Update:
Dilip
Lakhani appointed as first ever Hindu tutor at Eton (Hindu
Voice UK, May 2008)
"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 read 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