Source SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA, September 19, 2013(Pacific Standard): Why does someone voluntarily refrain from eating meat? Newly published research suggests the likely answer will depend on whether you ask a vegetarian in Minneapolis or Mumbai. It finds vegetarians in India and the West are both guided by deeply felt ethical considerations. But the moral codes that lead them to avoid…
Source TIBET, August 2013 (Puthurshivatemple.blogspot): Trekking Kailas Mansarovar is one of the most sacred and adventurous pilgrimages. This journey is revered by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains alike. In Hinduism, Mt. Kailas is considered as the abode of Lord Siva. While a holy bath in Lake Mansarovar is believed to wash away sins committed over several lifetimes. This fascinating and detailed…
Source The tragedy of human history is decreasing happiness in the midst of increasing comforts.— Swami Chinmayananda (1916-1993)
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…
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…
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…
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…
Source “Following the path of knowledge without love and devotion is like eating stones.”— Mata Amritanandamayi
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,…
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…