Hindu Mandir Executive Conference

September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD 1

Session 5Coordination and Cooperation

Among Mandirs

Obstacles And Opportunities ForHindu Temples In America

Dr. Chander Shaykher

South Florida Hindu Temple

September 11-13, 2009

Hindu Mandir Executive Conference

September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD 2

Hindu Temples In America

A ) Obstacles

a) Underlying Problems

b) Manifestations

c ) Risks

B ) Opportunities

a ) Local

b ) Global

C) Suggested Solutions

D) Conclusions

Hindu Mandir Executive Conference

September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD 3

Source Of Problems

• Migration Of Hindus To US – Recent Phenomenon• Rapid Proliferation Of Hindu Temples • Strong Regional/Cultural Overtones• Going Back To Roots – Nostalgia• Unfolding Of Conflicts based on

Cultural/Linguistic/Economic Differences.• Absence Of Spiritual Leadership.

Hindu Mandir Executive Conference

September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD 4

Manifestations

A ) Problems with Governance

Selection – Unacceptable

Election - Power Struggles

B ) Conflicting Goals – Ritual/Spiritual/Cutural/Political

C ) Polarization Of Communities with Next Generation Loosing Interest

Hindu Mandir Executive Conference

September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD 5

Opportunities

A ) Local

a) A Generation Of Hindus Proud of Heritage

b ) Establishing the rightful place for Hindu Community

B ) Global

a) Revitalizing Hindu Dharma – By Example

b) Leadership in establishing a Global Culture

Based on Principles Of Sanatan Dharma

Hindu Mandir Executive Conference

September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD 6

Suggested Solutions

I) Discard the Regional / Linguistic Biases

2) Common Mission – To Preserve, Propagate and Perpetuate the Timeless Principles Of Sanatan

Dharma .

3) Uniform Guidelines For Temple Governance

4) Dispute Resolution Mechanisms

5) Priest Training Programs

6) Educational Programs in Vedic Scholarship - Acharyas

Hindu Mandir Executive Conference

September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD 7

Summary

A) Source Of Problems is Hanging on to Past Baggage And Lack of Spiritual LeadershipB) Problems Manifested in Problems Of Governance , Conflicting

Goals , And Polarization Of CommunitiesC) Opportunity Of Epic Proportions.. 1) Opportunity For Our Next Generation 2) Opportunity For Sanatan Dharma to become the Global CultureD ) Solution Lies in : 1) Governance - Evolving Principles For Optimal Governance 2) Spiritual Leadership - Properly Trained Priests and Acharyas

3) Paradigm Shift - From Regional to Universal ,From Ritual to Spiritual , From Individual to Eternal…Sanatana Dharma