News from Hindu Press International -85

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News from Hindu Press International 

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2014/4/19 18:51:15 ( 431 reads ) Source To call woman the weaker sex is a libel; it is man's injustice to woman. If by strength is meant brute strength, then, indeed, is woman less brute than man. If by strength is meant moral power, then woman is immeasurably man's superior. Has she not greater intuition, is she not more self-sacrificing, has she not greater powers of endurance, has she not greater courage? Without her, man could not be. If nonviolence is the law of our being, the future is with woman. Who can make a more effective appeal to the heart than woman? -- Mahatma Gandhi in Young India, 10/4/1930

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2014/7/3 16:06:29 ( 372 reads ) Source Only when we remain equipoised in praises and persecutions shall we be able to fulfill our objectives. -- His Divine Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, spiritual head of Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha No comment

Hinduism Today Releases Documentary: "The History of Hindu India" Posted on 2014/7/1 18:42:57 ( 1047 reads ) Source KAUAI, HAWAII, July 1, 2014: The editorial team of Hinduism Today is pleased to announce the release of its professional documentary film, "The History of Hindu India" (Part 1), developed in collaboration with Dr. Shiva Bajpai, Professor Emeritus of History, California State University Northridge. More than a year in the making, the movie (http://bit.ly/HinduHistory) provides an authentic presentation of the history of India and Hinduism to non-Hindus for use in American 6th grade social study classes. It is equally useful for Hindu temple study groups and to introduce the Hindu religion to general audiences. The film was received with enthusiasm at its first public showing to 350 people gathered at the "Meet the Publisher and Editor of Hinduism Today" on June 29. One young lady summed up the audience reaction, "Wow! I have to tell you, this is the first time I have ever seen my religion presented in a way that touched me so deeply. Tonight I feel proud to be a Hindu." Bhavna of the Hindu temple in Santiago Chile, who watched the Spanish-subtitled version, called it "a wonderful presentation." Tushar Agarwal of Dinodia Photo agency in Mumbai declared it "fabulous." At a pre-release showing in San Jose, California, members of the audience immediately requested a copy for local classes in Hinduism at temples and public schools. The film was directed by Sushma Khadepaun and narrated by Roger Narayan. Both also served as producers for the movie which included filming at the 2013 Prayag Kumbha Mela and at temples in Chennai, India. Most funding for the project was granted by the Uberoi Foundation Institute for Curriculum Advancement. Subtitles are provided in five languages: French, Spanish, Balinese, Hindi and Tamil. It is available for free on YouTube in multiple resolutions at http://bit.ly/HinduHistory or http://youtu.be/dBZRTzXARWM?rel=0. The documentary is based on the first chapter of our 2011 textbook, The History of Hindu India. The first section of the film, "Origins of Hinduism," includes much new material on the Indus Valley civilization, especially its parallels with subsequent Hindu culture of India, such as yoga, Shiva, the namaste greeting and more. Section two, "Hindu Scriptures," introduces the Vedas, Puranas, Ramayana and Mahabharata, while section three, "Hindu Society," covers the caste system and the roles of men and women. The great achievements of early Indian empires such as those of the Guptas are described, including early advancements in medicine, mathematics and metallurgy. Section four, "Hindu Belief, Practices and Saints" (one of the longest parts) explains the basic beliefs and practices of Hinduism as found today, including scriptures, Gods, Goddesses, saints, temples, pilgrimages and more. It presents the concept of dharma and the related practice of ahimsa as expressed in the lives of Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Cesar Chavez and Nelson Mandela. Karma is taught through an amusing animation of "What goes around, comes around." Hindu forms of worship are described as they are experienced at home and in the temple, along with spiritual practices such as japa and meditation. The section concludes with descriptions of Hindu saints, swamis and gurus, both men and women. The final section, "Hindu Festivals," features spectacular footage of Diwali celebrations in India coupled with footage from the 2009 observance of Diwali at the White House by President Barack Obama. This is followed by video from the 2013 Kumbha Mela in Prayag, India. The documentary concludes on this upbeat note, "Hinduism has persisted for thousands of years because the dharma, faith and culture have instilled in each Hindu a unique and strong sense of identity, family and spiritual purpose. It endures because it is a dynamic religion which gives complete freedom of practice accepts that there are many ways to worship God and provides festivals, temples, pilgrimages, gurus and scriptures to illumine the path, thereby celebrating life itself." The movie is intended for use in middle schools, either in 6th or 7th grade, when the history of India is taught as part of ancient history. The film covers the standard US curriculum for ancient India, beginning with Indus Valley and continuing through the Gupta period, plus a religious overview, as is taught for other religions that same school year. Parents and community activists can bring "The History of Hindu India" to the attention of local schools as a means to offset the largely negative presentation of India and Hinduism which is otherwise being given. Additional resources for parents and teachers, including a complete set of lesson plans for the book, are available at: www.hinduismtoday.com/education/. English: http://bit.ly/HinduHistory. Subtitled versions: French: http://bit.ly/HinduHistory-French Spanish: http://bit.ly/HinduHistory-Spanish Tamil: http://bit.ly/HinduHistory-Tamil Hindi: http://bit.ly/HinduHistory-HindiSubtitles Balinese: http://bit.ly/HinduHistory-Balinese English: http://bit.ly/HinduHistory-English Note to website managers: You are welcome to embed the movie in your site, but to do so you will need to use the YouTube URL and not the shorter bit.ly one above.

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2014/7/1 18:25:37 ( 419 reads ) Source Those from a religious background who believe that "There is only one life and when it's over, it's over " generally cry and have a very unhappy time over the departure of a loved one. This is very disturbing to the loved one from where they are in the inner world wondering, "Why the grief?" Because they are fine. They are happy, and they are free of a lot of karmas, a lot of worries, a lot of conflict, ready to start a new life. Those with a pure Asian religious background, who understand reincarnation, dharma, karma and the existence of God everywhere, will smile contentedly and say to themselves, "What a wonderful life the departed had!" and be joyous in the new world that the departed loved one is now experiencing. -- Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami (1927-2001), founder of Hinduism Today No comment

The World's Hindu Temples, Now in an App Posted on 2014/6/30 16:18:49 ( 723 reads ) Source SAN LEANDRO, CALIFORNIA, June 27, 2014 (India West): A new app just released for iOS lists more than 2,000 Hindu temples in some 50 countries. The "World's Best Hindu Temples Directory," available on iTunes, was conceived by Hari Iyer, an aviation engineer in Melbourne, Australia. A team of dedicated volunteers around the world have been working for months to compile and confirm the information, said Iyer. "The iOS app is a priced at $1.99, which will help fund further development of the site and mapping of all the large temples in India," Iyer said in a statement. "Future plans also include an Android App which is in the making, and a massive update to the database with over 2,000 Hindu temples in Malaysia to be added soon." Optimized for the iPhone 5, the app requires iOS 7.0 or later and is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. The information is also available at AllHinduTemples.com, a site he said was mobile-responsive and designed to geolocate to the user's closest temples. Visitors can register to upload photos and comments to the temple listings, or upload religious events on a calendar in wiki format. Temple managers can claim the ownership of the temple listing and update it with whatever details they choose, said Iyer. No comment

The Hindu Temple of Badenstedt Germany Gets a Full-Time Priest Posted on 2014/6/30 16:18:43 ( 447 reads ) Source HANOVER, BADENSTEDT, June 7, 2014 (Haz): The largest Hindu Temple In Northern Germany is in a warehouse in Badenstedt. Now the community has a full-time priest. The 40-year-old Indian has only been in Hanover since February of this year. The Tamil Hindu Cultural Society has brought him for full-time care of the Gods and the worship in the temple in Badenstedt. The priest, Sivasri Saravana Sivachchariyar, comes from the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. On this Friday evening, he holds the ceremony, which is dedicated to the Goddess Sri Muthumariamman. From the outside, one would never guess what is going on inside the building. For the Hindu temple is located in the commercial area of Badenstedt. To the left and right of it are warehouses and the temple seems hardly different from the neighboring buildings. Five years ago, the Hindu community has established the one-floor, white-painted hall - -it is now considered the largest Hindu temple in northern Germany. "Here, the temple does not interfere with local residents, we've located it here to avoid conflict," says our Hindu hostess, Rajiny Kumaraiah. The US$410,000 cost of the temple is being financed entirely by donations from supporters and community members.

Seeking an Indian Perspective on History Posted on 2014/7/16 18:32:48 ( 292 reads ) Source NEW DELHI, INDIA, July 16, 2014 (Indian Express): Prof. Yellapragada Sudershan Rao, who headed Kakatiya University's history department, has been appointed by the new government as chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research. In an interview to The Indian Express, Rao says an Indian perspective to history has been missing. "In the past 200 years, generally Indian history has been seen from the perspective of Western historians. It is not a secret that the methodology to study our history was only western. We are in fact rejecting all others saying that these do not meet the West-inspired standards and parameters. Earlier it was British historians who did so, and post-Independence study of Indian history has been dominated by Marxists. Marxism is not India. Later came subaltern views. I am only posing a question -- can there be any Indian perspective.. any alternative methodology?" says Rao. No comment

Tamil Film Featuring Vegetarianism a Surprise Hit Posted on 2014/7/16 18:32:33 ( 0 reads ) Source TAMIL NADU, INDIA, July 12, 2014 (by Sudha G Tilak): In a state where not eating meat is associated with brahminism, it is remarkable that the film has not attracted charges of reinforcing casteism. A Tamil film espousing vegetarianism is not only running to packed cinemas across the state, but also winning critical acclaim in the regional press. Titled Saivam, the film was released on June 27 in more than 220 theaters in India and abroad. In Tamil Nadu, where vegetarianism is a euphemism for brahminism and where contemporary politics has been shaped by a social movement with a strong anti-brahmin current, the film's success is remarkable because it has so far not faced accusations of caste-bias or imposing brahmin values. More to the point, it has not attracted controversy probably because it has been able to convey that it is advocating vegetarianism out of a compassion for animals and not concern of caste purity. Vegetarianism is a sensitive subject in Tamil Nadu. But brahmins are not the only vegetarians in the state. Saiva Pillais, land-owning devotees of Siva, and the Vellalars, an agricultural community, also do not eat meat. Indeed, the Tamil word for vegetarian is saivam, from which the film get its title. But a form of discrimination in the state's real estate market reinforces vegetarianism's almost exclusive association with brahmins. But Vijay, the film maker, who is a vegetarian said his film had managed to win converts. He said he had been receiving texts and email messages from Tamils across the world, telling him how moved they had been by the film's message of compassion. A leading filmmaker phoned him to say he'd turned vegetarian after watching the film. No comment

Balinese In Melbourne Raise Funds For Temple Posted on 2014/7/16 18:32:27 ( 266 reads ) Source MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, June 24, 2014 (Bali Daily): The Balinese community living in Melbourne, Australia, is raising funds to build a Hindu temple in the city where they have established a banjar (customary hamlet) with around 300 members. At an estimated cost of US$167,000, the community is appealing to local businesses in Bali to help raise funds to build a place where they can hold gatherings and activities to celebrate Balinese art and culture. "We really hope that one day we can have a dedicated place for our activities. We want to build a temple here," said Nyoman Dwija Putra. He added that building a hall and a temple was necessary to facilitate the many Balinese people marrying Australians. "We believe it would play an important role as a place to celebrate Balinese art and culture. Many of the Balinese living here are in mixed marriages. Their children often miss out on their Balinese heritage," he explained. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2014/7/16 18:32:20 ( 208 reads ) Source Before you start some work, always ask yourself three questions: Why am I doing it? What might the results be? Can I be successful? Only when you think deeply and find satisfactory answers to these questions, then proceed. -- Chanakya (350-275 bce), Indian politician, strategist and writer No comment

Mauritius Lord Murugan Conscecrated Posted on 2014/7/15 18:33:41 ( 339 reads ) Source GRAND BASIN, MAURITIUS, July 11, 2014 (Le Mauricien): On Saturday, Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami oversaw the dedication of a statue of the God Muruga at the Somnath Spiritual Park temple at Grand Bassin. This initiative of the Sri Skanda Foundation, the Hindu House and the Spiritual Park at Riviere-du-Rempart saw the participation of a large contingent of the faithful, who recited Vedic verses in praise of Lord Muruga, son of Shiva, and poured holy water and offerings, like curd and honey on the statue of the Hindu Deity. The Minister of Arts and Culture (Hon. Mookhesswur Choonee) was present at this religious event. Several monks accompanying Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami were also present, as well as artists from the National Integrated Forum of Artists and Activists of India, who gave a representation of the Colours of India at the initiative of the Global Rainbow Foundation Monday at the Indira Gandhi Cultural Center, in Phoenix. Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami is the spiritual leader of Kauai Aadheenam, a spiritual complex in the Hawaiian Islands. He became the spiritual leader of the monastery since the founder, Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, attained samadhi in 2001. Subramuniyaswami, more affectionately known as Gurudeva, appointed Bodhinatha, a disciple by his side for 37 years, as his successor. No comment

Sanskrit Training In India; 'Sanscript' Your Success Story Posted on 2014/7/15 18:33:35 ( 297 reads ) Source NEW DELHI, INDIA, July 9, 2014 (Hindustan Times): When minister Sushma Swaraj and other members of Parliament were sworn in last month, they chose to take their oath in Sanskrit. The language is gradually gaining popularity but there is still a long way to go when it comes to beating the misconception that Sanskrit is just related to the traditions of Hindu worship and rituals. Some educational institutions are making efforts to popularize the language among students. "As part of Delhi University's undergraduate degree programme, students can learn the nuances of fashion, make-up, stress management, Vedic mathematics, acting, script writing, arts and aesthetics, medicine, astronomy, and climatology as these have a deep connection with the language," says Dr. Pankaj Mishra of St Stephen's Sanskrit department. This traditional way of learning has become possible with the establishment of universities for Sanskrit studies by the Central government and many state governments. Now, there are 15 Sanskrit universities in India," says Shrinivasa Varakhedi, vice chancellor, Karnataka Sanskrit University. No comment

Delhi Is Now World's Second Most Populous City Posted on 2014/7/15 18:33:29 ( 256 reads ) Source NEW DELHI, INDIA, July 12, 2014 (The Hindu): Delhi is now the world's second most populous city with 25 million inhabitants. Tokyo remains the world's largest city with 38 million inhabitants. The 2014 revision of the World Urbanisation Prospects by U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA)'s Population Division has pointed to rapid urban growth in India, China and Nigeria. Further, the report says that while Tokyo's population is projected to decline, Delhi's would continue to grow rapidly and by 2030, the Capital would have 36 million inhabitants. Among the other most populous cities, Mumbai is in the top six with a population of 21 million. The number of mega cities with a population of over 10 million has risen rapidly. While there were 10 such cities in 1990, there are 28 now and by 2030, the world is projected to have 41 mega cities with 10 million inhabitants or more. In Delhi, the pressure of such rapid increase in population has already started showing. Be it water, power, education, health care, infrastructure, law and order or sanitation, all the systems are under immense pressure, which is only set to increase. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2014/7/15 18:33:22 ( 217 reads ) Source One must seek the shortest way and the fastest means to get back home--to turn the spark within into a blaze, to be merged in and to identify with that greater fire which ignited the spark. -- Swami Nityananda of Ganeshpuri (1885-1961), South Indian Mystic No comment

Mahabharata Historian Gets Research Reins Posted on 2014/7/14 17:35:15 ( 360 reads ) Source NEW DELHI, INDIA, July 2, 2014 (Telegraph India): A retired history professor who has written articles arguing that stories from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata are truthful accounts of events that took place has been named chief of the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), the government agency to promote historical research. Yellapragada Sudershan Rao, whose interests include Vedic literature, Sanatana Dharma and Bharatiya Sanskriti, set the tone for his three-year tenure after taking charge on Saturday. Under his leadership, the ICHR, he told The Telegraph, should take up projects to rewrite ancient history to establish the "continuous Indian civilization," including the period of the two epics. "The stories of the Ramayaan and the Mahabharata cannot be termed a-historical just because there is not enough archaeological hard evidence. Excavations cannot be done in many places since people are living there and you cannot evict them," explained Rao. No comment

Victoria, BC, Canada Holds India Cultural Festival Posted on 2014/7/14 17:35:09 ( 250 reads ) Source VICTORIA, BC CANADA, June 27, 2014 (Times Colonist): Music, movies, dance and the auspicious arrangement of home furniture are featured in this year's Cultural and Arts Festival of India at the Victoria Hindu Temple. A Mosaic of Music, Movies and Dance is this year's cultural theme for the festival, running today and Sunday, and the temple wants to honor more than 100 years of Indian film. Suresh Basrur, temple trustee, said the first Indian movie was created in 1913, a silent picture called Raja Harishchandra. Indian cinema has since exploded into the colossal, colorful art form it is now. Other elements of this year's festival are palm readings, astrology sessions and the always popular (and hilarious) lessons in how to wear a sari. The Victoria Hindu Temple in Central Saanich dates back to 1995, when Hindu families in the Victoria area banded together to buy the 100-year-old, no-longer-used St. Mary's Anglican Church. Now, about 200 Hindu families, nearly 400 people, count themselves as temple members. No comment

The History of Hindu India: A Review Posted on 2014/7/14 17:35:02 ( 350 reads ) Source WASHINGTON, DC, July 10, 2014 (by Murali Balaji): Teaching history continues to be one of the biggest challenges in school districts across America, as schools must often grapple with outdated standards and old and inaccurate textbooks. In addition, teachers can sometimes struggle transitioning to the most current pedagogical approaches. History can also be highly politicized, as we continue to see in states such as Texas, where small but vocal groups envisage instructional materials and curriculum shaped solely by their own world views. Teachers I've trained complain that they're often caught in the middle between angry parents and school district or even state-level mandates. Moreover, there aren't many vetted multimedia resources that can engage students across grade levels. Teaching about Hinduism and ancient Indian history is especially problematic because Hinduism and India aren't one and the same. However, the Himalayan Academy's nuanced approach in their newly released "History of Hindu India" video provides a great template of explaining the overlaps by highlighting the development of Hindu culture in what is now India over thousands of years. The video, narrated by Roger (Raj) Narayan, supplements Himalayan Academy's textbook of the same name. Go to http://www.himalayanacademy.com/readlearn/hindu-history for all versions. Himalayan Academy, which publishes the acclaimed Hinduism Today magazine, produced the video and the textbook in "response to the problem of negative portrayal of Hinduism and India in school textbooks," and their approach relied on academic expertise and vetting. The primary author was Shiva Bajpai, professor emeritus of history at California State University Northridge, while noted religion scholars such as Anantanand Rambachan, Jeffrey Long, T.S. Rukmani and Klaus Klostermaier were consulted for accuracy. The video provides a compelling look at underrepresented aspects of India's history, as well as the development of Hinduism from both a cultural and philosophical standpoint. Developed primarily for sixth graders, the video can be used at almost all grade levels through high school. While its tone is positive, the content isn't preachy and aligns to meet state and local standards on teaching about religion. Perhaps the most valuable aspect of the video is that it can also be used by parents (Hindu and non-Hindu alike) for cultural education. It has already been released with Tamil, Hindi, Spanish, French, Balinese and English subtitles. The video's distribution can be an important tool to help expand understandings about Hinduism in classrooms across the country. Murali Balaji is Director of Education and Curriculum Reform, Hindu American Foundation No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2014/7/14 17:34:56 ( 239 reads ) Source If you long to see God, take to spiritual practices. What is the good of merely crying, "O God! O God!"? -- Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa (1836-1886) No comment

Om at the Airport: Helsinki Offering Yoga for Stressed Travelers Posted on 2014/7/9 17:02:35 ( 490 reads ) Source HELSINKI, FINLAND, June 10, 2014 (New York Daily News): Passengers departing Helsinki can now reduce the stress of travel by participating in pre-flight yoga and Pilates classes being offered through the airport's TravelLab, which aims to improve the experience of flying. As part of a testing phase, a limited selection of Om sessions are available to all passengers, regardless of which airline and class of service they selected. Classes are held in the newly opened "Kainuu" relaxation space near gate 30, designed by TravelLab with a great outdoors theme. During the test phase, classes, which are 20 minutes long, have been few and far between, meaning passengers looking to pop into a session may have a hard time finding one that corresponds with their flight schedule. The Kainuu relaxation space is open 24 hours per day, however, so passengers looking to practice independently may do so at any time. (A final yoga class was scheduled for June 10). Helsinki Airport is the latest of several to add a yoga program: others include San Francisco, Dallas Fort Worth and Chicago O'Hare. No comment

How Church Sales Reflect the Shifting American Demographic Posted on 2014/7/9 17:02:28 ( 472 reads ) Source UNITED STATES, July 2, 2014 (The Atlantic by Tanya Basu): In early June, I visited my hometown of Glendale Heights, about 25 miles west of Chicago. Making my way through the old avenues that had marked my childhood, I noticed something curious: The churches that had dominated the street corners of my suburban youth--from magnificent stone structures with ornate stained glass windows to homey, unmarked brick buildings--were either getting demolished or being sold to become Hindu temples. As strange as it may be to see "Gayatri Gyan Mandir" on the outside of a building that could be next to the dictionary entry for "church," it's part of a larger story of the changing demographics of American society. It's not just in Chicago, and it's not a unidirectional trend. Synagogues are becoming mosques, Baptists are changing hands with Korean congregations, pagodas are moving into office buildings. The handover in houses of worship across the country is not a straightforward case of an increase in non-Christian immigrants in the United States. In fact, many church sales can be attributed to shifts among Christian denominations.Roman Catholic weekly service attendance has slid from 75 percent in 1955 to 45 percent in the mid-2000s, while Southern Baptist and Evangelical churches have seen big drops in attendance. Beyond the Christian faith, immigration is shaping the religious landscape of America and influencing the church purchasing process. A recent map from the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies of the second most popular religions in states across the country showed that Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism were represented strongly across the country. Though Christianity remains the overwhelmingly dominant religion of choice in the U.S., other faiths are quickly growing, such as Hinduism in Arizona and Delaware and the Baha'i faith in South Carolina. More at source. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2014/7/9 17:02:13 ( 398 reads ) Source In my silence, I experience one vast garden, spread out through the universe. All plants, all human beings, all higher devas are about it in various ways and each has his own uniqueness and beauty. Their presence and variety give me great delight. Every one of you adds in a special way to the glory of this garden." -- Sri Anandamayi Ma, (1896-1982), Bengali mystic

Admar Mutt Appoints Junior Pontiff Posted on 2014/7/8 17:28:41 ( 465 reads ) Source KUNJARGIRI, INDIA, June 20, 2014 (The Hindu): Vishwapriya Tirtha Swami of Admar Math on Thursday anointed a junior seer of the math, which is one of the eight monastery or Ashta Maths of Udupi. Ishapriya Tirtha Swami (29) was anointed after he accepted sannyas diksha or intitiation as a sannyasin monk. He is the 33rd seer in the lineage or guru parampara of Admar Math. Various rituals, including Pattabhishekha, were conducted amidst chanting of mantras at Sri Durgadevi temple, which is located atop a hill here. All the rituals took place under the guidance of Vishvapriya Tirtha Swami. Vidyadheesha Tirtha Swami of Palimar Math was also present. Ishapriya Tirtha will study shastras under his guidance. A large number of devotees had come to witness the event. A BE degree holder in Mechanical Engineering, Ishapriya Tirtha Swami is the first highly academically qualified seer at the Ashta Maths. Herga Vedavyasa Bhat, priest at Sri Krishna Math, Udupi, told press persons that before giving sannyas initiation to a person, his inclination towards spirituality was checked. His horoscope was also consulted. No comment

Group Offers Yoga in the Face of Violence Posted on 2014/7/8 17:28:26 ( 505 reads ) Source CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, July 3, 2014 (Houston Chronicle): With their brightly colored mats spread along a sidewalk, Tameka Lawson's yoga students try to follow her instructions: concentrate on their breathing and focus on the beauty of their surroundings. But this is Englewood, one of Chicago's most dangerous neighborhoods, where streets are dotted with boarded-up houses and overgrown lots, and residents are as familiar with the crackle of gunfire as the chime of an ice cream truck. So while the students stretch their arms to the sky, a man the size of a refrigerator stands guard over the class. It seems odd, all these slow movements, deep breathing and talk about being centered in a neighborhood ruled by drug-dealing gangs. It's simply the latest attempt to curb violence in a city where the number of homicides and guns seized leads the nation. The hope is that yoga's meditative focus will help cooler heads prevail the next time violence or vengeance looms. The students "live in an environment where everything's rushed, everything's pressured. So if you breathe through certain things, you are able to see clearer. You really are," said Lawson, executive director of a nonprofit group called I Grow Chicago. "Then they can act rather than react." The idea has even caught the attention of police. At least one officer has made Lawson's class part of an anti-violence program for at-risk youths. With yoga training, "when they get in a tense situation, they can breathe and relax and make the right decision instead of jumping out at someone and hitting them," officer Daliah Goree said. No comment

Video Documentary on the Hindu Art of Bali Released Posted on 2014/7/8 17:28:21 ( 470 reads ) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKuOe9OlxHc BALI, INDONESIA, July 5, 2014 (YouTube): Ashok Thakkar has produced a informative documentary on the Hindu art of Bali. In this 15-minute film, he takes the viewer on a tour of temples and public sculptures, both ancient and modern found across the island. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2014/7/8 17:28:14 ( 366 reads ) Source To enter into the spiritual life is a rare blessedness, it is a great good: to take it seriously and engage in active spiritual Sadhana is a second blessedness and a still greater good: but to persevere in the spiritual life, to be ever progressive and ceaseless in one's spiritual life, is the greatest good, the crowning blessedness. -- Swami Chidananda (1916-2008), President of Divine Life Society No comment

Puri Shankarachariya Skips Chariot Festival in Dispute Posted on 2014/7/7 17:13:35 ( 402 reads ) Source PURI, INDIA, June 29, 2014 (The Telegraph): In a break from tradition, Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati did not turn up to offer prayers to the Deities on their chariots during the rath yatra today. Back channel negotiations to persuade the seer failed as he stuck to his decision of not taking part in the yatra, the first such instance, sources said. The tussle began around 3pm yesterday when the temple administration communicated to him that he could visit the chariots with three of his followers. But two hours later, it dispatched another letter to him requesting him to come alone in keeping with a recent Orissa High Court verdict that had actually upheld the opinion of the Shankaracharya that none except those associated with the rituals of the Deities should be allowed to climb the chariots. The seer, however, took the letter as a personal affront and declared that he won't take part in the yatra as he was being humiliated. "I will not go to participate in the car festival. The government has humiliated me. Some people have used objectionable words against me. The state government has no guts to take any action against me. If it takes any action, it would face the consequences from tomorrow," the seer told reporters here. While Shankarcharya kept away, the scion of the Puri royal family Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb came to sweep the chariot decks with a handful of supporters. In tune with the court's order, he climbed the chariots alone to perform the customary ritual. No comment

Puri King Shocked at Seer's Humiliation Posted on 2014/7/7 17:13:29 ( 419 reads ) Source BHUBANESWAR, INDIA, July 1, 2014 (Asian Age): The Gajapati king of Puri, Dibyasingha Deb, on Monday expressed his deep shock and anguish over the non-participation of the Shankaracharya of Goverdhan Peeth Swami Nischalananda Saraswati in the Rath Yatra festival on Sunday as the government put restrictions on the seer's right to climb the chariots and perform puja. "I'm pained that Jagadguru Sankaracharya could not perform his traditional rituals on the chariots. He is the religious guru of the Hindus. The letter issued by the state government putting restriction on his rights to perform puja atop the chariots is unjust. Neither the state government nor the Sri Jagannath Temple administration has got any authority to infringe upon his religious rights," the king, who is regarded as the first servitor of Lord Jagannath, said. No comment

Temple to Saturn Opens in New York Posted on 2014/7/7 17:13:23 ( 558 reads ) Source NEW YORK, NEW YORK, July 2014 (Press Release): The Shri Navagraha Devasthanam of North America, are proud, yet humbled, to announce the opening of the very first Sri Saneeswara (Lord of Saturn) Temple to ever be erected outside of India. The new Temple is officially known as the Sri Saneeswara Temple and Community Center of New York which will serve as both a combined temple and community center to enhance spiritual and arts based educational opportunities in New York City. The visionaries of this project, Mrs. Rupa Sridhar and the Board members of Shri Navagraha Devasthanam of NA together have embarked on establishing the Shri Navagraha Devasthanam and, furthermore, have undertaken an ambitious mission to open 9 separate Navagraha temples in 9 US cities to foster Vedic culture and spirituality in North America, each of which will emphasize a different Deity of the Navagraha. (Navagrahas refer to the nine celestial bodies in the Cosmos that are said to influence the life of people on earth. They are respectively Ravi (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Angharakha (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Guru (Jupiter), Sukra (Venus), Sani (Shri Saneeswara (Lord of Saturn)), Rahu and Ketu. The temple was inaugurated on March 23rd, 2014, Prana pratishta and Kumbha Abhishekam were completed and simultaneous maha homam and japam were performed by vedic pundits and scholars in India for the benefit of this temple and for global harmony. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2014/7/7 17:13:16 ( 354 reads ) Source Why does a vijnani (enlightened person) keep an attitude of love toward God? The answer is that 'I-conciousness' persists. It disappears in the state of samadhi, no doubt, but it comes back. In the case of ordinary people the 'I' never disappears. You may cut down the ashwattha tree, but the next day sprouts shoot up. -- Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa (1836-1886), guru of Swami Vivekananda No comment

Short Film Festival for Protection of Hindu Temples Posted on 2014/7/3 16:06:51 ( 785 reads ) Source NEW DELHI, June 29, 2014 (Indian Television): Texas-based Global Hindu Heritage Foundation (GHHF) has called for short films on preservation of old temples in India as part of its "Save Temples Organisation." The Board of Directors of GHHF and its brand ambassador and well-known Ghazal singer Ghazal Srinivas told a press meet in Texas earlier this week that the aim of the Save Temples International Short Film Festival is to protect, preserve and promote the great temples located all over the world. The first Save Temple International Short and Documentary Film Festival will be conducted at Prasad Labs in Hyderabad from 22 to 24 August. The 40 short films and documentaries short-listed in this festival would be screened in film festivals to be conducted all over the world. The best film will win a prize money of US$1,650, while the second and third best film will receive $1,250 and $832 respectively. 10 other films will also be selected to receive Jury Awards. The short films should reveal the facets of some ancient truths, the traditional heritage to the knowledge of future generations. They should not criticize other religions and life styles. They can tell the richness of ancient dharma, present the moral and dharmic values of Hindu religion and should be intended to explain the great practices of Hindu dharma to all the mankind through this short films and documentaries. The viewers of these movies should be motivated to work for the protection of temples. No comment

Neasden Temple Hosts 'Global Peace Meet' Posted on 2014/7/3 16:06:36 ( 457 reads ) Source LONDON, ENGLAND, July 2, 2014 (Asian Lite): BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London hosted an three-day international academic conference from June 24th to 26th on the theme of "Realising Global Peace: The Role and Impact of Hindu Teachings." The conference at the Neasden temple was aimed to elucidate the role of peace within Hinduism and how Hindu teachings can positively contribute to not just academic scholarship but to humanity at large. It was jointly organized by the All-India Philosophy Association, BAPS Swaminarayan Research Institute, and the Indo-Hellenic Society for Culture and Development, Greece. Over 80 delegates and guests attended the conference. They included eminent scholars and students from India, England, Ireland, America, Canada, and Australia, as well as local civic leaders and Hindu and other faith representatives. The keynote address in the inaugural session was delivered by Prof. Jatashankar, esteemed professor of philosophy at Allahabad University, India and President of the All-India Philosophy Association. Kirit Wadia, local secretary of the event, shared: "Hindu teachings have a lot to contribute to the quest for peace, especially as modern technology increases human connectivity and decreases distances between peoples and nations, making the need for peace even more pronounced for individuals and societies. We are very grateful to His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj for providing this theme and to all the delegates for contributing such rich discussions over the three days." No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2014/7/21 18:22:49 ( 236 reads ) Source Wealth and happiness are not related to each other as cause and effect. An attempt to secure happiness by securing wealth is as futile as it is absurd. -- Jagadguru Sri Chandrasekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal(1912-1954), 34th pontiff of the Sarada Peetham No comment

Clashes Mar Amarnath Yatra Posted on 2014/7/20 18:11:44 ( 314 reads ) Source BALTAL, KASHMIR, July 18, 2014 (Rising Kashmir): At least 24 people were injured in clashes in Baltal area of Sonamarg, which serves as base camp for Amarnath yatra, after a scuffle between a ponywala and one of the members of a free yatra langer (community kitchen) over some issue. At least 100 tents and four yatra langars were damaged in the fire while authorities suspended yatra from the route. As the news about the incident spread, hundreds of people took to the streets to protest against the incident. Sources said after the clashes, yatra from the route was suspended [HPI-it has since been resumed]. Meanwhile, senior civil and police officials visited the spot to take stock of the situation. A police official said the situation was brought under control and all the yatries are safe. Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Sham Lal Sharma, along with senior officers of civil and police administration today visited Shri Amarnath Yatra base camp at Baltal and took stock of the situation. He urged the service providers to maintain peace and order to ensure a smooth yatra. He also directed the police and civil administration to keep close watch on the situation to ensure smooth conduct of yatra and safety of yatries and all service providers. Photos of the destruction at Batal can be viewed at: http://www.kashmirdispatch.com/story- ... ures/301125014-baltal.htm No comment

Mantra For Good Health: Chant God's Name, Says Study Posted on 2014/7/20 18:11:38 ( 389 reads ) Source INDIA, July 10, 2014 (dna India): A study by a Pune-based cardiac surgeon and a geopathologist has claimed that chanting God's name keeps a person's heart healthy. While the research aims to bring science and spirituality together, doctors say any form of meditation can benefit the body. The researchers -- Dr. Avinash Inamdar, former head of cardiac surgery department at Pune's Sassoon General Hospital and geopathologist Pandit Pramod Joshi -- monitored heart functions of 30 individuals and energy levels of their heart chakra. The team documented that heart parameters showed significant improvement when compared to results carried out before and after the chanting which continued for about ten minutes. The study was recently published in the Asiatic Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Other cardiologists, however, refused to draw a direct link between chanting God's name and a healthy heart. They said any form of meditation can improve a person's heart rate and bring in positive outcome if done on a long-term basis. No comment

Guru Purnima's Intrinsic Message Of EcoDharmic Harmony Posted on 2014/7/20 18:11:32 ( 296 reads ) Source UNITED STATES, July 14, 2014 (Huffington Post by Anju Bhargava): Guru Purnima is observed by the entire Dharmic community - Buddhists, Hindus, Jains and Sikhs and it also has a strong message of environmental harmony. The Dharmic traditions believe Gurus are an important part of our lives as they help us understand the great Dharma-based Spiritual teachings with roots in the Vedas. The dictates of the natural seasons of Mother Earth guided our Gurus and the communities. Now, many of us hope our communities will honor the teachings from the ancient times and sustain Mother Earth by taking steps to reduce our carbon footprint and develop EcoDharmic conservation habits. We at Hindu American Seva Communities (HASC) are celebrating Guru Purnima through a historic partnership with EPA's ENERGY STAR(R) program. Our tradition shows our environmental leadership potential which, if harnessed, can influence global climate change policies. Given the ancient intrinsic harmony in our collective Dharmic traditions, surely we can achieve our values of conservation and energy efficiency through our temples and devotees. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2014/7/20 18:11:25 ( 252 reads ) Source Life is meant for God-realization. If you die without attaining God-realization, your life is in vain. Even having one hundred gurus will not help, unless the disciple has a great desire for liberation and tries to get rid of all that stands in the way. -- Swami Chidananda (1916-2008), President of Divine Life Society No comment

Seeking an Indian Perspective on History Posted on 2014/7/16 18:32:48 ( 489 reads ) Source NEW DELHI, INDIA, July 16, 2014 (Indian Express): Prof. Yellapragada Sudershan Rao, who headed Kakatiya University's history department, has been appointed by the new government as chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research. In an interview to The Indian Express, Rao says an Indian perspective to history has been missing. "In the past 200 years, generally Indian history has been seen from the perspective of Western historians. It is not a secret that the methodology to study our history was only western. We are in fact rejecting all others saying that these do not meet the West-inspired standards and parameters. Earlier it was British historians who did so, and post-Independence study of Indian history has been dominated by Marxists. Marxism is not India. Later came subaltern views. I am only posing a question -- can there be any Indian perspective.. any alternative methodology?" says Rao. No comment

Tamil Film Featuring Vegetarianism a Surprise Hit Posted on 2014/7/16 18:32:33 ( 0 reads ) Source TAMIL NADU, INDIA, July 12, 2014 (by Sudha G Tilak): In a state where not eating meat is associated with brahminism, it is remarkable that the film has not attracted charges of reinforcing casteism. A Tamil film espousing vegetarianism is not only running to packed cinemas across the state, but also winning critical acclaim in the regional press. Titled Saivam, the film was released on June 27 in more than 220 theaters in India and abroad. In Tamil Nadu, where vegetarianism is a euphemism for brahminism and where contemporary politics has been shaped by a social movement with a strong anti-brahmin current, the film's success is remarkable because it has so far not faced accusations of caste-bias or imposing brahmin values. More to the point, it has not attracted controversy probably because it has been able to convey that it is advocating vegetarianism out of a compassion for animals and not concern of caste purity. Vegetarianism is a sensitive subject in Tamil Nadu. But brahmins are not the only vegetarians in the state. Saiva Pillais, land-owning devotees of Siva, and the Vellalars, an agricultural community, also do not eat meat. Indeed, the Tamil word for vegetarian is saivam, from which the film get its title. But a form of discrimination in the state's real estate market reinforces vegetarianism's almost exclusive association with brahmins. But Vijay, the film maker, who is a vegetarian said his film had managed to win converts. He said he had been receiving texts and email messages from Tamils across the world, telling him how moved they had been by the film's message of compassion. A leading filmmaker phoned him to say he'd turned vegetarian after watching the film. No comment

Balinese In Melbourne Raise Funds For Temple Posted on 2014/7/16 18:32:27 ( 401 reads ) Source MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, June 24, 2014 (Bali Daily): The Balinese community living in Melbourne, Australia, is raising funds to build a Hindu temple in the city where they have established a banjar (customary hamlet) with around 300 members. At an estimated cost of US$167,000, the community is appealing to local businesses in Bali to help raise funds to build a place where they can hold gatherings and activities to celebrate Balinese art and culture. "We really hope that one day we can have a dedicated place for our activities. We want to build a temple here," said Nyoman Dwija Putra. He added that building a hall and a temple was necessary to facilitate the many Balinese people marrying Australians. "We believe it would play an important role as a place to celebrate Balinese art and culture. Many of the Balinese living here are in mixed marriages. Their children often miss out on their Balinese heritage," he explained. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2014/7/16 18:32:20 ( 345 reads ) Source Before you start some work, always ask yourself three questions: Why am I doing it? What might the results be? Can I be successful? Only when you think deeply and find satisfactory answers to these questions, then proceed. -- Chanakya (350-275 bce), Indian politician, strategist and writer No comment

Mauritius Lord Murugan Conscecrated Posted on 2014/7/15 18:33:41 ( 492 reads ) Source GRAND BASIN, MAURITIUS, July 11, 2014 (Le Mauricien): On Saturday, Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami oversaw the dedication of a statue of the God Muruga at the Somnath Spiritual Park temple at Grand Bassin. This initiative of the Sri Skanda Foundation, the Hindu House and the Spiritual Park at Riviere-du-Rempart saw the participation of a large contingent of the faithful, who recited Vedic verses in praise of Lord Muruga, son of Shiva, and poured holy water and offerings, like curd and honey on the statue of the Hindu Deity. The Minister of Arts and Culture (Hon. Mookhesswur Choonee) was present at this religious event. Several monks accompanying Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami were also present, as well as artists from the National Integrated Forum of Artists and Activists of India, who gave a representation of the Colours of India at the initiative of the Global Rainbow Foundation Monday at the Indira Gandhi Cultural Center, in Phoenix. Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami is the spiritual leader of Kauai Aadheenam, a spiritual complex in the Hawaiian Islands. He became the spiritual leader of the monastery since the founder, Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, attained samadhi in 2001. Subramuniyaswami, more affectionately known as Gurudeva, appointed Bodhinatha, a disciple by his side for 37 years, as his successor. No comment

 

Om Tat Sat
                                                        
(Continued...) 

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