<<This is a story from awhile back...but I have never shared before so here goes>>Coworker: Hey! I know we haven't really spoken before, but I'm taking a class on Hinduism and I saw that you wear the...(glancing up) red stuff on your forehead, and I wanted to ask you a couple questions for an essay I'm writing. What does being a "Hindu" mean to you? In three words...
Me: Thanadakkam. Humility. No person, no text, no faith has all the answers. One should acknowledge that and live without arrogance.
Her: And...?
Me: Karunai. Mannudhavi maanam. Mercy. Humaneness.To treat all people with kindness, even those who you have been wronged by.Her: And...?
Me: Bhakti. Devotion. To live immersed in the worship of God.
Her (flipping through her notes)...so not cows, caste?...they also talked about Sati...burning widows, right?
Me: (smiling) I'm glad to see that your tuition money is being put to good use. I hope they teach you what the "red stuff" is at some point.
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