1. "Hinduism in a Changing World" Conference Held in Singapore
2. My Amarnath Yatra: Faith in A Time of Strife
3. Daily Inspiration

1. "Hinduism in a Changing World" Conference Held in Singapore

hinducentre.org.sg

SINGAPORE, August 20, 2008: How does Hinduism reconcile its messages with the challenges of change facing it everyday? To address these and other questions facing Hinduism today, the Hindu Centre, an independent organization that is committed to the spiritual evolution of Hindus in Singapore, will bring together several eminent scholars and teachers from abroad for a two-day Conference. Entitled Hinduism in a Changing World: Challenges and Opportunities, it will be held on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24.

The Guest of Honour will be Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Minister for Finance. Other guests include Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, from Kauai Aadheenam, USA, who will give a discourse on Hinduism and Modern Life; Dr. Sangeetha Menon, of the National Institute of Advanced Studies of India, who will speak about Hinduism and Consciousness Studies; Sri Dhira Chaitanya, from New York, talking about Emotional and Spiritual Growth; and several others.

The conference is held in conjunction with the Hindu Centre's 30th Anniversary Celebrations. You can click on the link above to know more and to register for the conference.

2. My Amarnath Yatra: Faith in A Time of Strife

specials.rediff.com

INDIA, August 14, 2008: [HPI note: these are the first paragraphs of a first-hand account of this year's Amarnatha Yatra, by Swapnil Bhumkar. You can read the whole diary by clicking on the link above.]

Sri Ganganagar was where we came across our first langar, where free food is distributed to anyone and everyone. We were in Jammu, six of us, on the way to Amarnath, and beyond. The amazing thing about the Amarnath langars is that the food is not just clean, but also delicious. The sevaks urged us to eat more and stuffed our plates with Puris and Kheer.

Among the sadhus were Batuk Hanuman Maharaj, who wanted to trek barefoot to the ice Shivalinga, Ganeshdas Baba, a priest from a Malegaon, Maharashtra, and Hari Om Baba from Kashi. The urban opinion about sadhus is negative. Let me tell you, their schedule is tighter, and rules and principals tougher than that of the military. It takes a real man to become a sadhu.

We had crossed Patni Top, where the real beauty of the mountains begins, as does trouble. Hundreds of cars and buses were being stopped, the reason being, they said, riots. A few constables told us the Yatra is suspended because of violence in Udhampur, Pahalgam, Baltal. They said we could go ahead if we liked but the administration would not take responsibility. We waited there for almost seven hours. People had started getting restless so a convoy along with five military trucks started to move towards Pahalgam. We could only see soldiers, and more soldiers...

Gathering Works For Peace Between Hindus and Muslims in Karnataka
http://www.sahilonline.net/english/news.php?catID=coastalnews&nid=3112&viewed=0

BHATKAL, KARNATAKA, INDIA, August 19, 2008: In the peaceful and densely forested district of Uttara Kannada, in the state of Karnataka, local societies and authorities gathered to address community problems and affirm mutual friendship. The Rabita Society Bhatkal and the Majlise Islah Tanzeem Bhatkal met with the presence of Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, the district's education minister. JD Naik, a Hindu leader, said that the local people are peace lovers and they want to receive education and live peacefully. The president of the local Muslim society said that Islam has venues for peace, and verses of the Quran that emphasizes that idea.

3. Daily Inspiration

www.hinduismtoday.com

Siva is the Life of our life.
   Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami (1927-2001)