You are here: SriPedia - SriRangaSri - Archives - Jan 2005

SriRangaSri List Archive: Message 00104 Jan 2005

 
Jan 2005 Indexes ( Date | Thread | Author )
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next]




Dear all,

        Perhaps the question 'can an anya devata shrine be 
constructed in a Vishnu temple according to the aagamas' is subtly 
different to the question of 'what is the best option for temple 
construction in mixed-sampradaaya communities, such as those in the 
west'.

        It shouldn't be forgotten that the Shrivaishnava communities 
in India (and to a lesser extent the US, I'm guessing?) are often 
lucky to be of sufficient size such that they can organise 
their 'satsang' and maintain a degree of authenticity in the 
preservation of their philosophy.  I can say from experience in the 
UK, for example, that not all of us are so lucky.

        The Shrivaishnava population here is very small - and 
most of those that are here have probably become philosophically 
aligned to the 'Advaita-lite' that most westerners would associate 
with Hinduism and see Vaishnava/Shaiva/Smaarta distinctions 
as 'divisive' or 'obsolete' etc.  In fact even some Iyengars in 
India these days do not know that they are affiliated to 
Shrivaishnavism!!  With this in mind, it should not come as a 
surprise that in a country like the UK, the philosophy will tend to 
be even more diluted.  This is certainly a shame, but in this 
situation what are the observant Shrivaishnavas to do?  Close 
themselves off from everybody else?  One should be aware that this 
will seem like 'Hindus discriminating against Hindus' to the local 
folk, which may give people a negative perception of our 
sampradaayam - that's surely not a good thing.

        So perhaps for those of us who do call ourselves 
specifically 'Srivaishnava', the best option available is to try and 
be true to our principles/traditions within ourselves, while trying 
to engage with those of other sampradaayas/religions in some 
constructive way. If the only temple in the area is a Shiva temple 
with a Vishnu shrine at the side, perhaps we need to try and search 
for those noble aspects of Shaivism that echo our Shrivaishnava 
belief system?  I don't know - of course this may be against our 
shaastras and aagamas - but isn't interaction the only way that 
people will learn about each others' cultures?  

        For example, when I mentioned the Vishnu shrines in Shaiva 
Siddhaanta temples earlier, I was not necessarily saying that a 
Srivaishnava has to go and pray there - but perhaps, it is possible 
to walk into one without thinking "oh no, I am in an anya-devata 
shrine where worship is carried out against our aagamic principles" - 
and perhaps it is more constructive to think "look - they also recite 
the Vedic hymns to Vishnu, they also offer the various upaachaaras 
with devotion, etc. - that's something at least".

        Another issue is what type of community you are serving - if 
you build a Hindu temple in a UK city (or anywhere for that matter), 
you need to demonstrate that you are serving the religious needs of 
the local Hindu community.  One may suggest that "this is no excuse 
to violate the injunctions of the aagamas and build a Ganapati 
sannidhi in a Paancharaatra temple".  Perhaps not.  But if, in 
a particular city, you can count the number of people following a 
particular aagamic tradition on one hand, then it is obvious that 
such a temple would not be viewed as "serving the community's 
religious needs".  OK, so arguably the purpose of a temple is to 
serve God rather than the other way round, but let's be realistic.  
Without patrons, how will the service be funded?  While the 'multi-
cuisine cafeteria' mentality is no doubt an important factor, as Sri 
Sudarshan put it, I would suggest that this isn't the whole story - 
these temples are also a genuine attempt to keep *some* form of Vedic 
practice alive, in countries where by rights, it probably shouldn't 
stand a chance of surviving in the first place.  Then there is the 
interesting question of: given the choice between an 'anya-devata' 
temple/'diluted Vishnu temple' and no temple at all, which is 
better?  I haven't decided myself :-)  

        My point basically, is that while the aagamas and shaastras 
may be very clear on the issue, it is not always as simple to follow 
them in all social backdrops - and would just ask for a little 
understanding from the more faithful followers our tradition 
elsewhere - we are trying our best out here! :-) I was once talking 
to Sri Shaunaka Rishi Das, head of the Oxford Centre of Hindu 
studies, himself a staunch Gaudiya Vaishnava.  His background is 
Irish, where many will know that sectarian violence between Catholics 
and Protestants has ripped apart the nation in recent history.  On 
the issues of engaging with other sampradaayas and paying homage to 
anya-devatas in a Vaishnava context, he said it far better than I 
could - 'In Northern Ireland, if you weren't prepared to engage with 
people of other religions, you'd get shot' (paraphrased).  Ok so this 
may not be an immediate danger with Hindus, but it's something to 
think about nevertheless :-)

Sorry for this long posting and hope no offence was caused (none was 
intented of course)!

best wishes
Ranjan








------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> 
What would our lives be like without music, dance, and theater?
Donate or volunteer in the arts today at Network for Good!
http://us.click.yahoo.com/WwRTUD/SOnJAA/i1hLAA/VkWolB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~-> 

 
Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SriRangaSri/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
    SriRangaSri-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
 




[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next] [Date Index ] [Thread Index ] [Author Index ]
Home Page
http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia
srirangasri-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
To subscribe to the list