The Dress Code

Akanksha1982 · Dec 29, 2016

Viswamitra said: ↑

Dear Balajee,

Your necktie must be very motivated after seeing you consume a very healthy but tasty soup! I can understand advising children what to wear for various occasions but as far as adults are concerned, no individual can determine what is appropriate but the person himself/herself. But at the same time, I expect adult to be responsible in their dressing sense for the occasion. Here I am assuming no man would be fully drunk and enter a temple in a lungi blabbering some nasty words or a woman walking with a mini-skirt and sleeveless top. It will be distraction for others from the purpose why they visit a temple.

In our spiritual center, we had the rule that every woman should cover their front with a thuppata and in fact, some women have collected a few thuppattas for young women who come with a tightly worn shirt so that they can share it with them. Later, the spiritual organization itself advised everyone to be adaptive to the country in which the centers operate. How can we stop a woman from this country wearing their normal dress code? Therefore, the spiritual center relaxed the rule for everyone. But most of them are responsible and cover themselves up to the ankle and avoid wearing sleeveless. However, some children do wear sleeveless and the spiritual centers now allow them. But everyone is prohibited to wear shoes inside and only allowed with their socks.

Viswa
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Viswa Sir, on a lighter note, wouldn't it be a test of spiritual development of the attendees to meditate on the shrine irrespective of distractions?

Viswamitra · Dec 29, 2016

Dear Akanksha,

Each one comes to the spiritual center with their own battle with his/her mind, the last thing one needs is more distraction. Moreover, spiritual centers are not for testing the level of spiritual development as each person may be at a different stage of development. Everyone comes to the center to collectively get motivated with others and learn from each other. The uniting force is the alter. Those who don't get distracted apparently don't need the spiritual centers to grow.

Viswa

Balajee · Dec 29, 2016

Viswamitra said: ↑

Dear Balajee,

Your necktie must be very motivated after seeing you consume a very healthy but tasty soup! I can understand advising children what to wear for various occasions but as far as adults are concerned, no individual can determine what is appropriate but the person himself/herself. But at the same time, I expect adult to be responsible in their dressing sense for the occasion. Here I am assuming no man would be fully drunk and enter a temple in a lungi blabbering some nasty words or a woman walking with a mini-skirt and sleeveless top. It will be distraction for others from the purpose why they visit a temple.

In our spiritual center, we had the rule that every woman should cover their front with a thuppata and in fact, some women have collected a few thuppattas for young women who come with a tightly worn shirt so that they can share it with them. Later, the spiritual organization itself advised everyone to be adaptive to the country in which the centers operate. How can we stop a woman from this country wearing their normal dress code? Therefore, the spiritual center relaxed the rule for everyone. But most of them are responsible and cover themselves up to the ankle and avoid wearing sleeveless. However, some children do wear sleeveless and the spiritual centers now allow them. But everyone is prohibited to wear shoes inside and only allowed with their socks.

Viswa
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Viswa the limits of what one wears must be determined by the wearer himself/herself. If sleeveless clothes can distract seekers so can shiny kanjeevarams even if the person wearing is fully covered. Ultimately what matters is the mindset of the people at the spiritual centre and not the cloths.

Balajee · Dec 29, 2016

poovai said: ↑

Well, It seems stressful during the holiday season, like a "censor board" before attending parties with my son - clean shaven and hair cut. I have to make the deal way ahead of time, not on the day of the party.

I see at our local temple, Hindu dress code will be enforced written at the entrance. Some come with an attitude, 'stop me, if you can'. Volunteers are placed to provide dhoti or dupatta on major holidays. The jeans/leggings are allowed, not shorts/mini skirts. You can spot them with 'dhoti (man) or 'dupatta' (woman) wrapped over their shorts. Some refuse to wear "temple cloths" and wander in the cafeteria area.
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Poovai places of worship cutting across faith lines don't allow shorts but in my view that is not a reflection on the person in shorts but the negative mindsets of others visiting the shrine, it is the fear that they would be distracted.