Well, I know that's a big decision but...

[Nyingjé Tso]

...Your opinions are always welcome.

So, Vanakkam everyone,

I have recently taken a big decision that I would like to share with all of you. Every insight is welcomed, just please hold to your opinions while respecting my decision.
It was never something easy for me to be a Hindu "without temple". I live in a desert of Dharma, without any priest, any temple around. Festivals and important samskar have always been marked, during all these years as a hindu, by solitude and sadness. Serious practice of Dharma is not only absent, but also subject to all terrible misconceptions you can imagine. Well...for me that is very sad.
I learn sanskrit and all my puja are made in this language, with the mantras, I try to stick as much as per tradition and always had great results. The vibrations and feeling is something truly amazing that reinforce greatly my faith, even if I am isolated.
I've tried to look for bhakta, hindus around, but they are quite well hidden, if there is any. Since there is no temple, there is no meeting place. I am completely short on time and money to invest in a temple project, and it would cost way too much for me in time and money to travel to the capital even once a week.
I investigated this "shortage" in temple and priests and I was looking for a way to contribute my time and knowledge in helping hindus and put away all the dusty misconceptions associated with this religion. I saw that more and more women were involved as pujari, and that womens were now initiated in Vedic rituals.
This made me think, and after much thinking I've decided that I would take priestly courses.

I know this is a big deal, a lifetime dedication. But I'm not aiming to become a temple priest (anyway, which temple here would want that ? A female priest !) I am already investing much time in study of agamic scriptures and rituals, as well as vedic chanting, and I plan to invest more time in it, aside of my studies. I've contacted a purohit that is thinking about giving me basic priest course in vedic chanting, jyotish, and scripture studies.
What I would like to, is to use that knowledge to be of service of hindus like me in my country, who live far away from their legacy. I want them to be able to formally celebrate at home an important puja, to be able to have a homa, in all respect of vedic tradition, even if a temple is not here. I want people to discover and rediscover Dharma trough that.

I know that I am a woman, a westerner, a convert, not a Brahmin, I know all of that and I have nothing to say to all of that. What I know too is, that it is motivated for the good of Hindus, for the good of sanatana Dharma, that doing this will not bear harm to anyone.
This is a lifetime selfless service I wish to do, as long as there is nobody else in my place to take this responsability.
I do not wish to be a scholar, to debate, or anything. I just wish to be of service to sincere bhakt, of service to my religion, to uphold the tradition.
That is why I will go on and study more, if God allow me, to take priestly courses, and to be able to perform puja in sanskrit as per the tradition in people's home.
Please note that this is a very serious decision. I think some people here know me from long now, and I hope they can be witness to my dedication and sincere intentions.

Om tat sat

Aum Namah Shivaya

 

[Viraja]

Great decision JayaBholenath! I wish you tons of good luck and best wishes.

:namaste

 

[Nyingjé Tso]

Vanakkam,

Thank you Viraja _/\_

*Post Deleted*

Your note is appreciated Zanuku, nothing wrong with your input
However a hindu priest is very different than a priest in another religion (I think your references are more toward christian priests or this kind ?)
I am not going to enter a monastery or stay in a temple for 3 years to learn and dedicate all my time to it. Because I just can't: I have duties toward my studies (game artist) and my parents (they want me to succeed in my studies and have made sacrifices for me to study, I have a duty not to deceive them.)
I am bound to these duties, and that is why I am not dedicating to be like a full time priest in a temple or something like that. Plus to be honest, I've sadly never seen a female priest in any temple I've been going (India or Europe) so even if it exists, it doesn't seems like being quite accepted for now.
But well, that's not the point xD
I will try to take course with a purohit to master the basis, meaning being able to perform full puja, homam, and basics of sanskrit for chanting and jyotish. I know some who do that and have to ask them. It will be a long way that I'll be studying during my free time.
It is serious for me because like I said, I am tired of the impossibilty to celebrate festivals, attend temple or having proper ceremonies, and saddened to see fellow hindu turn away from the tradition because of the lack of priests, or the lack of people that have enough knowledge to perform ceremonies and rituals. That is why my decision is to gather proper knowledge and take this responsability, aside from my professional and social life.
It doesn't mean that I will stop everything and withdraw from my life or from the society forever ^^

I hope I explained well <__<

Aum Namah Shivaya

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

Namaste JB,

I think your decision is very admirable and it sounds like you have the dedicated spirit to pursue this. Don't let the lack pf female priests deter you. Although I too have never seen one, I know they exist. It is very rare, but there is no rule against it specifically. The real obstacles to that are social ones, not religious ones. However I recognize your desire not to truly be a priest, but to be a resource, something I admire you for doing. Many westerners feel at a loss for resources.

My advice to you is not not let any apparent rejection by others deter you. Offer your knowledge and services and let people come to you. You are doing exactly what Vinayakaji once recommended - that westerners begin to take a more active role in the Hindu faith.

I wish you the best of luck! Please keep us updated on how you are doing. I would love to hear about your progress!

:camp:

 

[Kalicharan Tuvij]

JayBholeNath, namaste.

I was just wondering about your conspicuous absence here, and now this account of yours got all my radars beeping!

A cold analysis of your conclusion shows it to be justified: Sanskrit and rituals, more than being just language and formalities, are actually the very base on which the foundation could be laid.

So your motivation makes it like the effort of Bh&#257;giratha "who made Ganges flow on Earth" for the benefit of humankind.

Personally, I will like to see great luminaries of Hindu Dharma arise from among the western Hindus: it is about the right time. So it could be you, or else you could have built the foundation for others.

Being a woman or a man doesn't have any significance, it is clear.

But taking such a step also means having to fight Asuric forces ("virus" trying to engulf everything) at every moment and place. Though, again, today it is more about battle of ideas (no scope for real war).

And there is nothing *peace, peace* about it. Asat, or the power of ignorance, has to be cornered, has to be put under the fetters of a precarious existence. And all it may require, is maybe, a correctly pronounced, a correctly motivated, a correctly targeted mantra, be it any language or form.

Though, personally, would I encourage such a step by a friend, or a relative? No, perhaps. No one would. I guess this is the response to be expected here, too.

And there are some more practical considerations:
1) finance. Take the example of &#257;shramas, and the gurus, who are supported by sources, and thus there is no way they can go beyond their "mandate". That is how a "s&#257;dhu", who is supposed to be free, ends up into the folds of A or B sect all his life.
2) on a personal level, therefore, it helps if one is independent financially, works somewhere or at something and has his own income, all this making him free.
3) there is one advice that says: "care for your own moksha". There is yet another:"religion isn't the-all goal, just a facilitator". Or, "you have got too much into yourself, why not spend some time with family?". (Not that I believe in such statements).

Plus points in your thinking:
1) no rejection of world, people, relatives, friends, etc.
2) intention of integrating your usual life with some extra effort to be put in learning Sanskrit, rituals, etc.
3) you are creative.
4) a motivation for learning the "tools", instead of a philosophy or a cult etc (these can be indulged in at various (not-so-critical) stages of life). There are many people who have felt cheated later on in their lives when they have nothing to show for themselves: *realisation* or financial stability.
5) not trying to "think" far beyond one's age.
6) a sense of balance in perspective.

Having said all this, I hope, at the least, whatever you do makes you better: both spiritually and materially speaking.

pran&#257;m.






p.s.: Indian Women, reading?

 

[Viraja]

p.s.: Indian Women, reading?

Oh, yes, being the only 'Indian woman' here that I am aware of, I already wished Jaya good luck! I was the first!

BTW: There is a temple in India that has female priests, I wonder if it is the kamakhya temple... But Jaya doesn't want to be a priest, but just wants to learn Sanskrit pujas and gain mastery in them so that she can perform them for those who want it done in their homes... a great and noble initiative!

 

[Kalicharan Tuvij]

Oh, yes, being the only 'Indian woman' here that I am aware of, I already wished Jaya good luck! I was the first!

BTW: There is a temple in India that has female priests, I wonder if it is the kamakhya temple... But Jaya doesn't want to be a priest, but just wants to learn Sanskrit pujas and gain mastery in them so that she can perform them for those who want it done in their homes... a great and noble initiative!

Point noted!

 

[Vinayaka]

Vannakkam Jaya: It's been over 25 years since I 'retired' from my temporary pandaram job. Still I get a few requests to do housewarmings or business blessings. So once your name is out there, it stays for awhile. I always refuse these requests because I've forgotten much of it, and I am following instructions not to.

I think your idea is great. Certainly there is a real need in places like yours. But you will have to be trained doubly well I think to be accepted by many. I'm sure the devotional side is already there.

It might interest you to know that in larger centers like Toronto, there are already 'floating' priests who aren't attached to any temple. The Fijian and Sri Lankan community especially have this taken care of here n Canada.

Best wishes on it, and regarding difficulty, it depends on the individual. You might find it quite easy once you get on a roll. People vary a lot regarding learning style, and the ability to memorise.

 

[Nyingjé Tso]

Vanakkam KaliCharanJi,

I will try to decode and answer to your post, but english is not my first language so please forgive me if I didn't understand some of your points :cover:

I was just wondering about your conspicuous absence here, and now this account of yours got all my radars beeping!

Please don't be worried, my absence is due that I'm currently in India for work, and I don't have a regular internet access ! I will be back by the beginning of October, from there I'll be able to be more often involved in the forum and hindu communauty of RF Also about your radars beeping, if it's due that maybe you think I was endoctrined by some sect or guru or swami, be assured that it is my own decision and that I am not affiliated to anything, nor that anything big happened recently. I was thinking this from a long time, and I am still thinking about it, but in more practical aspects now.

So your motivation makes it like the effort of Bh&#257;giratha "who made Ganges flow on Earth" for the benefit of humankind.

My aim is not to become some kind of hero or any savior, nor to laid any fundation stones for anything. Thinking "I am special" or anything like this when taking this kind of education, then it would be only to feed the ego and draw asuric tendencies in my practices. This is not my wish, I only wish to use my knowledge et some time I have to be of humble service and support hindu dharma.

But taking such a step also means having to fight Asuric forces ("virus" trying to engulf everything) at every moment and place. Though, again, today it is more about battle of ideas (no scope for real war).

And there is nothing *peace, peace* about it. Asat, or the power of ignorance, has to be cornered, has to be put under the fetters of a precarious existence. And all it may require, is maybe, a correctly pronounced, a correctly motivated, a correctly targeted mantra, be it any language or form.

I have trouble understanding if you are talking about asuric forces in the mystical sense, or in the sense that I will have to face sectarian differences and opposition. For the first case then, I have no doubt that my lifestyle is free of excess and will stay like this...And strenghtened and regular sadhanas will have to be learned and done correctly. Especially when no temple is around.
Driving asuric forces of life is something that will be difficult, you are right. The great MataJi have always helped me with this, and I pray sincerely to Her to lend me Her strenght and help me awaken my own everyday.
Tell me more, what is Asat ?What should I expect from it ?
But you raise in me an interesting point: I want to be spiritually of service by accumplshing puja and homa for others. Is this wish compatible with a working and family life, or will I have to sacrifice emotionnal and material comfort in order to be of this service to others ?
I have to think of this. But I think, where there is sincerety and correct and regular worship toward God, aren't all needs fulfilled, even if not asked for ?

Though, personally, would I encourage such a step by a friend, or a relative? No, perhaps. No one would. I guess this is the response to be expected here, too.

I am interested to know why you wouldn't encourage such a step, what is your fear ?
(I am not saying your point is a bad one, I am sincerely trying to understand fully your opinion to be able to learn from it ^^)

1) finance. Take the example of &#257;shramas, and the gurus, who are supported by sources, and thus there is no way they can go beyond their "mandate". That is how a "s&#257;dhu", who is supposed to be free, ends up into the folds of A or B sect all his life.

I don't really understand this one, can you please elaborate ?

2) on a personal level, therefore, it helps if one is independent financially, works somewhere or at something and has his own income, all this making him free.

Like I said I have no intend to give up my studies nor to abandon the idea to have an active life (finding a work, etc) and I will have to face the difficulties of all of this. I would never want to depend on anything, because you can't stand up for others if you are not able to stand up for yourself first.

3) there is one advice that says: "care for your own moksha". There is yet another:"religion isn't the-all goal, just a facilitator". Or, "you have got too much into yourself, why not spend some time with family?".

I understand your point about the religion and moksha. I don't think however that taking this teachings and proposing those services will bind me to them to the point that I'll have to dedicate all my time and life. As for caring for my own moksa, I would love to, but am still not a fully mature soul. It will maybe take a few more births to be ready for caring fully to my own moksa...
I am surrounded by a big and loving family, for this I am very lucky. And I am still, because it is thanks to my family that I am learning to stand up by myself and take my responsabilies. To sever completely this bond to dedicate exclusively to my religion would be a mistake because I would be deprived of this precious and practical life teaching...That is why I have no intent to cut this link.

1) no rejection of world, people, relatives, friends, etc.

Doing that would be simply mean to run away from the world and from responsabilities, and I am not doing that. Also, this attitude of running away would be dangerous because one is more vulnerable to sectarian abuse and emprisoning in this state. I don't want that, it would be wasting my life.

4) a motivation for learning the "tools", instead of a philosophy or a cult etc

This is just my personnal understanding, but I have seen many scholars and people taking much time to argue about philosophical differences, and it was only bearing himsa. By word and by ideas, you can create much much suffering to others, even more durable and painful than physical pain. I don't want to involve in those side of philosophy, because I don't want to be hurt and to be hurting others...As well as taking more time to argue than to advance on the spiritual path of sanatana dharma, and the material path of life.
I do not wish to belong and depend on a specific cult. I acknowledge it is dangerous, and it is not in my line of sight: I want to be of use to hindus. Not ONLY to some sects. If someone need a Visnu puja, then being a Saiva should NOT be a hindrance in helping someone having a Visnu puja. Shiva being my Ishta never stopped me to crawl in awe at the feets of MataJi. I don't want to close my mind.

5) not trying to "think" far beyond one's age.

Sorry again Ji, I don't understand this

Having said all this, I hope, at the least, whatever you do makes you better: both spiritually and materially speaking.

Be assured Ji, that despite my decision and willingness, if what I do i incompatible with becoming a spiritually and materially good person in my life, then I will gladly stop and find another way less harmful to me to be of service, there are many others.

Aum Namah Shivaya

 

[Nyingjé Tso]

Vanakkam,

But Jaya doesn't want to be a priest, but just wants to learn Sanskrit pujas and gain mastery in them so that she can perform them for those who want it done in their homes... a great and noble initiative!

Yes, I don't want to be a "full time temple dependant" priest, you summed up what's on my mind very good, thank you !

Vanakkam VinayakaJi _/\_

I am following instructions not to.

Why so ? Is it because you have lost practice ?

I think your idea is great. Certainly there is a real need in places like yours. But you will have to be trained doubly well I think to be accepted by many. I'm sure the devotional side is already there.

Yes, there is a real need...Not only from hindus, but also from non hindus. It is time I think, to make a peaceful discovering of hindu dharma free of hundred of years of misconceptions. I has begun in US, but It's awfully lacking in europe.
Despite all my will I am fearing judgement from hindu in my place. But I have been widely accepted here in India, and this Ganesh Chathurti (where I will be active and involved, and this have been welcomed despite my origins) will be a great practice and formal meeting with Sri Ganesh to give His blessings if He want.

It might interest you to know that in larger centers like Toronto, there are already 'floating' priests who aren't attached to any temple. The Fijian and Sri Lankan community especially have this taken care of here n Canada.

Yes, this is very interesting to me :0 Do you think I should seek to contact those priests and ask them questions about their motives, learning and management of their life with this responsability ? It could be interesting...

Best wishes on it, and regarding difficulty, it depends on the individual. You might find it quite easy once you get on a roll. People vary a lot regarding learning style, and the ability to memorise.

I will be all up to Sri GaneshJi wish

Aum Namah Shivaya

 

[Viraja]

Hindu Dharma Forums - View Single Post - Female Priests?

 

[Kalicharan Tuvij]

Please don't be worried, my absence is due that I'm currently in India for work, and I don't have a regular internet access ! I will be back by the beginning of October, from there I'll be able to be more often involved in the forum and hindu communauty of RF Also about your radars beeping, if it's due that maybe you think I was endoctrined by some sect or guru or swami..

You are good at "decoding". Courtesy Vinayaka ji (and his posts) I guess

My aim is not to become some kind of hero or any savior, nor to laid any fundation stones for anything. Thinking "I am special" or anything like this when taking this kind of education, then it would be only to feed the ego and draw asuric tendencies in my practices. This is not my wish, I only wish to use my knowledge et some time I have to be of humble service and support hindu dharma.

Happy to read this!

Tell me more, what is Asat ?What should I expect from it ?

We can imagine Asat to be like an encircled, enclosed region, that is cut-off from the rest of the reality, is fearful of that, and shows up this in violence. Breaking the encirclement, the boundary, the dam, is what Vedic Gods do: be it Indra, or Saraswati, etc.

But you raise in me an interesting point: I want to be spiritually of service by accumplshing puja and homa for others. Is this wish compatible with a working and family life, or will I have to sacrifice emotionnal and material comfort in order to be of this service to others ?

It is not only compatible with work and family, but it is even required to be shown possible and proved to be so, in the Age we live in.

I am interested to know why you wouldn't encourage such a step, what is your fear ?

The fear is that you will mistakenly, follow into Sany&#257;s. But you have clarified on this, so no worry.

I read everything else that you have written, carefully, and have nothing to add.

Sri R&#257;m


p.s.: as I rashly, jokingly, lovingly say to my friends, "go to hell":

 

[Iti oj]

Goodluck

 

[Vinayaka]

Vanakkam,

Why so ? Is it because you have lost practice ?

Yes, this is very interesting to me :0 Do you think I should seek to contact those priests and ask them questions about their motives, learning and management of their life with this responsability ? It could be interesting...

At one time there was a need here, so I was following instructions then too. (By this I mean, I heed my Guru) But now there is no need here. Perhaps if I moved somewhere the instructions would change. But generally there ate two kinds of pujas ... private amd public, I'm only trained on the private (Atmartha) one. It's different than temple puja.

I don't think these priest could be of much help with you, but if you can work alongside one to observe and assist, that might be beneficial. It really depends on which community. Some would be more open that others. The Tamil community wouldn't be open to it, but some others might be.

 

[Sumit]

Good to see someone working in this direction, may Lord Shiva guide you.

 

[Nyingjé Tso]

Vanakkam,

Thank you all for your support _/\_

But generally there ate two kinds of pujas ... private amd public, I'm only trained on the private (Atmartha) one. It's different than temple puja.

That's what I would like to learn and to perform too.

The Tamil community wouldn't be open to it, but some others might be.

That is the problem, since the only temple in my country belong to a large Tamil communauty, and even if I was tolerated to the temple, I wasn't quite well welcomed at all. So I can't imagine even asking for help or to assist in this matter of priesthood...
I can try to look around for UK and belgium, which are not far from my place buuuut...Quite expensive to get there more than "once in a while".

Aum Namah Shivaya

 

[ShivaFan]

Namaste JB

I don't know why I didn't notice your post before now, also remember I am new to this forum and so I am not familiar with your background (I didn't even realize you were a women until just recently).

So forgive me if I have mistaken your background, are you an Indian but born in the West and thus Westener? I see your location is France, so are you French, Norman or Gaulic?

It does not matter to me, I only ask in that even though I have travelled a lot, for some odd reason I have never been to France, but I have noticed from one co-worker from France in the US whom I worked with (he is now left US) and from "French" Hindus on forums, that these French Hindus are very, very nice, with this sort of colorful, loving and artful heart. The French in general seem to have great love of culture, and so French Hindus are, or seem to me, to be great clairvoyants of cultural synergy and inspiration towards cultural import. In part, that's why Americans such as myself sort of hate the French, because we just want to be friends with everyone in a casual ambience, but do not get the cultural thing and tend to also throw bombs into the party. Forgive me, but precisely because you might be a French Hindu, just for your information your duty of being a Hindu priest (I know you don't like that word) for home pujas and services would be greatly sought for from American Hindus who would welcome you enthusiastically! That is, you would have to leave France and come to the US, but you would be most welcome, especially because you are French despite our American jealousies of your Hinduness with the French touch. You said you do not know if your services are that popular or needed in France, but come to America and you will find you are needed by "Western" Hindus.

You being a women only adds to the adventure, you will find many female Hindu leaders here, including Gurus and advanced spokespersons for male spiritual leaders.

If you want to perform such duties in France, I sincerely wish you all the best!

Om Namah Sivaya

 

[Andal]

Vannakkam Jaya!

Many blessings to you on this endeavor. This will be a great blessing not only for your community but for all of us Hindu women (Indian and Western alike).

I remember reading an article a few years about on Hinduism Today where it has become some what fashionable in India to become a female pujari. I think it's Uni of Pune who is offering a special training to women to become priests. Female priests are now becoming highly sought after from what I have read.

Best of Luck and keep us updated on the process!

Aum Hari Aum!

 

[Nyingjé Tso]

Namaste JB

I don't know why I didn't notice your post before now, also remember I am new to this forum and so I am not familiar with your background (I didn't even realize you were a women until just recently).

Vanakkam Shivafan,

I have no doubt that you know me from another forum

So forgive me if I have mistaken your background, are you an Indian but born in the West and thus Westener? I see your location is France, so are you French, Norman or Gaulic?

I am born in France from french and spanish parents, thus grew up in the mix of those two sides of family. Nothing by flesh or blood is related to India in me, but my soul and heart belong to Bharat Mata and Devas/Devis since my birth. I have converted from nothing, as I had engaged in no other religious activities in any religion before. Then, what is being a Hindu and a westerner without have to sever any bonds to any other religion ? It is just a natural comeback to my soul spiritual home.

that these French Hindus are very, very nice, with this sort of colorful, loving and artful heart. The French in general seem to have great love of culture, and so French Hindus are, or seem to me, to be great clairvoyants of cultural synergy and inspiration towards cultural import.

I can't say since I don't know any french hindu, should it be on forums or in real life when I say I'm isolated, this wasn't a joke.
I wouldn't say french people are great clairvoyant, I mean, they have also a tendency to cultivate a big ego. That mean being overly proud or showoff in whatever field you have knowledge XD Forigners mock us for good reasons I would say.
But it is true that culture and art are a big interest, even at school at young age we are shown and we study art in many forms, from many places. Maybe this constant exposure to art and culture at school kind of play a part, I have no idea :0
Personally I have absolutely no problem to adapt to cultures different than mine. My friends here in Mumbai tell me somtimes that by my way to speak and move, I look like a indian woman now xD Coming back to France will be weird I think.

In part, that's why Americans such as myself sort of hate the French,

But...But...:faint:

because we just want to be friends with everyone in a casual ambience, but do not get the cultural thing and tend to also throw bombs into the party.

If you come to France I'll help you decode the dark secret mysterious french culture if you want xD
But we're cool, I swear. But it's true that is it not easy to befriend a french, well, at last not as easy as it is in the us.

Forgive me, but precisely because you might be a French Hindu, just for your information your duty of being a Hindu priest (I know you don't like that word) for home pujas and services would be greatly sought for from American Hindus who would welcome you enthusiastically!

Woa, that much ? Why so ? Being french don't make me that special, I'm just another human being

That is, you would have to leave France and come to the US

And once my studies is over, I'll have a job that need people in all over the world, us, europe, asia...
A poorly paid job of course but hey, I can travel.
I'll come and see you and we'll go together in the mandir if I come in US

You said you do not know if your services are that popular or needed in France

Nope, I do not know. It's very difficult to know when there is no mandir where you live and all around, no festival, nothing. Generally hindu are staying together and kind of keep all of that secret to others. That's difficult.

You being a women only adds to the adventure, you will find many female Hindu leaders here, including Gurus and advanced spokespersons for male spiritual leaders.

I would love to hear some stories, is there any names or mandir that come in your mind where I can get some info ?

If you want to perform such duties in France, I sincerely wish you all the best!

Thank you very much, you can't imagine how heartwarming it is for me to have support from fellow hindu _/\_

 

[Sb1995]

I wish you all the best and I hope you keep us updated on your spiritual and physical journey to becoming a pandit. I ask that you quickly say a prayer for me and ask the God's for my forgiveness and good luck because I'm heading to university. Thank you. JAI BHOLENATH!