You’ve probably seen the headlines or caught a clip of her on a podcast. Tulsi Gabbard, the combat veteran and former Congresswoman who recently stepped into the role of Director of National Intelligence in 2025, has always been a bit of a lightning rod. But if you dig past the political talking points, you find something that really trips people up: her faith.
It’s not just that she’s Hindu. It’s the way she’s Hindu.
Honestly, the confusion is understandable. We’re used to seeing American politicians fit into neat little boxes—Catholic, Evangelical, maybe the occasional secularist. Then comes Tulsi, taking her oath of office on a Bhagavad Gita and talking about "karma yoga" while serving in the Army National Guard. It doesn't help that her background isn't the "traditional" Indian-American experience most people associate with Hinduism.
The Roots of Her Faith: It’s Not What You Think
Most people assume Tulsi Gabbard is of Indian descent because of her name and religion. She’s not. She has clarified this a million times: she has no Indian ancestry. She’s actually of American Samoan and European descent.
Her journey into Hinduism started with her mother, Carol Porter Gabbard. While her father, Mike Gabbard, was raised Catholic (and later became a "Catholic Hindu"), her mother was the one who really dove into the practice of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. This is a branch of Hinduism that focuses on the devotional worship of Lord Krishna.
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Tulsi didn't just inherit this; she chose it. As a teenager, she officially adopted the faith. She’s often described herself as a "Vaishnava Hindu," which basically means she views Krishna as the Supreme Deity and centers her life around devotion and service.
That "Science of Identity" Connection
Now, here is where things get spicy. You can't talk about Tulsi Gabbard religious beliefs without mentioning the Science of Identity Foundation (SIF). This group, founded by a man named Chris Butler (also known as Jagad Guru Siddhaswarupananda Paramahamsa), is where Tulsi grew up.
Butler was a disciple of the founder of ISKCON (the Hare Krishnas), but he eventually broke away to start his own thing in Hawaii. Critics and former members have called it a cult. They point to Butler’s alleged absolute authority and the group’s secretive nature. Gabbard, for her part, has always pushed back. She calls Butler her "guru dev" or spiritual teacher and credits him with giving her the "gift" of her spiritual practice.
Is it a cult? Is it just a niche religious group? Depends on who you ask. What’s clear is that the philosophy she learned there—specifically the focus on being an "eternal spirit soul" rather than just a physical body—is the bedrock of how she sees the world.
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Why the Bhagavad Gita Matters to Her
If you want to understand Tulsi, you have to look at the book she keeps in her pocket. For her, the Bhagavad Gita isn't just a dusty old scripture. It’s a literal survival guide.
She took it with her when she deployed to Iraq. She’s talked about how, in the middle of a war zone, the Gita’s teachings on the immortality of the soul gave her a sense of peace. There’s a specific concept called Karma Yoga—the yoga of selfless action—that she references constantly. Basically, the idea is that you do your duty because it’s the right thing to do, without obsessing over whether you’ll win or lose.
"My Gita has been a tremendous source of inner peace and strength through many tough challenges in life, including being in the midst of death and turmoil while serving our country." — Tulsi Gabbard
This "servant-leader" mindset is her brand. Whether she’s sitting in a Fox News studio or briefed on national security as DNI, she claims this text is her North Star.
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The Religion vs. Politics Tension
Lately, her religious talk has taken a sharper turn. In late 2025 and early 2026, Gabbard has been vocal about what she calls "Islamist ideology."
This is where it gets complicated. She’s quick to distinguish between the Islamic faith (which she says she respects) and "Islamism" (which she views as a radical political movement). Her critics argue this is a thin veil for bigotry, while her supporters see it as a "truth-teller" being brave.
It’s a weird paradox. On one hand, she preaches the Hindu concept of Vasuhaiva Kutumbakam—the idea that the whole world is one family. On the other, she uses very hawkish language regarding religious extremism. She often frames this through the lens of protecting "God-given freedoms" enshrined in the Constitution.
Common Misconceptions vs. Reality
- Misconception: She is a "secret" member of a cult that controls her.
- Reality: She is open about her guru, Chris Butler, though she downplays the group's organizational influence on her policy.
- Misconception: Her Hinduism is the same as the Hinduism practiced in India.
- Reality: Her practice is a Western-influenced offshoot. It’s deeply rooted in traditional Vaishnava texts but filtered through a specific Hawaiian community.
- Misconception: She wants to impose Hindu law.
- Reality: She has consistently advocated for a "pluralistic secular government," often citing the "Aloha spirit" as a model for religious freedom.
What This Means for You
Understanding the nuances of Tulsi Gabbard religious beliefs helps decode why she makes the political moves she does. She isn't a traditional conservative or a traditional liberal; she’s a devotee of a specific spiritual lineage that values duty above party loyalty.
If you’re trying to follow her career, keep an eye on how she balances her "peace-loving" yogi persona with her "warrior" role in the intelligence community. It’s a tension that isn't going away anytime soon.
Practical Next Steps:
- Read a summary of the Bhagavad Gita: To understand her "servant-leader" rhetoric, look at Chapters 2 and 3 of the Gita. It explains the "Karma Yoga" she references.
- Differentiate the terms: When she speaks, listen for the distinction between "religion" and "ideology." She uses these terms very specifically to navigate controversial topics.
- Watch the 2025 AmericaFest Speech: If you want to see her current synthesis of faith and national security, her remarks there are the most recent "manifesto" of her worldview.