Crisis of Continuity: Hindu America Needs Institutions of Learning Not Just Temples

The article argues that the Hindu American community is facing a “crisis of continuity” because its infrastructure remains heavily focused on temple-building rather than institutionalized education. While the proliferation of temples across the United States has successfully provided spaces for ritual worship and community gathering, the author contends that these physical structures alone are insufficient for transmitting the philosophical and intellectual depth of the tradition to younger generations. The narrative highlights the lack of accredited universities, research centers, and formal theological seminaries that can produce homegrown scholars capable of representing Hinduism in the American academic and public spheres. To bridge this gap, the piece advocates for a shift in philanthropic focus toward building “institutions of learning” that can offer systematic instruction in Dharma, Sanskrit, and history, ensuring that the faith is not merely a inherited cultural identity but a well-understood and resilient intellectual tradition capable of thriving in a modern, pluralistic society.