Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Temple





I know exactly what you are thinking.

Damn! MB looks sexy with that red dot on her forehead.

That's not what you were thinking? Oh. That red dot is a tilaka and it means I worshipped in a Hindu temple. I went with our post doc and his family and James and Cheesehead. The temple was beautiful and the priest was welcoming. He took our names and said Sanskrit prayers for us to Mahalakshmi, who is the goddess of wealth and wisdom. The priest then annointed us with coconut water and gave us fruit. It was the most enjoyable religious experience I think I've ever had.

I learned a lot about Hinduism that day and one thing I found striking is the way God is protrayed. He isn't a white guy with a long beard. He doesn't throw fire and brimstone when you mess up. He isn't even a he. God takes whatever form brings you peace and spiritual enlightenment.

Later we toured the outside of the temple where post doc insisted upon taking my picture next to this statue of Vishnu and his two extremely well-endowed wives.

Before we left we stopped by the canteen for an Indian treat. Post doc bought us these things that were like donuts drenched in maple syrup. I think it gave me a cavity. But it was worth it.

8 comments:

Runner Girl FL said...

Very Cool!! How many 1,000's of questions did James ask?

Anonymous said...

i'm not going to name a drug, or a time and a place, but that sounds like an experience i had in the mid seventies...... i didn't know it was a religous experience

Natalie said...

rg~
James had more donut thingys than questions.

ma~
groovy.

Scott said...

Mahalakshmi Skywalker? How cool! If God isn't a white guy, then my name ain't Orville Redenbocker. Wait...

Scott said...

Forgive my absolute lack of understandable humor. By the way, in response to your question on my blog a couple days ago, that expression is one that sprung from a bad relationship Jackson had with a girl friend back in California. She always took his toys, but wouldn't share in return. So my wife came up with it to preempt fights between them.

Natalie said...

Scott~
Did you have one beer and get drunk? You're too funny. Even though your humor is incomprehensible (reminded me of Randy) I got what you meant already knowing what you think about some of that stuff. And that's hilarious about Jackson. I figured it was something like that.

Scott said...

How did you know I can't hold my beer? You're good!

mr. schprock said...

Wow, that Vishnu is one happenin' god! I'm going to stop worshipping Cosmic Muffin and switch to him!