Some say there is good religion and there is bad religion, but as the Latin name indicates (re-ligio) they are bond to god and to each other which automatically implies power, and power absolutely corrupts and generates the “flock syndrome”, composed of an infinity of symptoms (there is no demons population limitations in hell), like that famous one: there will be more energy and a priority to preserve itself as a group than dedicated to fulfill the goals and mission that brought about the group/religion in the first place.

For instance, if the group was dedicated to awakening, now it is mostly dedicated to keep the members in line and check that no one steals from the finances, or to cover up the excesses of the guru.

(I‘m coming to my point)

Another symptom of religions is that they cannot keep an ideology merely by stating “we help you find nirvana”, it is too vague and everyone else says it. They need to depart from other groups and other religions, and the most efficient way is to shoot down their heart, what they have best; their finest achievement. What makes the enemy so special and eminent? Find it, Fix it, Finish it.

For example, all the negative reactions against you, the Hindu fundamentalist, are directed on your outstanding ability to make others regret they were not born a realized Indian Brahmin, your skill in demonstrating that India has totally assimilated the science the White Man is so proud of and that the West will never come even close to Indian Spirituality.

And the context you offer to us non-Brahmin, is precisely what Buddha had to put up with in his time. Absolutely nothing has changed, If you don’t follow Hinduism, you will never amount to anything in spirituality.

What differentiates Hinduism from other organized religions anyway?

A definition of Hinduism, given by the first Vice President of India and prominent theologian, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan states that it is not “just a faith,” but in itself related to the union of reason and intuition, he explicitly suggests, that it cannot be defined, but is only to be experienced. Similarly some academics are suggesting that Hinduism can be seen as a category with “fuzzy edges”, rather than a well defined and rigid entity. Some forms of religious expression are central to Hinduism, while others are not as central but still within the category.[…] Problems with the single definition or of what is actually meant by the term ‘Hinduism’ are often attributed to the fact that Hinduism does not have a single or common historical founder. Hinduism, or as some say ‘Hinduisms’, does not have a single system of salvation and has different goals according to each sect or denomination. The forms of Vedic religion are seen, not as an alternative to Hinduism but as its earliest form, and there is little justification for the divisions found in much western scholarly writing between Vedism, Brahmanism, and Hinduism. Some suggest that Hinduism does not have a “unified system of belief encoded in declaration of faith or a creed”. It is therefore a very different kind of religion in these respects to the monolithic tradition of Islam, while some suggest there are stronger affinities with the structure of Judaism. […] The ultimate goal of life, referred to as moksha, nirvana or samadhi, is understood in several different ways: as the realization of one’s union with God; as the realization of one’s eternal relationship with God; realization of the unity of all existence; perfect unselfishness and knowledge of the Self; as the attainment of perfect mental peace; and as detachment from worldly desires. Such a realization liberates one from samsara and ends the cycle of rebirth. The exact conceptualization of moksha differs among the various Hindu schools of thought. For example, Advaita Vedanta holds that after attaining moksha an atman no longer identifies itself with an individual but as identical with Brahman in all respects. The followers of Dvaita (dualistic) schools identify themselves as part of Brahman, and after attaining moksha expect to spend eternity in a loka (heaven), in the company of their chosen form of Ishvara. Thus, it is said the followers of dvaita wish to “taste sugar”, while the followers of Advaita wish to “become sugar”.[…]

This cannot be emphasized enough:

The exact conceptualization of moksha differs among the various Hindu schools of thought.

It is a gross mischaracterization to say the Hindus are focused on moksha, most of them don’t have clue how to correctly identify an ultimate spiritual goal, or are plain mistaken, like any human being; and a gross mischaracterization to pose “enlightenment” as the goal of the West, the word doesn’t even mean anything for most religions. And you can’t really talk about moksha, enlightenment, Hinduism, the West and totally blank out on the word and concept of “nonduality.”

What is nondualism?

Not Advaita, not Adi Shankara in any case.

Nonduality is a movement of seekers who are in the process of defining the ultimate goal of human life by looking into their heart and at the example of all the religions in the world while avoiding having to found a religion themselves. Non-duality means, to keep an effort that does not slip oneself, one’s life in two, so not: me and god; me and my soul; me and the guru; me and my goal; me and my suffering. Me, as opposed to any drive, action, motivation to become a second thing.

Nothing to do with the establishment, Hindu, India, Advaita, moksha vs. enlightenment, which most nondual folks wish to get rid of in nonduality as soon as possible.

That you, the Hindu fundamentalist, keep Hinduism as daily rituals and a way of life is an admirable thing, but your belief that Hinduism got it better, or is what we need, or where I should reincarnate next, is a gross mistake and a heavy burden on your side.

PS. To be fair, Hindus have a reason to be proud, and all spiritual seekers and finders should be grateful that generation after generation of Indian sages built that wonderful edifice that gave birth to Hinduism and Buddhism. What would the world have today as vehicles for liberation, if they hadn’t? Animism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Western philosophy, psychotherapy?

I have dropped Hinduism, Buddhism, and all other tools of liberation like a hammer is dropped once the nail is in. But, today, I feel moved to say:

Thank you for all your ancestors. May you, someday, find that you don’t need them!