New Comer with Questions

[Deecali04]

Hello,

I recently became touched and interested in Hinduism and have been reading and trying to learn the background of Hinduism. I really want to attend temple where I live , but hesitant because I do not know what to wear (traditional dress) and how they will look at me as being a new comer. Anyone that can give me postive feedback that would be great! Thanks so much

DeAnna

[Guest guest]

Newcomers are welcome regardless of their dress. No one will expect you to show up for the first time knowing all the customs and protocol. You may wish to phone the Temple ahead of time to inquire about the best time to visit for an orientation of sorts. Iskcon Temples, for example, have Sunday afternoon/evening programs where people from all walks of life can visit informally and hear a class and partake of a sumptuous vegetarian feast. At that time you can meet and talk with a regular member and then take it from there. Also, many Temples have gift shops wherein you can obtain some devotional clothing and paraphernalia after the program.

 

My apologies if this isn't a very comprehensive reply to your question, but hopefully it will give you a starting point.

[Deecali04]

Thanks so much for the information and that does give me a starting point. I'm very excited! It is a ISKCon temple so i will call to see what time is best. Thanks again!

Dee

[Guest guest]

Basically it is orginized like this. (you will leave your shoes outside the temple room) Insde the temple room there will be an aroti ceromony for the dieties with some chanting of hyms (usually ending with the hare krishna mantra being sung for about 15 minutes) then a lecture from the Gita. Then every one sites on the floor in rows (so wear something comfortable and modest, as in not too revealing, if you are a woman) and devotees come around to give you a plate and other devottes come around and serve you the feast. Some places may have another devotee come around with a basket if anyone wants to give a donation for the feast (not more then $5) but many do not even do that and you are not expected to.

[brajeshwara das]

Where do you live? BTW, ISKCON should be fine, remember the relationship you want to build most is with Caitya Guru in your heart, if you don't find that you feel He resonates with you at the ISKCON temple then keep searching.

[Deecali04]

I live in Phoenix Arizona

[gHari]

It's best if you don't wear leather products (coat, belt, shoes) or eat meat that day or wear the colours blue and red. Just dress well and clean as though you are about to meet God. He is sure to appreciate your sincerity.

[zjj]

 

It's best if you don't wear leather products (coat, belt, shoes) or eat meat that day or wear the colours blue and red. Just dress well and clean as though you are about to meet God. He is sure to appreciate your sincerity.

 

Haribol!

 

I'm sorry, Prabhu, by what is wrong with the colours blue and red? Forgive my ignorance but I've never heard of such a thing before.

 

Jai

[gHari]

The following is an excerpt from "The Nectar of Devotion" (a summary study of Bhakti-rasAmRta-sindhu, which was written in Sanskrit by SrIla RUpa GosvAmI PrabhupAda):

 

 

 

 

Offenses to Be Avoided

 

 

 

In the supplementary Vedic literature, there is the following list of thirty-two offenses in the matter of serving the Lord: (1) One should not enter the temple of the Deity in a car or palanquin or with shoes on the feet. (2) One should not fail to observe the various festivals for the pleasure of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, such as JanmASTamI and Ratha-yAtrA. (3) One should not avoid bowing down before the Deity. (4) One should not enter the temple to worship the Lord without having washed one's hands and feet after eating. (5) One should not enter the temple in a contaminated state. (According to Vedic scripture, if someone dies in the family the whole family becomes contaminated for some time, according to its status. For example, if the family is brAhmaNa their contamination period is twelve days, for the kSatriyas and vaizyas it is fifteen days, and for zUdras thirty days.) (6) One should not bow down on one hand. (7) One should not circumambulate in front of SrI KRSNa. (The process of circumambulating the temple is that one should begin circumambulating from the Deity's right-hand side of the temple and come round. Such circumambulation should be performed outside the temple structure at least three times daily.) (8) One should not spread his legs before the Deity. (9) One should not sit before the Deity holding the ankles, elbows or knees with one's hands. (10) One should not lie down before the Deity of KRSNa. (11) One should not accept prasAda before the Deity. (12) One should never speak a lie before the Deity. (13) One should not talk very loudly before the Deity. (14) One should not talk with others before the Deity. (15) One should not cry or howl before the Deity. (16) One should not quarrel or fight before the Deity. (17) One should not chastise anyone before the Deity. (18) One should not be charitable to beggars before the Deity. (19) One should not speak very harshly to others before the Deity. (20) One should not wear a fur blanket before the Deity. (21) One should not eulogize or praise anyone else before the Deity. (22) One should not speak any ill names before the Deity. (23) One should not pass air before the Deity. (24) One should not fail to worship the Deity according to one's means. (In Bhagavad-gItA it is stated that the Lord is satisfied if some devotee offers Him even a leaf or a little water. This formula prescribed by the Lord is universally applicable, even for the poorest man. But that does not mean that one who has sufficient means to worship the Lord very nicely should also adopt this method and try to satisfy the Lord simply by offering water and a leaf. If he has sufficient means, he should offer nice decorations, nice flowers and nice foodstuffs and observe all ceremonies. It is not that one should try to satisfy the Supreme Lord with a little water and a leaf, and for himself spend all his money in sense gratification.) (25) One should not eat anything which is not offered first to KRSNa. (26) One should not fail to offer fresh fruit and grains to KRSNa, according to the season. (27) After food has been cooked, no one should be offered any foodstuff unless it is first offered to the Deity. (28) One should not sit with his back toward the Deity. (29) One should not offer obeisances silently to the spiritual master, or in other words, one should recite aloud the prayers to the spiritual master while offering obeisances. (30) One should not fail to offer some praise in the presence of the spiritual master. (31) One should not praise himself before the spiritual master. (32) One should not deride the demigods before the Deity.

 

 

This is a list of thirty-two offenses. Besides these, there are a number of offenses which are

mentioned in the VarAha PurANa

. They are as follows: (1) One should not touch the Deity in a dark room. (2) One should not fail to strictly follow the rules and regulations in worshiping the Deity. (3) One should not enter the temple of the Deity without first making some sound. (4) One should not offer any foodstuff to the Deity which has been seen by dogs or other lower animals. (5) One should not break silence while worshiping. (6) One should not pass urine or evacuate while engaged in worshiping. (7) One should not offer incense without offering some flower. (8) Useless flowers without any fragrance should not be offered. (9) One should not fail to wash his teeth very carefully every day. (10) One should not enter the temple directly after sexual intercourse. (11) One should not touch a woman during her menstrual period. (12) One should not enter the temple after touching a dead body.

(13) One should not enter the temple wearing garments of red or blue color or garments which are unwashed

. (14) One should not enter the temple after seeing a dead body. (15) One should not pass air within the temple. (16) One should not be angry within the temple. (17) One should not enter the temple after visiting a crematorium. (18) One should not belch before the Deity. So, until one has fully digested his food, he should not enter the temple. (19) One should not smoke marijuana, or gaJjA. (20) One should not take opium or similar intoxicants. (21) One should not enter the Deity room or touch the body of the Deity after having smeared oil over his body. (22) One should not show disrespect to a scripture teaching about the supremacy of the Lord. (23) One should not introduce any opposing scripture. (24) One should not chew betel before the Deity. (25) One should not offer a flower which was kept in an unclean pot. (26) One should not worship the Lord while sitting on the bare floor; one must have a sitting place or carpet. (27) One should not touch the Deity before one has completed taking bath. (28) One should not decorate his forehead with the three-lined tilaka. (29) One should not enter the temple without washing his hands and feet.

 

 

Other rules are that one should not offer foodstuff which is cooked by a non-VaiSNava, one should not worship the Deity before a nondevotee, and one should not engage himself in the worship of the Lord while seeing a nondevotee. One should begin the worship of the demigod GaNapati, who drives away all impediments in the execution of devotional service. In the Brahma-saMhitA it is stated that GaNapati worships the lotus feet of Lord NRsiMhadeva and in that way has become auspicious for the devotees in clearing out all impediments. Therefore, all devotees should worship GaNapati. The Deities should not be bathed in water which has been touched by the nails or fingers. When a devotee is perspiring, he should not engage himself in worshiping the Deity. Similarly, there are many other prohibitions. For example, one should not cross or step over the flowers offered to the Deities, nor should one take a vow in the name of God. These are all different kinds of offenses in the matter of executing devotional service, and one should be careful to avoid them.

 

 

In the Padma PurANa it is stated that even a person whose life is completely sinful will be completely protected by the Lord if he simply surrenders unto Him. So it is accepted that one who surrenders unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead becomes free from all sinful reactions. And even when a person becomes an offender unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, he can still be delivered simply by taking shelter of the holy names of the Lord: Hare KRSNa, Hare KRSNa, KRSNa KRSNa, Hare Hare/ Hare RAma, Hare RAma, RAma RAma, Hare Hare. In other words, the chanting of Hare KRSNa is beneficial for eradicating all sins, but if one becomes an offender to the holy names of the Lord, then he has no chance of being delivered.

 

 

The offenses against the chanting of the holy name are as follows: (1) To blaspheme the devotees who have dedicated their lives for propagating the holy name of the Lord. (2) To consider the names of demigods like Lord Siva or Lord BrahmA to be equal to, or independent of, the name of Lord ViSNu. (Sometimes the atheistic class of men take it that any demigod is as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, ViSNu. But one who is a devotee knows that no demigod, however great he may be, is independently as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore, if someone thinks that he can chant "KAlI, KAlI!" or "DurgA, DurgA!"and it is the same as Hare KRSNa, that is the greatest offense.) (3) To disobey the orders of the spiritual master. (4) To blaspheme the Vedic literature or literature in pursuance of the Vedic version. (5) To consider the glories of chanting Hare KRSNa to be imagination. (6) To give some interpretation on the holy name of the Lord. (7) To commit sinful activities on the strength of the holy name of the Lord. (It should not be taken that because by chanting the holy name of the Lord one can be freed from all kinds of sinful reaction, one may continue to act sinfully and after that chant Hare KRSNa to neutralize his sins. Such a dangerous mentality is very offensive and should be avoided.) (8) To consider the chanting of Hare KRSNa one of the auspicious ritualistic activities offered in the Vedas as fruitive activities (karma-kANDa). (9) To instruct a faithless person about the glories of the holy name. (Anyone can take part in chanting the holy name of the Lord, but in the beginning one should not be instructed about the transcendental potency of the Lord. Those who are too sinful cannot appreciate the transcendental glories of the Lord, and therefore it is better not to instruct them in this matter.) (10) To not have complete faith in the chanting of the holy names and to maintain material attachments, even after understanding so many instructions on this matter.

 

 

Every devotee who claims to be a VaiSNava must guard against these offenses in order to quickly achieve the desired success.

[Guest guest]

I live in the PHX area too. There is a nice Hindu Temple on Scottsdale rd. If the Hare Krishna Temple is not what you are looking for, you might want to check out this Hindu Temple:

 

hindutempleaz.org

 

There is also the Self-Realization Fellowship on Central Ave, which I personally like very much. Kriya Meditation is beneficial for everyone..

 

yogananda-srf.org/temples/phoenix/phoenix.html

 

I don't know how much you know about the various "Hindu" sampradayas, from Hare Krishna's to Mahavatar Babaji's Kriya Yoga. If you are really new to Sanatana Dharma (the ancient Sanskrit name for Hinduism) and know little, you might want to look around and study a while, before committing to one group.

 

Peace & Blessings on your path.

[Deecali04]

May I call the Temple ahead of time and tell them my situation? I want to learn and experience. Is there any orientations or discussions about what to do for new comers? May I also purchase clothing somehwere so that I may fit in a little better.

I do not want to offend anyone and I'm still reading up on things not to wear or do once inside the temple. Thank You all for being so kind.

Dee

[sanatan]

 

It's best if you don't wear leather products (coat, belt, shoes) or eat meat that day or wear the colours blue and red. Just dress well and clean as though you are about to meet God. He is sure to appreciate your sincerity.

 

It's not good to start out bogging down a new person with lengthy scriptural quotes and proscriptions intended for experienced devotees. I don't think Krishna really cares what a new visitor wears to the temple or what they've eaten that day...he's happy to see them there and pour on the mercy, no matter.

 

You are indeed correct about a reverent and sincere mental attitude...no matter what you eat or wear.

[Deecali04]

It was a little overwhelming (the to-do's and not to-dos)but someday I will hopefully get to that point, but I am excited to be there for Krishna.

[sanatan]

 

It was a little overwhelming (the to-do's and not to-dos)but someday I will hopefully get to that point, but I am excited to be there for Krishna.

 

Being excited to be there for Krishna will get you everything...go and enjoy your visit!

[naveen_sunkara]

Hey

dont eat meat on the day,

have your bath

no shoes into thetemple.

any simple dress would do

of all.. commitment to god (whichever religion it is)

thats it !

as simple as it

[Guest guest]

Hello Dee,

 

Being that you are planning to visit an Iskcon Temple, probably the Sunday Feast program would be the best time for you to visit and become acquainted with the basics of devotional life. That is their "open house" time. You would need to phone them to find out when that program starts, as it varies from Temple to Temple. I'm sure you would also be welcome to visit at other times during the week, but if it's a small Temple, there may or may not be devotees available to spend time with you. That is why the Sunday program is probably best.

 

As far as clothing, a long skirt will do fine, and no doubt many other female guests will be wearing the same. Please don't be overwhelmed by all the details at this time. In the beginning, we are simply asked to chant Hare Krsna, without any hard or fast rules. Even long-time devotees still commit offenses and are unable to follow all the rules and regulations described in the book mentioned in one of the above posts.

 

There is an online catalogue for devotional clothing, books, and other items at www (dot) krishnaculture (dot) com. No one will expect you to wear a sari and chadar on your first visit. However, if it makes you feel more comfortable, you can obtain these items online, or email krishnaculture to send you one of their catalogues. Also, there may very well be some Indian shops in the Phoenix area where you can buy some clothing.

 

Please don't feel hesitant about going to the Temple. And after you do make that first visit, please share your experience with us! We would love to hear about it. It is quite normal to be both excited and nervous on your first visit to a Temple.