HINDU AND HINDU TEMPLES IN USA

Today I shall try to explore and invite you all to listen to spreading of Hinduism and Hindu temples in this country i.e. United States of America .Before 1965 when Immigration and Nationality services act was adopted,Hindu presence in USA was negligible ie about 50000 plus.Afterwards as Asian Indians became eligible for citizenship the influx increased though restrictions were imposed by giving a quota per year.Hindu Americans hold the highest education levels in all communities in USA.Hinduism has changed American religious views and now 25% of Americans believe in re incarnations which is a core concept of Hinduism.

The following Saints or prophets of India visited America and laid foundations of Hinduism in  ,namely Swami Vivekanand 1893 and addressed World Parliament  of Religions. then 2. Swami  Ramtirth in 2002, visitedAmerica. In1920 paramhans yoganand visited and stayed in USA.His Autobiography became famous.,followed by Swami Prabhupad in 1960 who established ISCON  The International society for Krishna Concious ness He propagated Maha mantra Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna ,- Hare Ram Hare Ram which reformed many misguided youths of America of white origin who adopted Hinduism. There after Swami Ramdas and then Maharishi Mahesh yogi was instrumental in teaching and spreading Meditation by  giving it a scientific base as transcendental meditation In 1992 our PM Atal Behari Bajpai was instrumental in propagating Hindi and when in his presence, a HIndu priest of Shiva Hindu temple recited  Hindu Prayer before a large gathering of Americans.

As early as 1881 first temple known as Malibu Hindu temple was established.One of the famous oldest temple is Radharani temple in Austin and was established by Sri Kripaluji which is largest temple complex in western Hamisphere.Earlier about 160 years ago  a VISHNU  temple was founded at Tampa,South Pontiac and then in 1994 Michigan, in2010 Famous temple known asBhartya Temple of N.W.Indiana was opened for worship. In all at present about 250 hindu temples are located in America in different states with minimum of one temple and maximum of 30   temples in different states of Amerca. We are fortunate here to have Sunnyvale Hindu  temple, Livermore Temple, Swaminarayan temple ,Jain temple,Iscon Temple , Freemont  temple in close vicinity of our center.

The various hindu temples are Ganesh temples, Swaminaryan temples, Shiva temples, Iscon temples, Chinmaya missions, Radha krishana Mandir,Devi Mandir, LaxmiNarayan Mandir, Vedic Dharma Mandir, Auorbindu Center ,Sain Baba Mandir,Jain Temples, Budha Temples,Balaji temple,Geeta Ashrams Arya samaj Ashrams etc.

Out of about 250 temples 10+are Iscon, t,35+ swaminarayan temples some jain and budh temples and rest are Hindu temples having murties of Shiva Devi, Vishnu and of his famous incarnations Ram and Krishna Out of these temples more than30 temples are in California alone.Various Hindu temples are being constructed  and it is estimated that one temple is added every month in America. This is due to growing Hindu population and increased awareness in hindu’s of their culture , faith and religion

Om Shanti,Shanti,Shanti

Avdhesh Mathur,Senior member of ICC cupertino and Milpitas.

Zindgi aur Jeene Ka Maza

(Life and enjoying it)

   

Zindgi zindadili ka nam hai

Murda dil bhi kya khak jiya karte honge

-Mirza Ghalib.

Life or Jeevan is a time interval where we (Our Body) lives between  birth and our death in this world. We have to spend this time living in the present so that we can enjoy each moment of our life as a human being. It is said we get human body after chorasi lakh births. So as soon our thinking power develops we should think and act positively to gain pleasure without hurting any body or his feeling. (Eat drink and be merry, is terefore not good formula),,

The secret to live a happy life is keeping  healthy, energetic, busy and having a positive attitude, thinking, and some specific purposes in life.These are to have an awareness of our body, mind, circumstances and spirituality.

As we all have crossed childhood, youth and vanprasth ashram, I shall confine myself to latter part of our old age i.e. sixty five and over when we become senior person in U.S.A. Now we have done all our duties and obligations towards our family and our lively hood facing all the odd  circumstances and crossing all the hurdles of life in settling our offsprings. Now is the time to think positively of ourselves and our spouses (if alive). This is the last stage of our lives where we can utilize it to our and our societies benefits. The word society in enlarged sense may cover our country of origin as well as country of residence. For ourselves  the best part is to keep healthy with walking, yogic exercises and getting good and balanced nutrition and remain happy with patience and forgiveness on whatever facilities, love and affection we get from our families. We should realise that the earning persons where we live have to run the house according to their means and convenience. In turn they give us  more love and respect. We should not expect more as God is the provider of all, and with  devotion and love to God, our all wishes shall be fulfilled.This requires  control on our anger and needs. We should discipline ourselves and our circumstances and keep always smiling and this will in turn give happiness to us and our offsprings.

Now we have not to sit idle either or totally dependent on any body. For transportation we can utilize bus and outreach services and balance it by walking to nearest bus stop or shopping center. So now I come to aims and at least three purposes of our life, as below:

1. To keep healthy: This by doing morning and evening walks if necessary with aids like stick, walker or mobile wheelchairs.This can be supported by yogic and stretching and breathing exercises.

2. By keeping active mentally and physically and helping other seniors, to the extent of your real knowledge gathered through reading writing and by your experiance of your life ..You should not thrust your advice unless it is asked for specially to your juniors in your household or other places but give it where it is necessary.Now Giving of any thing rather expecting and taking things from others gives us all immence pleasure.Time spent in this will add to betterment ofour beings as well as society.So spend time in acquiring more knowlede andgiving benifits of your knowledge.Fur this you can deliver lectures in social gatherings or impart your knowledge to others in informal talks avoiding hotty discussions by yielding to others argument for the time being and finding some other suitable time with him in private in happy conditions by explaining your point of view.You can spend your time in your other hobbies like music,painting etc. or by reading,  writinng  books.ou can enhance your knowlege from internet and you can also   place your articles on google internet with suitable key words so that other persons may be attracted and inclined to benifit themselves by reading your article. So take active part ICC Chobara and other activities of ICC also.

3. Spirituality: Make your daily programme in such a way that you remember God most of the remaining time and specially one hour time for Dharna, Dhyan and Samadhi (Meditation and ecstasy)and about half an time for routine worship, prayer and Aarti as prescribed by your religion, and some time in reading and writing about religious books.This will be beneficial in increasing your knowledge and awareness about your body mind and soul. Lastly help and encourage your better half to cross the hurdles and keep smiling at each other with love and affection.

I hope I have put up my views how to enjoy rest of your life.

Om shanti-shanti-shanti

Avdhesh Mathur ,

Senior member of Cuprttino and Milpitas.

25th May 2014