Role & Training of Priests Shri Abhinav Dwivedi (s07a-2)

1

Hindu Mandir Executive Conference

September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD

Hindu University of AmericaA Unique Dimension of Hindu Thought and Traditions

Roles and Training of PriestsMaster of Divinity Program at

Hindu University

Abhinav DwivediVice President, HUA

HMEC-2009, Sept. 11-13, 2009

Session 7AWorship Practice and Priest Welfare

2



Priests in North AmericaCurrent status

• Priests are principal custodians of Dharmic traditions, who are vital for keeping the traditions alive and easily accessible to all.

• So far in N.A. the needs are mostly met by bringing qualified priests from India.

• Smaller communities meet their needs by some one learning on his/her own the required minimal set of priestly activities.

3



Priests in North America-2 Current status

• NEED: As more non-Hindus get exposed to Sanatan Dharma, many would like to know more about Hindu way of life ,and how the lofty philosophies ( Tatva Darshana) are integrated in the daily life through various rituals. A qualified priest should be able to help non-Hindus in this quest.

• NEED: As the interfaith dialogues increase, a qualified Hindu priest must be able to provide correct perspective of Hindu Darshana and rituals to the people of other faiths– both to the sympathetic and hostile.

• NEED: Community and temples must create a culture where the best priests are employed at the temples, are well respected, well treated, and are provided for their worldly needs.

4



Priests in North America-3 Current status

• NEED: Qualified priests must be able to converse with the Hindu children growing up in N.A. at the level, and in the language ( lingo) they can understand, and fill the gap which parents may not be able to do.

• NEED: If required priests should be able to go to churches ( and like institutions) and to schools and talk on Hindu Dharma in a manner the audience can understand and appreciate.

• NEED: Go to Hospital-hospice Centers and provide comforting prayers to patients and the family.

5



Priests - Expectations

• Well versed in Hindu scriptures– Key Upanishads, Mahabharat, Ramayana, Bhagavad Gita, some popular puranas,..

• Working knowledge of Sanskrit, and religious texts in original

• Well versed in the philosophic concepts, and their application in daily life through rituals at home, in the temples, during festivals, through sanskaras, etc.

6



Priests – Expectations-2

• Well versed in the rituals of…

-- Temples: various schools, deities, traditions

-- Sanskaras: Stages of pre- birth to post-death

-- Yagna, Havan, Vrata, Festivals..

-- Katha and Vyakhyaan: Ram Charita Manas, Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavatam, Satya Narayan Katha and Bhajans.

• Ability to articulate Meaning and explanation in English and in one of the Indian Languages (Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telgu, Punjabi etc.) to Hindus, non Hindus and to children.

7



Roles of Priests

• Major areas– Rituals ( Karma-kand)

– Education (moral/religious/spiritual)

– Spiritual counseling

8



Roles of Priests-2

• Rituals – Related to pujas, festivals and Samskaras

(within and outside of the temples)

– Maintaining Sanctity and holiness of the activities

– This role is performed satisfactorily by most, but not all, priests coming from India

9



Roles of Priests-3

• Education – For children, lay-Hindus, and non-Hindus

– Spokesperson for interfaith dialogs

– Community representation in religious and spiritual matters

– Interpretation and explanations of rituals, history, stories and concepts

– Temple Management needs to facilitate training of priests to improve Performance of this role.

10



Roles of Priests-4

• Spiritual Counseling – Dharmic guidance in decision making for a

house holder

– Support during depression, bereavement periods etc.

– Illnesses, Chaplin’s role in hospitals

– Temple Management needs to facilitate training of priests to improve Performance of this role.

11



Roles of Priests-5

• Education & Spiritual Counseling Roles are largely absent (some times filled in by learned and concerned community members, or other organizations…)

– Traditionally not performed by priests in India

– Not yet actively supported by temple management in N.A.

12



Training of Priests

PRIEST TRAINING PROGRAM AT HUA

13



Training of Priests

– Hindu University has evolved an academic program for Priests training

– Advanced Diploma and Master of Hindu Divinity programs. (M.H.D degree)

– Overall focus is on enhancing the priests’ abilities to function more efficiently in the N.A. society.

– Make their stature/status in the society and their profession improve by providing proper training and certification (compare with how a Christian priest, Jewish rabbi or Muslim Imam is respected in their community)

– Attract younger generation into this profession.

14



Priests Training Programsummary

Four groups of courses1. Hindu Tradition: Four courses (12 credits)

• Principles of Hinduism, Basic Hindu Scriptures, • Basic Jyotish, Principles and Practices of Yoga

Meditation

2. Sanskrit: Two courses (6 credits)

3. General: Three courses (9 credits)• Public Speaking and Communication Skills• Spiritual Counseling (including social and

psychological counseling)• World Major Religions (and community diversities)

15



Priest Training Programsummary-2

1. Rituals: Four courses (12 credits)• Sanskaras, Festivals and Pujas, Rituals in different

Sampradayas, Field Practice.

16



Priest Training programsummary-3

– Course on World Major Religions• Sanatan Traditions: Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism,

Abrahamic Traditions: Islam, Judaism, Christianity• Course coordinated and run by HU

– Rituals in different Sampradayas • An overview of unique features of different Sampradayas

(other than the one the priest has training in).

Credits/waivers for previous training and experience given.

17



Role of Temple Management

– Encourage, support and fund priests to enhance their capabilities through training provided by HUA

– Encourage, support and fund so that education and spiritual counseling activities can be undertaken by priests.

– Create an environment wherein the priests are treated with respect and reverence in community.

18



HUA- in nutshell

WHAT IS HUA?

19



20



HUA- in nutshell-2

Many Programs and courses available to Temples for systematic and authentic, understanding and education of Sanatan Dharma for their communities

-- Degree and non-degree courses

-- Master and doctoral degree programs

-- Conference, Symposia, seminars, Lecture series,…

21



HUA- in nutshell-3

• Only university outside of Bharat known to be exclusively devoted to teaching and research in all areas of Sanatana Dharma, Culture, languages, philosophies, practices, including Buddhist, Jain, and Sikh traditions.

• Authorized by the State of FL. 501 (C) 3, non-profit org.• Large # of affiliations with other institutions, both in USA and

India.• Guided and shaped by BOD made up of eminent persons.• Large # of adjunct faculty of diverse expertise

See hand out folder for details! Contact HUA:

407-275-0013 [email protected] www.hua.edu

22



Dhanyavaad!

• Hindu University Of America

113 S. Econlockhatchee Trail

Orlando, FL 32825 USA

407-275-0013 ( Voice)

407- 275-0104 ( fax)

[email protected]

www.hua.edu

Role & Training of Priests Shri Abhinav Dwivedi (s07a-2)

Spiritual

Transcript of Role & Training of Priests Shri Abhinav Dwivedi (s07a-2)