The places of worship of all hues are now on a spree of making them more beautiful and grand.At least that is true in the Asian context.In the western world,there are quiet a few instances of the places of worship for the whites getting closed down or sold to Asian expatriates.Perhaps it may be a turn of the wheels of History.A couple of centuries ago,European money was instrumental in establishing or improving the lots of places of worship in Asia.Today it is a time for a reverse flow.
The issue that is being dealt with here is how much grand should a place of worship be?
The obvious answer is as grand as you can afford.YOU MEANING THE FAITHFULLS WHO CAUSE THAT PLACE OF WORSHIP TO BE THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE. The issue is not that simple.In most cases,the funds that are coming into a place of worship is not contributed by those who are the makers or regular users of that facility.It consists of the offerings that are provided by the faithfuls who use that facility once in a while or even a few times ever in their lifetime.Decision makers of the place of worship are expected to use the funds so accrued in the most judicious manner.But often such utilisation is done in a very subjective or arbitrary manner.Often this results in the place of worship becoming a place for flaunting wealth.Of course there are a number of great pieces of architecture which are attracting visitors for their mere grandeur.E.g St Peters Basilica at Vatican,Golden Temple at Amritsar,Thirupathy temple in Andhrapradesh,India,The Grand Mosque in Abudhabi...the list can go on endlessly.These and smiler edifices attracts far more visitors than believers of the respective faiths.It also serves as some of the "must See' places in the world in the itinerary of tourists.
But the issue I am raising here is a far larger number of places of worship that are mere vulgar exhibition of wealth.I do not wish to give examples her,they are there for all to see in all places.In my opinion,the places of worship should be built in future with some norms.The basic tenement should of course be what the particular religions stipulate.But such stipulations in the scriptures are often vaugue and gives scope for different interpretations.The wise men of each religion should form clear norms for their places of worship.They also should address the issue as to how grand a place of worship.There can be circumstance where a really grand place of worship should come up.That again should be based on some criteria,and not for satisfying someones ego or whims and fancies.
Would it not be nobler to build smaller and simpler places of worship in needy places than to flaunt resources in one place?
The issue that is being dealt with here is how much grand should a place of worship be?
The obvious answer is as grand as you can afford.YOU MEANING THE FAITHFULLS WHO CAUSE THAT PLACE OF WORSHIP TO BE THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE. The issue is not that simple.In most cases,the funds that are coming into a place of worship is not contributed by those who are the makers or regular users of that facility.It consists of the offerings that are provided by the faithfuls who use that facility once in a while or even a few times ever in their lifetime.Decision makers of the place of worship are expected to use the funds so accrued in the most judicious manner.But often such utilisation is done in a very subjective or arbitrary manner.Often this results in the place of worship becoming a place for flaunting wealth.Of course there are a number of great pieces of architecture which are attracting visitors for their mere grandeur.E.g St Peters Basilica at Vatican,Golden Temple at Amritsar,Thirupathy temple in Andhrapradesh,India,The Grand Mosque in Abudhabi...the list can go on endlessly.These and smiler edifices attracts far more visitors than believers of the respective faiths.It also serves as some of the "must See' places in the world in the itinerary of tourists.
But the issue I am raising here is a far larger number of places of worship that are mere vulgar exhibition of wealth.I do not wish to give examples her,they are there for all to see in all places.In my opinion,the places of worship should be built in future with some norms.The basic tenement should of course be what the particular religions stipulate.But such stipulations in the scriptures are often vaugue and gives scope for different interpretations.The wise men of each religion should form clear norms for their places of worship.They also should address the issue as to how grand a place of worship.There can be circumstance where a really grand place of worship should come up.That again should be based on some criteria,and not for satisfying someones ego or whims and fancies.
Would it not be nobler to build smaller and simpler places of worship in needy places than to flaunt resources in one place?
