Floor or chair

[Vinayaka]

Do you prefer to sit on the floor, or to sit on a chair?

In places where Hinduism was exported to small sugar islands via the British Empire, there grew a mix of customs. One of these was using chairs in temples, almost aligned like pews. The devotees sat and watched the puja or listened to a pundit lecture, as if it were a stage performance.

In today's temples in the west, some have chairs along the side, or on one side, and others don't. In the serving halls, some serve food on the floor (sheets or table covers are put down first) while others use tables.

Not sure, but I think in Vedic days there were no tables for this purpose, and everything was done on the floor. So over time, the table/chair of foreigners infiltrated the original custom.

So which do you prefer, or does it vary from situation to situation?

i know I'm 100% floor in temples. Just can't imagine sitting anywhere else, unless I can't make it down or up, because of age/arthritis.

 

[Poeticus]

Do you prefer to sit on the floor, or to sit on a chair?

In places where Hinduism was exported to small sugar islands via the British Empire, there grew a mix of customs. One of these was using chairs in temples, almost aligned like pews. The devotees sat and watched the puja or listened to a pundit lecture, as if it were a stage performance.

In today's temples in the west, some have chairs along the side, or on one side, and others don't. In the serving halls, some serve food on the floor (sheets or table covers are put down first) while others use tables.

Not sure, but I think in Vedic days there were no tables for this purpose, and everything was done on the floor. So over time, the table/chair of foreigners infiltrated the original custom.

So which do you prefer, or does it vary from situation to situation?

i know I'm 100% floor in temples. Just can't imagine sitting anywhere else, unless I can't make it down or up, because of age/arthritis.

I have noticed chairs along the walls in various temples in the States. Haven't really seen anything like that in temples in India, however, except in one ISKCON mandir that had a few chairs in one corner. In the States, the chairs are for the elders, as per my observation. All in all, I don't really have a preference. I see nothing but my gods and goddesses when I enter the temple. After receiving their darshan, I leave as a happier person.

 

[StarryNightshade]

The temple I go to has chairs for elderly devotees and non-Hindu guests. It's pretty much expected that one will otherwise sit on the floor. Which I don't mind really.

 

[Sb1995]

Sit on the floor but I like sitting against the wall for back support

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

It's always mixed at the temples I go to.

Sometimes there are even "floor chairs"

I usually take the floor, because I feel like the chairs are for people who need them - elderly, pregnant infirm etc.

:camp:

 

[ShivaFan]

There are temples here in the SF Bayarea with "chairs" along the side wall, but these are used by the elderly. Anyone who is not eldedly would be embarrassed to use the "chair" because you might be denying it to an elder.

I know of no temple here with "pews" or such in the main temple area for general guests for darshan. There is the chair like "chair" in some temples but these are for the elderly.

Whatever is the custom of the temple, that is what I follow and that is what I like. I am a guest. Not the owner. What I like isn't as important as what the temple likes.

 

[Valjean]

I'm comfortable either way. When I sit in a chair I generally have my legs crossed anyway, the same as I would on the floor.
However, when doing some task, like using the computer or writing, a chair is preferable, as you can slide it under a table to bring your work surface close.

 

[Jainarayan]

While I prefer sitting on the floor, I can't sit for more than 10 minutes at a stretch. My back and leg problems are getting worse. So I am up and down like a jack-in-the-box. For the periods I have to stand, I find a corner or a wall so I am out of the way.

 

[Aupmanyav]

On floor and a 'chauki' (six inch high square table) for eating or keeping things on. In India, it was not generally a carpet but a 'gadda' (cotton-filled spread) which could cover the whole room except passage areas. And where there were mud floors not even the 'gadda' but a 'dari' (thick cotton carpet kind of thing). Very comfortable. We used to get our daries which were made by people in Jodhpur prison, and they were very tough. We have one which I have seen right from my childhood. Even now during marriages (with a large number of relatives and acquaintances), these 'gaddas' are spread in rooms, and people will sit, gossip, and sleep on them. Of course, a lot of cushions to go with these. The advantage is that if one is tired in one position, one could slip into a stretch.

ps - Other than my wife and myself, the old timers, no one in my family can sit cross-legged on floor and eat food kept at floor level. They say it presses on their tummy. Times have changed.

 

[Aupmanyav]

I know of no temple here with "pews" or such in the main temple area for general guests for darshan. There is the chair like "chair" in some temples but these are for the elderly.

Pews, no. During a 'katha, 'satsang' or a funerary message, the priest or the speaker will generally sit cross legged on a platform - 'Vyasa Gaddi'.

 

[Maya3]

I´m used to the floor. At the Ashram we have those floor chairs, cushions and a couple of chairs in the back. Most people sit on cushions on the floor, but it is good to have alternatives for people who have trouble sitting for a long time.
At temple we have cushions, and I think there is a chair or two somewhere in the back.
I´ve seen some people sit on them during festivals.
I like sitting on the floor, but our temple has wooden floors and it is not very comfortable, at the ashram we have a carpet.

Maya

 

[DeviChaaya]

I have problems sitting on the floor, much like Jai. If I can I need to be up against a wall otherwise after about ten minutes I have no feeling in my legs and cannot get up. Even when there are chairs available I feel terribly guilty for using them!

 

[Vinayaka]

I have problems sitting on the floor, much like Jai. If I can I need to be up against a wall otherwise after about ten minutes I have no feeling in my legs and cannot get up. Even when there are chairs available I feel terribly guilty for using them!

Yes, that is a problem. A young person can have crippling arthritis. Our temple has two benches to accommodate those who cannot sit on the floor. I'm sure you'd be welcome to use them, but the manager might ask you, and then you can explain.

 

[Jainarayan]

If I can I need to be up against a wall otherwise after about ten minutes I have no feeling in my legs and cannot get up.

That's exactly me. I can sit for about 15-20 mins., then when I start to feel the tingling I get up. It's not even a matter of stretching the hip muscles, I actually have compressed nerves. At about 20 minutes the Sri Vishnu Sahasranama is about finished (it takes 30 minutes). That's my cue to stand up. I have my own column I sit against. Even then I need to push myself up and use the column for support. To sit in the middle of the floor is out of the question. I learned that the first or second time I went to the temple.

Even when there are chairs available I feel terribly guilty for using them!

Me too. About the only way I'd feel justified is if I walked in with the cane or wearing my brace. I've thought about finding an ergonomic floor pillow, like a zafu or a wedge pillow to raise the hips, and stashing it in the office or some secret place, with my name and a note on it. I mean, it really is uncomfortable and embarrassing... in my mind anyway. The other possibility, which I've tried, but takes getting used to is to sit seiza, with or without a pillow. It's more comfortable with a pillow or rolled up towel between the butt and feet.

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

I recently bought this folding floor chair for my home meditation. It's technically portable but it's a little big even laying flat to cart around. At the temple I'll do the "Find the nearest pillar" and sit. My hips start to hurt after a while but I manage to tolerate it for a while because I finally learned out to turn my feet so that my ankle bone isn't resting against the hard floor.

This chair is really nice though and it has great back support. You'd think it would topple over with no back brace, but it's actually surprisingly difficult to fall back in.

:camp:

 

[Vinayaka]

When you're younger and not used to it, after time (practice makes perfect) it gets easier, as with anything else. I once would get sore knees after 15 minutes. Now I could sit on a stone floor for 2 hours. Other than legs falling asleep, and the need to shift occasionally, it wouldn't be all that hard.

However, when you're older, it may never happen.

 

[DeviChaaya]

That's exactly me. I can sit for about 15-20 mins., then when I start to feel the tingling I get up. It's not even a matter of stretching the hip muscles, I actually have compressed nerves. At about 20 minutes the Sri Vishnu Sahasranama is about finished (it takes 30 minutes). That's my cue to stand up. I have my own column I sit against. Even then I need to push myself up and use the column for support. To sit in the middle of the floor is out of the question. I learned that the first or second time I went to the temple.



Me too. About the only way I'd feel justified is if I walked in with the cane or wearing my brace. I've thought about finding an ergonomic floor pillow, like a zafu or a wedge pillow to raise the hips, and stashing it in the office or some secret place, with my name and a note on it. I mean, it really is uncomfortable and embarrassing... in my mind anyway. The other possibility, which I've tried, but takes getting used to is to sit seiza, with or without a pillow. It's more comfortable with a pillow or rolled up towel between the butt and feet.

I can't even sit seiza for very long. I go awfully numb awfully quick. I think it was the second time I wentto temple that I fell over trying to get up for aarti. It takes a good five to ten minutes for me to get enough feeling back in order to stand up. The former pundit ji knew about my problems but the new one doesn't and I worry I'll get yelled at.

 

[Jainarayan]

Yeah, I've been there. I'm learning to cope though. Sometimes it helps to squirm around and shift positions. I have a hard time sitting seiza too. I'm just coping the best I can. If I have to get up, I get up, if I have to hang back against a wall or in a corner, I do that. I'm there to be with God.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Even when there are chairs available I feel terribly guilty for using them!

Why feel guilty? It is your body's need, and chairs are just for that reason, to make you comfortable. And it is not sacrilege to change position. We too do it.

 

[Jainarayan]

I just had an idea... our own portable chairs.

Folding Tripod Stool - Portable Seat - Closeout Sale - Soccer Equipment and Gear
Portable Gallery Chair - Golf Coast Online