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**MannoFr** · 04-28-2012, 06:48 AM

Temples or cultural centres are precincts where the community assembles for more than one reason. Whether there is any actual interaction with the community to know the customs, practices, likes and loves and dislikes to moderate oneself. Instead of making the appeals from here it would be better to know their mind in their own words. Besides, the younger generations at large (including or instead of the star performers there) should be involved. Raise a questionnaire and ask their minds. Elders should be indulgent and should not wear that " I-know-better" attitude. Wherever they are, maybe in Moon or Mars, if they feel what they are originally, everything must be good for themselves. No national want to lose his identity. Why us, Tamil Brahmins? Americans are Americans, British are British, Europeans are Europeans, South-East Asians are SEAsians, Chinese are Chinese, even Australians are Australians. Why not we be us? The NRIs & PIOs should respond. Remember you will be ultimately considered as what you are. Why do not you decide that yourself?

I did see this thread, but did not want to respond as I am not sure what is Brahmanism?
Culture is place and time specific. A Tamil brahmin is not homogeneous in different part of Tamil nadu, and across the globe. So please define a required criteria for Brahmin. Tell me that majority of TB's follow that criteria. Then I can understand the loss of that culture by moving to foreign country.

My family moved away from Tamil Nadu in 1900, my parents followed as best as they could the culture they brought with them.
I was raised in that culture, my brothers can read and write Tamil, I missed out on that.

I was influenced by Chinmayananda, may be that itself was against brahminism.
I believe that my child has been raised in that culture. They are comfortable in India, they wear Indian cloths, eat Indian food, enjoy Indian culture. Vegetarian, goes to temple, and respects elders. Loves all relatives, what more can you ask.
I do not believe in lot of superstitions, and I am open about it, and they too do not believe it. I believe in science, Karma Theory, and rebirth. I believe that our destiny is to be one with the Brahman.

So let us have a discussion about our culture and what is lost?
I rarely see in India, Indian wearing Indian cloths, I see most of the Indian using alcohol, and I see brahmin kids eating meat (including beef). In metro cities girls live in jeans and t-shirt. kids live together before marriage, pre-martial sex is common. I am not passing judgement, but I accept that culture is not lost, but is changing. I bet most of us who moved away have maintained the old traditional culture (even though it is canned version). I am told, by new immigrant that I speak Brahmin Tamil, but I do not understand their tamil.
Let us have sensible discussion, now that I put my cards on the table.

04-28-2012, 06:48 AM	#14
MannoFr Join Date Mar 2007 Posts 4,451 Senior Member	Temples or cultural centres are precincts where the community assembles for more than one reason. Whether there is any actual interaction with the community to know the customs, practices, likes and loves and dislikes to moderate oneself. Instead of making the appeals from here it would be better to know their mind in their own words. Besides, the younger generations at large (including or instead of the star performers there) should be involved. Raise a questionnaire and ask their minds. Elders should be indulgent and should not wear that " I-know-better" attitude. Wherever they are, maybe in Moon or Mars, if they feel what they are originally, everything must be good for themselves. No national want to lose his identity. Why us, Tamil Brahmins? Americans are Americans, British are British, Europeans are Europeans, South-East Asians are SEAsians, Chinese are Chinese, even Australians are Australians. Why not we be us? The NRIs & PIOs should respond. Remember you will be ultimately considered as what you are. Why do not you decide that yourself? I did see this thread, but did not want to respond as I am not sure what is Brahmanism? Culture is place and time specific. A Tamil brahmin is not homogeneous in different part of Tamil nadu, and across the globe. So please define a required criteria for Brahmin. Tell me that majority of TB's follow that criteria. Then I can understand the loss of that culture by moving to foreign country. My family moved away from Tamil Nadu in 1900, my parents followed as best as they could the culture they brought with them. I was raised in that culture, my brothers can read and write Tamil, I missed out on that. I was influenced by Chinmayananda, may be that itself was against brahminism. I believe that my child has been raised in that culture. They are comfortable in India, they wear Indian cloths, eat Indian food, enjoy Indian culture. Vegetarian, goes to temple, and respects elders. Loves all relatives, what more can you ask. I do not believe in lot of superstitions, and I am open about it, and they too do not believe it. I believe in science, Karma Theory, and rebirth. I believe that our destiny is to be one with the Brahman. So let us have a discussion about our culture and what is lost? I rarely see in India, Indian wearing Indian cloths, I see most of the Indian using alcohol, and I see brahmin kids eating meat (including beef). In metro cities girls live in jeans and t-shirt. kids live together before marriage, pre-martial sex is common. I am not passing judgement, but I accept that culture is not lost, but is changing. I bet most of us who moved away have maintained the old traditional culture (even though it is canned version). I am told, by new immigrant that I speak Brahmin Tamil, but I do not understand their tamil. Let us have sensible discussion, now that I put my cards on the table.
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