TOPIC OF INTEREST #2: HINDUISM IN KAUAI, HAWAII

We were fortunate enough to visit a good friend on the island of Kauai in Hawaii recently and much was learned about the unique cultures and religions of the state. Hawaii has a heritage unlike any other state that I've been too. This is in large part due to Hawaii's young status as a state, a state that is still fighting, in a sense, to reclaim its roots as its own sovereign nation. Hawaii's unique customs are also due to its far removed location from the rest of the United States- sum 2,400 miles from the coast of California in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. One of the places that we visited on our trip was the Hindu Sacred Forest; we also briefly visited the Hindu Monastery on Kauai. It gave us insight into what the Hindu religion is, its belief system, and its practices.

As defined by Princeton University, Hinduism is a compilation of religious and philosophical ideas born of the Caste System in India with unique beliefs in reincarnation, a "supreme being of many forms and natures," an eternal truth, and a desire to seek freedom from "earthly evils." It is the main religion of India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.

In reference to other information that I found in my web search on Hinduism, there is what's called the four goals of life: Dharma (virtue), Artha (success), Kama (pleasure), and the "life negating" goal of Moksha (release). Living a virtuous life is very important in the Hindu religion and the definition of virtue is different for each person depending on where they fall within the Caste System. For example, if one ranks high in the social class system, then they must successfully fill their role within that particular class to be considered virtuous. Doing the job required of someone in a lower class would be considered wrong and therefore not virtuous; the same can be said if someone in a lower class attempted to do the work of someone ranked high in class. It would be safe to say that one obtains virtue in Hinduism by fulfilling their pre-ordained destiny. These life goals must be met with balance while avoiding Moksha ("earthly evils"). Hinduism is characterized by much prayer and meditation on a daily basis.

These fall from the trees within the sacred forest where Hindus go to pray and they use them to make prayer beads. The Hindu Sacred Forest on Kauai. These trees are worshiped by Hindus; it is forbidden to cut them down or use them in manufacturing of goods. They are very old and you can see the complex root system that contains them.

The above photos show the sacred shrine within the Hindu Sacred Forest. When Hindus come to the forest to pray, they make offerings to the shrine. The flowers are left for those desiring peace and beauty; money is left for those desiring prosperity. You can also see where they burn incense while they pray and the bell is rung to let the supreme being know that they are present; it is also rang for good luck. The Hindu Sacred Forest is a place for quiet reflection and meditation; it is the only one of its kind in the United States.

Sources:

http://uwacadweb.uwyo.edu/religionet/er/hinduism/HRLIFE.HTM

http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=hinduism

*For more information on Hinduism in Kauai and its Hindu Monastery visit:

http://www.himalayanacademy.com/ssc/hawaii/