Definition of GOD

God is a word that means different things to different people. To many Taoist or Buddhist the word is not part of their religion's glossary. To Hindus that word has a different meaning than it does to a Christian. Muslims have a different perspective and so do the Jews. So for the purpose of The Mystic Doctrines website, we need a common definition of God.

Quoting different sources from each religion before revealing the definition.

Taoism

Tao, the subtle reality of the universe cannot be described, That which can be described in words is mearly a conception of the mind. Although names and descriptions have been applied to it, the subtle reality is beyond the description.
Tao Teh Ching - beginning of chapter 1

The subtle essense of the universe is elusive and evasive.
...
It is the subtle origin of the whole of creation and non-creation. It existed prior to the beginning of time as the deep and subtle reality of the universe. It brings all into being.
Tao Teh Ching - portions of chapter 21

Buddhism

"There is, O monks, an unborn, unoriginated, uncreated, unformed. Were there not, O monks, this unborn, unoriginated, uncreated, unformed, there would be no escape from the world of the born, originated, created, formed.
"Since, O monks, there is an unborn, unoriginated, uncreated, and unformed, therefore is there an escape from the born, originated, created, formed."
The Gospel of Buddha - Sermon at the bamboo grove at Rajagaha

Hinduism

Neither the multitude of gods nor great sages know of my origin, for I am the source of all the gods and great sages.
A mortal who knows me as the unborn, beginningless great lord of the worlds is freed from all delusion and all evils.
The Bhagavad-Gita - The tenth teaching, verses 2 & 3

Sihkism

There is One, only One Supreme Being, Truth Eternal, Creator of all seen & unseen, Fearless, Without hatred, Timeless Being, Non-Incarnated, Self created, Realized by the Grace of Guru (Perfect Master Only.)
Guru Granth Sahib Page 1

Judaism

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:1

For thus saith the Eternal that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the self existent One; and there is none else.
Isaiah 45:18

Christianity

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. He was present originally with God. All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without him was not one thing made that has come into being.
Gospel of John 1:1-3

Sufism

You are the Absolute Existence which causes (our) transient (existences) to appear.
Masnavi - Book 1 - Creator and CreationNow, a definition of God.

God is the indescribable, uncreated, self existent, eternal all knowing source of all reality and being.

Courtesy: http://reluctant-messenger.com

Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple - Pittsburgh, USA

About the Temple
Sri Venkateswara Temple (S. V. Temple) is located in Penn Hills, an eastern suburb of Pittsburgh, PA, USA. It is one of the earliest traditional Hindu Temples built in the United States.

Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple, Pittsburgh, US

History

Sri Venkateswara Temple organization was established on Aug 7, 1975. Assistance from Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) for construction of the temple was requested on Sept 11, 1975 and granted on the same day. On June 30, 1976 ground breaking was performed and was followed by pratisthapana on Nov 17, 1976. Daily worship is being performed continuously ever since.

Other significant events are:

June 8, 1977	Kumbhabhishekam
October 22, 1978	Dedication of Rajagopuram
May 28, 1979	Dedication of Pushkarini
August 31, 1986	Sahasrakalasabishekam
November 17, 1986	10th Anniversary Celebration
March 22, 1989 to May 21, 1989	Jirnodharanam
May 25, 1989	Kumbhabhishekam
August 25, 1989 to September 3, 1989	Ashtalakshmi Pooja and Sudarsana Homam
November 23, 1990	Srinivasa and Padmavati Mahakalyanotsavam
November 23, 1990	Inauguration of the Auditorium and Kalyanamandapam
May 25, 1991 to May 27, 1991	Maha Satyanarayana Pooja
October 26, 2001 to October 25, 2002	25th Anniversary celebrations: Year long Tulasidala Archana, Koti Tulasidala Archana, Ashtakshari Mahamantra Yagna Sri MahaVishnu Viswashanti Yagna and Maha Yagna, Sahasra Rajata Kalashabhisekham
August 26th to 30th, 2009	Kumbhabhisekham

S. V. Temple was constructed at a cost of several millions of dollars with donations raised from devotees in U.S.A and several countries. Most donors were first generation Indian immigrants seeking to maintain ties with their mother culture.

Structure
Plans for Sri Venkateswara Temple were designed and planned by Sthapathy Ganapathi working at engineering cell of endowments department, Andhra Pradesh, India, on Aug 2, 1973. Sri Venkateswara Temple, Sri Tayar (Lakshmi) Temple, Sri Andal temple are their design, which is different from Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India. Click here for floor plan

Agama
A Hindu Temple is constructed according to the Agama Sastras (Temple manuals) in the image of the human body. The two sides of the temple represent the hands, and the top of the Temple represents the head. The deity Venkateswara (Lord of Venkata, and a representation of Vishnu) rests in the innermost recess called the Garbhagraha (sanctum sanctorum). The S. V. Temple at Pittsburgh follows the temple texts known as Pancharatra Agama which consists of 108 samhitas (collection).

Archa  Roopam
The Agama state that Narayana, the eternal Divine Being, should be worshipped in the Archa Roopam (iconic form) in temples and homes. Hindu devotee believes that divine power has manifested itself in the murti (icon/idol). Major religious events like Kumbhabhishekam are performed to re-energize the Murti with Divine Power, which can either be diluted or lost due to transgressions committed unknowingly by the priests or the worshippers. Worshipping the Archai Avatara as Hari gives the devotees access to God and His Power.

Priests
Rules of Agama require a temple priest to serve and act as an intermediary between the worshipper and God. The Vaishnava Temple priests are referred to as Bhaktacharya, Bhattacharya or simply Bhattar. They come from families with Temple priesthood as their traditional occupation, and learn their skills from a young age. All the daily and weekly rituals are performed by the priests. Special occasions such as  Kumbhabhishekam require additional priests, who are then invited from other Temples in the United States and India.

Worship
Several types of religious services performed at the Temple: Archana, Abhishekam, Sathyanarayana Puja, Kalyana Utsavam, Homa and many others which are published under "Services", "Programs & News" menu items in this website. 

Courtesy: http://www.svtemple.org

The Parashakthi Temple - USA

Mahishasura Mardhani Alankaram

The Parashakthi Temple, also known as the Eternal Mother Temple was built in 1999 and the inaugural pooja took place in October 1999. The temple has several deities and the murthy pratishtas have been conducted for these deities through the years since the temple’s inception. Since then, thousands of devotees have flocked to see Mother to shower Her with their love and devotion. Several devotees have experienced many miracles at the temple and throng every week to participate in the Abhishekams and other special functions that are conducted throughout the year. 

Gopuram

Every significant event in their lives, such as the purchase of a new home or a wedding or the birth of a child, the purchase of a new car, etc.,are celebrated by obtaining the blessings of Divine Mother Parashakthi.

Primary Deity - Parashakthi Karumari Amman - Divine Eternal Mother (Heart of Divine Love) 

Parashakthi Karumari Amman

Our Divine Mother Parashakthi is "Divine Pure Eternal Consciousness" who created and manifested as our universe. She manifested as Shiva Shakthi and formed a ParaBindu, which separated into Shiva and Shakthi. All the Gods and Goddesses are her manifestations of various vibratory divine entities. At our Temple she is present as Parashakthi Karumariamman who is closest to the earthly creations and is able to grant us divine vibrations. In this form, we, as separate "Atma" (individual soul) can communicate with "Paramatma" (supersoul) through Her which will ultimately lead to our union with Her by Her Grace.

Courtesy: www.parashakthitemple.org