Page 61 - PhotoView Issue21

Let’s examine the universe in which we live. Only 4 percent of materials in space have been identified.

The other 96 percent consists of unidentifiable dark matter and energy. Due to the large percentage
of the world that people cannot comprehend, humans depend on religion. As people do not know

96 percent of the universe, I also did not know 96 percent of India. In spite of living there for 4 years, I
had visited only some familiar places within a 40km (20.5mile) radius of my house. The rest remained

a mystery. Realizing that I knew little about India, I contemplated what would be the best way to

grasp the rest of it

After several unsuccessful attempts, I drew to the conclusion that I should visit actual sites where the

lives and religions of Indians revolve: the temples. About 82.6% of Indians believe in Hinduism; 11%
in Islam, 2% in Sikhism, and 0.5% in Jainism. Since religion plays a central role in the people’s lives, it

is impossible to understand India without first knowing its religions.

Whenever time permitted in the early mornings, I went to the temples consistently for 6 months. Ev-

ery trip gave me a closer look at Indian religions than the ambiguous books and I came to know why
there are 330 million gods in Hinduism. The center of the city is full of cars and high-tech buildings

giving it the nickname: ‘Millennium city’. However, when we turn the corner out of city center, mod-

ern life suddenly returns to the 19th century.

There are some people who pretend to be experts on India without truly knowing about its religions,
especially the largest: Hinduism. To Indians, Hinduism is not simply a religion; it’s like an instinct, im-

printed in their blood. Some myths of Hinduism like the monkey god, Hanuman, and the creator,

Brahma who has four heads, appear to be apocryphal and superstitious. The way of life in Hinduism
is very useful even today. Yoga and meditation are popular all over the world.

In today’s society, God is playing a role as a therapist rather than a savior. On the surface, we think
that we won’t ever be alone in this high-tech world since everything is thoroughly connected through

computer networks and smart phones. Nevertheless, as soon as we log off from the network, we are

all isolated from the world.

The temple is not far away from Indians. Most Indians not only have a temple in their home, but tem-
ples are also located all over the city. When they feel emptiness in their heart, long for something,

or need a place for praying, a temple is there. One may observe completely different images of gods

that we have never seen or bizarre behaviors beyond our comprehension in the temple, but it is of
no importance. What matters is that we have a place to consider our thoughts. All you have to do is

to feel the comforting, peaceful atmosphere and clear your mind in the temple, just like Indians do.