www.southeastasianarchaeology.com
BURI RAM, THAILAND, May 22, 2008: Ancient statues at the Phanom Rung stone temple ruins in Buri Ram have been badly damaged and the Shiva Linga stone has been moved off its plinth. Dusit Thummaporn, chief of the Phanom Rung Historical Park in Chalerm Phrakiat district, said the heads of eleven statues of Nagas, mythical serpent-like animals, at the stairs to the ancient temple had been broken off. The statue of the sacred cow of the Hindu god Shiva, two statues of Singha, a mythical lion-like beast, and the statue of the guardian deity at the entrance were also damaged. In addition, the Shiva Linga stone, a symbol of Shiva, was moved off its plinth and placed in the middle of the main building of the temple. A glass of water and three cigarettes were found at the Naga stairs. Deputy provincial police chief Wichai Sangprapai said the vandalism may be linked to conflicts among people looking after the ancient site. It could also be the work of mentally disturbed people or those who were disgruntled because they were not allowed to use the ancient site to perform rituals to bless Jatukarm amulets, Pol Col Wichai said.
Jay Lakhani on Teaching Hinduism in Public Schools
http://www.mmiweb.org.uk/nasacre/downloads/Newsletters/Newsletter_22.pdf
LONDON, ENGLAND, June 7, 2008: (HPI Note: The follow excerpt is from an article by Jay Lakhani on presenting Hinduism in UK schools. For the complete text, download the newsletter of the England’s National Association of Standing Advisory Councils for Religious Education at URL above. The article starts on page 9.
Over the last fifteen years I have had the opportunity to present Hindu teachings at hundreds of Primary and Secondary Schools, as well as numerous Sixth form Colleges. This has offered me an opportunity to interact with over a thousand of RE teachers. I also continue to offer Hindu input to hundreds of would-be-RE teachers, through PGCE courses run at a dozen universities. Almost every RE teacher I have interacted with has admitted serious difficulty in presenting Hinduism.
Pluralism Almost every RE teacher introduces Hinduism with: ‘Hinduism has many Gods.’ This is not true. Hinduism does not have many Gods; it affirms that there are many ways to think about or relate to God. (This is pluralism; a central tenet of Hinduism that recognizes the possibility of spiritual progress in theistic modes as well as non- theistic modes; it also recognizes possibility of the spiritual progress in non-religious modes). Pluralism reflects the maturity and breadth of vision of Hinduism. When teachers attempt to teach Hinduism without this concept, Hinduism comes across as an apologetic polytheistic religion. Pluralism is a highly inclusivist concept that needs to be invoked in Religious Education. Academics should be able to recognize the potency of this feature of Hinduism. Pluralism has the potential to foster genuine community cohesion that cuts across religious and non-religious boundaries.
He continues with sections on The Divinity of mankind, Religion as a matter of experience, rather than a matter of faith and resources available to teachers.
Photos of Hindu Festival Sought By Hinduism Today
https://www.hinduismtoday.com/hpi/2008/6/7#3.shtml
KAUAI, USA, June 7, 2008: Hinduism Today is looking for high-quality, professional photos of the Navaratri festivities in India. The festival manifests as several different celebrations across the nation, and Hinduism Today wants photos of them all: Durga Puja, Vijayadashami, Durgashtami, Kolu, Dusshera, Dandiya, Garba, Ayudh Puja and a few others. Photographers that have them in the portfolio please contact our Assistant Editor at hpi.list@hindu.org