We demand equal Rights for Hindu Ashrams in Germany!

With this petition we advocate,

1. that Yoga Vidya be treated as Religious Community 
2. that Yoga Vidya e.V. be granted the rights of a public corporation
3. that Yoga Vidya ashrams be treated in the same way as Christian monasteries, i.e. that ashrams be granted the existing constitutionally and socially guaranteed rights to self-determination, self-administration and regulation of ashram life, as they are granted to other spiritual cooperatives (Christian monasteries/religious orders) and similar communities as a matter of course.

Yoga Vidya is a Hindu non-profit association founded in 1995. Yoga Vidya operates 4 Ashrams, various Yoga centers, has 10,000 active members, has trained over 24,000 Yoga teachers. In the main Ashram in Bad Meinberg (near Hannover), over 200 Sevakas live in a spiritual community, including people with Indian citizenship. Yoga Vidya could impart training for more than a million people over the years. The day in the Ashrams is filled with Hindu rituals from 5h to 22h, including Pujas, Homas, Satsangs, recitation of Holy Scriptures like Bhagavad Gita, Kirtan, etc. Yoga Vidya teaches Yoga, Ayurveda, Meditation, Vedanta (Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, Viveka Chudamani, etc.), etc. The Ashram can accommodate up to 1000 guests. It is the biggest Hindu institution in Germany. For many Hindus with Indian Citizenship, Yoga Vidya Ashrams has become their religious home.

However, Yoga Vidya is facing certain disadvantages from the state authorities as Hindu religion is not recognised in Germany. Hence activities of Yoga Vidya Ashrams are considered as “Wellness activities” and not recognised as religious activities. In this context, the ashram is not in a position to encourage and enforce the hindu way of life by upholding the value system enshrined in Sanatana Dharma. Presently, rules and regulations of the ashram can't be enforced within the vicinity as the ashram is not recognised as a religious institution.

Since Hinduism is a minority in Germany we need help and support from Hindu Communities in Germany, Europe, India and the whole world in the following matters:

1. Hinduism should be an approved religion in Germany:

Since it is not a sizeable majority, till now, Hinduism is not considered as an approved religion in Germany. When people mark their religion in any official paper, they always select "Sonstiges" (other) and write it extra as Hindu. This situation needs to be changed. Along with Christianity, Islam, Judaism & Buddhism, we want Hinduism also as an approved religion in the country.

2. German Institutions teaching Hindu Dharma should be recognized as religious institution:

Not only the Indian migrant community of skilled professionals are arriving in Germany, there are a lot of people who, through meditation, yoga, and other practices, are very well connected to Hinduism now. This situation will increase in the days to come and approval of our religion will strengthen the democratic and humanitarian ideas of German national identity. Institutions in Germany which teach Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, practice Puja, Homa, Sanskrit Recitations, Arati, Kirtan along with Asanas, Pranayama, Meditation should be recognized as religious institutions in Germany - not as Wellness institutions.

3. Yoga Ashrams in Germany should have same rights as Christian Monasteries:

In Germany Catholic Monasteries and Protestants Brotherhoods and Sisterhoods enjoy special rights. There are special regulations like Social Security/Government Insurance laws for Religious Communities etc. Yoga Ashram spreading Hindu Dharma should have the same rights as Christian institutions.

The Hindu religion is as such, very different from a traditional western monastic system. It is NOT a single god believing system which is why it is called polytheistic religion. Also, it is very diverse and there are many different sects and ideas in Hinduism. So, it can not be identified and recognized as a single mono practicing belief. Hence the freedom of peaceful practice of Hinduism is very much needed in Germany now.

India, as such, is bigger than the whole Europe in size and diversity. So Indians and their belief systems are so diverse and we request that German Federal and state governments may consider and approve this matter and allow and respect the practice of the diversified community.

Equal Treatment for Hinduism in Germany: Recognition of Yoga Vidya as a Religious Institution, Recognition of Yoga Vidya Ashrams as Hindu Monasteries

As steps towards full equal treatment of Hinduism in Germany we ask German Government authorities, members of parliament, Court officials to treat Yoga Vidya, the biggest Hindu institution in Germany, the same as other religious institutions. We advocate

1. that Yoga Vidya be treated as Religious Community
2. that Yoga Vidya e.V. be granted the rights of a public corporation
3. that Yoga Vidya ashrams be treated in the same way as Christian monasteries, i.e. that ashrams be granted the existing constitutionally and socially guaranteed rights to self-determination, self-administration and regulation of ashram life, as they are granted to other spiritual cooperatives (Christian monasteries/religious orders) and similar communities as a matter of course.