Discussion Questions§
In this story we learn about Arjun’s trip to India as a teen and how it changed his religious life. At the Palani Temple and later the Chidambaram Siva Nataraja Temple, he has unforgettable experiences that return again each time he enters a temple back home in Canada. The Hindu religion is not based on blind faith in a body of beliefs. It is an experiential religion, with each Hindu personalizing their path based on what they themselves can actually feel and experience.§
- Do you, like Arjun, wonder why your parents find religious observances at home and in the temple so important? Why do you think they want to share this with you?
- How did Arjun react to seeing and learning about the Ayappan pilgrims? Do you know anyone who has undergone such austerities—difficult disciplines such as eating only once a day? Do you think you could do it?
- What is darshan? What would it be like to see God, or have God see you?
- Have you ever felt “someone” looking back out at you from the Deity in the temple, or any kind of spiritual force coming from religious worship? How would you explain this?
- Many people don’t feel the subtle energy of darshan. Why do you think this is?
- Have you ever pulled the chariot at a temple festival? How did it make you feel?
- Why was Arjun unimpressed with the Brihadeeswarar Temple? In your experience, what are the varying feelings people have about temples?
- What did Arjun experience during the puja to the ruby Nataraja? What impression do you think it made on him?
- What is the shakti of the temple? Have you experienced this yourself?
- Have you ever encountered non-Hindus, such as Donny in the story, who felt the spiritual power of a Hindu temple? How did they describe their experience?