Places of worship

[wil]

We are headed over 2000 miles across country to Burning Man. And right now as I rest I'm contemplating places of worship and a temples we build at Burns.

Temple History – Temple Guardians

templeguardians.burningman.org

Probably about 50,000 people will go into the temple this year and leave some memento, a picture of a friend who has passed for a phrase that is Meaningful to them we will burn it. will disappear and smoke up to the ethers. The temple, the burn their memories will mean something different to each and everyone that watches.

I think about the Unity Church that I attend, meeting in a high school cafeteria. I think about the age of temples, the size, the money spent, the effort to build, the people that worship.

I think in general the older the religion the longer it's been around, the more adherence the larger the congregation the bigger the temple more people are willing to spend.

Where do you worship? How many people attend? How big is the temple, how old is the temple? What are your thoughts on the edifices that we build to Worship in our way?

 

['Amir Alzzalam]

My physical body is my temple, there is enough room for One, it is not very big, it was built in 1960.

 

[JustGeorge]

In an ideal situation, I worship in a beautiful but small temple 2 hours from here. Its built in South Indian style, and is a Balaji temple, but has shrines for Rama(and family), Radha/Krishna, Shiva, Parvati, Karttikeya, Ganesh, Durga, Saraswati, Lakshimi, and Swami Narayana. A small service can fetch on average 5-40, with major festivals gathering hundreds(even if we don't all fit). It was build in the 1990's, and was the first temple to be built in my state.

However, life is seldom ideal, and I rarely get to go anymore. Its hard to find anyone to watch the kids, and taking them often isn't worth the four hour round trip. I have a lovely puja room, but don't get to it every day(a shame, I oughta).

Often I worship where I am, as is. Again, situations are seldom ideal. One of the most meaningful moments of worship was dealing with a meltdown from one of the kids that was going on over an hour... "Brahmamurari surachita lingam..." rolled off of my tongue. I was running out of steam on all levels, and for whatever reason, a bhajan was on the tip of my tongue. So, I sang, and worshiped Shiva with my voice, while Chaos reigned around me... And I felt at peace for that moment.

I think the places of worship we build are wonderful, and provide a sense of connection. Not only to our religious figures, but to folks who have passed before us.

 

[Modesty]

I used to go to mass in a Catholic church that had a lovely, large congregation but was the typical hideous 60s/70s building most places of worship inhabit here these days I'm not part of any religion right now, so I sadly don't currently attend any place of worship.

What are your thoughts on the edifices that we build to Worship in our way?

I think they should be beautiful, like Notre Dame, Hagia Sophia, or the Golden Temple. I understand that God is equally present in ugly places of worship, but I'm sad we don't give as much attention to aesthetics when building places of worship as we used to do.

 

[JustGeorge]

I used to go to mass in a Catholic church that had a lovely, large congregation but was the typical hideous 60s/70s building most places of worship inhabit here these days I'm not part of any religion right now, so I sadly don't currently attend any place of worship.



I think they should be beautiful, like Notre Dame, Hagia Sophia, or the Golden Temple. I understand that God is equally present in ugly places of worship, but I'm sad we don't give as much attention to aesthetics when building places of worship as we used to do.

There was a church nearby I thought was a bus garage, until I met someone who went there...

 

[Cino]

Have a good time at Burning Man, @wil!

I like to go to nice tranquil places, like a park in the early morning, the seashore nearby, or a trail outside my office during lunch break, and recite some poetry quietly to myself (whatever comes to mind), or just contemplate the moment's atmosphere.

While I've visited some temple buildings and sacred sites, they are usually not suited to my mode of contemplation. Even a quiet church is always busy with echoes and the visual pull of architected space.

 

[Craz]

We are headed over 2000 miles across country to Burning Man. And right now as I rest I'm contemplating places of worship and a temples we build at Burns.

Temple History – Temple Guardians

templeguardians.burningman.org

Probably about 50,000 people will go into the temple this year and leave some memento, a picture of a friend who has passed for a phrase that is Meaningful to them we will burn it. will disappear and smoke up to the ethers. The temple, the burn their memories will mean something different to each and everyone that watches.

I think about the Unity Church that I attend, meeting in a high school cafeteria. I think about the age of temples, the size, the money spent, the effort to build, the people that worship.

I think in general the older the religion the longer it's been around, the more adherence the larger the congregation the bigger the temple more people are willing to spend.

Where do you worship? How many people attend? How big is the temple, how old is the temple? What are your thoughts on the edifices that we build to Worship in our way?

When I lived in Jerusalem and was a strong believer, all past saints/prophets places became holy and I used to meditate in all Christian churches, particularly the garden of Gethsemane and also Jesus's birth place in Bethlehem.
Also, the Western Wall and (allegedly)King David's Tomb, which has an incredible 'vibe'(even if it isn't David's Tomb).
I also visited the Bahai holy places, which are beautiful.
The Dome of the Rock (which is also believed to be the site of the Holy of Holies) is ideal for meditation, I never had any problem going there.
Nowadays, I live in Glastonbury(England) which has an abbey that many believe is the oldest in England. Joseph of Arimathea was reputed to have visited there with his nephew(Jesus) and (the legendry?) King Arthur's burial place is there.
It has beautiful grounds and is ideal for private time/meditation.
And like Jerusalem, gets visits from all over the world.


ETA I always wanted to to get to the Burning Man, but alas never made it. Bon Voyage, have a great trip.

 

[wil]

Incredible contemplations. Burning Man is sort of a mecca for some, a pilgrimage either once in a lifetime or annual... I enjoyed it, but not so much to make it religious....never really thought I would go back..but opportunity knocked.

Monstrous cathedrals and temples make my jaw drop in awe...the cavernous insides make me feel small and insignificant...I definitely get a buzz, an energy, my vibe effected by the majesty and history.

But as described I also get that at monument valley, Yosemite next to half dome, or standing next to a Redwood tree.

I feel the closest connection to all that is in nature...at the beach, staring at stars, or watching a dandelion off its seeds into the wind.

Or right now, chatting into the ethers that is the net...with you all here on I/O while rolling down the road in the desert.

Sorry to get sentimental... but I love you guys.

 

[RJM]

Incredible contemplations. Burning Man is sort of a mecca for some, a pilgrimage either once in a lifetime or annual... I enjoyed it, but not so much to make it religious....never really thought I would go back..but opportunity knocked.

Monstrous cathedrals and temples make my jaw drop in awe...the cavernous insides make me feel small and insignificant...I definitely get a buzz, an energy, my vibe effected by the majesty and history.

But as described I also get that at monument valley, Yosemite next to half dome, or standing next to a Redwood tree.

I feel the closest connection to all that is in nature...at the beach, staring at stars, or watching a dandelion off its seeds into the wind.

Or right now, chatting into the ethers that is the net...with you all here on I/O while rolling down the road in the desert.

Sorry to get sentimental... but I love you guys.

Go wil!