Religious Experience - Personal Statement Example

The thought itself of visiting any holy place gives rise to good and positive thoughts; one develops the feeling of being with the divinity and experiencing divinity. One starts feeling nice just by thinking of visiting a holy shrine. I experienced exactly this when we were asked to visit a Hindu temple and write about it. I was overwhelmed because I had heard a lot about temples but never visited one. Frankly speaking I did not know how to go about it and what to look for. Nevertheless, I started short listing temples that would allow us a visit, some temple that could be in my region and provide easy access. I spoke to a few of them and finally decided to visit the Shri Shivdham Hindu Temple in Orlando. The visit has brought about changes in me, in the perception of people and things, in the outlook on life. Shri Shivdham Hindu Temple, located in Orlando, allows visitors at fixed times during the day. I had called up in advance to get the location but fixed appointment for any service is not necessary. However, it was useful to obtain the service timings so that one does not miss out on the service that is performed. The temple is closed to the visitors between 1 and 5pm so I made it a point to reach thereby noon. This temple was established in 2002 and regular Hindi language classes are held in addition to Yoga and meditation classes. The temple regularly invites various swamis and scholars to give discourses on different spiritual subjects. The temple’s address is: 460 O’Berry Hoover Road, Orlando, FL 32825-6908. I also took the directions how to reach there was told to drive west on East Colonial drive (Hwy 50). On crossing the Alafaya trail (Landmarks: Channel 24/ Advance Discount Parts / Big Lots) I was asked to make a left on O’Berry Hoover Road. The Shiv mandir is located at the end of the road on the right side, I was directed. The directions were perfect and surprisingly I found that my attention too was rapt; I did not miss any turn. This itself suggests we have the power and the quality to be attentive if we so desire. Moreover, when we want to do something good, our actions, thoughts and attention are all at their best. On arrival I was nonplussed. As I said I had heard about temples and mandir but I never expected to be greeted by such positive vibrations even before entering the temple area. The entire area reverberates with chanting of hymns of Shiva. The chanting was all in Sanskrit, mostly in the form of mantras and the vibrations touch you. It had a very soothing and comforting effect on the nerves. The mind was devoid of any thoughts and the only thoughts were of the deity. Instead of participating in any service I wanted to observe. I did not look at the architecture and the carvings and was only interested in the prayers, offerings and chantings. I realised this only when one of my friends asked me about the temple architecture. However, no regrets on this. I found that before reaching the sanctum sanctorum there were some small temples that housed other deities. It seems these have to be visited before one can enter the Shiva area. One of these temples was that of Lord Ganesh and I came to know Ganesha was Lord Shiva’s son, carved out of mud by His consort, Parvati. To reach Lord Shiva the seeker has to first bow down before Lord Ganesha. Having crossed all these I finally reached the sanctum sanctorum – something that I had been very eager for. We have to take off the shoes and wash the hands before entering the temple. All this teaches us the importance of purification. Although this was purification at the physical level, we are actually supposed to purify the mind and thoughts before entering the temple. Be pure to be with the PURE! Still and video photography is strictly prohibited within the premises and one cannot even take back a photo of the deity housed in the temple. Just outside the sanctum sanctorum I found a list of the different services and the costs posted on the wall. I enquired what these services meant, like Abhisekham and Anna Danam. Abhisekham is pouring water and several other materials such as yoghurt and milk on the Shivlingam. The purpose is to purify the self but the manifestation is that we pour all these on Shivlingam first and gradually learn to purify the self. The temple priest also performs various other services and rituals like puja for grha pravesham (when one starts living in a new house), for new car etc. It was interesting to know that such possessions also should be welcomed with the blessings of the Lord. As I entered the temple I saw many devotees offering prayers and puja. Some even went round the deity in circles. I came to know that this was usually done after the worship and particularly for Lord Shiva. Apparently legend goes that Lord Ganesha considered His parents – Lord Shiva and His consort – to be His world. Hence when he was asked to perform a tour of the world to gain knowledge, he went round his parents five times in circles signifying that he had completed the world tour and gained knowledge. Thus, what it actually signifies is that going around in circles marks the puja as complete. In one corner I also found several people sitting on a mat and chanting the mantras. It was amazing how they could chant in unison and one just wanted to stand there and watch them chant. The atmosphere was reverberating with the chants and one could actually feel the purity in the air. I looked for the head priest but could not meet him as he was busy performing some rituals for some devotees. The guide informed me that the priest Svamiji was very learned and had a deep knowledge of the Hindu scriptures. I had heard that Hindu temples offer some prasadam at the end of the puja. This is in the form of some sweet and this is really delicious. I realized that it is not the sweetness of the sweet but the vibrations of the temple that energize the offerings. When consumed after it has been lying in front of the deity for some time, the taste differs. To experience the bliss the guide asked me to sit in the temple premises for some time with my eyes closed. I feel incapable of describing this experience and would request all to visit any Hindu temple and gain first-hand experience. There was a guide that took us around. I learnt that the temple was duly performing the purpose for which it had been built. The purpose was to help devotees learn about Hinduism and use the principles for self-development. Another interesting find was that to follow or practice Hinduism one need not become a Hindu or convert oneself. Anyone who wishes can simply follow it. There are no restrictions on who visits a temple although clothing restrictions were imposed. Another interesting discovery was there are no restrictions on which God or deity to worship. Hindu temples house different Gods and Goddesses and every individual has the right to choose which form to see God in. This was amazing unlike any other religion. The guide also tried to explain the reason behind so many deities found in Hinduism but I guess for the first visit it was too much for me to grasp and retain. Another interesting fact I learned was that there is no compulsion to visit the temple on any designated day and time. In fact many might not even be visiting temples at all but this does not prevent them from practicing Hinduism. Thus, this religion offers freedom to choose. I did inquire though, why the name of the temple had a prefix SHRI. I was told that this was a mark of respect and is placed before the names of Hindu Gods and it is also used in place of Mr. in Hinduism. SHRI actually denotes auspiciousness and hence is used before the names of all Gods. All Gods and deities were adorned with floral garlands and these were replaced every day. Incense that was burning too seemed to be giving the place a feel of a holy shrine. I expressed to my guide the keenness to know more about the eastern philosophy and culture, about the forms of prayers and offerings. He could not help me much on that but he said I could go back and speak to the head priest when he was free. As I moved around I did catch a few words on the famous scripture Bhagvad-Gita. I was told that this scripture has nothing to do with any religion; it is the philosophy of life that is applicable to every human being. I have been inspired to learn more on this scripture. When we were given this assignment to visit a temple I was a little nervous because I had never visited one and hence was apprehensive. I do not know of many temples and the environment they have. However, the visit to this temple has been very enriching and enlightening. I have developed a taste for Hinduism, for Indian culture, for the philosophy as it allows an individual to develop and grow at one’s own pace. Discipline has to stem from within and no external discipline can be as successful because there is always a feeling that someone else is imposing discipline on me. In Hinduism there is no such imposition and one can grow at one’s own pace. It recognizes that every individual is unique and should be allowed to develop as one decides. I also realized the importance of offering all material possessions to the Lord..this signifies that this has been given to us by Him and we should offer it back to Him. This philosophy is deeply overwhelming as it teaches us that we are not doers; we simply follow His instructions. This enlightenment came from the experience of seeing the list of different forms of puja which included prayer for the new house and new car. I also now understand the importance of regularly visiting holy places; it does quieten the mind and one attains peace. It is only when we spend time at such holy shrines do we understand the difference. Merely listening to others’ experience is not enough; one has to experience the bliss. Read More