Do we really need more temples?
As time goes by, we are seeing more mandirs being built in Britain. These tend to be larger, fancier and costlier than the earlier ones - reflecting increased affluence and resolve on the part of temple builders. But is this really where our community should be placing our money and resources?
June 21st, 2006 at 10:25 am
I agree with this a lot. Temples should be run by wise people to support the Hindu public, who are from various backgrounds and have different needs. It would also be nice to have prayer pamphlets for the young to learn their prayers, e.g. hanuman chalisa, etc. … freely available. I also think temples should provide a dating service for young Hindus.
June 21st, 2006 at 12:21 pm
Why cant we have hospitals? every one knows these days that the N H S is bursting from it seems due to lack of funds and more and more immigrants coming to this country because it is very soft in its dealing with
bad eliments. why not have old peoples homes, similar to hospices?
lets help our elders, they will be well lookd after in such homes and they will have good company. The same places could be use bye the generation after genetration……..think about it the younsters of to day.
June 21st, 2006 at 12:46 pm
I fully agree that there should be more temples; but I hate to find that those ar being made progressively bigger and more luxurious, and hence more costly. I feel
1. More money should be spend on acquiring larger plots of land for the temple and lesser money spent on the building.
2. There should be simple, low cost, utilitarian, hermitage type sprawling over the area housing libraries, discourse halls, prayer rooms etc. as was originally done by Rishi Arvind in Pondicherry.
3. Money should be earmarked to create endowmwnts (fixed deposits etc.) to pay for the whole time workers to maintain the temple complex which should be the seats of learning for Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas etc.
June 21st, 2006 at 2:31 pm
absolutely correct, but how do you convince the 1st generation what is right for the 3rd generation
June 21st, 2006 at 4:24 pm
I whole heartedly agree There should be community building like plain sports building with rooms to do whatever event hindu parents, children, youth want to do like evening dancing party, wedding, playing different sports and study. One end of the building will have a room of 60 ft*60ft are of temple where people will do regular puja. And in special festival murti can be taken to big hall to accomodate every one. All hindus should be encouraged to to the building every week for different events either for themselves or their children. Then we can find how are community hindus are doing if they need any assistance in their life which should be provided by fund raising in the building. I am 57 years old.
June 21st, 2006 at 6:06 pm
The article is thought provoking; the ideas put forward should be brought to the attention of all major temples and discussed through the auspices of National Council of Hindu Temples. The Hindu community should be willing to go through a reform system whereby temples must be converted to places of excellence for participation not only by our youth and elderly but also by other faith communities. Richness of our social, cultural and spiritual activities ought to be explained in terms of scientific truth, philosophy,logic and reason rather than continue to follow unexplained, meaningless ritualswith the aim of only raising funds. Those who are prepared to change their ego-centric ways of running these institutions should come together to debate the issues urgently in the interest of Hindu unity and the future generation.
June 21st, 2006 at 7:08 pm
I think temples are most essential to promote our religion to our children.It is also a place for our elders to get-to-gether and pray together.Temples are most import for our women to perform all our religious fast and festivals where they can do together. So it is the best place to go together to temple for any Hindu family daily, weekly, monthly or yearly.
June 22nd, 2006 at 12:19 pm
I live in Leicester, which has a large Indian community and many mandirs.
I completely agree with your article that mandir’s should be a centre point for a community. However the problem with many mandirs nowadays is that they are run more like businesses rather than religious and community centre point. Most mandirs and mandir halls make an obsene amount of money from religious events such as weddings. Mandir committee members seem to have forgotten the true service that a UK mandir should offer. In India mandirs are really only a point of prayer, but here in the UK mandirs must provide for our immigrant community. There is a large amount of Indian immigration into the UK but we must remember that we are still very much a minority and require facilities and events that remind us of whom and where we are from.
I know of a Hindu youth organisation here in Leicester that tries to promote Hinduism to our less than knowledgeable youth of today. However they find it a huge struggle to even hold weekly meeting at our local mandirs, whose committee members seem to feel threatened by others offering a service which they are too busy or unwilling to offer!
June 22nd, 2006 at 11:25 pm
Well I have to say that in general I would agree with you. I was in a boarding school in London and then went to the University of Bradford. While struggling with trying to defend my religion and the Hindu belief system, I made a decision to go to the temples every weekend. It was a very long walk that made it very difficult but the decision was mine that if I can spend time hanging out with friends and go out, I can and should make time to go the temple. Just going to the temple in Bradford and during my holidays helping out at the elderly center, it really helped me. From a person that knew nothing about the Hindu religion I was in a position to connect the dots and it made me very confident.
I feel that most of the next generation find going to the temple as something that is not convenient and the environment is not very positive. So the young generation should step up and take ownership as that is the only way we would be in a position to sustain the religion. The young generation have to grab the bull by the horns, and learn in the process, and I promise that you will enjoy it. We just can’t expect things to change for us if we don’t get involved and get your hands dirty. So please let’s not expect things in a silver place and step up to change. The original generation, have done their best and we need to take it to the next level, let us not expect them to do that for us too. In most temple committees there are no youths involved, so please don’t expect to be heard from the sidelines.
When I get some time I will send some very good information that I have collected over the years for the young generation to understand the religion.
Dhirendra
June 23rd, 2006 at 7:26 am
Dhirendra,
I respect what u did - takin the initiative.
Thing is bruv - a lot of times if young people try to get involved in temple activities, the oldies who are set in their ways and have been living in their ‘comfort zone’ for many years get totally threatened and reject their involvement.
Anon from Leicester said in his post (one above yours)
“I know of a Hindu youth organisation here in Leicester that tries to promote Hinduism to our less than knowledgeable youth of today. However they find it a huge struggle to even hold weekly meeting at our local mandirs, whose committee members seem to feel threatened by others offering a service which they are too busy or unwilling to offer!”
I have had the same experience myself. I have (with a group of like-minded individuals) tried to get involved in quite a few mandirs. But the committees we have worked it have made it tough.
Anyway - its no reason to give up. Nothing worthwhile is achieved without struggle. But any youth who want to take Dhirendra’s advice and ‘grab the bull by the horns’ - be prepared and determined. Don’t expect it to be smooth sailing.
Jai Bhavani
June 26th, 2006 at 7:47 am
That’s a beautiful temple on the cover story. Please tell me where it is in Britain.
We need temples for identities or we risk being overrun by other faiths’ buildings and therefore risk being ignored and relegated into obscurity.
More importantly, no donors or contributors are not bullied into donating, and those who don’t donate are still welcome and it is those who criticise.
If critics don’t like temples then fine but why get in the way of those who do like temples
June 26th, 2006 at 3:05 pm
I agree with Anon From Leicester
I completely agree with your article that mandir’s should be a centre point for a community. However the problem with many mandirs nowadays is that they are run more like businesses rather than religious and community centre point.
What we need is a community centre providing a wealth of information and also a place where youngsters want to go and meet.
They should not be brainwashed to follow a cult.
They should be made to understand why we do certain things instead of carrying on the so called tradition just because it has always been done that way is not the answer
Jai Shree Krishna to all
July 10th, 2006 at 2:20 pm
Mandirs, books, scriptures are epiphenomena of the center of Hinduism - the personal relationship with the supreme truth. Any place that promotes this is a mandir. Hence we all grow up with Pujas in our homes which is the social center of hinduism. The discussion revolves around this - a place to commune, a center of study, a centering place for self…
We must express the wealth (remember Artha is more than material) of hinduism that people are uplifted to be more personally related to the supreme.
We must also stand in contrast to the nonsense that identifies other faiths that are more oriented in being the boss than being God’s servants.
therefore we must conclude that there is no debate - we need more mandirs, more endowments, more discussion groups… - more karma that promotes dharma to allow the jiva-Paratman transformation but it can never be forced - the next generation, as all generations that preceded it, has to open to God as individuals society is THE context in which to do this - even the Rishis existed in groups.
Hariaum
July 11th, 2006 at 9:43 am
Having read this particular thread for the first time today, I would like to make it clear that the comment by ‘Satya’ above was not entered by me.
I would like to make one point, however. In bygone times, I agree that the mandir was essentially the sole focus of the activities mentioned; however mandirs no longer hold a monopoly on social service. For example, in my own hometown, though the mandir does not get directly involved in such things, it gives a great deal of support and encouragement to independent groups which are doing excellent work: an organisation working with elderly Hindus; various Hindu youth organisations; an educational organisation; groups offering services to Hindus in prison, hospital, etc.; and so on. If the mandir is unable or unwilling, for whatever reason(s) to do the things mentioned here, individuals or groups are free to do the necessary work themselves, and in my experience, local mandirs will give their support (and if not, so be it - get on with the work anyway!)
July 14th, 2006 at 5:08 pm
Temples should be nuclei to showcase the gems of our cultural heritage & magnificient Vedic knoeledge,eg,yoga, Bharat Natyam, sangeet, bhajans, ayurved. Why do we ignore all this showable & scientific knowledge & get lost in rituals? Swami Ramdev is coming to UK. Take best advantage of him- plan very well his programme. U will feel proud.
Love,
July 15th, 2006 at 1:49 am
In New York City,there are so many Mandirs it is unbelievable. The main one run by Indians from India is similar to ones mentioned in the Uk–operated as a business. The Caribbean ones are more geared towards serving the Communities.
In Guyana(South America) and Trinidad(West Indies) the Mandirs are truly a community place. In order to keep Hindu youths involved who are not inclined towards pujas/rituals etc–we have cricket clubs, home economics classes, yoga classes, music classes–all kinds of activities geared towards attracting the regular Hindu. Each village that have an Indian population has a Mandir(Sanatani)–rarely are there more than one–the others may be an Arya Samaaj one or a Mariamma one.
My late father was a Hindu leader who initiated many of the activitives mentioned about. Today, in his footsteps, I am trying to address the other neglected aspects–the social ills–domestic abuse,alcohol abusive,suicide etc.
Our main problem is funds–ours is a poor third world nation. The Christians get funds from North America and Muslims from the Middle East–Hindus have to find their own funds.
July 20th, 2006 at 10:29 am
Hari Om
As Swami Chinmayananda said, to paraphrase - Spirituality is the technology with which religion can be lived. i.e. religion can become part of our daily lives.Without spirituality religion will but remain as utopian ideals found in dusty books long forgotten in libraries.
If the readers (and their children) become part of organizations like Chimnaya Mission the transformation will be palpable and then one can experience the vibrancy of Sanatana Dharma.
July 22nd, 2006 at 10:55 am
TOO MANY MANDIRS GURUDWAS AND CHURCHS AND MOSQUES ARE LIKE TOO MUCH ICING ON THE CAKE WHICH IS NOT HEALTHY***
May 18th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Writing bread on a piece of paper and eating it wont satisfy our hunger.Thats what we are doing-going after the symbolic dieties and totally forgetting the philosophy behind them.Mandir shold be the places where these deep spiritual philosophies should be revealed to the jigyasues –(-the curious, and desireous after the true knowledge.)
The young generation wants to know and wants to believe too–but not the imaginary myth and unsicentific puran( these are the stories told long back to make ordinary people grasp the real essence of the hindu philosophy.)
I agree with mr Patel when he says that our mandir need to be more a place of congregation ,social support and discussion of deep hindu philosophy which can stand to any mordern day scientific discussion.
May 19th, 2008 at 10:16 am
OUR TEMPLES ARE POLITICAL, RATHER THAN SPIRITUAL……..
WE NEED HOSPITALS, SCHOOLS AND VEDIC AWARENESS…….
WE NEED TO OPEN SCHOOLS FOR FINE ARTS AND DANCING………
I DO NOT CONDEMN TEMPLES BUT MAYBE THEY COULD BE UTILISED FOR ENHANCING OUR CULTURE IN EDUCATION OF SANSKRIT, VEDAS, DANCING, AND MUSIC……………INSTEAD OF KEEPING IT IDLE AND LOCKED UP GRILLS LIKE THE NEASDEN SWAMINARAYAN TEMPLE {WHAT A WASTE OF MONEY}
HINDU SAMAJ MUST REMOVE ALL THE VARIOUS SECTS AND CULTS AND MAKE ONE PLACE OF WORSHIP PER REGION PERIOD.
THERE MUST BE SOME KIND OF LAW………….HINDUS MUST UNITE LIKE ALL ISMAILIS UNITE AND HELP ONE ANOTHER INSTEAD OF FIGHTING AGAINST ONE ANOTHER IN SPITE.
WE LACK UNITY
WE LACK GOODWILL
WE LACK FRIENDSHIP
WE LACK LOVE
WE LACK COMPASSION
WE LACK UNDERSTANDING
WE LACK PATIENCE
WE LACK CONSCIOUSNESS ALBEIT THE VERY PROJECTION OF IT IN TEMPLES AND STATUES.
WE LACK CONSCIENTIOUSNESS, CONSISTENCY, CONSTANCY AND HUMANITY AT LARGE TO EMBRACE ONE ANOTHER AND TO NOURISH ONE ANOTHER AND TO ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER………
WE LACK GOOD THOUGHTS…………..IF WE THOUGHT GOOD, THEN THE OUTCOME WOULD AXIOMATICALLY PORTRAY GOOD AND GOOD BEGETS ONLY GOOD…………
WHAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED SO FAR IS PERSONAL SUCCESS, SUCCESS BASED ON INDIVIDUAL STRENGTHS AND INDIVIDUALISM RATHER THAN SUCCESS BASED ON GROUP SUCCESS.
Like for example the success of AgaKhan Khoja Ismailis…..
Like for example the success of Patel community
When I travelled the whole of CANADA and U.S.A., l learnt that most Hindus are very helpful and open hearted and open minded………..
Perhaps its our way of living, like we live in small spaces………they live in big spaces………….or may be attitudes are different…..
Something somewhere is different…….There people congress together every deepavali so peacefully and it brings so much joy!
May 21st, 2008 at 10:38 am
Sub:Search Direction and Purpose
PURPOSE OF INTERLINKS:
1. The Science of Philosophy: Divinity, Vedas, Upanishads, Temples & Yoga
2. Philosophy of Science : Plasmas, Electro-magnetic fields and Cosmology
3. Resource : Source, Fields and Flows,Reflectors,3-Tier Consciousness
4. Noble Cause : Human-Being, Environment, Divine Nature and Harmony
Promote East West Interaction- Cosmology World Peace
May 27th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Have we not got enough? Maybe not. There maybe a need in some areas where they have none. But why do they have to build more temples in areas where they have already got one? (Kenton in Harrow is where there are two Swaminarayan temples)
Let me ask you another question, in this instance WHO REALLY DO YOU THINK IT IS FOR? The community? NO.They already have a place to worship. For GOD? NO. For the trustees or temple leaders? YES. For personal gratification. Of Course!!
Many of these Temples are being built, because there are differences between the leaders, which are mostly down to personalities, PERSONAL POLITICS AND POWER!! and that creates conflicts.
The only people who suffer are the community. They’re the first ones approached for money, it also creates division within the same community.
June 2nd, 2008 at 5:46 pm
I largely agree with the above comments. But would point out that part of “our problem” is that we are not simpletons. If we believed everything was in one book, one prophet, or one name we could simply put everything in one place. But we understand that the function of the Rg, Yajur, and Sama Ved are distinct. We understand that people act in different ways and are different in nature, likewise, institutions we create. Some instiutions are for education, some for worship, some for social service… by specializing, these institutions become expert at what they are doing (due to economies of scale/ scope/ experience). (This recognizes the social utilitarian basis of recognizing individual variation of varna in a civilization - one chosing among multiple jobs to serve societies multiple needs.) Thus we do not jam every function into one building. In contrast to the real complexity of reality, we can certainly set up mandirs that point people in the right direction (for whatever dharmic direction they need help in at the moment) - perhaps an internet based directory of hindu services and teaching - a virtual hindu mandir.
hariaum
June 13th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
Really good article, keep up the good work HV. A discussion that could go on forever due to the misuse of Hindu temples being done by corrupted committee members of the mandir, who are usually between the age of 92 - 94. Members who feel extremely threatened when a youth tries to get involved and bring new ideas, in order for the mandir to serve a better purpose for Hindus in todays day and age. Its just a shame