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5.4. Analysis of Objective Three
5.4.2. Analysis of question 3.2
texts that the organisation focussed on. Eight organisations had members with training and practice to disseminate print and non-print information. However, these members had to be bona fide members of the reformed Hindu organisation for a long period of time. The "other"
category included devotees and volunteers who were known to members of the organisation.
Table 20: Areas of specialisation
Areas of specialisation Religious
Academic
Literature knowledge
Selected Individuals according to needs of organisation
Philosophy Yoga
Special pujas
Business consultants Specialists in arts Other
Number of organisations 16
13 13 10 8 8 5 2 2 2
All 19 respondents answered the question. The most valued reason for priests, authors and influential individuals coming to South Africa were for religious purposes and for their knowledge of the Hindu religion. Academics that have qualifications related to Hinduism, Hindu philosophy, and Hindu scriptures have begun visiting South Africa to share their knowledge with South African Hindus. Other individuals with specialist knowledge of the various aspects and areas of Hinduism, Hindu lifestyle and art visit South Africa as guests of the reformed Hindu organisations.
Regularity of visiting lecturers/priests/authors
All 19 respondents answered the question. Six organisations had visiting lecturers, priests and authors at least once a year. Five organisations had visiting lecturers, priests and authors who came to the organisation when there was a need. However, all reformed Hindu organisations did have visiting lecturers, priests and authors. In recent years the numbers of visitors have increased due to the fact that the Indian Embassy and the Indian Consulate have facilitated the obtaining of visas for religious visitors. An example would be the recent visit of the head of the International Chinmaya Mission visiting Durban during Navarathri 2007.
Places from which visiting lecturers/priests/authors came
The home countries of visiting lecturers/priests/authors were India, Mauritius. UK. USA, Sri Lanka, Singapore and places where significant numbers of Hindus have settled. Many
interviewees cited apartheid laws as the chief cause of South African Hindus not having had ties with other Hindus in India and other parts of the world in the past. Now; many Hindu organisations, both reformed and Sanathanist, are using the freedom of the new constitution to bring in religious leaders and Hindu academics in an effort to revitalise Hinduism in South Africa.
Purpose of the visits of lecturers/priests/authors
The main purpose of religious visitors to South Africa was the maintenance of religious teachings and the imparting of skills and knowledge. Spiritual guidance, new methods of preaching, and refreshing the old ideas were listed as reasons for the visits. Senior members who visited from the international headquarters came with the purpose of servicing the aims of the organisation and of overseeing the running of the organisation. Other individuals came to South Africa to attend special functions, to facilitate communication between the headquarters and the local offices, or for personal reasons.
Consultation of specialists/gurus/priests for information to be used in any local publications
Nine organisations did not find it necessary to consult the specialists/gurus/priests for information to be used in any local publications because there were few local publications.
Three organisations consulted specialists/gurus/priests only when they were present in South Africa as this information was included in special editions. Only one organisation consulted specialists/gurus/priests for every publication that was distributed as the magazine was published locally.
Dissemination of information by senior members or the guru/swami
Seventeen reformed Hindu organisations used talks to disseminate information by the senior members or the guru/swami. Discussions as well as question and answer sessions were encouraged as a means of information dissemination. Sathsangs, special functions as well as pamphlets and writings were used by the senior members or the guru/swami to disseminate information.
Regularity of visits to different parts of the world for cultural/ religious support
Only four reformed Hindu organisations managed to send leaders to different parts of the world for cultural and religious support on an annual basis. A lack of funding was the reason that these visits were not undertaken more often. Three organisations sent leaders at least twice a year to different parts of the world for cultural and religious support. Other organisations sent leaders abroad when finances and sponsorships permitted.
Members/ students sent to other parts of the world to train/ gain knowledge and skills Twelve reformed Hindu organisations sent members and/or students go to other parts of the world to train/ gain knowledge and skills. A lack of funding prevented other reformed Hindu organisations from sending their members and/or students. Whilst many devotees were keen to gain knowledge and skills to attain the title of spiritual or religious leader, here in South Africa, they did not want to go abroad for prolonged periods of time.
Regularity and number of individuals sent to other parts of the world to train/ gain knowledge and skills
The very large organisations with many branches could not give definite numbers of exactly how many individuals went abroad to train and gain knowledge and skills. However they were aware that each branch had sent at least a few individuals abroad each year to train and gain knowledge and skills. Seven reformed Hindu organisations sent individuals to various destinations to train/ gain knowledge and skills at least every year. The number of individuals depended on funding and those who showed a genuine leaning towards attaining religious titles.
Senior members and office bearers of the reformed Hindu organisations often had to cater for such trips during their leave from work. Five reformed Hindu organisations had not sent any individuals to train or to gain knowledge and skills abroad because of a lack of funds and because it was felt that elders in the community were able to train the students themselves.
Places where members/ students go for training/to gain knowledge and skills
Twelve organisations sent members and students to India to be trained or to gain skills and knowledge. Only one organisation sent individuals to Sri Lanka for training or to gain skills and knowledge. Five organisations sent individuals to ashrams overseas and to international
retreats to train/to gain skills and knowledge. Five organisations did not respond to this question.
Qualifications and skills brought back
Members and students of 10 organisations returned with new ideas of methods of imparting knowledge. Eight organisations benefited because individuals returned with knowledge of religious texts. Other benefits were that individuals returned after becoming acharyas and swamis. Three organisations gained because students came back with knowledge of pujas.
Knowledge of art forms and leadership skills were improved and this in turn impacted positively on the provision of religious and cultural information as the qualified and skilled individuals were better able to transfer information to devotees.