Ahh yes, a Temple is more like a veritable smorgasbord of philosophical beliefs. I once even encountered a Muslim couple at Temple. Didn't speak a word of English, but their food was nice.
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Temple Visits from "Outsiders"
- Thread starter SalixIncendium
- Start date
What's also nice is that rarely is philosophy talked about there.
Why discuss philosophy? It's more like a social gathering. Life tends to be more interesting anyway.
Agreed. Not a philosophical person here. The few times it has come up at a temple, it's usually some guy assuming I know nothing, and wanting to explain it all to me, (because of skin color) and in reality it's just his version. It spoils the bhakti mood. Temples, outside of the pujas and festivals, and group singing, can be incredibly quiet peaceful places.
Well I am, sort of. I muse without much thought. It amuses me. But in saying that, at Temple I'm more concerned about how the puri tastes and how many peras I can snag than waxing philosophical with someone. Not to say I won't indulge from time to time. But ehh. The skin colour I can relate to. It's very amusing to hear an uncle try to explain something to me, even though I'm a born Hindu. I don't know about quiet peaceful places. More like a place full of aunty like gossip
But I see your point.
Well I am, sort of. I muse without much thought. It amuses me. But in saying that, at Temple I'm more concerned about how the puri tastes and how many peras I can snag than waxing philosophical with someone. Not to say I won't indulge from time to time. But ehh. The skin colour I can relate to. It's very amusing to hear an uncle try to explain something to me, even though I'm a born Hindu. I don't know about quiet peaceful places. More like a place full of aunty like gossip
But I see your point.
We go to different style temples. That's obvious.
That depends. How much Hindi/Punjabi/Urdu do you understand?
Or does your Temple skimp on the Dinner?
That depends. How much Hindi/Punjabi/Urdu do you understand?
I go to a South Indian style temple. The main language is Tamil, but we also get Malayalam, Telegu, Kannada, and all the other Indian languages on occasion, including Nepali. Every Sunday there is a sponsored meal, usually rice, sambar, one vegetable curry, and occasionally more if a sponsor also does the cooking. (Sponsors have the option of cooking themselves, or have the temple cook for them.) The temple is open every day for 4 hours in the AM, and 3 in the PM. I go on non-Sunday days usually, in the AM. On those days prasadam is the rice and fruit offered to the Gods, no meal, unless its a festival.
We have about 10 other temples in this city, and I go to them occasionally, like once a year, except for the ones who aggressively try to convert me to their sampradaya.
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ajay0
Well-Known Member
Hi SalixIncendium,
I am not much into temples as I dislike crowded places. But temples which are not crowded, and are silent and serene is great for meditation as it has very good vibes.
I enjoy sitting around these temples and meditating.
There are certain sop's to follow while going to temples, such as taking a bath (cold bath if possible), abstaining from liquor or meat on that day.
.
This is because the focus is on increasing the element of sattva within oneself, and reducing the rajasic/tamasic elements. Sattva is conducive to self-awareness or mental equanimity.
I am not much into temples as I dislike crowded places. But temples which are not crowded, and are silent and serene is great for meditation as it has very good vibes.
I enjoy sitting around these temples and meditating.
There are certain sop's to follow while going to temples, such as taking a bath (cold bath if possible), abstaining from liquor or meat on that day.
.
This is because the focus is on increasing the element of sattva within oneself, and reducing the rajasic/tamasic elements. Sattva is conducive to self-awareness or mental equanimity.
Just out of curiosity, what is the purpose of the bath being cold?
I'm not terribly sure what style mine is, tbh. A Sai Baba style? Fijian style? Some sort of mixture? I dunno. But ours always offers a meal afterwards no matter what. It is rather small but it's got a lot of heart I guess. Thursday nights is usually the main Puja night but it's open all week so I guess it depends on one's schedule.
Hmm never heard of the cold bath being a thing. Is it for focus? We usually have a shower and wash our hair out of respect. Abstain from meat and liquor obviously.
I always sort of laugh about the abstaining from meat and liquor. As a vegetarian, I find it kind of odd to make a deal of it. It's like lecturing a non-smoker to quit smoking.
Well for us meat eaters it is rather a deal. I mean to give up bacon for even a day is something to take notice of. Although for me the real challenge is liquor. A European hangover of sorts in my family dictates that a glass of wine with dinner is a must. And I don't even like wine but it's just so.....ingrained into me now.
Which is probably why I'm more into the Shakta/Kali Kula ways. Very little if at all discipline on my part.
ajay0
Well-Known Member
Cold baths are said to increase one's prana or chi levels, which in turn aid the growth of self-awareness. It is also an austerity in itself.
In Russia, there is a traditional healing system and centres where people submerge themselves in frozen lakes for a few seconds and then come out, aided by a support group. Many people have reported miraculous healing incidents which I have read about. The healing takes place because of the increase in prana or chi.
Aupmanyav
Be your own guru
I think there is no temple devoid of 'aunty gossip'. That will be a bit strange. Tamil temples will have Tamil gossip. Perhaps it is because you don't go on Sundays when most 'aunties' come.
I too think that a cold bath gives us a rebound warmth - may not be very scientific. Like it but is not in my practice. Quiet temples are a delight where one can sit in a corner and soak peace.
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I have another question. When do I go?
I've visited websites looking for what's going on at the temple. I see some events listed and the hours they're open, but am unsure of when to walk in.
Perhaps I'm stuck on how the Christian churches work, but do they have scheduled services, or is it just more like "come in whenever they're open?"
I've visited websites looking for what's going on at the temple. I see some events listed and the hours they're open, but am unsure of when to walk in.
Perhaps I'm stuck on how the Christian churches work, but do they have scheduled services, or is it just more like "come in whenever they're open?"
There is Auntie gossip everywhere. all the time. The grapevine takes information incredibly fast. The technology of today, with social media, has accelerated it tenfold.
Sunday, at this temple, is incredibly cosmopolitan. Probably more Gujaratis than Tamil, and while dinner is being served, probably 10 Mother tongues can be heard at any given time. Pradosha, Krittika, Chaturthi days, and the more Tamil festivals like Skanda Shasthi or Tamil New Year are more likely to have a predominant Tamil crowd. Every temple is unique in its demographics and attendance.
It's come in whenever they're open, but most temples also have a timing schedule for main pujas. If you give us the particular website, we can probably help out interpreting it.
Welcome to The Shiva Vishnu Hindu Temple of Greater Cleveland
The regular Puja and activity link isn't working, but they do have a calendar of events and classes.
ETA: I had considered this one first, but the address appears to be a residence.
Vedanata Center of Cleveland – "As many faiths, so many paths" ~ Sri Ramakrishna