Neasden Temple

[Guest guest]

Dear List

 

From time to time I share my experiences in London with the list.

This evening I was asked to address the youth of the Neasden

Swaminarayan Temple in London. This is perhaps the most active

and prominent Hindu temple in the Western world.

It is run by the BAPS Swaminarayan body. I was quite surprised

and very impressed to see the activities taking place at the temple.

 

About 2000 people collect at the temple every Saturday evening.

This would include around 1000 children and youngsters. After the

vesper service, all are fed and then they divide themselves into

different meeting groups (called Sabhas). The very young - aged up

to 14 will go to one; another group aged 15 to 23 go into another

group etc. One of the monks supervises each of these group activities

and perhaps contributes to the proceedings. I was asked to address

the 15 to 23 age group. There were about 350 youngsters present.

I talked on the theme of 'Contemporary Hinduism' for about half an

hour and answered questions for another half an hour.

 

I was very impressed with the discipline and the calibre of

questions asked by this group. I made a comment that: ' This temple

and its work has to commended because here you have made religion

practical. This has been a great drawback in Hinduism - " turning

high philosophy into action " - the dedication and discipline that

is exhibited here is worthy of great praise.

 

By the grace of our mentor the talk was well received. The monk

commented that he will take me up to do a series of talks at the

temple. The reason why I am able to cut across sectarian borders

is because I do not have a 'sect of my own' to promote. This gives

me great freedom to talk 'comprehensive Hinduism' to the Hindus

in the UK. I am able to give talks to Gujarati, Tamil, Punjabi

youngsters (as well as Christian and Muslim youngsters through

school assemblies) who belong to a variety of sectarian movements.

Today I met a lively, dedicated bunch of youngsters. Such encounters

are very satisfying.

 

jay

Vivekananda Centre London