Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America

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Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA, translated into English as World Hindu Council of America[1]) is a right-wing, ultra-conservative, homophobic Hindutva organization operating in the United States.

[edit] Homophobia

VHPA uses the term "same gender wedding" instead of "same-sex marriage" and makes its homophobic stand clear that it is opposed to same-sex marriage.

According to Hindu scriptures, a wedding is a religious sacrament (samskar) and a legally protected civil institution. As per the Vedic Hindu tradition, a wedding is only between man and a woman. During the process of wedding, the groom symbolizes Vishnu[wp] and the bride symbolizes Lakshmi[wp]. Thus the bride and groom both are accorded reverence as such. From kanyadaan[wp], circumambulation around the fire and sapta-padi[wp],[3] to the recitation of vows by the bride and the groom ensuring their commitment to each other, the thought of anyone else besides a man and a woman marrying each other doesn't even arise. Rigveda, the oldest book of mankind, a Hindu scripture, describes the steps involved in the wedding ceremony. In the ceremony, commitments are made by the couple to fulfill the duties of the householder stage. One of the most important duties is to have children in order to fulfill their obligation to sustain society through progeny, as seen in the steps of Akshata-ropana[4] (marriage vows) and Sapta-padi (the rite of seven steps).
—VHPA[2]

The website of the VHPA quotes a Hindu priest from the US:

The wedding ceremony as described in the scripture (poorva Prayoga - Vedic) says that Dharma praja sampath abhivridyartham vivaha karma karishye, i.e., to give best citizens to the universe I am getting married. So there should be a male and a female for this.
—VHPA[2]

[edit] External links

[edit] Footnotes

  1. Vishwa is a Hindi word which means world. Parishad is a Hindi word which means council
  2. 2.0 2.1 Paper - Same Gender Wedding VHPA
  3. sapta-padi is a Hindu wedding ritual whereby the wedding couple take seven steps aroung a fire as part of their wedding ceremony. Sapta means seven.
  4. Akshata consists of uncooked rice which is mixed with turmeric. It is also used to bless bride and groom during Hindu ritualistic weddings.
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