Teaching Hinduism in America

Hinduism in America: Growth, Contributions, And the Challenge of MisunderstandingHinduism, one of the world’s oldest and third-largest religions, and majority of its followers in India. While aspects of Hinduism have gained familiarity in the United States, a comprehensive understanding of the religion remains limited for many. Hinduism is the fourth-largest religion in the United States, comprising approximately 1% of the population, nearly the same as Buddhism and Islam.
Several aspects related to Hinduism, such as yoga, karma, and meditation, have been adopted into mainstream American beliefs and lifestyles, but few understand the complexity of Hinduism (Sanatan Dharma).Most Hindus in America (87%) are immigrants or the children of immigrants. According to the Pew Research Center, approximately 9% of Hindus in the USA identify as non-Asian: White (4%, including Hollywood actor Julia Roberts), Latino (between 2%), and Black (between 2%).
There are also Hindus from the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, Canada, Oceania, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. In the U.S., there are also ethnic Cham people from Vietnam and a Hindu population from Bhutan; around 92,000 exiled Bhutanese refugees, most of whom are Hindu, have been resettled in the United States since 2008. Many Afghan Hindus have also settled in the USA. Hindus are the second youngest religious group (Muslims being first), with a median age of 42 years.
American Hindus have the highest rates of educational attainment and household income among all religious communities, and the lowest divorce rates. Nearly 26.5% are Indian doctors, forming the largest professional group among immigrants. More Indians immigrate to the US to work as physicians than any other nationality. Indians contribute significantly to the tax base, are generally law-abiding, and are one of the most peaceful ethnic groups in America.
According to the Pew Research Center, most Hindu adults in America (80%) who were raised as Hindus continue to adhere to Hinduism, which is the highest retention rate for any religion in America. Most of the American Hindu population believes in God. However, only 26% believe that religion is very important in their life, while more than 50% of the Hindu population reported praying daily. CEOs of many major technology companies are Hindu.
In recent years, the political participation of Indian Americans has increased, exemplified by Vivek Ramaswamy, a well-educated and successful businessman who ran for President in the 2024 elections. Significant numbers are also involved in various levels of politics. While Tulsi Gabbard is a former Congresswoman, and Kash Patel has held prominent government positions, their current roles should be verified for accuracy.
Many young Hindu Americans also hold prominent positions in the White House. Among the many Hindu scriptures, the Bhagavad Gita is the most popular. The inclusion of the Gita and Natyashastra in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register is a global recognition of their timeless wisdom and rich culture. There are 1000- 1500 (accurate numbers are not available) Hindu temples across the United States, with a majority on the East Coast. The New York / New Jersey region has a significant number of temples.
There are many prominent Hindu organizations, e.g., Chinmaya Mission, Hindu American Foundation, Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), Hindu Temple Society of North America, International Swaminarayan Satsang Mandal, Jagadguru Kripalu Yog, Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center, Republican Hindu Coalition, and many more. There is one Hindu American University and one Hindu school.
Despite these achievements, Sanatan Dharma (Hinduism) remains one of the most misunderstood religions in the USA (and the world). Hindus have noticed a recent negative shift in the perception of their faith in the USA. Several Ivy League Universities have been associated with anti-Hindu narratives. A few years ago, a worldwide conference on “Dismantling Global Hindutva,” described as an anti-Hindu gathering, caused significant controversy (leading some universities to remove their logos due to legal challenges).
This event generated outrage among Hindu Americans. The conference was spearheaded by Audrey Truschke, a Rutgers University professor and prominent critic of Hindutva. Organizations like CoHNA sent over 350,000 emails to various universities in protest. Concerns also exist regarding school curricula, particularly in social studies textbooks (grades 6-9), which some Hindus perceive as presenting negative images of Hindu Dharma and glorifying certain leaders involved in massacres in India. This has reportedly created anti-Hindu sentiment, leading to instances of bullying in schools and attacks against Hindus. Anti-Swastika narratives have also emerged. Many organizations, especially CoHNA (Coalition of Hindus of North America) and HAF (Hindu American Foundation), are actively working to educate the American public and address both political and legal challenges. These issues have been brought to the attention of Democratic and Republican parties in New York, and they are reportedly taking steps to curb such anti-Hindu sentiments.

The Durga Temple of Westchester has undertaken significant initiatives to educate the community. Volunteers are actively involving and inviting non-Hindu Americans to temple religious functions to foster understanding. The temple has conducted numerous seminars with private schools in Westchester and Connecticut and plans to expand its outreach to other schools in Westchester and neighboring counties and states, seeking the support of local political leaders. Durga Temple of Westchester will continue these efforts to educate Westchester schools and the broader community about Hindu Dharma and its contributions to humanity.

Dr. Suresh Khanna