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Hindu Mandir Executive Conference
September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD 1
Session 4Legacy of Hinduism
The Temples Landscape in NA:All Should Prosper
Siva SubramanianSri Siva Vishnu Temple
United Hindu-Jain Temples Association
September 11-13, 2009
Hindu Mandir Executive Conference
September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD 2
Early Hindu Concepts & TemplesIn North America
• Ralph Waldo Emerson – 1803-82• Henry David Thoreau -- 1817-62
– Transcendentalist movement influenced by Bhagavad-Gita
• Parliament of Religions – 1893 • Swami Vivekananda 1863-1902 • For the next 70 years – Many Swamis came• Vedanta Society – First Hindu Temple 1906• Hollywood Temple - 1938• Santa Barbara Temple - 1956
Hindu Mandir Executive Conference
September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD 3
Legacy of Hinduism in NA• Post 1965 Immigration Act
– Large influx of Hindu Americans
• Architecture of Hindu Temples – 1970s – Dravida & Nagara styles
• All Dharmic Tradition including Sikh, Jain and Buddhist Temples were also built
• Sri Venkateswara Temple – Pittsburgh 1976• Sri Ganesha Temple – Queens, New York 1977• Over 500+ Temples in USA and Canada
Hindu Mandir Executive Conference
September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD 4
Legacy of Hinduism: Architecture Dravida and Nagara Styles
Hindu Mandir Executive Conference
September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD
Legacy of Hinduism in NA: Statistics
Zone Mandirs States
East 220CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, MA,
MD, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, SC, VA, WV
Mid-West 47 IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO,
MS, NE, OH, OK, WI
South 38 AL, KY, LA, MS, OK, TN, TX
West 132 CA, & all other states
Canada 99 67 in Ontario, 10 in British Columbia
State Mandirs
NY 128CA 83NJ 38FL 33TX 27IL 26
OH 23MA 21PA 21GA 20MD 17
Hindu Mandir Executive Conference
September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD
Legacy of Hinduism in NA:Evolution
Gro
wth
Phase-I
(Establishing/Protecting)
Helping primarily
Generation-I
Focus laid on rituals & asset
building
Phase-II
(Strengthening)
Helping Generation-II &
Generation-I
Focus - Meeting needs of Gen-II
while continuing to perform existing
services
Phase-III
(Growing/Maturing)
Helping Generation-II & non-Hindus
Focus – Meeting needs of larger
American society & offering solutions rooted in Dharma
2005
2015
Hindu Mandir Executive Conference
September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD 7
Legacy of Hindu Temples in NA:Challenges that Face Hindu Temples of NA
• Early on Challenges by Local community• Challenges from within - Unity• Active involvement by the Next Generation• Need for Large Endowments• Learn from Others – e.g. Jewish groups• Getting involved in other activities such as:
– Community Services – Homeless feeding– Inter Faith activities– Education – Public school/college– Curriculum - Starting Hindu schools
Hindu Mandir Executive Conference
September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD 8
Legacy of Hindu Temples in NA:
• All Should Prosper if– Each Temple Cooperates with each other– Establish a National Networking of Dharmic Temples– Establish a National Networking of Hindu Temples
• e.g. United Hindu-Jain Temples of Washington DC
– Involve Women in Administration & Leadership levels– Involve Second Gen Hindu Youths and Young adults– Use Technology in Administration– Share Best Practices & Pool resources– Support Hindu/Dharmic Chairs/Depts. in Universities
Hindu Mandir Executive Conference
September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD 9
Legacy of Hindu Temples in NA: Conclusion
• Tremendous progress made by 1st generation of immigrants in building temples
• Many challenges have to be overcome to sustain this legacy– Cooperation and Networking: essential for prosperity of
Hindu temples, no need to compete – Learn from others / be active in local community – Focus on Younger generation– Inter Faith collaboration
Hindu Mandir Executive Conference
September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD
Legacy of Hindu Temples in NA:
THANK YOU ALL!
References
1. Hindu Temples of North America: A celebration of Life by Mahalingum Kolapen
2. Padma Bhushan Ganapati Sthapati – Sirpa Nool 3. Umesh Shukla – HMEC presentation to the Temples
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