இலண்டன் சைவ மாநாடு (சிறப்புமலர்)

7வது சைவ மாநாடு இலண்டன் 2004 SURVIVAL OF SAIVISM AS A PRACTISING RELIGION AMIDST WESTERN CULTURE C.Sithamparapillai LlB., LL.M. (LOND.) DIP. IN. AIR & SPACE LAW, SOLICITOR I have been brought up, in my early that they are fully trained days, in an environment of religious atmosphere and surroundings. This undoubtedly helped me to shape my life to live in a way that is acceptable to a good, cultured, orderly society based on a cardinal principle of mutual respect for each other. Indeed, we who live, in a multi cultural, religious country with so much of diversity, are able to contribute and enrich each others culture through tolerance, understanding with unity of purpose with divine guidance. It is usually said that when you are in Rome you must be like Romans. This is some time misunderstood. What this means is that you must respect the culture, tradition, religion, language, establishments, institutions of the host country. All that is necessary is to integrate into their system but not assimilate or merge. It is important that we as Tamils, Saivaites, maintain our own identity and practice our religion. I would like to now analyse whether the Saiva Temples in the United Kingdom are able to offer any tangible support to achieve this objective in particular to the Younger generation. It is a well known fact, unfortunately that, our youths atleast a vast majority of them do not participate in activities towards running of the Saiva Temples. It is time for them to come forward and take a keen interest and offer their services. It is equally important 82 and acquire knowledge and experience so that they could take the lead when the need arise. At the same time, the elders, who are occupying places in Temple administration, must stand down and invite or encourage youngsters to come forward and take their place/s. If we do not plan and act now, when the older generation fade away, all these Saiva Temples in and around London, will have the same fate that happened to many church buildings which have been converted in the past as Saiva Temples. Why are our youths not attracted towards temple worship. Unlike the older generation, youths will not follow anything blindly. They have an analytical and practical mind. They need answers and justification for any and every action. It is some time said that they do not understand the rituals and rites performed at Saiva Temples. We need to look into this and provide explanatory books or literature available to them, which would make it easier for them to understand and practice our religion. There is also concern that the religious ceremonies in temples are too long. It is necessary to cut down on the time and simplify them. It must be remembered that