JaneSmith105
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Throughout Indian history, temples have exercised an enormous influence on religious and social life, and traditions. Famous Hindu temples such as Somanathpur had enormous wealth and became targets of foreign invasions. The Hindu temple is a place of worship like any other but it has unique features that elevate it to a greater spiritual excellence and appreciation. Orthodox temples are built according to Aagmas and the sacred ones are located in higher altitudes on top of hills. Elevated temples symbolize the importance of spirituality over worldly life. Kings and rich citizens in the community provided generous funds to the construction and maintenance of temples. Temples have contributed to the employment of architects, artisans, sculptors, and laborers. The shrines and icons have given peace to the frustrated minds. Music, dance and fine arts programs including religious and musical discourses staged in the temples have encouraged musicians, dancers, dramatists, artists and religious scholars. The granaries of temples were used to feed the hungry, and temple buildings have provided shelters to both scholars and students. Some temples were equipped to provide medical services to the sick, elderly, and disabled. Thus, temples have provided a variety of religious and social services and reinforced economic and social welfare of the Indian society. Hindu temples in the U.S. and Canada act as cultural ambassadors and provide spiritual and educational services to the Indian Community.
The temple also portrays God in the cosmic form. The statue of Nataraja (dance pose of Lord Siva) is a well known example for the artistic, scientific and philosophical significance of idols. Hundreds of articles and books have been written about the significance of the Nataraja's dance posture. In the PBS show, COSMOS, Professor Carl Sagan asserts that the dance of Nataraja signifies the cycle of evolution and destruction of the cosmic universe (Big-Bang Theory). The dance statue of Nataraja is a symbolic representation of Vedanta. The dwarfish demon crushed under the feet represents the demonic ego, which prevents humans to attain the inherent peace and bliss within. The ego should be crushed to regain the Supreme Bliss! A more complete description is beyond the scope of this article, and is therefore omitted.
Vedanta, the starting premise of Hindu Religion, asserts that Brahman (the abstract God) is the Absolute Truth. Brahman i.e. the abstract god has many roles to play starting from creator to maintainer, and to the destroyer and that too all in one. Vedanta states that the universal soul, Brahman is eternal and the individual human soul, Atman ultimately unifies with Brahman. Advaita implies the ultimate identity of Brahman (Universal soul) and Jivatman (human soul). Dwaita opposes advaita on almost all points and maintains an ultimate diversity of Brahman and Jivatman. Visistadvaita (qualified non-duality) maintains important differentiation as well as a basic identity. The Advaita Vedanta is revealed by the sitting and meditating pose of the Ayyappa Deity (replica of the presiding deity of Sabarimalai) in the Sri Siva-Vishnu temple. The temple brochure explains beautifully the symbolism of the sitting posture of Swami Ayyappa. The Lord sits with his thumb and forefinger crossed in a symbol of Chinmudra. The thumb represents the Atman and the forefinger is the Jeeva. There is no gap between the Atman and the Jeeva. Inside the sanctum sanctorum, devotees maintain single-minded concentration and meditation, experiencing the highest spiritual consciousness by the darshan (vision) of Lord Ayyappa.
The Hindu philosophy and logic provide unassailable strength to the concept of the fundamental unity in the worship of a multitude of gods. Hinduism is highly individualistic and Hindus love the freedom to worship their personal choice of an icon to visualize the abstract Brahman. That explains the rapid growth of temples, gods, and rituals across India and beyond. Even illiterate villagers are proud and enthusiastic to elaborate on stories about their temple gods and their significance. Such stories invariably are more adventurous and heroic than "Superman" episodes, but with a divine touch. The temple epitomizes God in a spiritual form and the various parts of his body symbolizes philosophical concepts. It serves as the symbolic link between Human and God, between Material and Spiritual and between Obvious and Ideal. Names of the miscellaneous segments of the temple designate different organs of the human body (garbhagraha (Sanctum Sanctorium) represents the human heart).
The symbolism in Hinduism is analogous to the modern communication methods adopted by the computer industry. They both adjust to the diverse tastes and needs of the world. Only a small segment of the general public look for sophistication and special features. The common folk who are in the majority, demand simple illustrations and practical examples rather than lengthy logic! The computer industry employs creative graphic displays of "icons" to satisfy the general public. Hindu symbolism seems to imply that it does not believe in a one-size-fits-all theory! Artistic temples with idols, heroic stories, and colorful rituals demonstrate this fact. Educated Hindus may grasp a lot more from such symbolism, and unravel philosophical and spiritual truths of Vedanta. Puranic stories create role models by dramatization of legendary events to preserve social ethics (Dharma). An ideal spouse, parent, offspring, or teacher is orchestrated to help the society to conduct its daily duties (nithya karma). Hinduism has perfected the art of symbolism as a powerful media to teach complex philosophical ideas to the common man. The communication values using the puranic stories in Hinduism, resemble the case study procedures in business management institutions.
The temple also portrays God in the cosmic form. The statue of Nataraja (dance pose of Lord Siva) is a well known example for the artistic, scientific and philosophical significance of idols. Hundreds of articles and books have been written about the significance of the Nataraja's dance posture. In the PBS show, COSMOS, Professor Carl Sagan asserts that the dance of Nataraja signifies the cycle of evolution and destruction of the cosmic universe (Big-Bang Theory). The dance statue of Nataraja is a symbolic representation of Vedanta. The dwarfish demon crushed under the feet represents the demonic ego, which prevents humans to attain the inherent peace and bliss within. The ego should be crushed to regain the Supreme Bliss! A more complete description is beyond the scope of this article, and is therefore omitted.
Vedanta, the starting premise of Hindu Religion, asserts that Brahman (the abstract God) is the Absolute Truth. Brahman i.e. the abstract god has many roles to play starting from creator to maintainer, and to the destroyer and that too all in one. Vedanta states that the universal soul, Brahman is eternal and the individual human soul, Atman ultimately unifies with Brahman. Advaita implies the ultimate identity of Brahman (Universal soul) and Jivatman (human soul). Dwaita opposes advaita on almost all points and maintains an ultimate diversity of Brahman and Jivatman. Visistadvaita (qualified non-duality) maintains important differentiation as well as a basic identity. The Advaita Vedanta is revealed by the sitting and meditating pose of the Ayyappa Deity (replica of the presiding deity of Sabarimalai) in the Sri Siva-Vishnu temple. The temple brochure explains beautifully the symbolism of the sitting posture of Swami Ayyappa. The Lord sits with his thumb and forefinger crossed in a symbol of Chinmudra. The thumb represents the Atman and the forefinger is the Jeeva. There is no gap between the Atman and the Jeeva. Inside the sanctum sanctorum, devotees maintain single-minded concentration and meditation, experiencing the highest spiritual consciousness by the darshan (vision) of Lord Ayyappa.
The Hindu philosophy and logic provide unassailable strength to the concept of the fundamental unity in the worship of a multitude of gods. Hinduism is highly individualistic and Hindus love the freedom to worship their personal choice of an icon to visualize the abstract Brahman. That explains the rapid growth of temples, gods, and rituals across India and beyond. Even illiterate villagers are proud and enthusiastic to elaborate on stories about their temple gods and their significance. Such stories invariably are more adventurous and heroic than "Superman" episodes, but with a divine touch. The temple epitomizes God in a spiritual form and the various parts of his body symbolizes philosophical concepts. It serves as the symbolic link between Human and God, between Material and Spiritual and between Obvious and Ideal. Names of the miscellaneous segments of the temple designate different organs of the human body (garbhagraha (Sanctum Sanctorium) represents the human heart).
The symbolism in Hinduism is analogous to the modern communication methods adopted by the computer industry. They both adjust to the diverse tastes and needs of the world. Only a small segment of the general public look for sophistication and special features. The common folk who are in the majority, demand simple illustrations and practical examples rather than lengthy logic! The computer industry employs creative graphic displays of "icons" to satisfy the general public. Hindu symbolism seems to imply that it does not believe in a one-size-fits-all theory! Artistic temples with idols, heroic stories, and colorful rituals demonstrate this fact. Educated Hindus may grasp a lot more from such symbolism, and unravel philosophical and spiritual truths of Vedanta. Puranic stories create role models by dramatization of legendary events to preserve social ethics (Dharma). An ideal spouse, parent, offspring, or teacher is orchestrated to help the society to conduct its daily duties (nithya karma). Hinduism has perfected the art of symbolism as a powerful media to teach complex philosophical ideas to the common man. The communication values using the puranic stories in Hinduism, resemble the case study procedures in business management institutions.
