Transcript Essentials of Hindu Dharma - Hindu Mandir Executives` Conference

Session 1
The Why and How of Mandir
Worship
Kumar S. Nochur, Ph.D.
President, Sri Lakshmi Temple
Ashland, MA
September 11-13, 2009
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Hindu Mandir Executive Conference
September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD
Introduction/Problem Statement
• For American Hindus of the next generation, it is not
always clear why they have to worship in a mandir
• Even adults find it hard to explain the rationale of
temple worship to our children
• Mandir executives often have to explain to nonHindus the significance of our temples and deities
• If the rationale for deity worship in temples is known,
Hindu mandirs become powerful theaters of darsan –
divine vision and communication
• If the value and power of temples is not known, their
sustenance and viability is uncertain
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Hindu Mandir Executive Conference
September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD
The Why of Mandir Worship
• The ultimate reality of Hinduism is Brahman,
described as Sat-Cit-Ananda = Truth-ConsciousnessBliss
• Brahman manifests as gods and goddesses as and
when required to guide our spiritual evolution
• Temple deities – moortis and vigrahas – are images
of our gods and goddesses, made sacred and
powerful to aid worship and guide meditation
• We do not worship idols as defined by Abrahamic
religions
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Hindu Mandir Executive Conference
September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD
How is a Temple Deity Made Powerful?
• A mandir reflects the invisible divine in a physical form
• Moortis and vigrahas are carefully sculpted according
to agamas
• The Kumbhabhishekam (consecration) process
invokes the power of deities into their image forms
– Bija mantras, Yantras, Vedic mantras, Prana Pratishta, Netra
Unmeelanam
• Properly installed deities become transmitters of
divine power, blessings, and grace
• The saannidhyam (sanctity) of a temple is increased
by daily and special pujas and yajnas, visits of
mahatmas, and the devotion of worshippers
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Hindu Mandir Executive Conference
September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD
How Should We Worship at a Temple?
• Understand the power of sanctified deities
• Know the symbolism of the deities
– Every aspect of a deity: body, hands, feet, mudras,
ornaments, objects carried, posture, etc. has an inner
significance
• Observe, ask, and learn from knowledgeable priests
and devotees
• Know the mandir’s history – the stala purana
• Learn basic slokas, mantras, and worship methods
• Cultivate bhakti (love of and devotion to god) so that
the act of darsan becomes a blissful moment of
communion and spiritual evolution
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Hindu Mandir Executive Conference
September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD
Case Study: Ganesha Worship
• The Atharva Sheersha Upanishad says:
– Tvam pratyaksham Brahmasi
• The story of Ganesha getting the elephant
head
• Why is Ganesha always worshipped first?
• The symbolism of Ganesha’s form
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Hindu Mandir Executive Conference
September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD
Conclusion
• Let’s be thankful we have so many gods and
goddesses to worship in so many different forms and
ways!
• Knowledge is the key – bhakti is enriched by jnana,
devotion and knowledge go together
• As mandir executives, please take the process of
consecration and maintaining sanctity seriously
• Educating ourselves and others is a continuous
process
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• If the significance and symbolism of deity worship is
appreciated by mandir execs and devotees, our
temples become vibrant theaters of worship and
spirituality
Hindu Mandir Executive Conference
September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD