Today my husband and I visited the Hare Krishna Temple here in Honolulu...I have had yet to visit a temple since embracing Hinduism, mostly due to my inner fear of rejection. I had heard various things within certain communities on the internet that westerners were not always well received. So I looked into the temples here on Oahu and found two, a Hare Krishna Temple and a Shiva Temple. The Krishna Temple had a lovely website so I chose to go there first. I had heard rather negative things over the internet in relation to the ISKCON movement and was a bit reluctant, but I cannot tell you how very lovely it was. Both my husband and I were very warmly received and given a personal tour and delicious food.
The Temple is actually a beautiful converted Hawaiian plantation on a lovely peace of property set up in the hills of Honolulu, in a very peaceful tranquil neighborhood. In the back of the plantation is a beautiful massive Banyon tree. The wind was blowing and there was such a serene peaceful feeling in this place.
The founder and beloved guru of the Hare Krishna movement A.C.Bhaktivendanta Swami Prabhupada spent quite a bit of time here on the plantation translating most of his works. All of his translated works are amassed here covering two enormous bookcases on the top floor.
I plan to return tomorrow for the Sunday Krishna Devotional and Kirtan. This will be my very first Kirtan so I am extremely excited! This is a lovely little community of Hindus who have a great love for their beloved guru and Sri Krishna. I look forward to attending and finally making more contact on a personal level with others of my faith. I do plan to visit the Shiva temple as well at some point.
The Temple is actually a beautiful converted Hawaiian plantation on a lovely peace of property set up in the hills of Honolulu, in a very peaceful tranquil neighborhood. In the back of the plantation is a beautiful massive Banyon tree. The wind was blowing and there was such a serene peaceful feeling in this place.
The founder and beloved guru of the Hare Krishna movement A.C.Bhaktivendanta Swami Prabhupada spent quite a bit of time here on the plantation translating most of his works. All of his translated works are amassed here covering two enormous bookcases on the top floor.
I plan to return tomorrow for the Sunday Krishna Devotional and Kirtan. This will be my very first Kirtan so I am extremely excited! This is a lovely little community of Hindus who have a great love for their beloved guru and Sri Krishna. I look forward to attending and finally making more contact on a personal level with others of my faith. I do plan to visit the Shiva temple as well at some point.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare
Om Shanti,
Nirvani
Namashkar,
ReplyDeleteI am a saiva Hindu, but I must say that ISKCON devotees that I have come across have been friendly, devoted and sincere.
Aum
I don't know that I would ever become a devotee, but will enjoy attending their temple...but I would greatly like to visit the Shiva temple here:)
ReplyDelete:-} I have been to Hare Krishna Kirtan and it was a joyous and freeing experience. I do love the Hare Krishna's. I can't imagine any better place to do a kirtan than this temple!
ReplyDeleteNot to mention they always find their way into movies somehow or another!
Lorraine
//Not to mention they always find their way into movies somehow or another!/
ReplyDeletehaha ... that was unexpected :)
@Jennifer - i hope you had a good experience. sometimes, what happens is that our own individual thoughts are so deeply defined that we find it odd to "fit" into a particular community - especially true in case of religion. so you go to group and see them doing something a little differently, it can be an odd moment for 'some' (not all, thankfully)
i've put that down very clumsily, but I guess you understood what I was trying to say.
Thank you for your comments:) I am going to attend again...yes everyone is so lovely and welcoming there! A wonderful spirit! I think I need to have a more freeing experience...quite different from my former religious life;)
ReplyDelete