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Temple Visits from "Outsiders"

SomeRandom

Still learning to be wise
Staff member
Premium Member
Honest question but isn't it a little hard to imagine Hinduism without at least the symbolism of deities? At least I'm having difficulty doing so, but I also think they are more than just symbols.

If any fellow Hindus feel otherwise I'd like to understand that view :)
I believe that's called Jainism ;):p

But in all seriousness, one can be Hindu without the symbolism of deities.
Those who feel it places too much attachments to this plane of existence. After all "God" or whatever label you wish to use is ultimately formless.
 

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
Honest question but isn't it a little hard to imagine Hinduism without at least the symbolism of deities? At least I'm having difficulty doing so, but I also think they are more than just symbols. If any fellow Hindus feel otherwise I'd like to understand that view :)
For this riddle, @Aupmanyav is a great example. A strong atheist and an orthodox Hindu (as he likes to label himself). :D
Those who feel it places too much attachments to this plane of existence.
Is there any other plane of existence, SomeRandom? Oh, but I forget that you might be believing so. ;)
 
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carmenara

Member
Temple was very welcoming to me.

At first I was told to turn up in "my best dress" and they may have regretted it because something golden and tiger-striped was clearly too flamboyant compared to what others were turning up in!

However, they liked it a lot and was told to go in the center of the temple dance the next weekend.
And some knew of the spiritual experiences I've had buying a Durga Mashishasura Mandini statue which immediately caused the sky to rain cats and dogs and a white bird to land at my feet, so, it has become a permanent Sunday dress and a wonderful conversation starter now.

It's funny because as a new believer I thought Hindu temples were very strict places - partly due to the heavily decorated architecture and the ancient wisdom within - but I totally feel at home observing the customs and practises, and encouraged to learn and form my own views/preferences at my own pace.
 

sayak83

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
Temple was very welcoming to me.

At first I was told to turn up in "my best dress" and they may have regretted it because something golden and tiger-striped was clearly too flamboyant compared to what others were turning up in!

However, they liked it a lot and was told to go in the center of the temple dance the next weekend.
And some knew of the spiritual experiences I've had buying a Durga Mashishasura Mandini statue which immediately caused the sky to rain cats and dogs and a white bird to land at my feet, so, it has become a permanent Sunday dress and a wonderful conversation starter now.

It's funny because as a new believer I thought Hindu temples were very strict places - partly due to the heavily decorated architecture and the ancient wisdom within - but I totally feel at home observing the customs and practises, and encouraged to learn and form my own views/preferences at my own pace.
Big Hindu Temples in India are often strict and mechanical places because of the sheer crowd size and constraints for avoiding chaos. Smaller temples are not like that at all. Very nice and quiet.
 

Jainarayan

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
Staff member
Premium Member
Yeah. Even quantum physicists are searching for it and have not found it yet. :D

Indeed, searching they are. It seems every other tv show on the Science Channel, usually "How The Universe Works" or "Space's Deepest Secrets", makes mention of Lord Shiva and his role as destroyer of the old and creator of new life. These are theoretical and quantum physicists who appear in these episodes.

And of course we have this. ;)

Why Does CERN Research Institute Have Shiva's Tandava Statue | GyanPro | Blog | GyanPro Science Blog
 

ajay0

Well-Known Member
Indeed, searching they are. It seems every other tv show on the Science Channel, usually "How The Universe Works" or "Space's Deepest Secrets", makes mention of Lord Shiva and his role as destroyer of the old and creator of new life. These are theoretical and quantum physicists who appear in these episodes.

And of course we have this. ;)

Why Does CERN Research Institute Have Shiva's Tandava Statue | GyanPro | Blog | GyanPro Science Blog

All these seems to have come up after Frijtof Capra's 'The Tao of Physics' became a mass hit in the west.

Capra himself seems to have been deeply influenced in this regard by Werner Heisenburg and Erwin Schrodinger.

The Tao of Physics - Wikipedia

I would say Francis Lucille might be an example of a theoretical physicist who may be an enlightened master as well at present.

All this is fine stuff as long as distortions are not made in science or advaita by excess of zeal based on ignorance.
 

sayak83

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
All these seems to have come up after Frijtof Capra's 'The Tao of Physics' became a mass hit in the west.

Capra himself seems to have been deeply influenced in this regard by Werner Heisenburg and Erwin Schrodinger.

The Tao of Physics - Wikipedia

I would say Francis Lucille might be an example of a theoretical physicist who may be an enlightened master as well at present.

All this is fine stuff as long as distortions are not made in science or advaita by excess of zeal based on ignorance.
Tao of physics definitely falls into the latter category.
 

Jainarayan

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
Staff member
Premium Member
All this is fine stuff as long as distortions are not made in science or advaita by excess of zeal based on ignorance.

Fortunately it seems that this is done with great respect and knowledge on the part of the physicists.
 

carmenara

Member
Big Hindu Temples in India are often strict and mechanical places because of the sheer crowd size and constraints for avoiding chaos. Smaller temples are not like that at all. Very nice and quiet.

I'm visiting a big Durga temple for New Year's Day pooja and have emailed them about etiquette, first time, if there are any tours or groups, etc.

Failing which I'll just turn up in my best dress & behavior. :)
 

SomeRandom

Still learning to be wise
Staff member
Premium Member
At first I was told to turn up in "my best dress" and they may have regretted it because something golden and tiger-striped was clearly too flamboyant compared to what others were turning up in!
Lol it depends on the occasion and the "group" as it were. During celebrations like Diwali or other festivals you will find many a flamboyantly dressed auntie and perhaps even a few flamboyantly dressed uncles. Our group also has those aunties who will dress head to toe in jewelry no matter what and then those who come in a simple white sari.

It's funny because as a new believer I thought Hindu temples were very strict places - partly due to the heavily decorated architecture and the ancient wisdom within - but I totally feel at home observing the customs and practises, and encouraged to learn and form my own views/preferences at my own pace.

Temples range from modest, easy going places, to bustling crowded places with strict protocol. It depends on the size of the group and sometimes what "style" a temple is. My local one caters to a Sai Baba group and is very low key and contemplative. People just sort of wander in and I dunno, pray I guess. Eat, gossip, sing etc.
Although I sometimes prefer the house poojas, which may or may not be a Fijian quirk, I dunno. Where a member of our little group will host a sort of Bhajan at their own house. Because often aunties will pull out all the stops food wise to impress their guests. Best afterwards meals lol
But temples act as a more of a HUB world for Hindus. A place they all meet up with a common goal. Beliefs, spirituality and philosophy is individual. Hence the encouragement to go at your own pace.
 

ShivaFan

Satyameva Jayate
Premium Member
Oddly, there are new Hindu temples popping up all around me all very close proximity to me. In fact, I turned off a main street in one town nearby into what was really a dicey neighborhood, I was heading to pick up some Indian food (my wife goes to Canada a lot, this time again to visit my Grand Nephew) since I was alone so I called in some food (matar paneer with roti - yummy!), and whoooo ... there it was!

It was the sort of Hindu temple that was common in the 1960s and 70s, a beaten down small flaptrap in a sort of dicey area not one of those fancy big "community temples". It had a small gravel parking area, OM symbols painted on beaten small fence, poor but ACTIVE temple North Indian (I know these things instantly) likely Ram-Krishna type, a couple Indians leaving at the time (yup - North Indian, I am ALWAYS right), whoever is the Guru or the pujari I can tell he or she just arrived in the US recently from India, I didn't go in but will soon now that I found it and report back.

I can walk into ANY Hindu temple, that is what I advise you to do, no shoes, no leather. Of course I have lost count of temples I have and do visit including internationally and in India - but ANY Hindu Temple in US or Canada you will have NO PROBLEM so have NO FEAR. This new one without doubt will be EXACTLY what I like - full of elderly Hindu ladies who will fall in love with me within 15 mins and pretty soon consider me their son. It will be cluttered (not neat like a South Indian Temple, they are almost always very neat and VERY clean, North type can be cluttered and just sort of clean except in the "yard" not clean) with posters of Krishna and Durga and Santoshi Maa, bit noise going on, priest will approach me and want me to come by kitchen for some prashad (sacred food) to hand me, maybe puja ready to start or underway ($5 donation type dipa), or even bhajans (songs), there might be some loose kid or two running amok which I love and especially if they try to pull on my clothes or say something in Hindi to me, cute betu! But if runny nose, then no doubt will get me sick but what to do? Don't dare to hurt the feelings of some mataji! So just fyi, if there is some snot nose kid with dirty dried snots on back of hand who wants to cling to your leg or crawl on you when you are sitting on the floor lotus style, well, what can I say? Only an Indian can tell mataji to get the kid off, but if you are "whitey" then you just have to let it be and sort of smile as you try to distract cute betu to see the Ganesha "over there".
One other point. If the "priest" tries to hand you something like white hard candy or such, take it in palm of your RIGHT hand, never left.
Right hand good. Left hand bad. Don't point feet at "idol". Don't point feet at anyone. Don't go onto "altar". Give donation on the plate (use right hand) - $5 dollars. Keep $5 handy in upper shirt pocket, don't dig in pants for money. Don't pull wallet out as someone might think it is leather even if it is jute. And for sure, no leather wallet. Or put $5 in the box called "Hundi". Don't offer or give money to guests. Only priests. You may get a free Hindu calendar from priest with advertising of local travel agency and with pictures of Gods. Be very grateful for such a calendar, that means priest REALLY likes you! There might be very cute Hindu girls. Peek if you like, she will peek back if parents not watching. But when you smile, do not do so directly to her face, just look down pretending you are shy then give a sort of "tiny smile" while looking down like "we know the secret". Only talk to Mother but not to cute girl. If cute girl has young brother and little brother is hanging on your leg or crawling on you or pulling on back of your shirt to be "funny", just give slight hug to brother and quick peek at cute girl and she will know it means you gave her a hug. Even if you didn't hug her directly, it is the same thing. Very nice! However, if your wife is with you, don't do anything I just said.

Ok, it sort sounds bad talking about noticing cute Hindu girls. But it is totally innocent, believe me. Just a bit rasa. So don't take it wrong. I am just a happy Hindu.

Also nothing I said applies if it is a South Indian Temple. Do NOT flirt for sure. Be a lot more quiet. But actually, you will probably get even MORE attention from the "priest" in the South Indian Temple than North and the odds of getting a calendar are higher but the advertising will be for a restaurant and not a travel agency.

If along the sides of the main sanctum there are chairs or bench DO NOT SIT ON IT unless you are an old lady or a cripple. Only sit on floor. Some guest may offer to give food like banana or such to priest. Don't do that unless you know what you are doing.

CAN'T WAIT!
 

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
And @carmenara, please know it is not necessary to belong to a sect or have guru. Half of Hindus* do not belong to any sect or have a guru.
* For paucity of statistics.
 

carmenara

Member
CAN'T WAIT!

I appreciate the light-heartedness in this post!

This is generally my experience with Indian culture in general; I am usually encouraged to just be relaxed and happy regardless of the situation. One of the reason why I took up Hinduism is in indirect thanks to the various Indian mothers who have very much supported me socially and in career after I took a very strong stand to protect them against mismanagement and discrimination in the corporate world.

They literally each give me a piece of clothing, advice or other things in which to better myself and call their culture home if I wanted to (I can't say anything but yes). It's only much much later I realized what path I'm walking and how it relates to Hinduism. Its a fun and much needed break from the kind of nonsense that had plauged the first two decades of my life that made me a very uncompromising person.

I have an equally lighthearted story to share.

A year ago I noticed some very large plush sheep appearing at the department store and my workplace has a tremendous problem with overwork and overstress no thanks to how it was being governed (which I eventually had a hand in fixing). I would just give the sheep to people who seemed to like them, or for the more adventerous Indian ladies amongst the crew, they liked to roleplay some ancient barter trade scenario where someone would cook biryani for me in exchange for one of the sheep.

I would also go around to visit people to make sure they are okay and bring small snacks, which I would offer not to the ladies but to "their" sheep. Someone then commented that this act of offering is related to how they worship their dieties. We started our social conversation very discreetly and yes, we rarely ever looked at each other and are respectful of each others' privacy which was a very positive trait to display in our workplace with 44 persons stuffed into a room designed for half that number.

A long long time later I discovered what was meant by "dharma" and came across a quote "it is dharma to feed animals". The small community temple I visit for Hare Krishna scripture classes and prasadams often has people talking to me about such concepts and was wanting to setup a cow reserve in the near future and they were very very touched that I brought up "it is dharma to feed animals" in front of a group of prospective new converts.

Yes this brings me to a kind of quandary in that I relate very well personally and spiritually to Ma Durga... and attending Hare Krishna temple each weekend. I am not knowing if there's any concern on this kind of "pluralism" but everyone I know is taking it like a positive conversation point! No one is trying to convert me to one side or the other, with subtle hints given by the fun and friendly Indian elders I've met or traded with that I should just "chant whatever I want".

So I guess, yes, learn more then make a choice.
 

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
Feeding animals is a big thing in Hinduism and more so in Jainism. In my city (Jodhpur) people will drop grains where the ants live (Kīdī nagarā - City of the ants) or feed birds and pigeons (My city has a huge number of pigeons, they sit on electric supply wires and **** on unfortunate people passing below, the lucky escape. One does not look up, otherwise the result could be worse). Of course, nothing equals feeding 'Gau-mata' (Mother Cow) or a street dog, so a loaf from every house is a must.

a-flock-of-pigeons-over-a-city-street-in-india-BR48N8.jpg


"We saw a ton of animals in India. At first, we had to get used to the cows roaming the city streets. Then the goats. Then the horses. Then the camels. Then the elephants. Then the monkeys. It really felt like we had to break into this way of life that is so different from anything we've experienced before, where all walks of life coexist in their own harmonious way." (They go on to give a list of animals they encountered in Rajasthan cities :))
Anne and Monica: April 2012

* No Indians do not eat pigeons as insinuated in the link. I have head that pigeon meat is given to those suffering from tuberculosis (tradition).
 
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