The following are responses from Dr. Shashikant Sane of Excelsior to questions posed by the Eden Prairie Human Rights and Diversity Commission regarding the Hindu faith:
Q: Tell us something about your faith tradition.
Hinduism is the world’s oldest religion with its origin predating recorded history. Hinduism is a vast and profound religion. It worships one Supreme Reality called Brahman, which is expressed in various forms and recognized by different names. Brahman or Cosmic Consciousness is both immanent (within) and transcendent (outside). Material and intelligence are two causes for any creation. God represents both these causes for the cosmic creation. For Hindus everybody and everything is divine.
Hinduism teaches that all souls ultimately realize the truth and denies the existence of eternal hell or damnation. Hinduism accepts all genuine spiritual paths from monism (“God alone exists”) to theistic dualism (“When shall I know his grace”). Each soul is free to find his own “path,” whether by devotion, austerity, meditation, scriptural studies, selfless service or by combining any or all of these methods. Stress is placed on temple worship, scriptures and Guru-disciple tradition. Festivals, pilgrimage, chanting of holy hymns and daily worship at home are the dynamic practices.
Love and compassion, truth and non-violence, accountability and forgiveness, purity and self-discipline, good conduct and life of Dharma define the Hindu path. In contrast to Judeo-Christian philosophy, the concept of time in Hinduism is cyclical. Just like the universe goes through the cycles of creation, expansion, contraction, destruction and recreation, so too the human being goes through the cycles of birth, growth, decay, disease, death followed by rebirth. Reincarnation and karma are two fundamental concepts in Hinduism which are the master keys to the understanding of the seeming inequities in life.
Hinduism explains that the soul reincarnates until all Karmas are resolved and God-realization is accomplished. The individual gains knowledge and education through a multitude of experiences during several life cycles till all his/her desires, thoughts, words and actions are in consistent harmony with the divine. The magnificent Holy Temples, the peaceful piety of the Hindu Home, the Subtle Metaphysics and the science of Yoga and Meditation all play their part.
Hinduism is a mystical religion, leading the devotee to personally experience the truth within; finally reaching the pinnacle of consciousness where that individual and God are one. Hinduism is practiced by approximately over 1.1 billion people around the world.
Q: How and when were you drawn to Hinduism?
I was born in a Hindu family and enjoyed many Hindu festivals and special prayer services at home and at the temple during my childhood. However only when I underwent the Sacred Thread Ceremony at the age of 10 years and subsequently studied Hindu scriptures with a Hindu scholar over the next four years, did I truly appreciate the beauty of the faith and become a proud Hindu. I am fully trained as a Hindu priest and also educated and qualified as a physician.
Q: What are some misconceptions outsiders have about your faith traditions?
A common misconception is that Hinduism is polytheistic. Hinduism is monotheistic and believes in one single supreme God who has multiple manifestations. The Hindu devotee chooses that particular divine expression that excites him/her to establish the communion for an uplifting spiritual experience. In Hinduism the divinity is expressed both in masculine and feminine form.
Another misconception pertains to the caste system. The fourfold order in the society was established strictly on the basis of the individual’s qualities and activities and not on the basis of birth in a particular family. When these principles of the social order are strictly adhered to, the standards of ethics and morality of the society are uplifted; however, if they are distorted even the slightest, it leads to social injustice. Any individual is free to enter into any caste based upon the personal qualities, training, education and the chosen profession.
Q: In what ways do you see your faith tradition interacting with other faith traditions?
Hindus recognize that though God is the only one, there are several paths to reach him/her. Hindus recognize and respect all major faiths in this world. When there is an open dialogue on Hinduism with devotees of any faith, Hindus hope and pray that a Christian would become a better Christian, a Jew a better Jew, a Muslim a better Muslim, a Buddhist a better Buddhist and a Hindu a better Hindu.
Q: What hopes do you have for the future of your faith tradition?
Hinduism is called Sanatana Dharma in Sanskrit which means Eternal Faith. It has existed through thousands of years despite it not being proselytizing and will undoubtedly continue its existence till the time humanity exists in this present Earth Cycle. The value system preached and practiced in Hinduism such as truth and nonviolence, love and compassion, purity and self discipline, accountability and forgiveness, is very critical to the survival of the human race. The present popular practice of an “eye for an eye” is literally making the world blind. We must dislike the evil, but not the evil doer. We must follow the example of the 20th Century saint Mahatma Gandhi, who brought the Hindu value system to the highest form of practicality. He loved his enemies, blessed those that cursed him, performed good deeds for those who hated him and prayed for those who persecuted him.

Dr. Shashikant Sane is a Hindu scholar who came to Minneapolis to help create the Minneapolis Children’s Hospital in 1972.

Tour of world religions
The Eden Prairie Human Rights and Diversity Commission and Community Education are co-sponsoring three guided tours to congregations representing Eden Prairie’s religiously diverse community. Each of the tours will culminate with a hospitality time with a light beverage and snack including a time for questions. These faith leaders have been asked to answer questions about their faith traditions and the answers are being published in the Eden Prairie News. The first Q&A is running this week with Dr. Shashikant Sane of Excelsior.
These events will culminate with the All City Third Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving service in November. The following are the upcoming tours:
Hindu Temple of Minnesota
Visit the largest Hindu Temple in North America. Learn about Hindu faith, culture and traditions directly from Dr. Shashikant Sane, a Hindu scholar who came to Minneapolis to help create the Minneapolis Children’s Hospital in 1972. Offering is optional. Register by Oct. 2. Limit: 11. Cost is $5. Tour leaves the Education Center at 8040 Mitchell Road at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, and returns at 12:45 p.m.
Adath Jeshurun Congregation
Join a tour of Adath Jeshurun Congregation in Minnetonka. Learn about beliefs, values, rituals, and symbols of the Jewish people. Register by Oct. 9. Limit: 9. Cost is $5. Tour leaves the Education Center at 8040 Mitchell Road at 10:15 a.m. Friday, Oct. 17, and returns at 1:30 p.m.
Abu-Khadrah Masjid
The Islamic Center of Minnesota welcomes you to its Masjid (Mosque.) During your visit at Abu-Khadrah you will be able to observe writings on the walls and observe a Muslim congressional prayer session. This visit will be led by Dr. Saoudy Saoudy, who is the president of the local American Muslim Community Center. Offering is optional. Register by Oct. 16. Limit: 9. Cost is $5. Tour leaves the Education Center at 8040 Mitchell Road at 12:45 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, and returns at 4:45 p.m.