Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world, originating in the Indian subcontinent over 4,000 years ago. With over 1 billion followers, Hinduism is the world’s third largest religion behind Christianity and Islam. Hindus worship many gods and goddesses, follow a variety of spiritual teachings and practices, and hold a wide range of beliefs. But one question that often comes up is: are Hindus circumcised?
Circumcision in Hinduism
Circumcision is not a religious requirement for Hindus. There is no mention of circumcision in Hindu scriptures, and it is not considered a necessary rite or ritual in Hinduism. Unlike in Judaism and Islam where circumcision is practiced for religious and cultural reasons, male circumcision has never been an established practice or tradition in Hinduism.
However, circumcision is not expressly prohibited in Hinduism either. Hindus come from diverse cultural, regional, and ethnic backgrounds across South Asia and beyond. For some Hindu communities, especially where circumcision is a common cultural tradition, the practice may be followed for cultural reasons rather than religious requirements.
For example, the Dawoodi Bohra sect of Shia Islam in India, which has strong Hindu influences, does practice religious circumcision. Some Hindu groups in parts of Africa such as Kenya and South Africa, where circumcision is more widely practiced, may also circumcise their boys. But overall, circumcision is not a Hindu tradition and is often not practiced by Hindus except for potential medical or cultural reasons.
History of Circumcision in India
Circumcision has never been a mainstream practice in India, which is where the Hindu religion originated and remains most prevalent today. Historical records suggest that male circumcision was introduced to parts of India sometime in the 5th century BCE due to Persian and Greek cultural influences. However, it remained limited to certain elite social groups and never took widespread root in the country.
By the time Islam arrived in India after the 8th century CE, circumcision was likely being practiced by small minorities in parts of the northwest and western coastal regions. Under Islamic rule, circumcision became more established in some communities of modern-day Pakistan and Bangladesh that were culturally influenced by the new rulers. However, the practice did not spread to the Hindu-majority heartland and south India.
During British colonial rule in the 18th-20th centuries, male circumcision continued among Indian Muslims and Jews but did not gain prominence among the Hindu majority. After India gained independence in 1947, circumcision remained relatively rare outside of Muslim and Jewish communities. Estimates suggest less than 15% of Indian men overall are circumcised today.
Role of Circumcision in Abrahamic Faiths
In contrast to Hinduism, circumcision is an established religious ritual and identifier for men in the three Abrahamic faiths – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. These religions trace their spiritual lineage back to the prophet Abraham, who is believed to have been the first to circumcise himself and his descendants as a sign of his covenant with God.
Here is a quick overview of the role of circumcision in these three faiths:
Judaism
Jewish law views circumcision (called brit milah) as a mandatory rite that all baby boys must undergo on the 8th day after birth. It represents the covenant between God and Abraham, and is considered a core part of Jewish identity.
Christianity
Although Jesus himself was circumcised as a Jew, opinions in early Christianity were divided regarding the need for gentile converts to be circumcised. Eventually it was deemed not compulsory, and circumcision is not considered a religious requirement today.
Islam
Muslim tradition states that Abraham circumcised himself when he was 80. Circumcision (called khitan) is considered obligatory for Muslim boys and represents submission to God’s will.
In all three faiths, circumcision is seen as a physical sign of one’s membership in the community. However, only in Judaism is it still held as mandatory for all boys. In Christianity and Islam, though debated throughout history, circumcision is not considered a core requirement of religious practice.
Prevalence of Circumcision Among Hindus
It is difficult to provide exact statistics, but the prevalence of male circumcision among Hindus is estimated to be less than 15%. The practice appears to be the highest among:
- Dawoodi Bohras – This Shia Muslim sect found in parts of India like Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan has close ties to Hinduism and emphasis circumcision.
- Hindu groups in Africa – Some Hindus living as minorities in African countries with high circumcision rates also adopt the practice.
- Hindus in Western countries – Circumcision remains contentious in the West as well but some Hindu immigrants may choose to circumcise their sons.
Among Hindus living in the Indian subcontinent and other parts of South Asia, circumcision appears to be very minimal. Estimates suggest only around 10-15% of Hindu men overall are circumcised.
Reasons for Circumcision Among Hindus
In the absence of any religious requirement, Hindus may choose circumcision for their sons due to:
Cultural tradition
As mentioned earlier, some Hindu communities and sects are known to circumcise due to local cultural traditions, especially those that have historical ties to Islam.
Hygiene
In hot tropical climates, some Hindus may view circumcision as promoting better penile hygiene and preventing infections.
Medical reasons
Phimosis, balanitis, urinary tract infections, and other medical conditions affecting the foreskin may prompt circumcision.
Social norms
In regions or communities where circumcision is more common, Hindus may conform to fit in with their peers or avoid discrimination.
Sexual performance
Some Hindus may believe circumcision can enhance sexual pleasure or performance, though there is no consensus medical view on this.
Aesthetics
Personal preference for the appearance of a circumcised penis may factor into the decision for some Hindus.
Circumcision Procedure and Celebrations
For Hindus who do circumcise their boys, the procedure is usually performed in the following timeframe:
- Within 10 days after birth – Among Hindus, circumcision tends to be done in infancy rather than childhood.
- Before 3 months – Many Hindus try to get it done as early as possible, though some may wait a few months.
The circumcision procedure for Hindu boys is similar to those of other religious groups:
- Performed by a doctor or traditional circumciser.
- Anaesthesia is used for pain relief.
- The foreskin is removed surgically.
- May involve a small ceremony with prayers.
Since it’s not an established religious practice, Hindu boys do not have traditional naming or welcoming ceremonies after circumcision. However, the family may host a small informal celebration on returning home from the procedure.
Opinions on Circumcision in Hinduism
Within the diverse Hindu community, opinions on circumcision vary:
Neutral
Most Hindus are neutral to the practice, neither encouraging nor discouraging it since it is not a religious requirement.
Supportive
Some Hindu groups circumcise for cultural reasons or believe there are minor medical benefits.
Critical
Others argue circumcision is medically unnecessary and unethical without the child’s consent. But overt opposition is limited.
Skeptical
Many Hindu scholars maintain circumcision has no spiritual significance or basis in Hindu scriptures.
Overall, most Hindus remain open minded but undecided on the issue. Individual families make the choice based on their regional customs, personal reasons or medical advice.
Spiritual Perspectives on Circumcision
Hindu spiritual leaders and thinkers offer diverse perspectives on circumcision:
- Hinduism focuses on attaining moksha or spiritual liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The body is viewed as temporary, so altering it is not given much spiritual importance.
- Non-violence or ahimsa is a key virtue in Hinduism. Some argue infant circumcision violates this principle as it causes harm and pain.
- Krishna states in the Bhagavad Gita that the soul is genderless and the body is just a cloak. The form of the body does not matter from a spiritual perspective.
- Swami Vivekananda commented “The Hindus have their own peculiar notions about [circumcision]. I think that our countrymen make too much fuss about this entirely unimportant matter.”
- Swami Sivananda believed “circumcision has no advantage physically or spiritually. Hindus are not bound by the Mosaic law.”
Most Hindu philosophers make no mention for or against circumcision, viewing it as a personal choice unrelated to spiritual liberation.
Comparison with Other Religions
Compared to the Abrahamic faiths, circumcision has much less significance in Hinduism:
Judaism
It is universally practiced as a mandatory religious covenant and sign of Jewish identity. Hindus have no comparable tradition or requirement.
Christianity
Though not deemed compulsory, circumcision’s biblical origins give it spiritual importance. Hindus assign no such religious significance to it.
Islam
While debated, circumcision remains strongly established among Muslims as sunnah (prophet’s example). Most Hindus do not practice it except for cultural reasons in some communities.
Overall, circumcision practices among Hindus and Abrahamic faiths substantially differ due to the absence of any scriptural or doctrinal authority in Hinduism.
Is Hindu Circumcision Valid?
Since circumcision is not a recognized rite or passage within Hinduism, there are no rules governing its validity or acceptance. Hindus choose it for personal, cultural or medical reasons rather than religious necessity.
However, a few points regarding Hindu circumcision:
- No special Hindu priestly supervision is required; doctors perform most procedures.
- There are no restrictions on age, but younger boys tend to be circumcised.
- The surgery is similar to that done for boys of other faiths and cultures.
- There are no specific Hindu rituals, prayers or ceremonies involved.
- It is seen as a secular, optional decision by Hindu families.
Therefore, Hindu circumcisions are considered valid so long as proper surgical procedure is followed according to medical norms and ethics.
Conclusion
In summary, circumcision has never been an established practice or religious requirement in Hinduism. Most Hindus do not get circumcised, and relatively few Hindu boys are circumcised compared to other religious groups. When Hindus do choose circumcision, it is usually for cultural reasons within some community traditions or for perceived medical benefits. While opinions among Hindus vary, most consider it an optional, non-spiritual choice for individual families rather than an obligatory rite of passage.