Resolving the Shree Luxmi Narayan temple crisis
If not managed responsibly, the fight to save the Shree Luxmi Narayan Temple has the potential to harm other sectors of the Hindu community in South Africa, warns PROFESSOR BRIJ MAHARAJ, President of the Shree Sanathan Dharma Sabha of South Africa
IN RECENT years, several national Hindu religious and cultural organisations have had to dispose of properties, and relocate – always a difficult, painful and emotional decision.
Those who have raised public concerns about the challenges facing the Shree Luxmi Narayan Temple (SLNT) certainly dispel the notion that Hindus in SA are apathetic. However, if not managed responsibly, the laudable cause to save the Shree Luxmi Narayan Temple has the potential to escalate negatively, and harm other sectors of the Hindu community in South Africa.
To its credit, the leadership of the SLNT have been candid about their current difficulties, which are not unique: massive maintenance costs, declining income, and a rapidly dwindling congregation (aggravated by fear of crime, which affects all South Africans, regardless of race, class, gender or creed).
Against this background, the leadership of the SLNT had two options: adopt an ostrich mentality, assume that all is well, and hope and pray for divine intervention; or pro-actively and pragmatically consider various options.
If those supporting the noble cause of retaining the status quo provide financial support and swell the weekly congregation, then the problems of the SLNT will be resolved immediately.
In South Africa, we have too many armchair critics – we need more people who actively promote Dharma and serve selflessly, without expectation of reward as espoused by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita (Nishkam Karma).
There is a need for a more reflective and objective assessment of the problems facing the organisation, compared ‘ordinary’ religious organisation. As the most senior affiliate of the Shree Sanathan Dharma Sabha of South Africa, the SLNT is unique in South Africa because its officials have been involved in the training of Sanathan priests since the 1970s, teaching Sanskrit and Hindi, as well as conducting scripturally based research on Hindu rites and rituals (eg, birth, marriages, and last rites). The focus is on rituals and ceremonies as per scriptural injunctions, thus dispelling superstition (which, sadly, is being reintroduced by some foreign priests).
The thoroughly researched and highly rated publications of the SLNT are sought after beyond SA, across the Hindu diaspora, including India. All Sanathan priests in South Africa are benefiting from the research and training being conducted at the SLNT.
Against this background, I wantt to propose a positive way forward that would help to allay fears and anxieties of all parties, who are united because they want to promote the best interests of SLNT: an advisory committee comprising representatives from the concerned group, the SA Hindu Maha Sabha and the Shree Sanathan Dharma Sabha of SA be established to constructively assist the SLNT to resolve the current challenges.