‘Beware priest pests’

Warning after video records priest’s hand-rub Look out for frauds who use religion to make money – Academy

ACHATSWORTH temple priest is being investigated after CCTV footage emerged of him performing questionable rituals. The footage, which is in POST’s possession, shows the priest holding a young woman’s hand and rubbing an unknown substance on her fingers and nails.

In Hinduism, priests are prohibited from touching females unless they are applying a dot or ash on the forehead.

In one instance, the priest is seen to have an unidentified black substance, which he hands out to some members of the public that he consults with. He is also seen smearing this substance on a cellphone. Several other rituals that do not conform to general religious practice were performed and captured on camera.

In another instance, the priest asks a male devotee to lie on the temple floor.

He places objects on various parts of the man’s body and performs a “body prayer”.

A devotee at the temple, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said it was believed the priest was dabbling in black magic.

“These prayers should not take place in a temple. Potions and other unorthodox prayers are concocted and given to the public. This is not what the temple is there for,” said the devotee.

The footage has shed light on the sometimes unregulated spiritual services industry and has led to an investigation into the conduct of the priest by the Devasthanam of South Africa – the council of South Indian temples and religious institutions.

A spokesman for the Devasthanam, Thaniga Moodley, confirmed the investigation.

Complaint

“We received a complaint and viewed the footage. We are busy with our investigation, so we cannot comment fully on the matter until we have all the facts and perspectives,” said Moodley.

Another oversight body, the Agama Academy of South India, said they were concerned by the rituals.

A representative from Agama Academy, Shaolin Pillay, said it was unacceptable for priests to hold the hands of female devotees.

“The only time it is acceptable, is if he is placing a dot or ash on her forehead,” said Pillay.

He said many people were duped by priests into parting with large sums of money and performing meaningless rituals. “When one feels that prayers are out of the norm and do not conform to general practice one should stay clear of so called ‘holy men’.

“In most cases they are frauds and use the religion as a platform to make money.

“People must stop being naïve. There are no magic potions and no lucky charms,” he said.

He added that the responsibility of priests was important and not meant to be abused.

“They (priests) are responsible for the spiritual guidance in the temple but, most importantly, their role is to be a spiritual leader in the community.

“The rites and rituals must be cost effective, done with meaning and understanding, and always with the well-being of the devotee in mind.

“They should provide clear guidelines for worship and temple etiquette and drive to eradicate confusion among Hindu people.”

Professor Brij Maharaj, of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha, said there was no scriptural basis for any of the prayers performed by the priest.

“The alleged conduct of the priest is highly inappropriate. Nowhere in Hindu scripture is there any basis for prayers like this.

“The priest should be investigated and sanctioned by the administrative component of the organisation or a regulatory body,” said Maharaj.

He said the Maha Sabha was in the process of compiling a register of bona fide priests in South Africa.