Hinduism: Money In Hinduism - WASTED! (choices, choice, churches, pray)

[Don Penguinoini]

I believe we all spend too much money on mandirs. In history, it has shown we build our mandirs with a lot of money, muslims take it and go (i say muslims because it is actually them) We rebuild and it repeats over and over again. So i ask, do we need highly ornate mandirs? Because god sees in our hearts, not our wallet, i say this after listening to Swami Sachidanand of Dantali, Gujarat, India, World, Galaxy 16, Universe

So, anyway, do we need it? Can we please god by not spending so much? My ffather brought this up to while we were in mandir.

[mahesh]

Have you asked this question to Pramukh Swami of BAPS?

[mahesh]

Ask your guru first then see how he answers. Maybe you will learn somthing.

[Don Penguinoini]

No i haven't. Why should i? I want a normal persons answer? What kind of question is that? This is not to do with swaminarayan? Why bring it up?

[ramesh]

God has told us that His devotees should contribute 1/10th if you are of normal wealth and 1/5th if you are poor to Him. Therefore as devotees one can give how much they feel they want to out of the love for God.
Don't look too much into what your money is being spent for, we should donate out of the love for God.

[zenzero]

Friends,
Firstly try and understand what are the religious places like mandirs/mosques/churches/ etc. etc. for? Penguino sees the marbles laid the decor etc. someone sees the idols, someone just goes to pray/meditate. The real purpose of these places are for prayers or meditation. When in a place many people meditate that place acquires a vibration of its own. That vibration helps individual to keep his mind away from daily activities and be PRSENT and that creates the vibration. Slowly it can be magnetic. Here one can say, "I never felt that". That can only be felt when the individual too starts becoming Present.
Rgds people spendingmoney etc. on them it is their choices, one should leave it to them. One should be concerned about his role in that part, how best he plays it. true devotee maybe poor but would play his role just by using that place well to pray/meditate and be happy.
Love & rgds

[Don Penguinoini]

Does god give you moksh for giving money? Ramesh, i am swaminarayan, i know, but its all a bit silly. Dharma isnt religion, dharma is the responsibily for the betterment of the community. I think us hindus should use our money to help people more then to WASTE it on a marble mandir. I would feel the same in a gold mandir as in a little wooden shack. The spirit of god has not changed. Has it?

[mahesh]

I totally agree.

[Don Penguinoini]

We agree on something !

[mahesh]

Originally Posted by penguino

Does god give you moksh for giving money? Ramesh, i am swaminarayan, i know, but its all a bit silly. Dharma isnt religion, dharma is the responsibily for the betterment of the community. I think us hindus should use our money to help people more then to WASTE it on a marble mandir. I would feel the same in a gold mandir as in a little wooden shack. The spirit of god has not changed. Has it?

HAHA YOU WISH. I AGREE WITH RAMESH NOT YOU.

We talk of Bhagvad Dharm not your responsibilities. The Dharm you talk of is teh dharm for teh upliftment of society. Well that is a job more for the Samaj not the Religious Establishment.

The mandir provides Moksh.

Do you live in a straw hut? Why not? Your spirit will not change if it does will it? Then why dont you? Same way we hindus like to Keep God in a nice clean white marble mandir. Its part of Rasik Bhakti.