Vageesh Express
Hindu Temples in the United States
Indians who have settled in the
We have to
applaud the work of the many Indians who have come together to build these
temples and places of worship for the Indian population. Some of the
architectural marvels that have sprung from this hard work will make one feel
as if visiting a temple in
Many
temples are open daily for worship (morning and/or evening), often with longer
hours on the weekends. Some have hired one or more full-time priests,
while volunteers lead the rituals in other temples. Hindu festivals and
holy days are celebrated at these temples with special rituals, food, cultural
events, and socializing. Most of the temples also have the infrastructure
for social and cultural events.
The
purpose of this segment is to focus and familiarize the significance of each
these temples.
Phone: (480) 705-4900
Founder
- Acharya of the International Society for
His
Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (known popularly as Srila
Prabhupada) appeared in this world in 1896 in
Following
his spiritual master’s order and on behalf of a distinguished line of masters
dating back thousands of years, Srila Prabhupada sailed from India to New York
in 1965 at the age of 69 to share Lord Krishna’s message. He brought with him
nothing more than the clothes on his back, a box of books, and $7 worth of
change. In the years that followed, he traveled and taught throughout the
world, opened 108 temples, and formed the International Society for Krishna
Consciousness (ISKCON) thus broadcasted the message of Lord Sri Krishna
Caitanya and spread the glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead - Sri
Krishna all over the world.
Srila
Prabhupada wrote more than forty volumes of translation and commentary on such
classics as Srimad-Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana), Chaitanya Charitamrita, and
the Bhagavad-gita. He wrote not only as a scholar but as a consummate
practitioner. He taught not only through his writings but by the example of his
life.
Throughout
his works, Srila Prabhupada’s mood was to convey the natural meaning of the
scriptures without far-fetched interpretations, giving us an authentic
rendition of the Vedic conclusions on such important topics as the purpose of
human life, the nature of the soul, consciousness, and God. Though no longer
physically present among us, ‘he lives forever’ in his books, and in the hearts
of those whose lives he touched.
ISKCON
The
International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON, is also known as the
Hare Krishna movement. It is worldwide
non sectarian movement dedicated to propagating love of God, particularly
through the yoga practice of chanting holy names of God: Hare Krishna, Hare
Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare! Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare
Hare!
The
ISKCON is a spiritual, cultural, and educational institution with branches
throughout the world. At all ISKCON centers members congregate, and interested
visitors learn about the movement’s philosophy and spiritual practices. Anyone
may participate in ISKCON activities, according to his or her particular
interests and level of commitment.
Grounded
firmly in Vedic literatures, including Bhagavad Gita (spoken by Lord Krishna
Himself) and Srimad-Bhagavatam, ISKCON’S philosophy gives explicit details
about Lord Krishna(God), the nature of the self, and the relationship between
the two. Vedic literatures, which are highly respected by scholars the world
over, give practical guidelines for living a fulfilling, happy life and for
evolving spirituality. The sincerity and purity of ISKCON’s members have
enabled the movement to expand rapidly. ISKCON devotees are not “Sunday
religionists,” but practitioners of Bhakti-yoga, the science of always engaging
everything in service of God. This ancient yoga system is the art of
spiritualizing all human activities, thereby remaining God (
Initiated
members chant the Lord’s names (Hare Krishna Mahamantra- chant of great
deliverance) for a minimum of 1-1/2 to 2 hours per day as a regular meditation.
This is called mantra meditation. Those who have taken the vow of initiation
also refrain from meat-eating, intoxication, illicit sex, and gambling.
ISKCON’s lay, uninitiated congregation today numbers over fifty million
worldwide, and is still growing.
Currently,
ISKCON is hundreds of thousands strong, with over 400 centers worldwide,
self-sufficient farming communities, movies, recording studios, publishing
companies, restaurants, a scientific organization, and even its own school
system.
A short statement of the philosophy of
1.
By sincerely cultivating bona fide spiritual science, we can be free from
anxiety and come to a state of pure, unending, blissful consciousness in this
life time.
2.
We are not our bodies, but eternal spirit souls, parts and parcels of God (
3.
4.
The Absolute Truth is contained in the Vedas, the oldest scriptures in the
history of mankind. The essence of the Vedas is found in the Bhagavad-gita, a
literal record of
5.
We should learn the Vedic knowledge from a genuine/bona- fide spiritual master-
one who has no selfish motives and whose mind is firmly fixed on
6.
Before we eat, we should offer to the Lord the food that sustains us. That
offering with love and devotion becomes sanctified food. When we eat such food
it purifies us.
7.
We should perform all our actions as offerings to
8.
The recommended means for achieving the mature state of love of God in this age,
is the chant the holy names of the Lord-
the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.
For more information
please refer to the temple website: http://www.iskconphx.org/
|| Hari
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