken country) and we must try to modernise it.
Many writers suggest that India was far wealthier before the British arrived (why colonise a destitute country?).
India is a county best by flood, famine, female infanticide, arranged marriage, dowry deaths and
the occasional case of sati (which all have root in its religious heritage).
Poor leadership, materialism and modernisation may underpin many of the problems.
Hindus (and others from the developing world) are dirty.
Publicly, yes, there is much squalor in India. Ironically, personal hygiene is often far better than in the West (many Hindus regard us Westerners as quite dirty and - yes – uncivilised).
Hindus worship many Gods/gods
Most believe in one God, whilst accepting the existence of many subordinate or complementary deities.
Hindus don’t believe in a personal God (but just the all-pervading brahman)
For many Hindus, God is person, who can be seen, known, loved.
Hindus are superstitious
Some are, but there is often truth underpinning many such ‘beliefs’. India has little problem with the paranormal, which the West often treats with great suspicion, if not fear.
Hindus follow the caste system
The caste system is not confined to Hinduism. It is significantly different from varnashrama, the system mentioned in scripture.
Hindu attitudes towards women are dated and need reform to bring them more in line with our post-modern values (which are the most advanced in terms of human evolution)
The prevalent idea that the only solution to exploitation is total equality is an assumption – as also the notion that sexuality is entirely a social construct.
Belief in reincarnation makes people apathetic and fatalistic.
We should be careful about judging others beliefs in terms of our own values.
Belief in karma is fatalistic
Destiny doesn’t happen to us; we create it. Karma is the law of individual responsibility and accountability.
There is no scope for grace in Hinduism
Prasad (mercy, grace, blessings) is central to most Hindu traditions. Certainly, grace without personal endeavour isn’t given much credence.
Hinduism can be learned effectively by watching videos, such as “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom”
If you are old enough to remember that film, you should know better!
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