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In article <ghenE81ys0.BH3@netcom.com>,
Ray Fagan <r.fagan@mail.utexas.edu> wrote:
>bubastis@mindspring.com (Kelly Warner) wrote:
>
>>I have corresponded with Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami from the
>>Kauai's Hindu Monastery (whom I found on the Web).
>>Does anyone know if this is a reputable source of information on
>>Hinduism? Is he legitimate? There were several requests for monetary
>>donations in the information package, which made me wary.
[...]
>I have heard various stories about how much they charge for initiation
>into the Hindu faith, somethimes as much as $900. This bothers me
>because I don't believe anyone should charge outrageous fees for
>spiritual teachings. It is simply unethical, like charging for mantra
I don't know how much they charge converts, but I posted excerpts from
Hinduism Today some time ago where they most definitely seemed to
suggest that it cost at least one thousand US dollars to become a
Hindu. I can dig up the article if needed. They also said something
about a framed certificate that makes the process official, and about
how it's damn near close to heresy not to take on a Hindu name
afterwards for all purposes, including legal documents.
Personally, I find the concept of "buying in" (literally) to be a bit,
err, unappealing, especially if the ceremony has no inherent long-term
connection. I think there are enough "professional" religionists in
India that we don't need to encourage the practice here as
well. Sadly, though, this occurs in the US fairly regularly - a pujari
is "imported" from India, and the majority of the community goes to
the temple only for birthdays and 2 or 3 major festival days. The
whole thing is rather impersonal.
As far as "conversions" go, I like the Hare Krishnas - I've met quite
a few who know more about Vedic literature, etc., than most
"non-converts" ever do. If you're interested, try
http://www-ece.rice.edu/~vijaypai/hkindex.html
-Vivek
P.S. I have met with some sects and have to say that the Hinduism
Today folks aren't all that unique in suggesting large fees for
conversion. However, I just don't agree with it in principle.
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