OPINIONS

Temples must help preserve Hinduism

By S.S. Moorthy
Via e-mail

It is gratifying and pleasing to learn about the construction of a number of temples in the USA.
Any city with a significant Indian population will be having a temple for the community. There are three important concerns for the future. As we understand, the temples are places of worship, learning, and service to the needy. At present, the temples are serving as places of worship. For them, we need priests with proper training and qualifications. Will the future generation accept the ritualistic practice in Sanskrit? Many of the first generation do not know Sanskrit and I am sure the second generation and the future generations will question what we are doing and the meaning for doing it.
The second problem is that we all claim to be Hindus without knowing or practicing the principles of Hinduism. The Sanathana Dharma principles are translated and are available. The Bhagavad-Gita, 108 Upanishads and Dharma Sutras should be taught every day at the time of prayers for just half an hour: one chapter or Upanishad a day imparting the greatness of the thought. Then the Vedic rituals can be started. Teaching the principles of Hinduism should be part of the Hindu temple responsibility. If these principles are read and taught every day, we can see some of the practices we cultivate are so outdated or totally irrelevant, or even irresponsible.
The third concern is the perpetual existence of these temple institutions. Procuring funds, learned priests and scholars for manning these temples can be difficult. As Hinduism is not organized as a religion with central or regional controls or guidelines, a system has to be developed for proper function. Our learned friends and leaders should think about the future and guide us through for the survival of this great religion.