About P. Ravi Sarma, M.D. Expertise Trustee, the Hindu Temple of Atlanta, Ga. Chairman, Community Services Committee of the Hindu Temple. Special interest in Hinduism in the West and the adaptation of the religion to modern times. Keynote speaker at several regional and national Hindu conferences on the topic of Hinduism and its adaptation in the West
Question I am currently teaching Hinduism to a group of 10th grade world history students. They are full of questions. I cannot answer the questions they have. Can you provide our class with the answers we seek?
1. Do people in different caste groups worship in different temples?
2. What is your view on the "untouchable" caste?
3. Is there such thing as Hell in the Hindu religion?
Any help you can offer will be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Dana Rowan
Answer 1. Do people in different caste groups worship in different temples?
Worship practices are very regional and are based on the cultural norms of different communities. People go to temples that they are comfortable with. People from the South have a distinct style of worship, while those from the North have a different style. I find the liturgy unfamiliar when I go to a temple of a different cultural tradition. In the past, other than the untouchables, people of all other castes worshipped in the same temples, while at the same time, each community maintained its own traditions. When we go to different parts of the country in India, we admiringly observe the different and rich traditions of different communities.
"Meeting God: Elements of Hindu Devotion" by Stephen Huyler, is an excellent book to use as a resource. He also has published another book called "Painted Prayer" which is very helpfulin understanding these traditions.
2. What is your view on the "untouchable" caste?
This is one thing that pains me to no extent. I am not sure how we ended up treating our fellow human beings in this manner. Caste is outlawed in modern India, but is very well there because of affirmative action and reverse discrimination. (Now everyone claims to be a lower caste person, even if they change religions)I am hoping that it will fade away into history.
3. Is there such thing as Hell in the Hindu religion?
I answered this in the previous group of questions.
