Religion A Barrier to HIV Prevention?

In Hindu philosophy, sex and sexuality are an integral part of life. The Hindu

civilization glorifies the sensual body and several classic texts discuss the sacred

nature of sexuality and affirm the positive aspects of sex.

Hinduism and sexuality

The three gunas of human life

Moksha

Kama DharmaArtha

Artha or meaningful work

Artha translates as goals that bring money & property.

Artha stresses the need to engage in meaningful work.

Kama or sensual, sexual desire

Kama means pleasure, sensual gratification, sexual fulfillment, pleasure of the senses,

desire, Eros, the aesthetic enjoyment of life.

Dharma or righteousness

Dharma means ‘that which upholds or supports.’

Dharma governs righteous conduct and ethics - which are universal.

Hindu culture which traditionally celebrated sexual openness, came under pressure during

Mughal and British rule when sexuality was oppressed and repressed.

Independent India, which internalized many of Britain’s missionary values, codified what kind of sex and between whom it was permissible in

law.

Hinduism, sexuality and HIV

This made for an environment of sexual hypocrisy and repression.

Against this backdrop HIV made its agile entry in India.

When AIDS was first detected, it was met with intolerance. Considered a foreigner’s

disease, an appeal was made for the country to return to its pristine values.

Hinduism, sexuality and HIV

“Lust is suspect for it obstructs in the exercise of Free Will.”

- Augustine in the City of God

“Sex is like that over-powering aunt. You must live with her but must show her due respect and

yet show her, her place.”

- Ramakrishna of Dakishineswar

India has experienced over twenty years of HIV-AIDS and witnessed the emergence of an

epidemic.

Hindu leaders across India congregated in Bangalore from June 1-2, 2008 to reaffirm and declare their commitment to comprehensively

respond to the HIV-AIDS epidemic.

Response of Hindu leaders

“We recognize today the need to incorporate HIV information in appropriate ways into our discourses, our rituals, our

festivals, our religious education and training of future leaders of our faith.”

- Excerpt from the Hindu caucus leaders’ declaration, Bangalore June 1-2,

2008

“We pledge to work towards overcoming HIV in an inclusive manner and for this purpose mobilize the human, spiritual,

institutional and financial resources that our communities possess.”

- Excerpt from the Hindu caucus leaders’ declaration, Bangalore June 1-2,

2008

“ We resolve to utilize our places of worship, our educational and health facilities and our women and youth programs to provide the

full range of prevention, treatment, care and support services in coordination with the

government.”

- Excerpt from the Hindu caucus leaders’ declaration, Bangalore June 1-2, 2008

THANK YOU