Temples and Ashrams are two sacred institutions in Hinduism and other spiritual traditions, each serving unique primary purposes and exhibiting distinct characteristics.
A temple is primarily a house of God or a specific deity and it is a sacred space dedicated to worship, prayer, and rituals aimed at connecting with the divine whereas an Ashram is primarily a spiritual hermitage or a community centered around a guru (spiritual teacher) for learning, spiritual practice, and self-realisation and it's a place for focused spiritual growth.
The central focus is the deity residing within the sanctum (Garbhagriha) and activities revolve around the worship of this deity through offerings (pujas), prayers, hymns, and festivals while the central focus is on spiritual learning, meditation, yoga, and service under the guidance of the guru and the emphasis is on personal and communal spiritual development.
The design of a temple often follows specific religious Shilpa Shastras guidelines but Ashrams can vary greatly in structure. Ashrams often include living quarters for residents/disciples, a place for teachings and meditation hall/space, a communal kitchen, and possibly facilities for yoga or other practices.
Temples are usually managed by priests while an Ashram is led by a guru/senior disciple of guru who provides spiritual guidance and teachings.
Visits to temples are typically for a shorter duration and people may stay in an Ashram for longer periods.
As mentioned earlier, I believe it's essential to differentiate between a temple and an Ashram. A temple is a sacred space where sanctity is inherently present, regardless of individual beliefs. Disagreeing with this notion may indicate a lack of faith or atheistic tendencies.
An Ashram, on the other hand, is a place where the sanctity can be questioned, and opinions about its sacredness may vary.
To attract visitors, an Ashram may install deities, but its inherent atmosphere remains. While the specific area housing the deity may be considered sacred, the surrounding Ashram environment still prevails. In fact, to have darshan (viewing) of the deity, one must navigate through the Ashram's surroundings.
OSHO of Rajaneesh in Pune too was a Ashtram ! And about this place, the less said the better. And we know what happened in Asaram Bapuji's Ashram in Jodhpur or in Nityananda's Ashram in Bangalore on the outskirts. It is true that not all Ashrams are bad.
Sathya Sai Ashram in Puttaparthi and AOL (Art of the Living) Ashram on Bangalore outskirts comes under the Ashram category and in my opinion both are definitely not temples as claimed by the followers of Puttaparthi or AOL. Until now the Ashrams' social activities are good and commendable.
But, sorry, an Ashram can't be a temple. Always opinion differs. I may be wrong according to many. But I am firm. I shall never acknowledge the sanctity of Ashrams and I consider them as a place to visit just like any other good places to visit.
Another very important aspect we need to look into is that even when you are dissatisfied with the atmosphere/arrangements/ treatment etc, we visit the same temple again and again while it is not so in case of Ashrams (even if any deity is installed).
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