The number of Hindus in the Diaspora today is estimated to be around eight million, at least 1.3 million of whom live in Europe. This makes Hindus one of the largest religious minorities on the European continent. In travelling through nine European nations, it is found that more Hindus had come from outside India than from within. The Hindu Diaspora here seems as varied as the Continent’s own peoples: They include Hindus from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Indonesië, Oost Afrika, Zuid Afrika. Mozambique, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Suriname. All of them have different dialects and have adapted to the country they settled in and found their spiritual home, a more accurate picture of Hinduism in Europe in the process forming a fully-fledged religious group.
Coping with the corona virus
Europe mainly relies on news from TV channels, EU news, BBC news, temples, family & friends, by word of mouth and social media. Social media plays a significant role in spreading information.
The People in Europe currently follow basic precautionary steps – a) washing hands, b) respecting physical distance, c) isolation for the older generation. They are also aware of symptoms – dry cough, body pain, diarrhoea, breathing difficulties. They are told which number to call in case of emergency. Old people are advised to stay home as they are more vulnerable.
There is panic and fear among all, as to what is going to happen especially due to the large number of deaths in Italy, Spain, and France.
The relevance of Hindu values
Sanskrit scholars, whatever their caste, creed and regional feelings utter the message “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” for the human community. This is a unique idea coming from Bharat, the land of sages. The Hindu Scriptures – the Vedas and its branches are the treasure house of knowledge and still form the basis for our present thought, values and way of living. Some messages:
- Hinduism stresses that true happiness comes from within not from outer possessions. This means that we should not allow the search for material possessions, and the consumption of materials and the energy they bring, to dominate our lives. Life’s main purpose is to discover our spiritual nature and the peace and fulfilment it brings. The efforts to exploit the bounties of this world are considered by Hindu teachers to be a distraction from this central purpose of life. However, they do not ignore the role of human pleasures and desires. Suggesting a middle path between extremes is encouraged through a holistic approach to life (like Purusharth – Dharma, Artha, Kāma, and Mokṣa).
- It is remarkable that the people in Vedic times regarded nature and the environment in a holistic manner and revered each of its constituents and entities by carefully preserving them. ‘’Do not harm the environment, do not harm the water and the flora, the earth is my mother, I am her child, may the waters remain fresh, do not harm the waters. May we respect the tranquillity of the waters, the crops and the vegetation’’.
‘माता भूमिः पुत्रोऽहं पृथिव्याः’
(अथर्ववेद 12.1.12)
mātā bhūmiḥ putro’haṃ pṛthivyāḥ (Atharvaveda 12.1.12)
This Vedic prayer invokes divine intervention to bless and protect the environment.
To protect the environment the Ṛgveda says:
मधु वाता ऋतायते मधु क्षरन्ति सिन्धवः। माध्वीर्नः सन्त्वोषधीः।।
मधु नक्तमुतोषसो मधुमत्पार्थिवं रजः। मधु द्यौरस्तु नः पिता।।
मधुमान्नो वनस्पतिर्मधुमान् अस्तु सूर्यः। माध्वीर्गावो भवन्तु नः।।
(ऋग्वेद 1.90.6-8)
“Madhu vātāḥ ṛtāyate madhu kṣaranti sindhavaḥ। mādvīrnaḥ santvoṣadhīḥ ।।
Madhu naktamutoṣāso madhumatpārthivaṃ rajaḥ। madhu dyaurastu naḥ pitā।
Madhumānno vanaspatirmadhumān astu sūryaḥ। mādhvīrgāvo bhavantu naḥ।।
(Rigveda,1.90.6-8)
The winds blow sweetly, the rivers flow sweetly। May the herbs be sweet to us।।
‘May the nights and days be sweet to us, may the dust of the earth be sweet to us। May the sky, our father, be sweet to us।।
‘May the plants be sweet to us, may the sun be sweet to us। May our cows yield us sweet milk।।
Since time immemorial, the sages have been reciting the following verse:
द्यौः शान्तिरन्तरिक्षं शान्तिः पृथिवी शान्तिरापः शान्तिरोषधयः शान्तिः ।
वनस्पतयः शान्तिर्विश्वेदेवाः शान्तिर्ब्रह्म शान्तिः
सर्वं शान्तिः शान्तिरेव शान्तिः सा मा शान्तिरेधि ।।
यजुर्वेद 36.17
Dyauḥ śāntirantarīkṣaṃ śāntiḥ pṛthivī śāntirāpaḥ śāntiroṣadhayaḥ śāntiḥ।
vanaspatayaḥ śāntirviśve devāḥ śāntirbrahma śāntiḥ
sarvaṃ śānti śāntireva śāntiḥ sā mā śāntiredhi।। (Yajurveda 36-17)
May the sky be peaceful, may the mid-region be peaceful, may the earth be peaceful, may the waters be peaceful, may the medicinal plants be peaceful, may the forest be peaceful, may all bounties of nature be peaceful, may knowledge be peaceful, may all the creation be peaceful, may there be peace and peace only, may such peace from the Lord come to us!
The Hindu culture gives immense importance to mutual respect, values in life, truth, ahimsa, rituals, cleanliness, vegetarianism, environment, and many more. Hindus observe divinity in each and every element of the universe and worship God in many forms which includes sky, animals, the Sun, the Moon, Planets, AND MOTHER EARTH.
Practices on COVID-19
The member organisations and temples in various countries of Europe play a vital role to educate the people on COVID-19. The Hindu Forum of Europe has been sending emails and posts on Facebook and their website. Some good practices are:
1. Social distancing – it can slow the rate at which the virus is spreading
2. Good Hygiene – hand washing
3. Cover one’s cough/sneeze with a tissue and throw the tissue in the trash.
4. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects
5. Contact a health worker if you have symptoms – fever and dry cough
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