The fourth annual Hindu Mandir Executives Conference decided to streamline temple operations and bring more unity and interaction.
The meeting decided to conduct service activities (Hindu Seva Divas) in all temples on October 2 every year. Currently, temples conduct the service activities on different days, said Dr Umesh Shukla, convener, HMEC.
Executives representing 111 temples and Hindu organisations in the US and Canada attended the three-day, fourth annual conference of the HMEC in Lithicum, Maryland. The Durga Temple, Sri Siva Vishnu Temple and Shri Mangal Mandir from the Washington, DC suburbs were the hosts. In addition to temple executives, the over 250 attendees included young volunteers from several temples.
A major decision was to use information technology to streamline routine temple operations. The meet also decided to develop training camps for adults and youth on essentials of Hindu Dharma and Hindu society. Other decisions included: Distributing Hindu text book supplements to US school districts on the history of India prepared by Hinduism Today; developing a Samskar Manual for young couples; writing simple and attractive book on Vivah Samskar; establishing a Hindu Mandir Youth Network in the US and a Hindu Mandir communication channel through the Hindu Mandir newsletter.
Swami Dayananda Saraswati of the Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, the keynote speaker, emphasised that Hindu temples are 'forms or manifestations' of tradition that can be handed over to the future generations.
Swami Mukundananda of J K Yog spoke about the application of management science in temple development.
The event discussed problems faced by temples, like the opposition to expansion in some places, Shukla said. Another issue was how to bring more youth back to temple programs.
"Many youth are not coming to the temples," Shukla said. "They may be busy with studies or work or face peer pressure. We need to organise more programs that will attract the youth, puja is just not enough."
He also stressed the role the parents could play.
'The cohesion and cooperation among all the temples to strengthen the enlightenment of Vedic knowledge in North America is encouraging,' said Dr Michael Busch of the Bramhananda Saraswati Trust, founded by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.
The next conference will be held in Houston in 2010.
Image: The Hindu Mandir Executives Conference in Maryland
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