News from Hindu Press International-61

News from Hindu Press International 

Indian Chief Priest of Pashupatinath Temple Departs Posted on 2013/9/22 18:50:00 ( 248 reads ) Source KATHMANDU, NEPAL, September 21, 2013 (Niti Central): The Indian chief priest of Nepal's fifth-century Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu submitted his resignation after 21 years of service for personal reasons. Mahabaleshwor Bhatta, who hails from Tamil Nadu, gave his resignation to the Pashupati Area Development Trust, the body that looks after the Hindu temple's affairs. The board of the trust accepted his resignation. The decision was forwarded to the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, the ultimate authority to approve the resignation, temple authorities said. They said a new chief priest will be appointed from among the temple's four other Indian priests. Bhatta told the temple authorities that he decided to quit as he has to serve his old parents. "I have already served the temple for 21 years and my parents who live in India are getting older so I was required to go to India to serve them," he said. In 2008, Bhatta had resigned from the post during the Maoist-led Government, following controversy after then Prime Minister Prachanda's move to replace him and the other Indian priests with Nepali nationals. However, the decision was withdrawn and Bhatta was reinstated after Hindu groups launched a protest. It is a centuries-old practice to appoint Indian nationals as priests at the Pashupatinath Temple. Bhattas are qualified for the post. No comment

Hindus Celebrate Ganesh Utsav Posted on 2013/9/22 18:46:03 ( 218 reads ) Source TRINIDAD AND TOGAGO, September 19, 2013 (Trinidad Express): Ganesh Utsav, an Indian festival brought to Trinidad and Tobago by indentured laborers more than 150 years ago, was this week celebrated by Hindus throughout the country. The ten-day worship to Lord Ganesh, remover of obstacles, culminated with a procession where Ganesh murtis were immersed in the sea yesterday. Pundit Khemraj Vyas, secretary of the Pundit Parishad, said Lord Ganesh was one of the manifestations of Divinity. "Hinduism preaches that there is only one God and this God takes on many different forms front time to time. Ganesh is one such form. His birth is described as taking place in this particular month," he said. He said a murti of the Hindu God is made out of clay and ceremonies are performed. "Hindus perceive (Lord Ganesh) as the remover of obstacles and the Lord of beginnings. The worship of Lord Ganesh is very important," he said. On the last day of the festival known as "Ananta Chaturdasi" the murtis are paraded through the streets, accompanied by singing and dancing, and then immersed in the ocean or other bodies of water No comment

Colorful Slideshow of Ganesh Festival In India Posted on 2013/9/22 18:45:57 ( 259 reads ) Source MUMBAI, INDIA, September, 2013 (Washington Post): During Ganesh Charturthi, Hindus, whether they live in Mumbai or Hyderabad, bring homes murthis of Lord Ganesha to invoke His Blessings for wisdom and prosperity and good fortune. This year the ten-day festival began September 9 but artisans start working on these elephant-headed deities weeks before and the final touch is given just before the festival begins. These deities are of all size starting from small ones and can reach giant height and are really spectacular. Some deities are so huge that cranes are needed for immersion. This year a 56-feet Ganesha deity was installed in Hyderabad and is being claimed to be the tallest one in the city. Immersion of these deities occurs on the 10th day of the festival in great pomp, joy and dancing and singing the praise of this benevolent God. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2013/9/22 18:45:51 ( 220 reads ) Source To the growing soul, to the spirit within us, may not difficulties, obstacles, attacks be a means of growth, added strength, enlarged experience, training for spiritual victory? The arrangement of things may be that, and not a mere question of the pounds, shillings and pence of a distribution of rewards and retributory misfortunes! -- Sri Aurobindo Ghose (1872-1950), Indian philosopher speaking on karma and disasters No comment

Parliament of Religions Stirs up a Hornet's Nest: Limelight on World Without Borders Event in Chicago Posted on 2013/9/21 17:06:00 ( 300 reads ) Source TEXAS, September 18, 2013 (India Herald, by Seshadri Kumar): The 150th birth anniversary celebration of Swami Vivekananda scheduled to be held in Chicago on Sept. 27 and 28 under the banner "World without borders 2013" is in limelight for the wrong reason. Chicago-based Council for World Parliament of Religions has withdrawn its support for the celebration, apparently on the urging of some Muslim and left wing groups.Swami Ramdev is among the invited speakers at this event. The groups such as the Coalition Against Genocide have been accusing Gujarat Chief Miniter Narendra Modi and Vishwa Hindu Parishad in India of committing genocide against Muslims in the state. The executive director of the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions, in an abrupt manner, released a statement withdrawing support to the event. Dr. Mary Nelson, the vice chair of the Board of CPWR, and Executive Director, had issued the following statement: "The council, 501(c)3 organization, is a 120-year-old peace building organization whose mission, like Swami Vivekananda's, is to promote peace and interreligious harmony. We honor Swami Vivekananda and that legacy he left creating interfaith cooperation to build a just, peaceful, and sustainable world. Our organization was not informed that an event we were asked to co-sponsor was also co-sponsored by organizations promoting controversial political positions. While we do honor and promote the ideals of Swami Vivekananda, we respectfully withdraw our name from any co-hosting or co-sponsorship of the "World Without Borders" event and any connection to this event or its other co-sponsors." This announcement is believed to have first appeared in twocircles.net, a website devoted to issues concerning Muslims in India. Dr. Shamkant Sheth, president of the VHP of A, Chicago chapter, said he was shocked and surprised by the announcement as the council did not even directly communicate its decision to the event organizers first. The Chicago chapter of VHP-A has sent a letter to Ms. Nelson: "It is with great regret that I write to you about the withdrawal of CPWR sponsorship from the World Without Borders 2013 event. While this news came to us as a shock, it was even more disconcerting the way we first came to know of this withdrawal - through your website, and, in a maligning press release from another organization. We would have hoped that CPWR would have shown us the common courtesy of informing us before going public with this. "While it is puzzling to us that you decided on this action, we would like to understand the reason for your withdrawal. To quote from the statement on the your website, you said: Our organization was not informed that an event we were asked to co-sponsor was also co-sponsored by organizations promoting controversial political positions. We would like to know which of our cosponsoring organizations that are 'promoting controversial political positions,' and what those 'controversial political positions' are. "Please realize that your unilateral action has done significant and tremendous harm to our cause. Many of our co-sponsors and our own members are wondering what these organizations are, and what political positions they profess. As a US-based nonprofit, religious and cultural organization that is not interested in politics, we ourselves are curious to know the specific reasons for your actions. We hope that you take this matter seriously and reply to us as soon as possible so that we can do damage control before our upcoming event." Meanwhile, Ms. Nelson, responded to an email inquiry from India Herald. Ms. Nelson said: "We appreciate your interest in this matter, which is currently under board consideration. Our processes for sponsorships and affiliations are being revisited and are under review. We look forward to openly sharing this information in the near future. We have no further comments at this time." Ms. Anju Bhargava and Dr. Anantanand Rambachan, members of the board of trustees of the council, have issued a joint statement regarding the World without Borders 2013 and CPWR. "We, Anju Bhargava and Anant Rambachan, found out on September 14th, through media reports, that the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions (CPWR) had withdrawn its participation in a Chicago event World Without Borders, celebrating the 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. We were not consulted about this decision. Once we found out, we requested an explanation for the Parliament's decision. We have also formally requested the Parliament to reverse its decision to withdraw from co-hosting/co-sponsoring the Chicago event. We are working with Parliament to get this issue resolved harmoniously." Anju Bharagva is a member of President Obama's Inaugural Council on Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, founder of Hindu American Seva Charities, and President of Asian Indian Women in America. Dr. Anantanand Rambachan is Chair and Professor or Religion, Philosophy and Asian Studies at Saint Olaf College, Minnesota, USA. Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid is the Chair of the Board of Trustee of the CPWR. India Herald had raised the following questions with Ms. Nelson: Is it true that your decision was made without a formal consideration of the board of trustees of the Council for the World Parliament of Religions? As stated in your email notification, what are the "controversial political positions" and which organizations are responsible for them? Who told you or how did you come to know about this questionable association of organizations? Do you believe organizations with different political views can agree on honoring Swami Vivekananda? If not, why not? Do you believe your action has strengthened the inter-religious harmony, one of the stated goals of the council? Some Hindus feel that your action supports the anti-Hindus among Muslims. Would you agree? Hindu American Foundation has also sent a formal letter to the CPWR asking for a dialogue and reversal of the decision. Suhag A. Shukla, executive director and legal counsel for HAF, noted in her letter to Ms. Nelson that "It is imperative that CPWR reverse the decision to withdraw as a co-sponsor in order to secure a reputation of being a fair and transparent organization not only promoting inter-religious engagement towards the ends of peace, pluralism, and mutual respect, but functioning in a manner that does the same." "Your statement on behalf of the CPWR, that CPWR reneged on a commitment because organizers of World Without Borders 'promote controversial positions' will be seen as ironic at best, and institutional hypocrisy at worst since CPWR is seen to have capitulated in response to a letter from controversial actors belonging to a manifestly political and highly polarizing web portal," Shukla added. The HAF letter also raised some questions: How does CPWR define "controversial political positions? Is being vehemently opposed to gay marriage controversial? If so, does CPWR avoid attendance or sponsorship with organizations holding such views? What about positions that are anti-Israel or anti-Palestine -- are they controversial, and as such, organizations supportive of either barred from CPWR partnership or support? How about organizations that support separatists movements in other sovereign nations -- are they promoting controversial political positions? If so, will CPWR engage or work with them? "I am left with the impression that an unknown segment of CPWR took what can only be seen as a capricious, unilateral decision without respect for democratic process, and of greater concern, without any regard for the understanding of the Hindu community that Dr. Rambachan and Ms. Bhargava would have provided -- the latter omission violating every core principle of interfaith dialogue, engagement and respect," HAF's letter said. No comment

Indian celebrates Ganesha Birthday in Germany Posted on 2013/9/21 17:05:51 ( 287 reads ) Source HAMBURG,GERMANY September 16, 2013 (Abendlatt): The people in the Harburg suburb of Hamburg were treated on Friday night to an uncommon religious spectacle: 200 Indian men, women and children, along with some Germans, moving in procession through the Harburg Town Hall Square to celebrate the birthday of the Deity Ganesha. Men carried a 30-centimeter (one foot tall) statue of Ganesha on a colorfully decorated palanquin. Almost all the participants were Indians who are employed by the Airbus aircraft plant in Finkenwerder. The celebration of the birthday of Ganesha, a form of the divine in Hinduism, is as significant to Hindus as is the celebration of Christmas for Christians. After the procession in Harburg, Ganesha was taken to the temple of the Afghan Hindu community in Rothenburgsort to continue the birthday celebration. No comment

Sumner County Schools Cuts Out Field Trips To Religious Venues Posted on 2013/9/21 17:05:39 ( 237 reads ) Source TENNESSEE, U.S., September 20, 2013 (Tennessean): Sumner County Schools students will no longer be allowed to take field trips to religious venues after the stepfather of a Hendersonville High School student accused the school of promoting Islam. The issue surfaced when a couple of parents asked about a planned field trip to a mosque and a Hindu temple during the school's back-to-school night, according to parent Mike Conner. Conner said parents raised concerns about the trip because the 36-week world studies course was only going to be visiting the two religious venues. For the past 10 years, Hendersonville High School has offered an honors world studies class in which students spend three weeks learning about Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hindu and Islam. Schools spokesman Jeremy Johnson said the class has visited religious venues in the past, including a Jewish synagogue, a Hindu temple and a mosque. No parents have complained in the past, he said. Conner said he's OK with the students studying five religions, but it became a problem for him when only two venues were visited. Conner's stepdaughter did not take the trip but was allowed to do an alternative assignment. The school system said this week that all trips to religious venues are off. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2013/9/21 17:05:31 ( 250 reads ) Source Wealth's Goddess dwells in the hospitable home of those who host guests with a smiling face. -- Tirukkural

Hinduism Today's New Issue Issued On-Line Posted on 2013/9/20 18:00:23 ( 475 reads ) HPI KAUAI, HAWAII, September 20, 2013 (HPI): The October/November/December, 2013, edition of Hinduism's leading spiritual magazine, Hinduism Today, has been released in digital form and is now available for free on your desktop. You can read articles online or download the PDF, ePub or Kindle version and enjoy it on your iPad or other devices. One of the major thrusts of our journalism is to find, explore and then report on groups all over the world who are serving in special ways, or represent authentic traditions. This month we take you to Andra Pradesh where you will meet the Srouta Saivites, dedicated followers of what they call "Vedic Saivism." This fellowship is exemplary in its preservation of the ancient rites and initiations, sadhanas and philosophical purity of the faith. We were allowed the rare privilege of attending their sacred dikshas, and we show you their Lingadharana initiation as well as their daily worship of the Sivalingam they carry on their body every hour of every day of their life. When the young Nepalese learned that their beloved trees on Kathmandu's King Road were about to be chainsawed down for the road to be widened, they leaped into action to stop it the destruction. How? By visiting the trees each day in small groups, worshiping them, decorating them and burning incense at the base of the trunk. Basically, they made thousands of mature trees into shrines, and who wants to cut down a holy tree? So far, it's working, but the government is also determined. Read about the struggle in this issue. Caring for aging parents is a hardship with few equals. But it is the highest dharma, and many Hindus are resisting the modern pressure to put their parents into homes where strangers care for them. For 19 years Damara Shanmugan has been looking after her mother, who just turned 94. Her experience can help us all to face this inevitable phase of life with wit, wisdom and acceptance. Our publisher, Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, knows that families struggle to keep a shared religious interest, and he directs us to empower the home shrine by consciously connecting it to the local temple. He tells us, step by step, just how that is done. A great resource for families who want to walk the path together and create a strong Hindu home. In each issue we offer an educational Insight section which explains some aspect of our faith. This time we present two topics. First we discuss in detail the customs surrounding the culture of hospitality for which Hindus are rightfully renowned; then we take you on a journey--Mark Twain's 1896 journey to India. The article shares this literary genius's rare gift for humor, hyperbole and trenchant truth-telling. You will laugh aloud in reading of his stage talks to the Indian public, for which the entrance fee was one rupee! Next we examine the historical impact Mahatma Gandhi has had on nations worldwide. His example not only drove the British back to their islands, it drew four modern exemplars to his feet and to his ashram, men and women who changed their own nations using Gandhi's profound principles of ahimsa and civil disobedience. Learn more about how Gandhi inspired Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Cesar Chavez and Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma. We seldom speak about ourselves in Hinduism Today, but in this issue we proudly record the short tale of our own Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami's opening prayer given before the United States House of Representatives in Washington, DC, on June 4th of this year. Very rarely is a non-Christian given this honor. We present in full the brief message Bodhinatha gave to this noble assembly. There's more, of course: a paradigm-shifting cartoon, a story of caste and gender struggles in Kerala, a Texas mayor's insightful description of Hindus in his community, a 17-year-old boy's reflections on the importance of preserving tradition and a handful of surprises found in our quotes and letters. It's all there in the current issue of Hinduism Today, where you go to stay in touch with Sanatana Dharma. In print and online. No comment

Hindu Mandir Executive's Conference in Session in Toronto Live Streamed Posted on 2013/9/20 18:00:12 ( 267 reads ) Source TORONTO, CANADA, September 20, 2013 (Press Release): "For all that are not able to make it to our conference, we will be live streaming all activities throughout the weekend. Please visit http://ustre.am/FRhn to watch the conference from the comfort of your own home. All activities will be recorded and posted on youtube after the conference." For more on the conference, visit "source" above. The keynote presentation of Hinduism Today's editor, Paramacharya Sadasivanathaswami, can be seen at 35:30 through 1:06 of "Part 2" of the videos. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2013/9/20 18:00:01 ( 249 reads ) Source The food of the soul is silence. If we don't practice silence, we are starving ourselves. -- Dada J.P. Vaswani, spiritual head of Sadhu Vaswani mission No comment

US$8 Million In Projects Approved For Nashik Ahead Of Kumbh Mela Posted on 2013/9/17 18:41:28 ( 323 reads ) Source INDIA, July 28, 2013 (The Hindu): Projects worth approx. US$8 million have been sanctioned under the tourism development program in view of the Kumbh Mela scheduled at Nashik in 2015, the Maharashtra Government has said. To prevent incidents of landslides at the famous Saptshrungi temple at Nanduri near Nashik, the work for rock fall protection at the cost of US$3.6 million will be started soon, state PWD and Tourism Minister Chhagan Bhujbal told reporters here. Also, a skywalk would be constructed in Nanduri at a cost of US$1.3 million. A US$1.9 million project to install a ropeway from Saptshrungi temple to Markendeya hill will also be taken up before the mega event, he said, adding that a road linking Shivalaya lake, its renovation and beautification of the area will be done at the cost of US$863,000. Construction works on various ring roads, linking national as well as state highways of 289 miles, costing US$85 million, were also sanctioned by the State Government, which included four-laning of the road from Nashik to the pilgrimage town of Trimbakeshwar and Sinnar to Shirdi, he said. An additional building at Nashik rest house (Government Circuit House) will be constructed within a year at a cost of US$1.2 million, where suites for VIPs and the general public will be built. The present circuit house at Trimbakeshwar would also be developed by building suites for VVIPs, general public, and other amenities at a cost of US$1.2 million, the minister added. No comment

Hindu Trustees of Parliament of the World's Religions Issue Statement Posted on 2013/9/17 18:41:22 ( 358 reads ) HPI USA, September 17, 2013 (Press Release): The following statement was sent out jointly signed by Anant Rambachan (rambacha@stolaf.edu) and Anju Bhargava (anju@hinduamericanseva.org), both trustees of the Parliament: "We, Anju Bhargava and Anant Rambachan, found out on September 14th, through media reports, that the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions (CPWR) had withdrawn its participation in a Chicago event 'World Without Borders,' celebrating the 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. We were not consulted about this decision. Once we found out, we requested an explanation for the Parliament's decision. We have also formally requested the Parliament to reverse its decision to withdraw from co-hosting/co-sponsoring the Chicago event. We are working with Parliament to get this issue resolved harmoniously." No comment

Someshwara Temple To Shine Soon Posted on 2013/9/17 18:41:15 ( 323 reads ) Source ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA, September 16, 2013 (The Hindu): The historical Chaya Someshwara Swamy temple located at Panagal is all set to get a new look very soon as the Department of Archaeology and Museums is preparing to provide chemical treatment to the temple walls to remove fungus. Speaking to The Hindu over the phone, Assistant Chemist K. Rambabu, who is entrusted with preparing the proposals for the prestigious project, said the temple chairman G. Ananta Reddy approached many times asking them to provide chemical treatment to the temple. Saying that the estimated cost of the project is about US$15,800, the Assistant Chemist said he will submit the proposals to the director on September 16. Once the director approves the project and sanctions funds, they will start the work of treating 3,400 square meter long walls which is expected to take three months time, Mr. Rambabu said. He said the Archaeology and Museums Department does not allow painting of walls built of rock as it mars the natural sheen of the temple. As Chaya Someshwara Swamy temple was built by Kundur Cholas who ruled Nalgonda, Khammam and Mahabubnagar districts between 1040 AD and 1290 AD, Mr. Rambabu said the temple walls were painted many a times by various successive kings. Due to lack of regular maintenance over the years, the walls have gathered fungus. No comment

Most And Least Hindu Cities in America Posted on 2013/9/17 18:41:03 ( 414 reads ) Source UNITED STATES, December 5, 2012 (Huffington Post): (HPI Note: This study counts only Hindus who identify as part of a local temple congregation. It is not based on the actual population of Hindus or Indian-Americans in a specific area, and may not even accurately count Hindus connected with a temple. See http://www.rcms2010.org/images/2010_U ... ion_Census_Appendix_G.pdf for an interesting description of the methodology.) A study measuring religious bodies in the United States called the, "2010 U.S. Religious Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study (RCMS)" was recently released by the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies (ASARB). The most comprehensive study of its kind, it provides detailed county by county information on congregations, members, adherents and attendance for 236 different faiths groups. (The survey differentiates between specific denominations within the same tradition.) According to the study, close to 80 percent of Hindu congregations are located in metropolitan areas with population greater than a million. Of these metro areas, the researchers found San Jose to be the most Hindu city with approximately 2.5 percent identifying as a Hindu adherent. The researchers found the greater area of Baltimore, MD to be the least Hindu city with only 0.003 percent identifying as a Hindu adherent. The researchers define adherents to be those with an affiliation to a congregation including children, members and attendees who are not members, and believe that the adherent measure is the most complete and comparable across religious groups. Congregations are defined as groups of people who meet regularly at a pre-announced time and location. Approximately 641,200 Hindu adherents and 1,625 congregations were reported across the country. With more than 80,000 Hindu adherents, the greater area of New York, NY-NJ-PA reported the highest number of Hindu adherents, whereas the greater area of Baltimore, MD reported the lowest -- only 71 identified as Hindu adherents. Similarly, with 195 congregations, the greater area of New York, NY-NJ-PA reported the highest number of congregations in a million-plus metropolitan area, whereas the greater area of Providence, RI-MA reported the lowest with just three Hindu congregations. Only 416 counties across the country reported the presence of Hindu adherents, and most Hindu adherents in the United States live near the East Coast or the West Coast. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2013/9/17 18:40:56 ( 337 reads ) Source Lord Siva, the bestower of happiness, gave the art of yoga. As Nataraja, King of dancers, He gave dance. -- BKS Iyengar No comment

Abused Hindu Goddesses Recall Violence Against Women Posted on 2013/9/16 18:41:11 ( 383 reads ) Source INDIA, September 2013,By Richard S Enrlich (RNS): A new public campaign in India uses powerful images of three Hindu goddesses with bruised faces to raise awareness about violence against women. The ad campaign is titled "Abused Goddesses" and portrays the beaten faces of three Hindu female deities: Saraswati, Durga and Lakshmi [not with paintings, but with real models]. "Today more than 68 percent of women in India are victims of domestic violence," the caption reads. "Tomorrow it seems like no woman shall be spared. Not even the ones we pray to," the posters say. "Pray that we never see this day." The ads were created to raise funds for Save Our Sisters, an initiative of Save the Children India that "works to prevent the trafficking of young girls and women for purposes of commercial sexual exploitation," according to the organization's website. "SOS also works as an advocacy group that sensitizes stakeholders such as the police, magistrates, tourism boards, and other government officials." No comment

13 Priests for Britz Hindu Temple in Berlin Posted on 2013/9/16 18:41:04 ( 390 reads ) Source BERLIN, GERMANY, September 3, 2013 (Berliner Zeitung): The temple room is sumptuously decorated, but it's not all finished. Nevertheless Berlin's first Hindu temple will be opened this weekend with a two-day ceremony. High priests from India are officiating. Visitors are invited. On Saturday, Berlin's first temple is scheduled to open, and it looks as if the construction work could go on for months. The floor is not tiled, the shrines are unfinished. But Nadarajah Thiagaraja remains calm. The chairman of the Mahasabhai Association says that the temple was built with the blessing of the Gods and the opening date has been determined by a high priest according to the lunar calendar. In the basement the statues of the Gods are waiting, as well as dried herbs, spices and endless packs of incense. This weekend the 600 members of the Hindu Mahasabhai Association will open their Sri Mayurapathy Murugan temple in the Britz suburb of Berlin. It is Berlin's first free-standing temple. It is topped by with two towers, nine and eleven meters tall. It is about 200 square meters, with a richly decorated temple room containing seven shines. A two-day ceremony will be performed by two chief priests with eleven assistant priests. "God is asked to enter the temple and to give it divine energy. It's like the birth of a child," says Sivanese Kurukal, one of the chief priests. [HPI adds: Tamil language videos of the temple construction can be seen at Mayurapathy Murugan Berlin YouTube channel, for example http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-Tpu4MdcuM.] No comment

Parliament of World Religions Refuses to Reverse Decision on Vivekananda Event Posted on 2013/9/25 18:53:59 ( 143 reads ) Source CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, September 25, 2103: HPI Note: The following is a press release from the Parliament of the World's Religions. In the last week there has been some news about the Parliament's withdrawal from an event which we had initially endorsed. To clarify the Parliament's position, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the following resolution recommended by the Executive Committee on September 24, 2013. The first Parliament of the World's Religions took place in 1893, and was addressed by Swami Vivekananda. The Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions (the Parliament) continues to honor this exemplary Hindu saint for his ideals of interfaith understanding and mutual respect, and will honor the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda and the 120th anniversary of the Parliament on November 16, 2013 in Chicago. We, the Trustees of the Parliament, commit to working with and engaging in dialogue with all faith communities in keeping with the nature and mission of the Parliament which is: To cultivate harmony among the world's religious and spiritual communities and foster their engagement with the world and its guiding institutions in order to achieve a just, peaceful and sustainable world. We understand that the Parliament is an interfaith organization and not a political one. It must therefore, remain neutral relative to political interests and respectful of the self-identification of each religious community. The decision of the Executive Director of the Parliament to participate in the Chicago World Without Borders event, made in consultation with a Hindu Trustee, and then her decision to withdraw from the event, made pursuant to her authority as Executive Director and in keeping with past practice, have both unintentionally plunged the Parliament into the middle of a storm of differing views, passionately held by people on all sides of the issue and who come from various faith traditions. Nonetheless, she deeply regrets that she did not inform the organizing committee for the event before posting the decision to withdraw the Parliament from co-sponsorship. The Parliament is now formalizing a policy and process to govern the way in which the Parliament responds to future invitations to co-sponsor or co-host events. Despite the unfortunate way in which this matter has unfolded, because the Parliament is an interfaith organization, the Parliament cannot co-sponsor or co-host any event with political parties, politically partisan organizations or individuals, nor can it participate in the promotion of a political party or candidate, nor where self-identification of faith groups is challenged. The world's Hindu communities and spiritual leaders have long been a pillar of the worldwide interfaith movement and have played a key role in all of the modern Parliaments as well as the historic original Parliament in 1893. The Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions wishes to maintain and increase its cordial and strong relationship with Hindu communities and individuals everywhere who share its mission. We call upon our Hindu friends and colleagues as well as our colleagues of all religions and spiritualities to move forward with us in a spirit of harmony, constructive dialogue and action to create a peaceful, just and sustainable world. In the spirit of interfaith harmony, we would like to humbly offer to facilitate conversations with all those concerned who have approached the Parliament in this matter. We reaffirm faith in the humanity of all sides and will redouble our efforts to engage in dialogue among all faith communities. We also rededicate our Faith Against Hate campaign to all people of love who desire to touch and inspire the humanity of the other. Finally, we continue to be inspired by Swami Vivekananda's closing remarks at the 1893 Parliament: "Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with violence, drenched it often and often with human blood, destroyed civilization, and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now. But their time is come; and I fervently hope that the bell that tolled this morning in honor of this convention may be the death-knell of all fanaticism, of all persecutions with the sword or with the pen, and of all uncharitable feelings between persons wending their way to the same goal." Signed: Board of Trustees, Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions, 70 East Lake Street, Suite 205, Chicago, Illinois, 60601 No comment

Hindu Trustees of Council Resign Posted on 2013/9/25 18:53:53 ( 132 reads ) Press Release CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, September 25, 2013: HPI Note: Following is a letter sent by Dr. Anantanand Rambachan and Anju Bhargava to the Council. Dr. Anantananda is Chair of the Department of Religion at St. Olaf's College, Minnesota; Ms. Anju Bhargava is Founder of Hindu American Seva Charities and a member of President Barack Obama's inaugural Advisory Council on Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnership. Dear Board Colleagues, It is with deep regret that we write today to inform you of our decision to resign as members of the Board of Trustees of the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions (CPWR). The CPWR Executive Director, after consulting with one of us (Anantanand Rambachan) made a commitment to participate in the Chicago World Without Borders event, celebrating this 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. The Hindu community received the news of this commitment with great joy. The name of Swami Vivekananda is forever etched in the history of the Parliament and Hindu interest and support for the Parliament is linked inextricably with his pioneering contributions at the 1893 event in Chicago. His name is synonymous with the interfaith movement. The decision to withdraw, made without consulting either one of us, has caused hurt and great disappointment across the Hindu world and especially here in the United States. This pain reflects the Hindu historical esteem and value for the Parliament. One is not hurt by the actions of an institution that one does not value. We feel strongly that in ratifying the decision of the Executive Director to withdraw from the World Without Borders event, the Parliament has not acted in a just and fair manner. In spite of claiming neutrality, the Board chose to be influenced in its decision by giving credibility to complainants against its participation in the event and by showing no interest in considering or deliberating on the Hindu responses received. In doing so, the CPWR has made judgments and taken sides without careful deliberation. Support for the CPWR participation was received from a significant number of Hindu organizations and individual Hindu leaders. We feel that these Hindu perspectives were not weighed or treated with significance in the decision-making process. Both of us implored our colleagues on the Board to reverse this decision and to consider some form of official participation in the event, emphasizing that participation is not endorsement of the ideology or program of any group participating in the event. We emphasized that our participation would signify our expressed value for Swami Vivekananda's legacy and this alone could be the ground and rationale for our involvement. We explained that this reversal is inimical to the interests of the CPWR and damages the standing of our organization in the Hindu community in the United States and abroad. We pointed out that none of the complaints against our participation came from Hindu organizations and that no Hindu organization had withdrawn. We affirmed that we are troubled by the decision making process. In spite of our passionate arguments, our Board, with very few exceptions, voted to ratify the decision to withdraw. We feel deeply that the decision making process of the Board in this matter was not exercised in a manner that reflects impartiality and fairness of treatment to all parties concerned. We do not believe that some level of official participation of the CPWR would have damaged the credibility of the organization. On the other hand, the refusal of the Board to approve any form of official participation has alienated and hurt the Hindu community. We wish to clarify also that we did not participate in the Board meeting on September 24, 2013 when the Board approved its recently released resolution. For us, the heart of the matter is the Board's unwillingness to consider any form of participation. Our dissatisfaction with the decision making process of our Board in this matter, and our inability to convince you of implications of this decision on the Hindu community leave us no choice, sadly, but to tender this letter of resignation. Respectfully, Anantanand Rambachan Anju Bhargava No comment

VHP of America Responds to Council Decision Posted on 2013/9/25 18:53:47 ( 129 reads ) Source CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, September 25, 2013: HPI Note: The following short statement was sent out by Jyotish Parekh, president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America: "We note the apology from Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions (CPWR). We are grateful for the overwhelming support received from the Hindu community and organizations across North America. We are confident that the World Without Borders event in Chicago to celebrate Swami Vivekananda 150th anniversary supported by 30 organizations is poised for success." No comment

Hindu American Foundation's Statement on Council Decision Posted on 2013/9/25 18:53:40 ( 139 reads ) Source PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, September 23, 2013: HPI Note: The following statement was made today by the Hindu American Foundation regarding the Council's Decision. Rejecting a request from a coalition of over three hundred North American Hindu spiritual leaders, organizations, community leaders, and lay people, the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions (CPWR) refused yesterday to join Hindus in Chicago to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. The CPWR originally planned on being a co-sponsor of the celebration set for September 28, 2013, but then withdrew suddenly after receiving a complaint from an online based anti-Hindu group. The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) coordinated a letter requesting the CPWR to change course as local organizers worked towards reaching a compromise with CPWR, but the Parliament rejected the final requests late last night, prompting the only two Hindu members of the Parliament Board of Trustees to resign in protest today. "At HAF, we are saddened that the Parliament, created in the very name of Swami Vivekananda, turned its back on the Hindu community and drew its own fault lines defining politics and religion," said Suhag Shukla, HAF's Executive Director. "The CPWR has decided to define political organizations arbitrarily, and must now take a hard look at every organization it has partnered with and that its trustees are associated with or represent." Shukla suggested that the CPWR immediately examine the ties Shaik Ubaid--the Muslim activist who claimed credit for forcing the Parliament to dissociate from the Chicago Hindu community in several Muslim media outlets-- maintains within the Parliament leadership. Ubaid works closely with the CPWR Chairman of the Board, Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid, having co-founded a number of organizations and worked together in others. In a major setback to the Parliament Board of Trustees, the only two Hindu trustees of the Parliament, Professor Anant Rambachan, Chair of the Department of Religion at St. Olaf's College, and Ms. Anju Bhargava, Founder of Hindu American Seva Charities, resigned immediately after CPWR confirmed its unilateral decision to disengage from the community celebration. "The decision to withdraw, made without consulting either one of us, has caused hurt and great disappointment across the Hindu world and especially here in the United States," wrote Rambachan and Bhargava, in a letter released earlier today. "In spite of claiming neutrality, the Board chose to be influenced in its decision by giving credibility to complainants against its participation in the event and by showing no interest in considering or deliberating on the Hindu responses received." But while the CPWR boasted of a unanimous approval of its decision to refuse reversal, the resigning trustees also wrote, "We wish to clarify also that we did not participate in the Board meeting on September 24, 2013 when the Board approved its recently released resolution. For us, the heart of the matter is the Board's unwillingness to consider any form of participation." "To completely ignore issues of fairness, transparency, and mutual respect raised by the Hindu community at large and the condescending tone of the announcement should call into question the Parliament's ability to be a global leader in the interfaith movement," said Mr. Pawan Deshpande, a member of HAF's Executive Council. "Nonetheless, the silver lining in all of this is that it has brought together so many Hindus, across a broad spectrum of religious, cultural, and political backgrounds, to voice our collective concern." No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2013/9/25 18:53:33 ( 151 reads ) Source The tragedy of human history is decreasing happiness in the midst of increasing comforts. -- Swami Chinmayananda (1916-1993) No comment

Three Months After Floods, Cries For Help Echo In Uttarakhand Posted on 2013/9/24 18:24:13 ( 192 reads ) Source KEDARNATH, INDIA, September 23, 2013 (Times Of India): More than three months after flash floods, landslides and rain destroyed large parts of Uttarakhand the tortuous exercise of rebuilding shattered lives is on. The immediate task of evacuating thousands of pilgrims and tourists is over. But the residents suffer, each day a grim battle to tackle the fallout of a loss of a way of life and livelihoods. The government has just about scratched the surface of the problem. The task of reconstruction is uphill. Roads have vanished. The topography has changed. Rivers have altered course. Rain and landslides hobble operations and worse, winter is approaching. Tourism, once Uttarakhand's backbone, doesn't exist anymore. A case in point is the Kedar Valley of Rudraprayag district. Many families here no longer have homes. Their farmlands no longer exist. The pilgrimage circuit, once a money spinner that helped them to sustain the year is history. Hotels, shops and eateries are in ruins. "We are finished, at Kedarbaba's mercy," Chait Singh, who is in his eighties, says. Flood waters took away his godown and shop at Sonprayag, 15.5 miles from Kedarnath. Sonprayag, on the banks of the Mandakini, is a picture of devastation. Abandoned cars litter the roads, most of them damaged, full of sand and debris. The losses are enormous. The total number affected stands at several hundred thousand, chief secretary Subhash Kumar says. He names Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi, Chamoli and Pithoragarh as the worst-hit. Chief minister Vijay Bahugana concedes a complete recovery will take years and nearly US$2.2 billion. The government is setting up pre-fabricated houses in 19 places. These should last for over 20 years. Bahugana adds the state doesn't have the means to compensate for the damages fully. "We are doing our best, but can't compensate the entire (Kedar) Valley for their loss. Our effort is to provide relief." It's the yatra -- rather the suspension of it -- that's proving the biggest hurdle. Puja resumed at Kedarnath on September 11, but the temple town is nowhere near ready for pilgrims. The temple town's infrastructure was smashed on June 16 and June 17. Many bodies are still buried under the rubble that covers the town. No comment

Hindus Clean Up Rockaway Sanctuary After Water Rites Posted on 2013/9/24 18:24:06 ( 187 reads ) Source NEW YORK, U.S., September 23, 2013 (Times Ledger): Although Queens residents of all stripes are guilty of littering or dumping in Jamaica Bay, Hindu religious rites get some blame for some of the more visible debris. The Hindu rite of Ganga Pooja involves making an offering into a body of water as a way of cleansing one's sins. Unfortunately, not all of these materials used in the offerings are biodegradable. Fabric outfits, plastic statues (murthis), aluminum pans and Styrofoam wash up on the beaches and nature preserves along Rockaway's coastline. On Aug. 31, a group of conservation-minded Hindus, in conjunction with the Rockaway Waterfront Alliance, decided to pitch in by cleaning up the Dubos Point Wildlife Sanctuary in Rockaway. Sadhana, a Coalition of Progressive Hindus is an advocacy group based around the city that tries to advocate a socially conscious, progressive agenda, focusing on inserting tolerance, inclusiveness, non-violence (ahimsa) and faith in action (sadhana) into Hindu and interfaith discourse. As such, activities such as beach cleanups promote awareness of the moral imperative to care for the environment and promote greener practices in worship. In response to the problem of debris at local beaches, Sadhana launched an environmental initiative known as Project Prithvi. As Sadhana founding member Aminta Kilawan explained, Project Prithvi "aims to protect both tradition and the environment in a way that benefits society at large." Efforts to establish a designated site for religious rites has been met with silence from the city Parks Department, and Kilawan said that "in the past, city parks officials have been quick to close off the beach, post signs and even issue fines to put a stop to any water offerings." She pointed out that this leads Hindus to dispose of the materials secretly in Jamaica Bay, which is close to Richmond Hill and Ozone Park. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2013/9/24 18:24:00 ( 173 reads ) Source "Following the path of knowledge without love and devotion is like eating stones." -- Mata Amritanandamayi No comment

BBC Tamil Radio Series Tells the Story of Burma's Tamils Posted on 2013/9/23 17:27:07 ( 285 reads ) Source UNITED KINGDOM, August 15, 2013 (BBC): The lives of Burma's (Myanmar's) Tamil minority are in the centre of a 12-part weekly series launching on BBC Tamil radio on Sunday 18 August. "The Tamils Who Stayed Back In The Golden Land" (Thanga Mannil Thangiya Thamizhargal) explores the conditions in which Burma's ethnic Tamils live today and talks about their collective memory, their daily lives and their aspirations for their future in a changing Burma. Burma's ethnic Tamils, whose number is unofficially estimated at half a million, are the descendants of Tamils from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. They migrated to Burma during the days of the British Empire and worked in finance and trade as well as agriculture. The end of the British rule in Burma in 1948 led to a decline of the community's fortunes. In the 1960s, in the wake of the military rule, many were forced to leave Burma - but many also stayed back. The BBC Tamil series producer, Swaminathan Natarajan, travelled across the Tamil-speaking areas of Burma, interviewing people from various cross-sections of the society including traders, community leaders, farmers and social activists. Their cultural identity is the focus of the series. Swaminathan says: "All the Hindu temples have a statue of Buddha, and the fact that a lot of ethnic Burmese visit those temples testifies to a high level of integration and tolerance. On the other hand, due to lack of opportunities and economic benefits, there is reluctance among ethnic Tamils to learn their mother tongue. Despite this, many seem to go the extra mile to make sure the new generation doesn't forget the Tamil language." Editor of BBC Tamil, Thirumalai Manivannan, comments: "Having retained their cultural roots, Burma's Tamils also seem to have achieved some success in integration with the mainstream Burmese society. The series looks at how this integration works - and also throws light on the issues affecting this section of the Burmese society and takes a historic look at the vicissitudes of their lives." No comment

Ganapati Brings Western Railway, Central Railway Million-Dollar Boon Posted on 2013/9/23 17:27:00 ( 207 reads ) Source MUMBAI, INDIA, September 21, 2013 (Manthan K. Mehta, TNN): The 10-day Ganapati festival brought a major revenue boost to Central Railway (CR) and Western Railway (WR), with the two collectively earning US$1.6 million more than usual. The suburban railway network saw an average of 430,000 passengers more per day during the just-concluded Ganeshotsav festival. On Monday, September 16, the CR network saw a record-breaking 6.5 million passengers compared to the daily average of 4 million, an increase of 62% in passenger traffic. On the same day, WR saw 4.95 million passengers compared to the daily average of 3.5 million, an increase of 42%. A CR official said the passenger count on September 16 was the highest for a day seen so far on the suburban network. "It surpassed the till-date highest tally of 5.5 million commuters registered on August 20, the day of Rakshabandhan," the official said. "During big festivals like Ganpati, Navratri or Diwali, rail transport is the swiftest as roads are usually clogged," a senior official said. "Many vehicles get caught in traffic jams for hours as the road width gets decreased due to the erection of pandals, thus blocking the smooth flow of traffic. In such a scenario, even non-rail travelers jump on the train to avoid traffic." No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2013/9/23 17:26:54 ( 210 reads ) Source They have "Dial-a-Prayer" for atheists now. You call it up, it rings and rings, but nobody answers. No comment

Stolen Yogini Sculpture Returned From Paris Posted on 2013/9/22 18:50:00 ( 367 reads ) Source In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Ministry of External Affairs said Robert Schrimpf, a private art collector in Paris, had acquired the 400-kg stolen sculpture of Vrishanana Yogini, a Goddess with a buffalo-shaped head. After his death, his wife Martine Schrimpf donated it to the Indian Embassy in Paris in 2008.Indian Ambassador Arun Kumar Singh told The Hindu in a telephone interview that the return of the sculpture was "a lengthy and complicated process because permission had to be sought for the artefact to leave France. The French were very cooperative, and the Deity has now returned to India and has safely been handed over to the National Museum." Given that many leading museums abroad still have yogini sculptures stolen from places like Kancheepuram, the return of Vrishanana Yogini is significant, said V. Venu, Director-General of the National Museum. No comment

Indian Chief Priest of Pashupatinath Temple Departs Posted on 2013/9/22 18:50:00 ( 288 reads ) Source KATHMANDU, NEPAL, September 21, 2013 (Niti Central): The Indian chief priest of Nepal's fifth-century Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu submitted his resignation after 21 years of service for personal reasons. Mahabaleshwor Bhatta, who hails from Tamil Nadu, gave his resignation to the Pashupati Area Development Trust, the body that looks after the Hindu temple's affairs. The board of the trust accepted his resignation. The decision was forwarded to the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, the ultimate authority to approve the resignation, temple authorities said. They said a new chief priest will be appointed from among the temple's four other Indian priests. Bhatta told the temple authorities that he decided to quit as he has to serve his old parents. "I have already served the temple for 21 years and my parents who live in India are getting older so I was required to go to India to serve them," he said. In 2008, Bhatta had resigned from the post during the Maoist-led Government, following controversy after then Prime Minister Prachanda's move to replace him and the other Indian priests with Nepali nationals. However, the decision was withdrawn and Bhatta was reinstated after Hindu groups launched a protest. It is a centuries-old practice to appoint Indian nationals as priests at the Pashupatinath Temple. Bhattas are qualified for the post. No comment

Hindus Celebrate Ganesh Utsav Posted on 2013/9/22 18:46:03 ( 253 reads ) Source TRINIDAD AND TOGAGO, September 19, 2013 (Trinidad Express): Ganesh Utsav, an Indian festival brought to Trinidad and Tobago by indentured laborers more than 150 years ago, was this week celebrated by Hindus throughout the country. The ten-day worship to Lord Ganesh, remover of obstacles, culminated with a procession where Ganesh murtis were immersed in the sea yesterday. Pundit Khemraj Vyas, secretary of the Pundit Parishad, said Lord Ganesh was one of the manifestations of Divinity. "Hinduism preaches that there is only one God and this God takes on many different forms front time to time. Ganesh is one such form. His birth is described as taking place in this particular month," he said. He said a murti of the Hindu God is made out of clay and ceremonies are performed. "Hindus perceive (Lord Ganesh) as the remover of obstacles and the Lord of beginnings. The worship of Lord Ganesh is very important," he said. On the last day of the festival known as "Ananta Chaturdasi" the murtis are paraded through the streets, accompanied by singing and dancing, and then immersed in the ocean or other bodies of water No comment

Colorful Slideshow of Ganesh Festival In India Posted on 2013/9/22 18:45:57 ( 287 reads ) Source MUMBAI, INDIA, September, 2013 (Washington Post): During Ganesh Charturthi, Hindus, whether they live in Mumbai or Hyderabad, bring homes murthis of Lord Ganesha to invoke His Blessings for wisdom and prosperity and good fortune. This year the ten-day festival began September 9 but artisans start working on these elephant-headed deities weeks before and the final touch is given just before the festival begins. These deities are of all size starting from small ones and can reach giant height and are really spectacular. Some deities are so huge that cranes are needed for immersion. This year a 56-feet Ganesha deity was installed in Hyderabad and is being claimed to be the tallest one in the city. Immersion of these deities occurs on the 10th day of the festival in great pomp, joy and dancing and singing the praise of this benevolent God. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2013/9/22 18:45:51 ( 292 reads ) Source To the growing soul, to the spirit within us, may not difficulties, obstacles, attacks be a means of growth, added strength, enlarged experience, training for spiritual victory? The arrangement of things may be that, and not a mere question of the pounds, shillings and pence of a distribution of rewards and retributory misfortunes! -- Sri Aurobindo Ghose (1872-1950), Indian philosopher speaking on karma and disasters No comment

Parliament of Religions Stirs up a Hornet's Nest: Limelight on World Without Borders Event in Chicago Posted on 2013/9/21 17:06:00 ( 362 reads ) Source TEXAS, September 18, 2013 (India Herald, by Seshadri Kumar): The 150th birth anniversary celebration of Swami Vivekananda scheduled to be held in Chicago on Sept. 27 and 28 under the banner "World without borders 2013" is in limelight for the wrong reason. Chicago-based Council for World Parliament of Religions has withdrawn its support for the celebration, apparently on the urging of some Muslim and left wing groups.Swami Ramdev is among the invited speakers at this event. The groups such as the Coalition Against Genocide have been accusing Gujarat Chief Miniter Narendra Modi and Vishwa Hindu Parishad in India of committing genocide against Muslims in the state. The executive director of the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions, in an abrupt manner, released a statement withdrawing support to the event. Dr. Mary Nelson, the vice chair of the Board of CPWR, and Executive Director, had issued the following statement: "The council, 501(c)3 organization, is a 120-year-old peace building organization whose mission, like Swami Vivekananda's, is to promote peace and interreligious harmony. We honor Swami Vivekananda and that legacy he left creating interfaith cooperation to build a just, peaceful, and sustainable world. Our organization was not informed that an event we were asked to co-sponsor was also co-sponsored by organizations promoting controversial political positions. While we do honor and promote the ideals of Swami Vivekananda, we respectfully withdraw our name from any co-hosting or co-sponsorship of the "World Without Borders" event and any connection to this event or its other co-sponsors." This announcement is believed to have first appeared in twocircles.net, a website devoted to issues concerning Muslims in India. Dr. Shamkant Sheth, president of the VHP of A, Chicago chapter, said he was shocked and surprised by the announcement as the council did not even directly communicate its decision to the event organizers first. The Chicago chapter of VHP-A has sent a letter to Ms. Nelson: "It is with great regret that I write to you about the withdrawal of CPWR sponsorship from the World Without Borders 2013 event. While this news came to us as a shock, it was even more disconcerting the way we first came to know of this withdrawal - through your website, and, in a maligning press release from another organization. We would have hoped that CPWR would have shown us the common courtesy of informing us before going public with this. "While it is puzzling to us that you decided on this action, we would like to understand the reason for your withdrawal. To quote from the statement on the your website, you said: Our organization was not informed that an event we were asked to co-sponsor was also co-sponsored by organizations promoting controversial political positions. We would like to know which of our cosponsoring organizations that are 'promoting controversial political positions,' and what those 'controversial political positions' are. "Please realize that your unilateral action has done significant and tremendous harm to our cause. Many of our co-sponsors and our own members are wondering what these organizations are, and what political positions they profess. As a US-based nonprofit, religious and cultural organization that is not interested in politics, we ourselves are curious to know the specific reasons for your actions. We hope that you take this matter seriously and reply to us as soon as possible so that we can do damage control before our upcoming event." Meanwhile, Ms. Nelson, responded to an email inquiry from India Herald. Ms. Nelson said: "We appreciate your interest in this matter, which is currently under board consideration. Our processes for sponsorships and affiliations are being revisited and are under review. We look forward to openly sharing this information in the near future. We have no further comments at this time." Ms. Anju Bhargava and Dr. Anantanand Rambachan, members of the board of trustees of the council, have issued a joint statement regarding the World without Borders 2013 and CPWR. "We, Anju Bhargava and Anant Rambachan, found out on September 14th, through media reports, that the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions (CPWR) had withdrawn its participation in a Chicago event World Without Borders, celebrating the 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. We were not consulted about this decision. Once we found out, we requested an explanation for the Parliament's decision. We have also formally requested the Parliament to reverse its decision to withdraw from co-hosting/co-sponsoring the Chicago event. We are working with Parliament to get this issue resolved harmoniously." Anju Bharagva is a member of President Obama's Inaugural Council on Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, founder of Hindu American Seva Charities, and President of Asian Indian Women in America. Dr. Anantanand Rambachan is Chair and Professor or Religion, Philosophy and Asian Studies at Saint Olaf College, Minnesota, USA. Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid is the Chair of the Board of Trustee of the CPWR. India Herald had raised the following questions with Ms. Nelson: Is it true that your decision was made without a formal consideration of the board of trustees of the Council for the World Parliament of Religions? As stated in your email notification, what are the "controversial political positions" and which organizations are responsible for them? Who told you or how did you come to know about this questionable association of organizations? Do you believe organizations with different political views can agree on honoring Swami Vivekananda? If not, why not? Do you believe your action has strengthened the inter-religious harmony, one of the stated goals of the council? Some Hindus feel that your action supports the anti-Hindus among Muslims. Would you agree? Hindu American Foundation has also sent a formal letter to the CPWR asking for a dialogue and reversal of the decision. Suhag A. Shukla, executive director and legal counsel for HAF, noted in her letter to Ms. Nelson that "It is imperative that CPWR reverse the decision to withdraw as a co-sponsor in order to secure a reputation of being a fair and transparent organization not only promoting inter-religious engagement towards the ends of peace, pluralism, and mutual respect, but functioning in a manner that does the same." "Your statement on behalf of the CPWR, that CPWR reneged on a commitment because organizers of World Without Borders 'promote controversial positions' will be seen as ironic at best, and institutional hypocrisy at worst since CPWR is seen to have capitulated in response to a letter from controversial actors belonging to a manifestly political and highly polarizing web portal," Shukla added. The HAF letter also raised some questions: How does CPWR define "controversial political positions? Is being vehemently opposed to gay marriage controversial? If so, does CPWR avoid attendance or sponsorship with organizations holding such views? What about positions that are anti-Israel or anti-Palestine -- are they controversial, and as such, organizations supportive of either barred from CPWR partnership or support? How about organizations that support separatists movements in other sovereign nations -- are they promoting controversial political positions? If so, will CPWR engage or work with them? "I am left with the impression that an unknown segment of CPWR took what can only be seen as a capricious, unilateral decision without respect for democratic process, and of greater concern, without any regard for the understanding of the Hindu community that Dr. Rambachan and Ms. Bhargava would have provided -- the latter omission violating every core principle of interfaith dialogue, engagement and respect," HAF's letter said. No comment

Indian celebrates Ganesha Birthday in Germany Posted on 2013/9/21 17:05:51 ( 374 reads ) Source HAMBURG,GERMANY September 16, 2013 (Abendlatt): The people in the Harburg suburb of Hamburg were treated on Friday night to an uncommon religious spectacle: 200 Indian men, women and children, along with some Germans, moving in procession through the Harburg Town Hall Square to celebrate the birthday of the Deity Ganesha. Men carried a 30-centimeter (one foot tall) statue of Ganesha on a colorfully decorated palanquin. Almost all the participants were Indians who are employed by the Airbus aircraft plant in Finkenwerder. The celebration of the birthday of Ganesha, a form of the divine in Hinduism, is as significant to Hindus as is the celebration of Christmas for Christians. After the procession in Harburg, Ganesha was taken to the temple of the Afghan Hindu community in Rothenburgsort to continue the birthday celebration. No comment

Sumner County Schools Cuts Out Field Trips To Religious Venues Posted on 2013/9/21 17:05:39 ( 293 reads ) Source TENNESSEE, U.S., September 20, 2013 (Tennessean): Sumner County Schools students will no longer be allowed to take field trips to religious venues after the stepfather of a Hendersonville High School student accused the school of promoting Islam. The issue surfaced when a couple of parents asked about a planned field trip to a mosque and a Hindu temple during the school's back-to-school night, according to parent Mike Conner. Conner said parents raised concerns about the trip because the 36-week world studies course was only going to be visiting the two religious venues. For the past 10 years, Hendersonville High School has offered an honors world studies class in which students spend three weeks learning about Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hindu and Islam. Schools spokesman Jeremy Johnson said the class has visited religious venues in the past, including a Jewish synagogue, a Hindu temple and a mosque. No parents have complained in the past, he said. Conner said he's OK with the students studying five religions, but it became a problem for him when only two venues were visited. Conner's stepdaughter did not take the trip but was allowed to do an alternative assignment. The school system said this week that all trips to religious venues are off. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2013/9/21 17:05:31 ( 307 reads ) Source Wealth's Goddess dwells in the hospitable home of those who host guests with a smiling face. -- Tirukkural No comment

Hinduism Today's New Issue Issued On-Line Posted on 2013/9/20 18:00:23 ( 540 reads ) HPI KAUAI, HAWAII, September 20, 2013 (HPI): The October/November/December, 2013, edition of Hinduism's leading spiritual magazine, Hinduism Today, has been released in digital form and is now available for free on your desktop. You can read articles online or download the PDF, ePub or Kindle version and enjoy it on your iPad or other devices. One of the major thrusts of our journalism is to find, explore and then report on groups all over the world who are serving in special ways, or represent authentic traditions. This month we take you to Andra Pradesh where you will meet the Srouta Saivites, dedicated followers of what they call "Vedic Saivism." This fellowship is exemplary in its preservation of the ancient rites and initiations, sadhanas and philosophical purity of the faith. We were allowed the rare privilege of attending their sacred dikshas, and we show you their Lingadharana initiation as well as their daily worship of the Sivalingam they carry on their body every hour of every day of their life. When the young Nepalese learned that their beloved trees on Kathmandu's King Road were about to be chainsawed down for the road to be widened, they leaped into action to stop it the destruction. How? By visiting the trees each day in small groups, worshiping them, decorating them and burning incense at the base of the trunk. Basically, they made thousands of mature trees into shrines, and who wants to cut down a holy tree? So far, it's working, but the government is also determined. Read about the struggle in this issue. Caring for aging parents is a hardship with few equals. But it is the highest dharma, and many Hindus are resisting the modern pressure to put their parents into homes where strangers care for them. For 19 years Damara Shanmugan has been looking after her mother, who just turned 94. Her experience can help us all to face this inevitable phase of life with wit, wisdom and acceptance. Our publisher, Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, knows that families struggle to keep a shared religious interest, and he directs us to empower the home shrine by consciously connecting it to the local temple. He tells us, step by step, just how that is done. A great resource for families who want to walk the path together and create a strong Hindu home. In each issue we offer an educational Insight section which explains some aspect of our faith. This time we present two topics. First we discuss in detail the customs surrounding the culture of hospitality for which Hindus are rightfully renowned; then we take you on a journey--Mark Twain's 1896 journey to India. The article shares this literary genius's rare gift for humor, hyperbole and trenchant truth-telling. You will laugh aloud in reading of his stage talks to the Indian public, for which the entrance fee was one rupee! Next we examine the historical impact Mahatma Gandhi has had on nations worldwide. His example not only drove the British back to their islands, it drew four modern exemplars to his feet and to his ashram, men and women who changed their own nations using Gandhi's profound principles of ahimsa and civil disobedience. Learn more about how Gandhi inspired Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Cesar Chavez and Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma. We seldom speak about ourselves in Hinduism Today, but in this issue we proudly record the short tale of our own Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami's opening prayer given before the United States House of Representatives in Washington, DC, on June 4th of this year. Very rarely is a non-Christian given this honor. We present in full the brief message Bodhinatha gave to this noble assembly. There's more, of course: a paradigm-shifting cartoon, a story of caste and gender struggles in Kerala, a Texas mayor's insightful description of Hindus in his community, a 17-year-old boy's reflections on the importance of preserving tradition and a handful of surprises found in our quotes and letters. It's all there in the current issue of Hinduism Today, where you go to stay in touch with Sanatana Dharma. In print and online. No comment

Hindu Mandir Executive's Conference in Session in Toronto Live Streamed Posted on 2013/9/20 18:00:12 ( 297 reads ) Source TORONTO, CANADA, September 20, 2013 (Press Release): "For all that are not able to make it to our conference, we will be live streaming all activities throughout the weekend. Please visit http://ustre.am/FRhn to watch the conference from the comfort of your own home. All activities will be recorded and posted on youtube after the conference." For more on the conference, visit "source" above. The keynote presentation of Hinduism Today's editor, Paramacharya Sadasivanathaswami, can be seen at 35:30 through 1:06 of "Part 2" of the videos. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2013/9/20 18:00:01 ( 272 reads ) Source The food of the soul is silence. If we don't practice silence, we are starving ourselves. -- Dada J.P. Vaswani, spiritual head of Sadhu Vaswani mission No comment

 

Om Tat Sat
                                                        
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