What's wrong if an american visits any Hindu temple? Why there is big hue and cry about Puri episode?

Question

None of Hindu puranas nor Bhagavad Gita quoted that non-Hindus should not enter Temples. HInduism preaches tolerance to other religions. But why our temple priests always act stupidly and create a big hue and cry when ever a person belonging to other religion visits our temples. The most recent Puri Temple episode is height of stupidity by our temple priests. Why the temple should be closed and trouble devotees just because an American visited Puri Jagannadh Temple? When ever a Hindu visits a Church he/she is most welcome there. Our so called swamis like Shankaracharya and others always feel bad that Hinduism is dieing and we must revive it. If we do this kind of stupit acts how can we get respect among people belonging to other religions?

Answer 1

It should be condemned and those people taught a lesson.They act as if they are the saviours of God.In Kerala temples also they are too strict.
They may say that only those who offer prayers are allowed.what is wrong in allowing non-Hindus who may want to offer prayers. Are they sure that all the Hindus who come, really offer prayers.A number of them are just on-lookers.Really interested foreigners are better than these onlookers.Even if there is some restricted area they should be politely told about the convention.
However there is a reason for churches welcoming others i.e to attract them and convert to their religion where as in a Hindu temple there is no such scope or intention.

Answer 2

You have raised a very valid question. Some thoughts:

1. Anyone who understands Hinduism clearly sees the God in every creature. They cannot discriminate among human beings. Puri kind of incidents indicate that some temples are being controlled actually by people who practise anti-Hindu philosophy.

2.. It is not ALWAYS - most of the temple actually don't mind who comes inside. There is no checking of your religion, nationality or race at the temple entrance.

3. In big temples where it happens as an exception, it is not the priests but the management of the trusts which is generally comprised of the IAS officers and representatives from the politicians, business families and local ex-royal families. A salaried priest has no value in this kind of trust systems.

4. In today's reactionary politics, the kind of Shankaracharyas are being sidelined, attacked and hijacked by the kind of VHP/Bajrang Dal/Shiv Sena.

Answer 3

I don't know about the episode that you are talking about, but I had to visit a Hindu temple once for a term paper in a Philosophy class. They didn't stop me from going in, but I told them why I was there. A lady showed me the rituals that are done and told me about the flowers and stuff. I don't think that they shouldn't let American's in, just make sure that they don't do anything that is against the religious teachings while inside. The temple, like all places of worship should be open to anyone, but some people are just odd about things like this. I have heard that in some places, women (Muslim women) are not allowed into some Mosque for prayer.

Answer 4

Each religion designs its own firewalls and sets it against humanity in one way or the other. No religion is an exception to this. Most priests are diehard fanatics and represent a fanatic community. In this case he was only acting as per the rules of the temple. The American Christian should have been informed of the rules and regulations of the temple in advance. In any case it was a sad episode

Answer 5

The american visited the temple with two of his hindu friends. They broke few rules of the temple out of unawareness. All three of them were handed over to police. They were set free after a fine of Rs. 209/-

So my friend, there were two hindu's involved in there. Why the episode is hyped with the american context only. Go to any such place - a temple, a mosque, or a church; if you break the rules you are sure to be thrown out. Some fanatics hype the issue and we fall for it.

Your arguments are fine but you didn't work out over the actual incident very well. Although I agree that few fanatics have spoilt the image of our culture, but if people like us fall for such generalized statements, we would be contributing to it.

:-)

Answer 6

There's nothing wrong if an american visits any hindu temple.People of any other religion are considered taboo in our eyes .We act friendly from outwards but is that true? The PURI incident was very fiendish,ridiculous,outrageous&humiliating.We expect respect from others,but do we are ourselves respectful
towards others?Remember,nobody in life can take away what is rightfully yours,as god is one & we all are his creation so,we have righ to worship god anywhere.Let others fool around and talk nonsence.All peoples are not same.

Answer 7

There is nothing wrong if any American/non- Hindu visits a temple.The God have no difference with the human kind. Even He is enough kind to all creatures.
This is only pakhand of Pandits of Jagannath Temple.

Answer 8

i think you don't know much about your own religion,as the place where he entered is most of the time closed for even hindus,as the place is considered very pure where only the priest can enter.even that fellow is non-veg creating more problem.

Answer 9

Temples are only for devotees.Temples are not tourist spots.Generally they are allowed in the outer area but not in the
sanctum sanctorum. I do not know any religion which allow tourists to go to
their sanctum sanctorums.
The priests have got every right to refuse tourists to go inside the
temple proper.

Answer 10

What is the need to go to the temple?
To worship the Lord in the temple. Therefore, the devotees go to the temple to worship and offer their devotions to the Lord. The temple is not for Hindus, American or any kind of people who go to the temple to disturb the worship the Lord in the temple.

In Jagannatha Puri the Lord is is called as Lord of the Universe (Jagat=Universe, Natha=Lord). Therefore, Jagannatha is not the sectarian Lord of Hindu, American, Orissa, India etc... but the Lord of everyone. But one who is a devotee recognizes this fact and who is not a devotee does not accept this fact. In fact, there were many muslim rulers who destroyed the temples since they could not understand that they were worshiping the same Allah in the temples.

Even five hundred years back when Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was in Jagannatha Puri for eighteen years, his intimate associates, viz., Haridas Thakura, Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami did not enter the temple due to their previous connection with the muslim background. Haridas Thakura chanted three lakh names of the Lord, and thus he was called as Namacharya or spiritual master for the holy name of the Lord.
Rupa Gosvami wrote excellent literatures explaining the mellows of devotional service. Sanatana Gosvami wrote many wonderful books as well the most noted being Brihat-Bhagavatamrita.

While Saiyad Husen Ala Uddin Seriph Mukka(A.D. 498–1521) was the Nawab of Bengal, Sanatana Gosvami was called as Sakara Mallika and Rupa Gosvami was called as Dabir Khas, since they were the ministers in the Nawab regime. Later they met Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and became devotees of Krishna understanding that worship of Krishna is topmost worship of Allah
They were highly learned scholars in Arabic, Persian, Urdu, Sanskrit etc. . . Even though they became devotees of Krishna still they did not enter the Jagannatha Temple. Because of their previous connection with Nawab Hussain Shah, they did not enter the temple out of humility. Just like Haridasa Thakura out of humility did not enter the tempe, thinking that it would be a disturb ance for a person with a muslim background to enter. He was chanting the names of Krishna throught night and day.Though he did not go to the temple, Krishna in the form of Sri Krishna Chaitanya who is Jagannatha Himself was coming daily to him. When Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was going to take bath in the sea, so He would first of all enter Haridasa's cottage and discuss with him. This was the daily routine of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. . And when Haridasa Thakura expired, He personally took the body and cremated on the bank of the Samudra and performed the funeral ceremony.

If we do this kind of stupit acts how can we get respect among people belonging to other religions?

It is not the question of getting respect but to benefit everyone by educating about the truth of spirit soul, God etc.. It is not the question of the sectarian your or my or other religions. The religion is not a sectarian Hindu, Muslim, Christian etc... The Sanatana Dharma is eternal religious principles based on the eternal Vedas(knowldege). It is not mine or yours or others in sectarian view. It is mine, yours and others in a universal understanding.

In the Padma Purana The Lord said,
"My dear Narada, I do not dwell in Vaikuntha or in the hearts of the yogi, but wherever My devotees sing My glories".

Since Haridas Thakura was singing the glories of the Lord by chanting three lakh names, the Lord himself came to see him. So, if one is eager to see the Lord in the temple one can call out the Lord sincerely and the Lord would himself come to see them.
One need not take the trouble to go and see the Lord in the temple.

Note: No where in the Vedas you find the word Hindu or Hinduism
It is the Sanatana Dharma(eternal religious principles) based on the Vedas(knowledge) universally not secatarian Hindu or muslim or Christian.