How to become a Hindu?

Abstract

  Conversion from one religion to another is an age-old phenomenon. However, there has been some confusion on whether a non-Hindu can take specific steps or follow some processes to convert to Hinduism.  This confusion is amplified by the often-heard statement ‘You cannot become a Hindu, you have to be born a Hindu’. This paper will research to see if there is an established process to become a Hindu. It will aim to understand if there is a reference in Vedic literature or other historical sources of such conversion. It will also explore if current-day Hindu dharma has any process, formal or informal, for non-Hindus to accept and formally convert to Hindu dharma. the ‘conversion into Hindu dharma’ question will automatically elicit the question of who is a Hindu or who is a good Hindu, and how an existing Hindu becomes a good one. This paper will not address “How to become a better Hindu.” We will limit our scope to only address the process that should be followed for a non-Hindu to convert to Hinduism.