The story of Hindu Americans does not begin in 1965. It begins in 1893, in Chicago, at one of the most significant moments in American religious history.
1893: The Parliament of World's Religions
On September 11, 1893, a 30-year-old monk from India stood up at the Parliament of World's Religions in Chicago. His name was Swami Vivekananda. He addressed the crowd as "Sisters and Brothers of America." The audience gave him a standing ovation before he said another word.
Vivekananda introduced Vedanta to the Western world. He spoke about universal tolerance, the unity of all religions, and the dangers of sectarianism. His speeches changed how Americans understood Hinduism and India. He spent years in America, establishing the Vedanta Society and laying the groundwork for what would follow.
1920s: Paramahansa Yogananda
In 1920, Paramahansa Yogananda arrived in America. He founded the Self-Realization Fellowship in Los Angeles in 1925. His book, "Autobiography of a Yogi," became one of the most widely read spiritual texts of the 20th century. Steve Jobs reportedly kept a copy on his iPad and arranged for it to be distributed at his memorial service.
Yogananda brought yoga and meditation into American consciousness decades before they became mainstream. He was a pioneer.
1965: The Immigration and Nationality Act
For most of the first half of the 20th century, Asian immigration to America was severely restricted. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 changed that. It eliminated national origin quotas and opened America to immigrants from Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Hindu immigration accelerated dramatically. Doctors, engineers, scientists, and students came from India and other countries. They built lives, raised families, and built communities.
1970s and 1980s: Building Temples
As the community grew, Hindu Americans built temples. The first major temple in America, the Shri Venkateswara Temple in Pittsburgh, was consecrated in 1976. More followed across the country. Today, there are over 500 Hindu temples in the United States.
Today
4.1 million Hindu Americans live in the United States today. They are the highest-educated and one of the highest-earning religious demographics in the country. They have served in Congress, led major corporations, won Nobel Prizes, and shaped American culture in ways large and small.
The story of Hindu Americans is still being written. And it is a story worth knowing.