There exists a common misconception among the lesser spiritual beings in India and outside that if God is everywhere, then Why Temples?
Excerpt from the book "Transforming INDIANS to Transform INDIA"
Temples in India are not only religious centres, but also cultural and learning centres which communities were built around. They were the centre of social life, where people gathered for special occasions, concerts, etc. Scriptural study, social service and cultural preservation were some functions served by the temple. The temple held the people together and had them work towards a common cause.
For lesser spiritual people, we don't understand the sense behind worshipping feet, signs, idols, words and statues. How can these things be God. Isn't God all-pervading?
"Well, it actually depends on our own needs. Tell me, if you could solve math problems mentally, would you feel the need for a calculator or a pencil and a paper? if a person can walk on his own two legs, does he need the support of crutches or a stick? But a baby, who has neither the strength nor the knowledge of how to stand and balance, does require some support."
Similarly, if our mind is subtle enough to understand and have the direct, living experience that God is formless and all pervading, then we have no need for a temple or an idol, a symbol or a picture. Most of us, however, still crave for the support of a symbol to make sense of God. These symbols evoke love and peace within us, preparing the mind slowly to become subtle, pure, and eventually capable of understanding Divinity without the help of forms. Since we are not able to see divinity in everything, we must first practice seeing it in images or symbols and then slowly expand our vision.
This concept is Universal, in all religions, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, name it.
Excerpt from the book "Transforming INDIANS to Transform INDIA"
Temples in India are not only religious centres, but also cultural and learning centres which communities were built around. They were the centre of social life, where people gathered for special occasions, concerts, etc. Scriptural study, social service and cultural preservation were some functions served by the temple. The temple held the people together and had them work towards a common cause.
For lesser spiritual people, we don't understand the sense behind worshipping feet, signs, idols, words and statues. How can these things be God. Isn't God all-pervading?
"Well, it actually depends on our own needs. Tell me, if you could solve math problems mentally, would you feel the need for a calculator or a pencil and a paper? if a person can walk on his own two legs, does he need the support of crutches or a stick? But a baby, who has neither the strength nor the knowledge of how to stand and balance, does require some support."
Similarly, if our mind is subtle enough to understand and have the direct, living experience that God is formless and all pervading, then we have no need for a temple or an idol, a symbol or a picture. Most of us, however, still crave for the support of a symbol to make sense of God. These symbols evoke love and peace within us, preparing the mind slowly to become subtle, pure, and eventually capable of understanding Divinity without the help of forms. Since we are not able to see divinity in everything, we must first practice seeing it in images or symbols and then slowly expand our vision.
This concept is Universal, in all religions, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, name it.
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| Mahabalipuram Temple, India. |
