B
BostonSankara
Guest
Sivayanamaha!
I have spent nearly 20 years deeply, lovingly, and whole-heartedly researching and embracing Hinduism for all of it's good and bad. I have worshiped in every temple I could (in the US) and I have eagerly engaged in discourse and the listening of lectures by knowing pundits. However I find it quite odd that not ONE temple priest has been willing or had the courage to support me in Upanayana (no I'm not Brahmin -by birth- although certainly I am in heart). That said here is my question... Why do those who task themselves with upholding vedas support me (eg Arya Samaj) yet those who truly live a far more Tantric (puranic, aagamic) life and religious practice which didn't even conceive these restrictions and discriminatory practices do not support me. I can change my name through Namkarana but I want my Yajnopaveet and I want my sons (WHATEVER COLOR OR CASTE BACKGROUND THEY ARE) to have it as well I cannot get it. I DO NOT want to change my philosophical beliefs to align with those different from me to obtain what should be mine. I feel so perplexed by this. What do these priests believe that they are protecting? Would I find such discrimination at a place like Sri Sri Seetharama Gurukulam Veda Patasala ? I just want to become a pundit to propagate the intricate beauties of our religion. How has 20 years of study began to culminate in discrimination against me? I just want to learn Tamil, continue to study Sanskrit, and be accepted by a lineage. I feel so frustrated sometimes. I try so hard to educate fellow white people and especially yogins (I practice avidly) about the roots of our traditions yet the very thing I try to defend and elucidate seems to not want me at all. I am not a huge bhaktar although Indians call me Shivapriya even as a nickname so joining a bunch of white people like the ICKON's has no draw for me. Why in god's own name would followers of The Lord of Cremation Grounds, Ganas, Aghoris, The Ash Smeared, and Drinker of Poison not accept me?! Is he not a Great Lord Loving of All?! Why do the Vaishnavas seem to not have such feelings (or not as strongly)? Please pardon my frustration but I prostrate myself before the community and ask for answers. Would I experience this in Chennai?
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Shankar
I have spent nearly 20 years deeply, lovingly, and whole-heartedly researching and embracing Hinduism for all of it's good and bad. I have worshiped in every temple I could (in the US) and I have eagerly engaged in discourse and the listening of lectures by knowing pundits. However I find it quite odd that not ONE temple priest has been willing or had the courage to support me in Upanayana (no I'm not Brahmin -by birth- although certainly I am in heart). That said here is my question... Why do those who task themselves with upholding vedas support me (eg Arya Samaj) yet those who truly live a far more Tantric (puranic, aagamic) life and religious practice which didn't even conceive these restrictions and discriminatory practices do not support me. I can change my name through Namkarana but I want my Yajnopaveet and I want my sons (WHATEVER COLOR OR CASTE BACKGROUND THEY ARE) to have it as well I cannot get it. I DO NOT want to change my philosophical beliefs to align with those different from me to obtain what should be mine. I feel so perplexed by this. What do these priests believe that they are protecting? Would I find such discrimination at a place like Sri Sri Seetharama Gurukulam Veda Patasala ? I just want to become a pundit to propagate the intricate beauties of our religion. How has 20 years of study began to culminate in discrimination against me? I just want to learn Tamil, continue to study Sanskrit, and be accepted by a lineage. I feel so frustrated sometimes. I try so hard to educate fellow white people and especially yogins (I practice avidly) about the roots of our traditions yet the very thing I try to defend and elucidate seems to not want me at all. I am not a huge bhaktar although Indians call me Shivapriya even as a nickname so joining a bunch of white people like the ICKON's has no draw for me. Why in god's own name would followers of The Lord of Cremation Grounds, Ganas, Aghoris, The Ash Smeared, and Drinker of Poison not accept me?! Is he not a Great Lord Loving of All?! Why do the Vaishnavas seem to not have such feelings (or not as strongly)? Please pardon my frustration but I prostrate myself before the community and ask for answers. Would I experience this in Chennai?
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Shankar