1. Pejawar Swamiji Pleads To Help Dalits Fend Off Conversion
2. The Young Long For A Spiritual Life, But Wonder How
3. Temple Priest Continues Tradition of Religious Harmony
4. The Stressed Go To Varanasi To Live
5. Daily Inspiration

1. Pejawar Swamiji Pleads To Help Dalits Fend Off Conversion

www.daijiworld.com

UDUPI, INDIA, November 3, 2008: Sri Vishweshateerta Swamiji of Pejawar Math has written an open letter to the dalits, requesting that they not convert into other religions and promising to initiate steps to ensure that they get equal status in Hinduism. While affirming an individual's right to select the religion of his or her choice, he explained that a true conversion is based on acceptance of the vision and rituals of the new religion.

"Hundreds of Hindu maths and temples are ready to abandon their caste bias," he stated, promising that if any injustices are committed, the dalits can inform him and he or his representatives will come to set right the wrongs. "If I am unable to provide justice to the dalits, I will take their side and fight for their rights. Myself and heads of various other maths are with you," he stated.

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2. The Young Long For A Spiritual Life, But Wonder How

www.thenewstribune.com

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, November 16, 2008: A new survey in the United States finds that 55 percent of young people ages 12 to 25 say they are more spiritual now than two years ago. But nearly one-third of them said they don't trust organized religion.

The survey, believed to be the first of its kind in the world, was conducted by the Minneapolis-based Search Institute. The first question was, "What does it mean to be spiritual?" There were nine choices, running from "believing in God" to "being true to one's inner self."

The good news for faith communities is that 93 percent of the young people surveyed believe there is a spiritual aspect to life. But the disconnect between spirituality and religion was clear. If the youth don't feel spiritual in church, where do they? "Spending time in nature" topped the list of responses. "Listening to or playing music" was No. 2, and "helping other people or the community" was third. On the rise in the youth's list are yoga and meditation, say the researchers. "Attending religious services" was ninth.

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3. Temple Priest Continues Tradition of Religious Harmony

www.expressindia.com

MALAPPURAM, KERALA, November 16, 2008: In an enduring example of Hindu tolerance and religious harmony, a Bhagavati temple near Malappuram still follows the tradition of its new priest seeking the blessings of a local elder -- who now happens to be a Muslim.

According to the elder, Bappu Hajee of the Pazhayakath family, the honor of anointing the priest of the temple was conferred on his family by the ruler of Vettathnadu some eight centuries ago. His family converted to Islam at some point since then, but that never created contention among his neighbors. No one in the community has ever resented it, said the locals.

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4. The Stressed Go To Varanasi To Live

www.ft.com

VARANASI, INDIA, November 13, 2008: Stressed out by financial losses in the markets? Try a trip to the ancient holy city of Varanasi on the banks of the Ganges. The city is becoming a center for wellness and recovery, with clinics on ayurveda and natural healing.

As a local guide says: "If you come to Varanasi, you will understand that it all ends here." And, for many of India's Hindu faithful, it does. Varanasi has long drawn those nearing the end of their lives. Many say that those who die and are cremated here can be released from the cycle of birth, death, and re-birth.

Varanasi has to it a spiritual balm and an inner perspective that Indian tourism officials believe their country can uniquely offer. Ambika Soni, the national tourism and culture minister, is keen to promote India as a "wellness destination." She says, "Our new theme will be India as a healing place. These are India's strengths -- yoga, ayurvedic medicine and natural homeopathy, methods for cure that we've given to the world."

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5. Daily Inspiration

www.hinduismtoday.com

Dharma is the cause of happiness. If today we do not have the mental peace and happiness of our ancestors, it is due to our gross neglect of dharma. When the practice of dharma declined, suffering began.
   Jagadguru Sri Chandrasekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal (1912-1954), 34th pontiff of the Sarada Peetham

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