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REUNION, FRANCE, October 27, 2003: Swami Advayananda, member of Arsha Vidya Gurukulam (“source” above), sends this brief update on Hinduism in this department of France (like a state). “We conducted a mantra diksha ceremony (initiation in a mantra) for children in Reunion to help Hindus come back fully to Hinduism. Most of them think there are no ceremonies like the Catholic first communion for their children in the Hindu religion. We wanted to prove the contrary, and reintroduce them to the samskaras, (the Hindu rites of passage including naming, first feeding, first letter, head shaving, initiation into mantra, marriage, etc. See here, scrolling down to “samskara” in this lexicon of Dancing with Siva). At the ceremony each person gave their ishta devata (family or chosen Deity), and according to this choice, we gave them a simple mantra to help them develop their faith in Sanatana Dharma. Last year, we had only five children. This year, more than twenty children and adults participated. One couple, originally married years ago in a Christian ceremony, wanted to get married following the Hindu Vivaha (wedding) rites, and we have that scheduled for December 13. We are planning other weddings for couples, as well.”

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