I am very interested in Hinduism, and I would like to visit a Vedic Temple near my house. However, I am a little intimidated by the fact that I am white and everytime I drive by the temple, it looks like a pretty much 100% Indian crowd. I was wondering if there are other white people in here that had the same concerns as me when they first became interested in Hinduism? If so, could you share your experiences with me?
you might get stares but don't let that deter you or make you uncomfortable. people are just curious what you are doing there. if you are obviously just enjoying the temple they will be thrilled. don't be scared to answer someone if they ask what you are doing here.
The first time I went, everyone was very welcoming. I was pretty nervous because it was very different to anything I was used to and put it off for a while, but I would suggest you just go and see what happens. I have never had a negative experience.
thanks for the input everyone, I'm going to try to work up the courage to go in the next couple of weeks. I feel so silly being a white person sometimes lol, i'm not used to being in the minority. i'm going to suck it up and just go, weird looks be damned!
You could contact them beforehand and explain you want to attend but are feeling a little nervous. I know people at the Temple near me are happy to meet up just before and introduce you to people and explain a little about the Temple etc. It might help. But, yeah I wouldn't worry about the white issue, I've never had a problem. Someone's race shouldn't separate people!
I've actually made friends with a guy whose family owns a gas station near my house and near the temple...they're an Indian family, and its the only Hindu temple in town so if my new friend is religious, then thats the temple he attends...I was thinking about somehow bringing up the subject of religion and find out if he attends temple, and if he does seeing if I could meet up with him beforehand, so I could meet up with him beforehand and go with him. Its actually pretty exciting to think about going and getting completely out of my comfort zone, i'm really excited. I would feel completely comfortable attending any christian church in the country, even churchs' with a congregation that is a different race than me...I think its the idea of a completely new religion, when I was brought up in a Baptist church, that scares me more than anything..in a very exciting way. I like the idea of religion but Christianity just doesn't do it for me at all. Really excited about learning about something thats new to me.
Really? cos I thought they refered to us guys as "windus" - white/wannabe hindus. I'd like this kinda stuff too.
Yeah, I guess so. I read up on it a lot before I first went as well - I really didn't want to look so out of place. But, I tagged along with a friend, so it wasn't too bad. The one I go to is the Hare Krishna Temple, so perhaps slightly different and is right I the middle of the city, so always a lot of people there when I have been, of all races. But, I know what you mean about Christianity and also churches, prefer them when they are empty! Good luck, you'll be fine!
I think it all depends on the reason you are there and how you go about it. I've never noticed any problems for the white people who go. Maybe there would be if you tried to westernise it all, but otherwise not in my, or my friends, experience.
Dear Mellai, Did you ever end up going.... if not yet, I encourage your leap of faith. Do know though that while going to temple (or a church) can help you connect to a sense of community sharing of the Sacred...that most importantly that same Divine resides within you. Know this and have know fear. If you go to the Mandir (temple), I'm very sure you will be welcomed. Much Love and Best Wishes~
