Re: Is Gaudiya/Chaitanya Vaishnavism Hindu?
The word Hindu does not describe an organized faith with a central authority. The most consistent definition of Hindu are those people who believe in the supreme authority of the vedas. ISKCON becomes a hindu organization by that definition and so does all other sects including Gaudiya Vaishnavs.
This sect may not be the sect I would relate too, but is still politically Hindu. (Note this identification of people under a banner is a political & social issue, and not much of a religious issue ~ nonetheless extremely important one).
Bauddha dharma is much closer to kevala advaita vada of Sankara, yet it is not Hindu because it completely rejects the Vedas as any authority.
What is Here, is Elsewhere. What is not Here, is Nowhere.
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