You Can Go To A Hindu Temple (Mandir) - White Hindu -American Hindu

[@mohanr7274]

You hit the nail on the head when you said Hindus (brown) want to help non-Hindu looking visitor/devotees to their Temples, but don't know how to, because Hinduism has never been a proselytizing religion hence they don't show the same zeal/enthusiasm (or a reaching out attitude) as a Christian who is eager to convert non-Christians into their fold. Secondly, most brown Hindus you find at temples have grown up in India's secularized/leftist milieu and are very much uprooted from the real essence of their religion and go there just coz of tradition. Hence they will often not be able to answer any questions a curious non-Hindu might have.

[@suhailadevi7649]

Love this topic, I have had a lot of friends want to go to temple and think it's lovely and beautiful, but would never go without me lol It's so scary for a lot of people to take in and handle how different everything is and no one wants to offend or make any mistakes.

[@Devkumar43072]

Namaste Ji I recently went to the mandir in London and I didn't went in because of an infection on my foot that gives off pus with a bad smell. I can't go and retrieve my shrine in my parents house as my parents disowned me from being a Hindu which is a blessing in itself so I feel like that I'm starting over again.

[@sarahjones5669]

I am so thankful you shared this! I have been having this same issue! I really really want to go but am tentative because I don’t know what to wear or what to do

[@Quran103]

💙 Namaste First memory I have of going to the Temple was watching the flowers ceremony of stringing them together. The flowers bundled together reminded me of our own diverse communities. 💕 Ohm Haribol Hari Hari Shivaya Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. -Murdi Ramshanti (Aka Rabbi Mort)

[@frankfurtersmith6190]

I too am a "white Hindu" and will be visiting the local temple for the first time this coming weekend. I hope the community is accepting of newcomers, I hope I don't experience the discrimination that one of the commenters on here has experienced. It would be be sad to see anyone with genuine faith turned away when Islam or Christianity would be all to happy to have converts.

[@thewhitehindu]

Let us know how it goes! But I think you'll do great. Remember not to let the comments of others color your perception. As I said, most of the time when I've thought there was negativity it was actually in my own head!

[@frankfurtersmith6190]

I will keep everyone up to date. I am really excited to go to temple. Hinduism feels like coming home. Hell, maybe I was a Hindu previously.

[@mohanr7274]

most brown Hindus you will find at temples are the Indians who grew up in India's secularized/leftist culture of 70s or 80s (it continues till date), and are very uprooted from their religion's (actually Religion is wrong word to use for Hinduism.. it is Dharma) scriptures/philosophy/spiritual practices.. Most go to temples just because their elders taught them back home in India (the generation that grew up prior to 70s in India did practise their Dharma a bit, before Marxists changed curriculum and academic atmosphere completely). Don't expect them to be able to answer any deep questions regarding Sanatan Dharma. And if you get any answers from devotees in temple, don't blindly believe them until you can corroborate them with Scriptures (mainly Vedas, Geeta and Aagamaas)

[@mohanr7274]

also, because Sanatan Dharma doesn't have tradition of Proselytizing (except ISKCON), they haven't learnt the zeal/outreach of inviting non-browns into Hinduism.. they will be perplexed and lost for words when they see a white guy asking them questions or showing enthusiasm to learn.. Some english speaking Gurus like Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, Osho, Vivekananda, etc could be considered as a bridge and it is not really wrong to go via them if you are curious.. Just to give a perspective on the whole Guru tradition in Hinduism: Since Hinduism emphasizes on possibility of common individuals becoming enlightened (though most of these enlightened beings just dissolve into obscurity in solitude, eg, in Himalayas), some give it a try to help humanity out of compassion.. and people start flocking towards them and call them Gurus. Hence, Hinduism never lays claim of having sent a last messenger/prophet, coz as per Hinduism, earth has never been, and will never be, bereft of Enlightened beings

[@frankfurtersmith6190]

After having finally made it to the temple this weekend I can say that your observations are pretty spot on. Everyone was polite and accepting, but I don't think they knew what to do with me. I was hoping there would be someone who could teach me what to do and when go do it, but to no avail. I will go back. The energy at the temple was great

[@YenkammaNe]

WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT BEING A HINDU? By Francois Gautier. Diversity in Divinity and Unity in Spirituality. 1) Believe in God ! - Aastik - Accepted 2) Don't believe in God ! - You're accepted as Nastik 3) You want to worship idols - please go ahead. You are a murti pujak. 4) You dont want to worship idols - no problem. You can focus on Nirguna Brahman. 5) You want to criticise something in our religion. Come forward. We are logical. Nyaya, Tarka etc. are core Hindu schools. 6) You want to accept beliefs as it is. Most welcome. Please go ahead with it. 7) You want to start your journey by reading Bhagvad Gita - Sure ! 8) You want to start your journey by reading Upanishads - Go ahead. 9) You want to start your journey by reading Purana - Be my guest. 10) You just don't like reading Puranas or other books. No problem my dear. Go by Bhakti tradition . ( bhakti- devotion) 11) You don't like idea of Bhakti ! No problem. Do your Karma. Be a karmayogi. 12) You want to enjoy life. Very good. No problem at all. This is Charvaka Philosophy. 13) You want to abstain from all the enjoyment of life & find God - jai ho ! Be a Sadhu, an ascetic ! 14) You don't like the concept of God. You believe in Nature only - Welcome. (Trees are our friends and Prakriti or nature is worthy of worship). 15) You believe in one God or Supreme Energy. Superb! Follow Advaita philosophy 16) You want a Guru. Go ahead. Receive gyaan. 17) You don't want a Guru.. Help yourself ! Meditate, Study ! 18) You believe in Female energy ! Shakti is worshipped. 19) You believe that every human being is equal. Yeah! You're awesome, come on let's celebrate Hinduism! "Vasudhaiva kutumbakam" (the world is a family) 20) You don't have time to celebrate the festival. Don't worry. One more festival is coming! There are multiple festivals every single day of the year. 21) You are a working person. Don't have time for religion. Its okay. You will still be a Hindu. 22) You like to go to temples. Devotion is loved. 23) You don't like to go to temples - no problem. You are still a Hindu! 24) You know that Hinduism ☺ is a way of life, with considerable freedom. 25) You believe that everything has God in it. So you worship your mother, father, guru, tree, River, Prani-matra, Earth, Universe! 26) And If you don't believe that everything has GOD in it - No problems. Respect your viewpoint. 27) "Sarve jana sukhino bhavantu " (May you all live happily) You represent this! You're free to choose, my dear Hindu! This is exactly the essence of Hinduism, all inclusive .. That is why it has withstood the test of time inspite of repeated onslaught both from within and outside, and assimilated every good aspects from everything . That is why it is eternal !!! There is a saying in Rigveda , the first book ever known to mankind which depicts the Hinduism philosophy in a Nutshell -" Ano bhadrah Krathavo Yanthu Vishwathah"- Let the knowledge come to us from every direction.

[@Nostradamusknow]

There are only a handful of Hindu temples which Restrict entry of non Hindu's, due to some religious resons, but mostly all Hindu temples are open for all, without any prejudice or discrimination, infact hindu religion is the only religion in the world which does not propogate to convert people, as they believe all religions and paths lead to the one god.

[@thewhitehindu]

Exactly!

[@salti1976]

Apologies, I don't mean to throw around negativity, but there are many in India and Nepal that restrict based on skin color, though you cannot tell faith by that. I've been there and seen it myself. I have friends who are members of the Saiva Siddhanta school, a well known South Indian linneage, and who had letters from their Sadguru to validate they were Hindu and were still refused while their guides - who were Muslim - were offered entry, based solely on skin color. It's true these are still a minority, but it's also far less than a handful when so many people report it.

[@rbnjdd]

​@@salti1976every temple have their own diety like i worship kuladevi (patron goddess) lokdevta (regional god) kshetrapala (protector of land) sampradaya diety (denomination diety) and every clan have ancestor father and in my region we have temple of my guru hindu dharma is very decentralised but core concepts are same

[@carenuithol2715]

Hi 👋 just found your channel. Thank you for this. Question: when u were describing being in a temple and being given something in your hand and then putting it over your head.. I was not sure if you were slurping, like drinking or smelling the substance? Could you clarify for me? Thank you. 🙏

[@carenuithol2715]

Hi 👋 just found your channel. Thank you for this. Question: when u were describing being in a temple and being given something in your hand and then putting it over your head.. I was not sure if you were slurping, like drinking or smelling the substance? Could you clarify for me? Thank you. 🙏

[@carenuithol2715]

Btw : we are very close to a Hindu temple, walking distance 😊

[@SKP-op4vd]

Have you ever been to Ajanta and Ellora? These 2 sites are absolutely magical. I know that Ajanta is technically Buddhist but it's still a fantastic spiritual place to visit. Oh and btw, your volume is still too soft.

[@thewhitehindu]

Oh thank you for the note on my volume! I forgot to check on that. I haven't been to those sites. Thank you for the recommendations!

[@Tweety2894]

Hare krishna🙏

[@Tiffany-cr9bc]

My daughter and I are exploring Hinduism in MD! We are so excited to go for the first time.

[@VeiledSeer]

I personally want to visit my local Hindu temple. My math teacher has suggested that I do so and she is a fellow Hindu and from India, I am literally processing the exact same thoughts as you stated at the beginning of your video. I just don't know how to break them

[@rbnjdd]

is she practice hindu or namesake hindu because in India many hindu love self-loathing

[@manishahuja7303]

Mam big fan of urs india🇮🇳 love urs dedication.

[@thewhitehindu]

Thank you!

[@vensss1025]

i saw your pooja room blue color krishna idol its beautiful three main krishna temple in india 1. guruvayoorappan temple in kerala (deity mahavishnu form of krishna 5000 year old the deity in this temple was worshipped by krishna's parents 2. vithoba vitthala temple maharashtra krishna standing on a brick 5000 year old temple vitthala panduranga 3. thennangur panduranga temple enlarged form of vitthala krishna 12 feet idol very beautiful temple. checkout these temple in youtube videos

[@frankfurtersmith6190]

Namaste Ambaa, I really enjoy your youtube and tiktok thank you for the content. I am going ask you some questions because I don't know where else to turn. I have considered myself a Hindu for about a year now and recently got the courage to go to the local temple. Everyone seemed ok with me being there, but no one seemed to be able or willing to teach me what to do. So what the hell do I do? The temple does not seem to offer adult classes, orientation, or anything. Is it the priest/pandits job to teach? I want to get it right, I am trying to be respectful, but I feel like a leper. No one seems to want to engage me. I would love to hear your take, or any advice you can give me.

[@SshivamKhopkar]

I have a question for you. I dont want to sound rude. i mean its your life your opinions etc. but earlier your channels name was The White Hindu umyou changed it to your american name and then again this. you used to wear red bindi earlier but now you dont. again just asking. not being rude just curious to know. i rrally like your channel..but i didnt follow your channel for a long time but im back!

[@thewhitehindu]

You are paying attention! I did change it back to my regular name because I got confused about the connection between my email and my youtube channel. I kept getting it messed up where my youtube name would show up as my email name when I wrote to people! So I think I have that figured out now. It's true I don't wear a bindi often anymore. Sometimes I'll throw one on because I'm filming, but I get lazy. Often I don't even put on any makeup! I stopped wearing a bindi regularly when I was in a mom's group and a young child asked what it was and I ended up getting into this heavy religious conversation with a five year old and I felt like the mom was not pleased. I shouldn't have let that stop me but I did. I'm still just as much of a Hindu as I've ever been. I'll always be 100% Hindu!

[@SshivamKhopkar]

@@thewhitehindu Oh no no...i am not doubting on you being hindu....a bindi wont define if you are hindu or not....i was just asking out of curiosity like wanted to know what happened...nothing other than that. So many girls and women in India don't wear bindi. And i totally get it now the channel name thing. Thank you so much for taking time to reply me.

[@shreyharshgautamdmnx6372]

Mam , make ur day to day life vlogs 💖.. we really want to see how u spent ur day..

[@pinkelephant4591]

I really should suck it up and just go to the local temple

[@destroyworld2798]

I m sorry for being so late, actually I was busy

[@kavya.culture1080]

Thanks for the tips. I think with some time everything will workout

[@Shizzie-5k]

By cult do you mean iskcon

[@prathyushagattu277]

Hari bol🙏

[@enlightlife6781]

Jai shree Ram

[@chuck7916]

This video really helped me go to temple for the 1st time today! Unfortunately I think I scared them. I'm a really big white guy with lots of tattoos. The 2 Pandits told me they weren't open despite the door being open and their website saying they were open. They ushered me out with a phone in hand, scanned the parking lot looking very fearful. Fortunately there's 2 other temples for me to visit.

[@thewhitehindu]

Oh my gosh! I’m sorry you had that experience. Great that you tried! Maybe you could contact a temple ahead of time and ask for kind of a tour?

[@chuck7916]

Thank you so much for replying! You were my way into sanatana dharma. I've spoken to another Pandit a few times on the phone who offered to meet and guide me, but I feel like I'm putting him out. Definitely gonna call another temple tomorrow! Namaste

[@thewhitehindu]

@@chuck7916 If you got an offer I would take him up on it!

[@chuck7916]

@@thewhitehindu goong to temple in an hour to meet the priest and get a tour. Thanks again for your help!

[@tusharsharma-hk5sp]

They got scared of u