Is it right to "try" other religions?

[Senthil]

Wil, I was raised agnostic/nothing. So I had no knowledge of scripture. When I first got into Hinduism, (age 19) I read some of Vivekenanda's work, then Subramuniyaswami's work, but little traditional scripture. I've read a translated version of the Upanishads, and translated versions of Tirumantiram, Tirukkural, and Tiruvacagam. I've never read the Vedas or Bhagavad Gita. I found that scripture gets me into the 'thinking' mind too much, and when there are conflicts, it can just be too much of a mental exercise, when I'd rather just go for a walk in a park, or to temple to feel the Presence.

To be fair, there are some sects within Hinduism, and certainly many individuals who put a great deal of emphasis on scripture, such as Ramayana reading groups.

 

[Namaste Jesus]

I do understand how people coming from a POV outside of Hinduism would see it as 'advanced'.

I'm not saying that going to a Hindu Temple is not basic or that it is an advanced form of worship, just that it is not the only way. In my wife's Hindu tradition for instance, Temple worship is rare. They conduct most services at home. I can tell you though, coming from a different faith and attending these services gave me little understanding of Hinduism. However, once I did a little research and studied the basic principals of Hinduism, what was going on at these services became much more clear.

That was the point I was trying to make. For someone from outside the faith, just going to a Hindu Temple would teach them little unless they had someone there to explain it to them or they had done some prior research.

To be fair, there are some sects within Hinduism, and certainly many individuals who put a great deal of emphasis on scripture, such as Ramayana reading groups.

Ramayana readings figure heavy in my wife's tradition. As does Bhagavad Gita readings especially after a funeral. I myself have taken a great deal of solace from the Gita.

 

[Senthil]

Once again, this illustrates a significant difference between east and west. In the east, the word 'understanding' leans to intuition and feeling, much more mystical, not books. In the west it's more of an intellectual understanding. There is a need to know why, from an intellectual view, because that's necessary from the western paradigm.

I get the sense from Wil's post above that he gets this. He indicated all this talk of Hindu temples had him wanting to go back. I go to temple because it feels good. I can't tell you how many times I've heard from eastern souls something like this, "I had no idea what was going on, but it sure felt good. The energy in that place was amazing." That's clear to me that it's an eastern soul's view. They come back.

Then there is the western soul who comes and can't wait to get out of the place because it feels so wrong, or "I don't understand this," or worse, "they're worshiping idols."

I have hosted many classes at our temple, and here, if someone wants to go, I'll gladly host them. After awhile you can just tell who's in tune and who isn't. Past life memories have them acting quite naturally there, despite it being a first time experience. They flow, and it's beautiful. But the best thing about it, even if they don't flow, is it's often a very quick way to decide. Then they can move on to some other religion to look at.

But this east/west thing is also far more confused these days with globalization affecting reincarnation patterns. There are also western souls in eastern bodies. A large group of them have reincarnated in Kerala for example, and have a very strong and aggressive Christian community.

 

[Namaste Jesus]

I go to temple because it feels good.

That's the very reason the Christian and Jewish members of my Temple attend. There is just a feeling of well being there that has been present from the moment it was completed. Everyone who has ever stepped inside or even stood next to the building has felt it.

Thing is, no one attending is contemplating changing religions. If that were the case, they would need much more information than it just feels good.

As you yourself said in post #21 "Looking at the mountain is much different than climbing it."

 

[Devils' Advocate]

My mother knew the agnostic husband of a Catholic friend of hers who for many years accompanied his wife to Mass, but would sit at the back of the church and speak freely of his agnosticism. When he announced his conversion, she asked him what happened, but he could only shrug. It just did. He couldn't explain it.

I find this comment very interesting. He suddenly knew he had a conversion and couldn't explain it. Of course, unlike many other instant converts mentioned already, this man had been going to mass for years. It makes me wonder how long the process, that he thought happened in an instant, actually took? Months or even years to catch up to him. Or might it have actually happened like an avalanche in a moment.

It would disturb me to have a major life event occur and my not know why. But then I do tend to overthink stuff, probably too much. In looking back over the years I cannot think of any event in my life where a major life realization just hit me. Not saying it can't happen to others. It hasn't happened to me (yet) is all.

 

[Senthil]

That's the very reason the Christian and Jewish members of my Temple attend. There is just a feeling of well being there that has been present from the moment it was completed. Everyone who has ever stepped inside or even stood next to the building has felt it.

But would they feel as comfortable at a large Indian temple like the one in Flushing, or one of the several other large temples in your area? Of course they feel comfortable at yours, they know you, and know they're very welcome there. It's a 'nice' place, like a home you're invited to , and the host makes you feel comfortable. But I'm not talking about 'nice' I'm talking about overwhelming energy, with a psychic barrier established around it, with a definite strong presence. I've had people come here who couldn't enter. They got blocked by the protective bubble. On forums, I've met people who were keenly interested in Hinduism, but when the subject of actually going to a Hindu temple came up, they ran away scared like puppy dogs.

But most people of all faiths feel reasonably comfortable at universalist style buildings (temples, halls, whatever) of any faith. I don't feel uncomfortable, I just feel nothing at those places. They're like large dining halls. I do feel uncomfortable in more orthodox religious buildings like Catholic Churches. I am a Hindu after all, and both Catholicism and Hinduism believe in the presence of inner beings in their buildings. Not that devas and angels 'fight' with each other, but they also keep their repective distances.

Weddings in our basement are interesting times to observe all this. It'll be a Hindu wedding, and because of the interaction at workplaces, friends from all religions, etc., there will be many people of all faiths. Then, after the wedding, when the bride and groom go upstairs to seek the blessings of Lord MahaGanapati, panic ensues downstairs. "Should we go? I don't want to. I want to. You go but I'm definite not going." It's a rare opportunity to observe this.

 

[Thomas]

Hi DA –

I find this comment very interesting. He suddenly knew he had a conversion and couldn't explain it. Of course, unlike many other instant converts mentioned already, this man had been going to mass for years. It makes me wonder how long the process, that he thought happened in an instant, actually took? Months or even years to catch up to him. Or might it have actually happened like an avalanche in a moment.

Who can say? My own atheist uncle was much the same, married to my Catholic aunt. He went to mass, on pilgrimages, and was even in receipt of what he declares as a miracle at the intercession of Padre Pio. He's even buried in a Catholic cemetery, but never converted.

 

[StevePame]

He's even buried in a Catholic cemetery, but never converted.

I'm surprised the Catholic Church allowed that to happen. I thought it didn't allow non-Catholics to be buried in consecrated ground.

 

[Thomas]

I'm surprised the Catholic Church allowed that to happen. I thought it didn't allow non-Catholics to be buried in consecrated ground.

LOL, there's probably a rule against it in the Code of Canon Law.

Not only was he buried in consecrated ground, he had a Catholic funeral, in a notable London church (they lived in the parish). The point was he and my aunt wanted to be buried together, and their parish priest, who knew them both, wasn't about to deny them on the grounds of a technicality. His eulogy was quite touching, too.

As in any institution there are rules and regs on the one hand, and those who work at the 'coal-face' on the other. Like a good policeman, the good priest knows how to exercise the law, rather than follow it to the letter ...

 

[StevePame]

As in any institution there are rules and regs on the one hand, and those who work at the 'coal-face' on the other. Like a good policeman, the good priest knows how to exercise the law, rather than follow it to the letter ...

I couldn't agree more.

 

[Namaste Jesus]

But would they feel as comfortable at a large Indian temple like the one in Flushing, or one of the several other large temples in your area?

I can't speak for anyone else, but it is unlikely my wife and I would feel the need to visit such a facility unless invited to do so for a specific purpose. Temple worship is simply not part of my wife's Hindu tradition nor is Church worship part of my Christian tradition. Both of us were brought up to worship privately or in small intimate groups. Specific religious ceremonies being the exception, but we have our own facility for that.

Of course they feel comfortable at yours, they know you, and know they're very welcome there.

Indeed. Small Temples like ours are definitely less intimidating than larger facilities. Especially for those not of the Hindu faith. That comfortable feeling is but a small part of the overall feeling of well being that encompasses the area in and around our small Temple however.

I'm talking about overwhelming energy, with a psychic barrier established around it, with a definite strong presence. I've had people come here who couldn't enter.

The feeling around our Temple is more like what you describe here. We even have a fellow who cannot bring himself to actually enter the building. He'll stop by from time to time, say his prayers outside on the southeast corner of the building, leave an offering on the steps and go. I think he has an issue with the figurines on the alter, but I'm not sure. He's just one of those people who came to our property for a completely unrelated reason and asked about the funny little building under the sugar maple. That's how most found out about our Temple.

We have another fellow who often stops by to pray after having attended Catholic mass with his family. He once told me that he is Catholic, because it is expected of him, but he comes to our Temple to pray, because he feels closer to God there. Must be. He drives 20 miles out of his way to visit.

 

[Senthil]

The feeling around our Temple is more like what you describe here.

You must really trust my description, since you haven't actually been yourself to one of the larger temples, nor it seems, are you about to go. Glad someone trusts my description. But it is very much like 'Field of Dreams' with most people. Me (and others prone to influence of energy) being Ray, and 'most people' being his brother-in-law.

The Sanskrit slokas, the pomp, the tried and true rituals are what places that energy there. When was your prana pratishta ceremony? Perhaps it was on an auspicious day.

 

[Thomas]

Hi Senthil –

Have you ever come across Raimon Panikkar? Just wondering ...

 

[Senthil]

Thomas, no I haven't ... until now. I read the wiki article.

 

[Senthil]

Thomas, no I haven't ... until now. I read the wiki article.

I see he co-authored something with Dr. Arvind Sharma though. I have heard of Dr. Sharma.

 

[Namaste Jesus]

The Sanskrit slokas, the pomp, the tried and true rituals are what places that energy there. When was your prana pratishta ceremony? Perhaps it was on an auspicious day.

There was a certain energy present on the site our Temple now sits long before ground was ever broken. That was our primary reason for purchasing the property, even though the actual house was a basket case. My wife often says, "We didn't choose this property, it chose us." When construction began that sense of energy greatly intensified and upon completion it was almost overwhelming. Something that persists to this day.

Our Temple has no presiding deity as such. In keeping with my wife's Hindu tradition, several incarnations and manifestations of God are represented. Krishna, who's influence guided me every step of the way in the construction of the Temple, is the most prominent.

Rhada-Krishna were welcomed as the climax of our 1st annual Janmashtami ceremony and our Temple was officially opened.

The following year, Shiva and family were officially welcomed on the occasion of our annual Maha Shivaratri observance.

Jesus' welcome, yes Jesus, was made official on Christmas Eve that same year. This is an accepted practice in my wife's tradition as Hinduism is thought to be all encompassing. In my wife's family, depending on who you talk to, I'm thought of as either a Hindu devote of Christ or a Christian disciple of Hindu principle.

God's blessings are sought and sustained throughout the year by auspicious religious observance, offerings and daily prayer.

 

[Senthil]

I'm sorry, NJ. The Hindu in me with it's experiences just jumps to false conclusions. I've never heard of a Hindu temple where the prana pratishta (eye opening) ceremony wasn't done. Even at the most liberal temples, including the two Fijian ones here, it was done. So my my mind just thinks a certain way based on these experiences, and they're somewhat orthodox and traditional.

Of course anyone can practice any mixed religion they wish to. It's a free country with regard to religion. But just as a dog with a dalmation mom and a German shepherd Dad isn't either a dalmation or a shepherd, but a cross, so too with this religion of yours. If you asked the owner he'd tell you, "Rover is half and half."

In certain places in India or in countries with mixed groups of European Christian and Indian Hindu (Mauritius for one) mixes, there are roadside shrines that you actually can't tell which faith they are until you look inside. The outsides are a blend of the two. But a cross or a vel or an Aum or Ganesha inside gives it away. Amman shrines and Mary shrines are harder, but candles or ghee lamps help too.

I view this as a separate religion, not Hindu, nor Christian, and as a member of the larger interfaith community, I welcome it just as I'd welcome any other group other than the hate-filled violent ones. But that's a different thread. It's actually quite common these days. The Self-Realisation Fellowship is probably the largest group under this banner.

They and others like them are quite different in one regard though, and that is that they take great pains to avoid the word 'Hindu' entirely despite the Hindu influence obvious to anyone knowing much at all about Sanatana Dharma. You, on the other hand, seem to revel in using it.

 

[Aussie Thoughts]

Our Temple has no presiding deity as such. In keeping with my wife's Hindu tradition, several incarnations and manifestations of God are represented.

Saw a lot of small Temples with more than 1 deity in northeast India. A few even had a Christ reference. That surprised me a bit. They weren't really public, but the folks out that way welcomed us. Different story to the south though.

 

[Senthil]

Saw a lot of small Temples with more than 1 deity in northeast India. A few even had a Christ reference. That surprised me a bit. They weren't really public, but the folks out that way welcomed us. Different story to the south though.

It's a style of temple called Sanatani. The tradition is there, but is a more recent development, and generally considered as an extension of Smartism.

Most temples have more than one deity. There is the presiding deity and the side deities. In henotheism that is common. One of the other reasons some Hindus react is that it's clear that the addition of Christ is a 'foot in the door' tried and true method by Christian evangelists. But obviously that's not the case in NJ's temple. It's just a nice adjustment or accommodation in a mixed marriage situation. Very different reason. But in terms of trying to define Hinduism on the scale from orthodox to liberal, it's at the far liberal end of that spectrum.

 

[Namaste Jesus]

Saw a lot of small Temples with more than 1 deity in northeast India. A few even had a Christ reference. That surprised me a bit. They weren't really public, but the folks out that way welcomed us.

Really? ...and here I thought that I was the only nut on the tree...lol!

Our Temple is not public either. It's just that people would stop by our house for other reasons, see the Temple and ask about it. Next thing you know I'm standing on the steps addressing a dozen people like I'm some sort of Minister. Nowadays, because of my health, it's just a few individuals stopping by from time to time to pray. Thank goodness for that.