"The only place in the UK where the hereditary
caste system is practiced is Buckingham Palace!"
Dilip
Lakhani -Man on a mission
Hindu Voice
UK, February 2006
Dilip Lakhani is a well-known figure in the British Hindu community.
He is founder of Vivekananda Centre UK and for many years has been on
a seemingly tireless mission to promote Hinduism in Britain. His work
has included setting up GCSE and A-Level Hinduism classes, delivering
talks at hundreds of schools, colleges and universities, working with
education and media institutions, holding yoga and meditation camps and
interfaith work.
What moved you to take up this work?
My work in teaching began as a result of not being able to find a comprehensive
Hindu education for my daughter. By comprehensive I mean that it should
teach Hinduism as a whole, not just the point of view of one sect of Hinduism.
I couldn't find anything that offered this, so I decided to start up something
myself. There were only three students initially. But we stuck at it and
gradually it picked up, although the process was very slow.
Before you took up these activities full-time, what was your occupation?
I studied Physics up to Master's level. After this my father got very
ill, so I managed the family business between the ages of 21 and 42. When
I had enough money I switched away from it, scaled down my lifestyle and
began my Hindu work.
How long have you lived in the UK?
I moved here in 1964, from Tanzania, so for over forty years now.
How has Britain changed since you've been here?
There are many things. One thing is that the Hindu community has swelled
considerably and is much more established.
What age did you really get into Hinduism?
An important turning point in my life was reading the 'Complete Works
of Swami Vivekananda', when I was aged 17. I re-read it many times over
a three-year period. Even before that I had always reading smaller Hindu
books, since the age of about 7. I was always drawn to stories of spiritual
personalities of ancient and modern India - especially Vivekananda,
Ramakrishna, Ramatirth and Ramdas. These are very dynamic people who
were talking about spirituality from direct experience - not theory.
This is what was really intriguing.
I think it is important to be exposed to Hindu teachings from a young
age. Even if it's just stories, it creates a fertile field for deeper
thinking.
What are the main contributions that Hinduism can make to the modern
world?
There are four important things. The reconciliation of science and religion,
teaching of experiential religion rather than mere theories, promotion
of pluralism in religion, and the idea of the essential divinity of humanity.
Could you expand on your point about science?
One of the places where Hinduism will make a very big contribution in
the modern age is reconciling the scientific approach to knowledge with
religious truth and experience. This may seem far-fetched, but philosophies
like Sankhya, the oldest philosophy within Hinduism have shown tremendous
similarity to Quantum Mechanics, and can actually further their concepts
and help make sense of it. Conceptually there is no making sense of Quantum
Mechanics without Hinduism. The West is used to a fatal opposition between
science and religion, but this separation is alien to the Hindu worldview.
You often deliver talks to non-Hindu audiences. What is the response
when speaking to such crowds?
There is a mixed response, but it is mostly positive. People are hearing
sophisticated ideas they have never heard before. Generally the younger
audiences are open to new ideas but older people see me as a threat, as
if I'm trying to convert them, which is not at all the case. Many Religious
Education teachers who have an anti-Hindu slant to their teachings are
hostile to me.
What are the major challenges for Hindus in this country?
Most of us do not have a grasp of our amazing spiritual heritage. Many
Hindus are very confused and uncomfortable with the way that Hinduism
is portrayed to them, for example in the media and education system. We
need to remedy this.
Do you ever encounter hostility or opposition to your work?
Fortunately there haven't been serious verbal or physical threats. There
is a lot of hostility from certain sections of the educational establishment,
who have tried to block me out or discredit me behind my back. There is
also a lot of apathy from the Hindu community, which can be quite discouraging.
What keeps you going when things get tough?
The life story of Swami Vivekananda. Anything I've been through is minor
compared to the kind of discomfort and hostility he faced. He came penniless
to the West at a time when racism and religious exclusivism were common,
and was subjected to a campaign of vilification. Also I couldn't get by
without the support of my family. My wife has helped tremendously at every
step of the way.
What spiritual practices do you personally engage in?
Hinduism teaches every person has God in them. I try to put the teachings
into practice in my interacting with mankind, trying to see God in everyone.
My most important worship is the work I do.
What are your favourite pass-times when you are not engaged in religious
work?
Swimming every day.
What are your views on caste?
In authoritative Hindu scriptures there is no hereditary caste system
- all it says is that we should use our personal gift or aptitude for
the benefit of society. Hereditary hierarchical caste system does not
affect most Hindus yet it is presented in schools as the defining feature
of Hinduism. It is just a deviation from the real teachings of Hinduism.
The so-called castes that we see are clans or social units. Within them
people can choose their own career. In the UK the only place where the hereditary
caste system is practiced is Buckingham palace.
You can find out more about the Vivekanada Centre and Dilip's work at the following website: www.vivekananda.btinternet.co.uk