If somebody is not allowed into a nuclear installation, is it discrimination?
If somebody is not allowed into a software company, is it discrimination?
These people do not understand the original purpose of building a temple.
Ideally, even all Hindus must not be allowed inside a temple. Only those who are pious and follow the rituals must be allowed inside. A temple is not a public place, where we allow everyone inside, just to show off that we are not discriminatory.
In almost every temple today, the original purpose of building a temple is totally lost.
Once, I went to Tirumala, which is undoubtedly the most important temple for Hindus. After a long wait in a long queue, I entered inside and had a glimpse of the idol of Lord Venkateswara. I came out, took the theertham from the priest and looked around. A group of 5 devotees there sat on the floor, opened a food packet and started eating sweets and other edible items. I found it extremely irritating.
Even I don't really advocate discrimination on caste and religious grounds, but the point I am trying to make is everyone is not really "eligible" to enter a temple. That includes me too. I feel I am not pious enough to enter a temple. Everytime I go to a temple, look at the idol, fold my hands, utter a few slokas, break a coconut and so on. That does not bring abour the desired change. The temples have lost their sanctity. The original intention was to have a place of transformation, elevation and heal
The temples lost their sanctity. The original intention was to have a place of transformation, elevation and healing. That requires a certain atmosphere, which is absent in most of the temples today.
If all you need is a public place where all religions and castes are allowed, there are hundreds of public places to visit. Why only a temple?
If you want to worship God, you can worship God anywhere and everywhere, not just in a temple.
I feel there is a need to rediscover our temples, relook at them in a fresh way, to understand why excatly they were built and what is needed to make them more effective in bringing out the transformation in a person.
It is even more necessary to follow the old customs and traditions.
If the government wants a temple where everyone is allowe, why does it not build a few new temples with all modern facilities and allow everyone inside?
RE:Discrimination?
by rationalize on Jun 12, 2007 03:55 AM Permalink
"Only those who are pious and follow the rituals must be allowed inside."
Quoting your statement. So if Indira was pious and followed the rituals, she should have been allowed. It can't be a God who discriminates on the basis of name and so called religion. The most important thing in the faith is the heart of the person. That person is responsible for his own doings. Any worship place whether it is Mecca/Madina or Guruvayur temple should be open to all seekers unless trusties are scared of getting exposed by Media or miscreants or anti-religion elements. But again more you protect, more suspicion/opposition will grow.
Regarding purification, why can't they have pre-temple purification of these devoties. That way, the person entering the temple is forced purified.
