Smarta Path

[Tirisilex]

What is the Smartha Path?

[Ramakrishna]

Namaste Tirisilex,

Please see this post of mine: http://hindudharmaforums.com/showthr...8973#post58973

Basically, Smartism can refer to a specific and very orthodox sect or it can refer to Hindus who pray to a multitude of different deities and are pretty much "nonsectarian". The term "smarta" has come to almost be interchangeable with the term "nonsectarian".

Jai Sri Ram

[Tirisilex]

Is it true you need to be Indian to be a Smarta follower?

[Eastern Mind]

Is it true you need to be Indian to be a Smarta follower?

Vannakkam Tirisilex: In short, no. However, you may enconter a very traditional Smarta Brahmin here or there that thinks so. They are becoming less and less common.

This misconception was started and pushed by Christians to keep searchers away from Hinduism, making sure to propel it nice and strong with unfortunate slanted media. Unfortunately, even some Hindu leaders got suckered in. Feel free to practice.

Aum Namasivaya

[SOV]

Is it true you need to be Indian to be a Smarta follower?

Please study some of the books like gita or some smaller works like atma bodha, you will come to know. All you need to have is faith in the vedic tradition.

[saidevo]

namaste Tirisilex.

Wikipedia has an informative account of the smArta sampradAya:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartism

Check also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_denominations