Frenklen
Tulsi Gabbard’s religion is a cornerstone of her identity. She is a practicing Hindu, specifically following the Vaishnava tradition. Her faith, deeply influenced by the spiritual teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, has guided her personal life and political career, making her the first-ever Hindu member of the U.S. Congress.
| Religion: | Hinduism (Vaishnava tradition) |
| Profession: | Politician, Military Officer |
| Date of birth: | April 12, 1981 |
| Zodiac sign: | Aries |
| Nationality: | American |
Hello, I’m Frenklen, and for the past 15 years, I’ve dedicated my career to analyzing the intersection of politics, culture, and personal belief systems. Tulsi Gabbard presents one of the most fascinating case studies in modern American politics, not just for her policy shifts but for the deeply ingrained spiritual foundation that underpins her public life. The story of Tulsi Gabbard’s religion is not a footnote; it is the central text for understanding her journey. Many politicians speak of faith, but few have a spiritual narrative as unique and influential as hers. In this article, we will move beyond headlines and soundbites to explore the profound impact of Hinduism, the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, and the principles of Karma Yoga on her life, from her childhood in Hawaii to the corridors of power in Washington D.C. Prepare to see a side of this political figure that is often mentioned but rarely understood.
Tulsi Gabbard and Early life and religion
The story of Tulsi Gabbard’s religion begins not with a single moment of conversion, but through a gradual immersion in a spiritually rich and unconventional household. Born on April 12, 1981, in Leloaloa, American Samoa, she was the fourth of five children. Her family’s background is a diverse tapestry of cultures and beliefs. Her father, Mike Gabbard, is of Samoan and European ancestry, while her mother, Carol, was born in Indiana and grew up in Michigan. This multicultural heritage provided the backdrop for a unique spiritual upbringing.
When Tulsi was two, her family relocated to Hawaii. It was there that her parents’ spiritual journey took a definitive shape. Her mother, Carol, embraced the Hindu faith, a decision that would profoundly influence the entire family. She gave all her children Sanskrit names: Bhakti, Jai, Aryan, Tulsi, and Vrindavan. Tulsi’s own name is derived from the holy basil plant, known as Tulasi, which is sacred in Hinduism and revered in the Vaishnava tradition. This choice of names was a clear indicator of the family’s deep connection to Hindu culture and spirituality.
Gabbard’s upbringing was steeped in the core tenets of Hinduism. She was raised with a strong emphasis on spiritual principles like karma, the law of cause and effect, which she learned from the ancient Indian scripture, the Bhagavad Gita. This text would become a central guide in her life. While her father served as a Hawaii state senator and her mother on the Board of Education, the family’s spiritual life was also connected to the Science of Identity Foundation (SIF).
- Her parents were disciples of Chris Butler, the SIF’s founder, whom Gabbard has described as a spiritual guide or a Vaishnava Hindu pastor from her early years.
- This association has been a point of public discussion, though in 2024, the Trump transition team stated that Gabbard has no affiliation with the SIF.
Gabbard was mostly homeschooled, a period that allowed for a deep dive into these spiritual teachings, alongside time spent at a girls’ school in the Philippines. As a teenager, she made a conscious decision to formally adopt the Hindu faith for herself, making it her own personal and guiding belief system. Her childhood was also marked by practices that complemented this spiritual path, including yoga, martial arts, and surfing, reflecting a holistic approach to life that balances physical and spiritual well-being. This early foundation in the Hindu tradition was not merely cultural; it was a comprehensive worldview that would shape her character, her decisions, and her eventual entry into public service.
Tulsi Gabbard views on faith and spirituality
Tulsi Gabbard’s views on faith and spirituality are not something she keeps private; they are an integral part of her public persona and political identity. She has consistently articulated a worldview rooted in the principles of her Hindu faith, particularly the Vaishnava tradition she follows. Her approach is one of action-oriented spirituality, which she identifies as Karma Yoga.
Perhaps the most powerful and visible demonstration of her faith occurred when she first entered the U.S. House of Representatives in 2013. Gabbard took her oath of office using her personal copy of the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Hindu scripture. This act was historic, making her the first member of Congress to do so. It was a deliberate and symbolic choice, signaling to the nation that her religious beliefs were a source of strength and guidance. She later gifted a copy of the same scripture to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, further highlighting its importance to her.
Gabbard often speaks about the concept of Karma Yoga, or the path of selfless action. She has explained that the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, which emphasize duty and service without attachment to the results, motivated her to pursue social work and public service. This philosophy is evident in how she frames her career choices:
- Military Service: She enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard and served two tours of duty in the Middle East. She has connected this service to the warrior-spirit of the Gita, where duty to protect others is a paramount virtue.
- Political Career: Her anti-interventionist stance and criticism of what she calls regime-change wars are often articulated through a spiritual lens of preventing suffering and promoting peace.
- Aloha Spirit: Gabbard frequently uses the Hawaiian greeting Aloha, explaining it as a spiritual concept meaning approaching others with love and respect. She connects this cultural value to the broader principles of compassion and unity found in her faith.
Her spirituality also manifests in her daily life and public engagements. She is a known yoga and meditation enthusiast, practices she credits with providing strength and peace. As a congresswoman, she actively participated in celebrating Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, on Capitol Hill and was a vocal supporter of the successful campaign to create a commemorative Diwali stamp in the United States. She described the festival as honoring universal values like righteousness that transcend religious and cultural backgrounds. Through these actions and statements, Gabbard has consistently presented her Hindu faith not as a static label but as a living, breathing philosophy that informs her actions and defines her purpose.
Tulsi Gabbard Life Partner Religion
The role of faith in Tulsi Gabbard’s personal life is further illuminated by her marital relationships, particularly her second marriage. Her personal journey reflects a deep and abiding connection to her Hindu beliefs, which have been a shared value in her most significant partnership.
Gabbard’s first marriage was in 2002 to Eduardo Tamayo. Their relationship ended in divorce in 2006. Gabbard has spoken about the immense pressures that military deployments place on families and relationships, citing her 2004-2005 tour in Iraq as a contributing factor to the strain. While less is publicly known about the religious aspect of this first marriage, her second marriage stands in stark contrast as a public affirmation of her faith.
In 2015, Tulsi Gabbard married Abraham Williams. Williams is a freelance cinematographer and editor who, like Gabbard, has a diverse heritage, being of European and Samoan ancestry. Crucially, he is also a practicing Hindu. Their shared faith was the centerpiece of their union. Their wedding was not a secular or interfaith ceremony; it was a traditional Vedic Hindu wedding held in Hawaii. This choice was highly significant:
- A Vedic ceremony involves ancient rituals and Sanskrit chants, signifying a deep commitment to the most traditional aspects of the Hindu faith.
- By having a public Hindu wedding, Gabbard once again embraced her religious identity openly, sharing her cultural and spiritual traditions with the world.
- The marriage to a fellow Hindu underscores the importance of shared spiritual values in her personal life, creating a partnership grounded in a common worldview.
Interestingly, their connection has professional roots as well; Abraham Williams is the son of her Honolulu office manager. Their relationship blossomed into a partnership built on shared personal, professional, and spiritual foundations. In 2024, Gabbard also shared publicly their personal struggles with starting a family, having gone through several unsuccessful IVF procedures. This candidness about a deeply personal and often painful experience further humanizes her, showing a side of her life where faith undoubtedly provides solace and strength. Her marriage to Williams solidifies the narrative that Tulsi Gabbard’s religion is not just a public affiliation but the very fabric of her private life and partnerships.
Tulsi Gabbard Comments in interviews about spirituality and Religion
Throughout her career, Tulsi Gabbard has been remarkably open in interviews about her spirituality and religion, consistently linking her Hindu faith to her motivations and actions. Her comments provide a direct window into how she translates ancient spiritual concepts into a modern framework for living and leading.
A recurring theme in her discussions is the profound influence of the Bhagavad Gita. She doesn’t just reference it as a holy book; she speaks of it as a practical guide for life. In various interviews, she has explained that she was raised on the spiritual principles of the Gita, such as karma and selfless service. She has often said that the core message of Karma Yoga—performing one’s duty with dedication and love, without being attached to the fruits of labor—is what inspired her to a life of service. She once stated, Our family was raised with the important value of karma yoga, a comment that encapsulates her entire approach to public life.
Her interview comments often highlight a desire to apply these principles universally:
- On Service: When asked about her military service, she connects it to the Gita’s concept of dharma, or righteous duty. The idea is to act for the greater good, a principle she sees as the highest calling.
- On Leadership: She has described her political philosophy as being driven by a desire to bring about an end to suffering, a goal rooted in the compassionate tenets of her faith. Her opposition to what she terms wasteful regime change wars is consistently framed as a moral and spiritual imperative to protect lives.
- On Unity: Gabbard frequently talks about the Aloha spirit of Hawaii, defining it in spiritual terms as coming to you with respect and with love. She presents this as a practical application of the unifying message she finds in Hinduism, a message that sees the divine in all beings.
Gabbard has also addressed the nature of her faith directly. When asked to describe her beliefs, she identifies as a Vaishnava Hindu. She has clarified that her spiritual path is one of devotion and service, centered on a personal relationship with God. In a 2017 profile in The New Yorker, she spoke about her relationship with her childhood spiritual guide, Chris Butler, describing him as essentially like a Vaishnava Hindu pastor. While this association has drawn scrutiny, her willingness to discuss it reflects an ownership of her spiritual history.
Even when facing criticism, her responses are often filtered through a spiritual lens. During her 2020 presidential campaign, when questioned about her past controversial stances, she spoke of her evolution as being shaped by her experiences, a journey of learning and growth that is a key part of many spiritual paths. Her commentary in interviews consistently reveals that for Tulsi Gabbard, religion is not a set of dogmas but a dynamic, guiding force that provides both a moral compass and a source of resilience.
Tulsi Gabbard Comparisons with other celebrities on Religion
While the provided context does not directly compare Tulsi Gabbard to other celebrities, her unique religious identity invites compelling comparisons with other public figures whose faith has played a significant role in their careers. Understanding these parallels helps to contextualize the significance of Tulsi Gabbard’s religion in the American landscape.
The most direct comparison is with other politicians who broke religious barriers. John F. Kennedy’s 1960 presidential campaign was dominated by questions about his Catholicism, with many fearing he would be loyal to the Pope over the U.S. Constitution. Similarly, Gabbard, as the first Hindu member of Congress, faced a different kind of scrutiny and curiosity. Her challenge was to educate the public about a faith that is far less understood in America than Catholicism. Her decision to take the oath on the Bhagavad Gita was her equivalent of Kennedy’s famous Houston speech on religion—a clear declaration of both her faith and her allegiance to her country.
Another relevant comparison is with Mitt Romney, whose Mormon faith was a major topic of discussion during his presidential campaigns. Like Romney, Gabbard belongs to a religious minority and has had to navigate public perception and misinformation about her beliefs. Both have shown a willingness to speak openly about their faith as a source of their values, such as family, service, and integrity. However, where Romney’s faith is part of a well-established American-born tradition, Gabbard’s Hinduism connects her to a global, ancient religion, giving her a unique platform for discussions on international and cultural understanding.
Beyond politics, one could draw a parallel with public figures like the late basketball coach Phil Jackson, who famously integrated Zen Buddhist principles into his coaching of the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers. Like Jackson, Gabbard applies principles from an Eastern spiritual tradition—in her case, Karma Yoga and the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita—to a high-pressure Western environment. Both demonstrate how these philosophies can be used as practical tools for focus, discipline, and achieving goals, whether on the basketball court or in the political arena.
Finally, her spiritual journey can be seen in the context of other figures who have embraced Eastern spirituality. While not a direct comparison, the public’s fascination with the spiritual journeys of figures from George Harrison of The Beatles, who introduced many in the West to Hare Krishna and Indian music, to modern wellness influencers, shows a growing interest in these traditions. Gabbard, however, is distinct because she is not just a practitioner but a political leader. She has integrated her spiritual beliefs into a framework of governance and national service, taking these concepts from the realm of personal wellness into the sphere of public policy. This makes her position truly unique among her contemporaries.
Religion Influence on Tulsi Gabbard Life
The influence of religion on Tulsi Gabbard’s life is not merely a background detail; it is the fundamental force that has shaped her identity, career, and worldview. From her earliest days, the principles of Hinduism have provided a comprehensive framework for her decisions, infusing her personal and public actions with a distinct spiritual purpose.
The most significant influence is the philosophy of Karma Yoga, derived from the Bhagavad Gita. This principle of selfless service is the lens through which she views her life’s work. It’s a philosophy that calls for action and duty without attachment to personal gain or glory. This influence is clearly visible in several key areas:
- Military Service: Gabbard’s decision to enlist in the Hawaii Army National Guard in 2003 while serving as a state legislator, and her subsequent deployments to Iraq and Kuwait, can be seen as a direct application of Karma Yoga. The Gita’s narrative centers on the warrior Arjuna, who must fulfill his duty (dharma) to fight for righteousness. Gabbard has often framed her service in similar terms—as a duty to protect and serve the country and its people.
- Political Stances: Her signature foreign policy stance—staunch opposition to military interventionism and regime-change wars—is deeply rooted in a spiritual conviction to prevent suffering. She often speaks of the high human cost of war, a perspective informed by both her personal experience and the Hindu principle of ahimsa (non-harm), albeit balanced with the duty to protect.
- Personal Resilience: Politics is a field of intense pressure and public scrutiny. Gabbard has credited her daily practices of yoga and meditation, both integral parts of Hindu spirituality, with providing the mental and emotional fortitude to navigate challenges. Her faith offers a grounding force, a reminder of a purpose larger than political wins or losses.
Her religious upbringing also had a profound impact on her identity. Being raised in a multicultural and multi-religious environment, with a Hindu mother and a father of Samoan heritage, gave her a unique perspective on diversity and faith. Her choice to formally embrace Hinduism as a teenager was a personal commitment that solidified this identity. This made her a trailblazer, becoming the first-ever Hindu and the first Samoan-American voting member of the U.S. Congress. This historic achievement was a direct result of the path her family’s spiritual journey had laid out for her.
The influence of her family’s connection to the Science of Identity Foundation and its leader, Chris Butler, also marks her story. While she has faced criticism and questions about this association, it is an undeniable part of her spiritual formation. It represents the specific Vaishnava lineage through which she was introduced to Hinduism. Though her team has more recently distanced her from the organization, the foundational teachings she received during her formative years clearly left an indelible mark on her understanding of faith and service.
Ultimately, Tulsi Gabbard’s religion is the key to understanding her trajectory. It explains her historic oath on the Bhagavad Gita, her traditional Vedic Hindu wedding, her emphasis on the Aloha spirit, and her unwavering focus on a life of service. It is a living faith that has guided her from the shores of Hawaii to the heart of American power.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the story of Tulsi Gabbard’s religion is a compelling narrative of faith shaping a public life in a way rarely seen in contemporary American politics. Her identity as a Vaishnava Hindu is not a superficial label but a profound and active influence that has guided her from a unique childhood in Hawaii to the national stage. The spiritual tenets of the Bhagavad Gita, particularly the philosophy of Karma Yoga or selfless action, serve as the moral and ethical compass for her decisions in both her military and political careers.
Her journey has been marked by historic firsts, most notably becoming the first Hindu member of the U.S. Congress and taking her oath of office on a scripture that remains central to her worldview. From her traditional Vedic wedding to her consistent advocacy for principles of peace and service, Gabbard has lived her faith openly and unapologetically. While her path has not been without controversy, particularly regarding her family’s past spiritual associations, her spiritual foundation has provided her with a unique voice and a resilient sense of purpose.
Ultimately, to understand Tulsi Gabbard is to understand the deep well of spirituality from which she draws her strength and conviction. Her life demonstrates the powerful intersection of faith, service, and identity, offering a unique chapter in the ever-evolving story of religion in American public life.
Related Queries
What is Tulsi Gabbard’s specific religious belief?
Tulsi Gabbard’s religion is Hinduism. She is a practicing Hindu who follows the Vaishnava tradition, a major branch of Hinduism that focuses on the worship of Vishnu and his avatars. Her faith is deeply influenced by the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.
Why is Tulsi Gabbard’s religion significant in US politics?
Her religion is significant because she was the first-ever practicing Hindu to be elected to the United States Congress. Her public embrace of her faith, including taking the oath of office on the Bhagavad Gita, marked a historic moment for religious diversity in American politics.
What is Karma Yoga and how does it relate to Tulsi Gabbard?
Karma Yoga is a spiritual path in Hinduism centered on selfless action and performing one’s duty without attachment to the outcome. Gabbard has repeatedly stated that this principle from the Bhagavad Gita is the primary motivation for her life of public service, including her military and political careers.
What is the Science of Identity Foundation (SIF)?
The Science of Identity Foundation is a Vaishnava Hindu-affiliated organization founded by Chris Butler. Tulsi Gabbard’s parents were followers of Butler, and she has described him as a spiritual guide from her youth. This connection has been a subject of public discussion regarding her spiritual background.
How does Tulsi Gabbard express her faith publicly?
Gabbard expresses her faith through various public actions, such as taking her congressional oath on the Bhagavad Gita, having a traditional Vedic Hindu wedding, participating in Diwali celebrations, promoting International Yoga Day, and frequently discussing spiritual concepts like Karma Yoga and the Aloha spirit in interviews.
FAQs
Is Tulsi Gabbard still a practicing Hindu?
Yes, Tulsi Gabbard is a practicing Hindu. She continues to speak openly about her faith and its influence on her life. Her adherence to the Vaishnava tradition and the principles of the Bhagavad Gita remain central to her public and private identity.
What was Tulsi Gabbard’s religion before she became a Hindu?
Tulsi Gabbard was raised in a household where her mother practiced the Hindu faith. She was brought up with Hindu values and spiritual principles from a young age and formally adopted the faith for herself as a teenager. There is no indication she practiced another religion before this.
Did Tulsi Gabbard’s husband convert to Hinduism?
No, her husband, Abraham Williams, was already a practicing Hindu when they met. Their shared faith is a cornerstone of their relationship, which was solemnized in a traditional Vedic Hindu wedding ceremony in 2015.
Has Tulsi Gabbard’s religion affected her political career?
Yes, her religion has been a defining feature of her political career. It made her a historic figure as the first Hindu in Congress and has deeply influenced her policy positions, particularly her non-interventionist foreign policy, which she frames as a spiritual imperative to prevent suffering. It has also brought her both support for her unique perspective and scrutiny from critics.
What is the Bhagavad Gita that Tulsi Gabbard follows?
The Bhagavad Gita, often called the Gita, is a 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the Indian epic Mahabharata. It presents a conversation between the prince Arjuna and his guide Krishna on a range of spiritual and philosophical issues, including dharma (duty), yoga, and moksha (liberation). It is one of the most important and revered texts in Hinduism and is central to Gabbard’s belief system.
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