HPI, September 12, 2006

[Guest guest]

Hare Krishna,

 

1. World Religions After 9/11 Congress Opens in Montreal

MONTREAL, CANADA, September 12, 2006: About 40 people took a symbolic walk for peace last night from Montreal's city hall to the Palais des congres, where they were greeted by keynote speakers at the opening event of a conference on religion. Muslim activist Shirin Ebadi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, and theologian Karen Armstrong spoke at last night's plenary session of the conference, titled the World's Religions After Sept. 11. Both joined two thousand people milling about in the main hall who reflected the diversity of religions in attendance - Buddhist monks, Sikhs and Hindus, Muslims, Jews and Christians. They were later joined on the podium by Rev. Didiji, spiritual leader to the devotees of Swadhyaya, a movement based primarily on the western coast of India, and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, humanitarian and scholar, who heads the 25-million member Art of Living Foundation. Ebadi and Shankar delivered similar messages to the audience: It's time f or

those who speak in the name of religious tolerance to be heard. "The voices of enlightened Muslim thinkers are not heard enough," Ebadi said. Those who are enlightened, she argued, are faced with the difficult double tasks of convincing others there is a different way of thinking from radical Islam while at the same time fighting the ideas of extremist Islamic groups. "Muslim intellectuals are trying to let the world know that wrongful acts relate to those people and not to their religion," said Ebadi, who was introduced by her daughter, a lawyer in Iran. "The wrongful needs of certain groups should not raise hostilities against Islam," Ebadi added, noting that Islam is not in contradiction with human rights and "cannot be an excuse for violence." Rather than the "clash of civilizations," the roots of war in the Middle East "lie in economic interests and power," she said. People who love peace don't raise their voices, Shankar said, "and now we need to raise our

voices together." The need to promote peace is greater in this time of religious turmoil because history has shown that people are willing to die for religion, "not for math or chemistry," he said. But when religion, race or sex is used as an identity factor, people then forget that we are all human beings, Shankar said. "Fanaticism in one religion finds shadows in another," he told the audience. "We need to secularize religion and spiritualize politics, to honor the values of compassion, love and a sense of belonging." The goal of the theological scholars at this conference is to figure out how to live in harmony and to bring this concept to the world, Shankar said. "We have globalized everything but wisdom," he said. "If every child knows a little bit about all religions, they would never become fanatics."The conference runs through Friday. For more information, visit

 

 

2. Hinduism Today's Publisher to Address World Religions After 9/11 Congress

 

This down-to-earth presentation begins with an explanation of the nature of the media as we find it today, what is and isn't considered "news," how the media regards religion and the constraints journalists work under. The media, he will point out, isn't likely to change, and it is up to religious organizations to learn how to work effectively within its parameters.He will first discuss proactive interaction with the press, that is, the purposeful engagement of the media by religious organizations, all of which should be part of a broad public relations outreach. Generally, such outreach works best within the local community. Such engagement should include inviting journalists to attend festival days or religious functions such as weddings and coming-of-age ceremonies, holding open houses, contributing religious views to the media's opinion columns, participating in the local interfaith movement and creating or joining a speaker's bureau. This

is all an application of the principle the environmentalists used, called "think globally and act locally," for if religious organizations can create good media coverage community by community, then they will be in a better position to deal with a crisis when it comes.Crisis management or "reactive interaction" is dealing with an event which has offended, misrepresented or somehow negatively impacted the religion. The keys to reactive interaction are swift and accurate reaction and polite persistence until a proper solution is reached. This will all be illustrated with recent events in which religion became a key issue. 3. Hindu Sangam Kumbha Mela in California Highlight Message of Sanatana Dharma

Archana Dongre, Hinduism Today Los Angeles Correspondent

IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, September 12, 2006: What crystallized the positively charged message of the Hindu Sangam Kumbha Mela here September 10, were the impassioned speeches by the Hindu leaders of diverse sects, empowered words that aimed at quelling the dark shadows of negativity looming heavily on the eve of the fifth anniversary of the 9/11, in a society and world increasing riddled with escalating violence, tearing us away from peaceful living.Hindu events, complete with pompous and colorful processions are nothing new now, and are becoming quite frequent on the North American landscape, but what was unique about this event was that the message of Sanatana Dharma rang with fervor, at a time when it is needed most, to give courage, upliftment and enlightenment to all people, young and old, rich and poor, irrespective of color or creed, sharing their humanness to fight the demons of terror and their desperate search for peace in uncertain times.<

br />After the procession and the immersion of Deities was over, the audience settled inside the Bren Center. On an aptly decorated stage, against a large portrait of Bharat Mata, complete with pictures of a lion and twin elephants spelling out strength and power, about 3,000 people listened as the first speakers took to the stage after an hour-long cultural program and Irvine mayor's address.First speaker saffron clad and slim Swami Nithynanda, 27, beamed with joy and enthusiasm as he addressed in a robust voice and an earnest tone. "The aim of all the historically recorded 1,000 Kumbha Melas of Bharat has been the same, to bring the energies of the enlightened masters in one place. Modern research in Japan has proved that our emotions affect the water placed in front of us. Devotion of millions gathering in one place, like the crowd of 71 million that had gathered in 2001, sanctifies the water and the collective positive energy radiates all over India. Co

llective energies of enlightened swamis of diverse sects is concentrated here, to bring the feeling of oneness. Waters of 21 holy rivers of India has also been brought here for the confluence. I have brought with me seven Deities representing the seven major faiths like Shaiva, Vaishnava, Ganapatya, Shakta etc, of the religion that declares unity in the midst of diversity, for immersion in that confluence. Let us all share in the collective and positive energy."Earlier, Irvine mayor Beth Krom, wearing a sizable red bindi on her forehead and clad in an ankle-length black skirt with red flowers, had begun her brief address with a "Namaste," and had whole heartedly blessed the event, expressing that the city is indeed lucky to have such a rich spiritual tradition in its midst. Addressing Hindu events is becoming common for this mayor of the city that embraces multiculturalism; just about three weeks ago she had lit the inaugurating lamp for Rishi Sanskruti Vidya

Kendra's Irvine chapter.Seated on the stage along with Swami Nityananda were Rishi Prabhakar, Vedanta Center's Swami Sarvadevananda and Swami Chetanananda, Dr. Acharya Yogeesh of Yogeesh Ashram representing Jainism, Swami Ishwarananda of the Chinmaya Mission, and Mohanrao Bhagwat, general secretary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) who had come from Bharat. Although without any sense of competition, the speeches of the leaders vied with each other in their robust and earnest tone, glowing message and an impassioned, yet disciplined delivery. Swami Sarvadevananda reminisced about the vision of Vivekananda when he addressed the Parliament of Religions in 1893, boldly stating, for the first time in America, about the magnanimity of the Hindu religion as the spri ng well for all regions. Vivekananda's enduring words took firm roots, and many branches of the Sanatana Dharma tree have blossomed in America.Acharya Yogeesh, speaking in Hindi,

fervently quoted thoughtful gems of poetry, especially from poet Maithilisharan, lending a sparkle and erudition to his speech that flowed with an intense sentiment for the motherland, and not just for Hinduism, glorifying Hindi, Hindu and Hindusthan. Beginning his speech with the first stanza of Ishavasya Upanishad, he quickly progressed to Ahimsa, saying, "There is no Hindu terrorist because non-violence is inherent in the very word Hindu. Ahimsa is the cornerstone of Jainism." He further said, "The Hindu culture rests on four pillars, Ramachandra, who stands for Maryada (disciplined self-restraint), Krishna who taught us Karma Yoga, Buddha who taught us compassion and Mahaveer who stands for sacrifice." In conclusion, he emphasized on harmony, peace and nonviolence.Swami I shwarananda in his speech emphasized a common agenda and coming together on four levels of the society. All monks from all Hindu sects should establish a common agenda, all Hindu temples, all

Indian associations and all business organizations should likewise come together as Hindus, "Then we can change the world," he proclaimed, "That is the goal of the Hindu Sangam." Ishwarananda also led the elaborate Hindu pledge that began with "We Hindus stand as the proud descendents of the most ancient culture---" when the entire audience of 3,000 stood up and repeated the pledge after him.Mohanrao Bhawgwat, brought out the message of unity in the midst of diversity, and also pointed out that the Dharma lies not in preaching, but in the behavior and action. "Earn with both hands, and distribute with a hundred hands," he told the audience.The event concluded with an arati and "Jaya Jagadeesh Hare" sung by Anuradha Pudwal, who also gave a brief devotional concert later.The Mahaprasad dinner boxes distributed outside the hall to all also included a Payasam mad e with love, as it was made from rice collected from hundreds of homes. It is the traditional

Hindu counterpart of the Western custom of "Breaking the bread together" sharing good will.Swami Nityanandas followers attended in large numbers, and provided a major work force. The zeal of VHP as well as HSS volunteers was seen everywhere. Youth's dedicated involvement, from emcee Shreyas Gandhi, and young Vinod Shastri who led the group poem "Hindu Hindu Ek Rage" and the young girl who led inspiring poem "Vasundhara Pariwaar Hamaraa---" from stage for the audience to repeat after, to dozens of volunteers, their enthusiastic dedication to the cause was palpable, offering an assurance for the coming years.The event that began with the outward expression of a colorful procession, culminated into something that reached much inward, resulting in thought that stirred everyone inside.A coffee table style book titled "Hindu Culture and Dharmic Traditio ns from India" prepared by the HSS was given to the press. This reporter finds it an excellent book,

with appealing graphics, and authentic information, complete with Sanskrit quotes. The information is succinctly given on myriad topics of Hinduism, and this book is one of the best books ever written on the subject.

 

 

 

Daily Inspiration

 

 

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