John GodlSYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, February 11, 2005: HPI received the following request. Not feeling qualified to answer this particular set of questions on behalf of the Hindu community, we invite our readers to send Mr. John Godl their own answers. (HPI Note: Mr. Godl has received enough answers to this question and does not need any further responses, hence we’ve removed…
SourceNEW YORK, NEW YORK, January 31, 2005: Wendy Doniger is one of the foremost scholars of Hindu mythology, states this article in the New York Times, the author, editor or translator of 20 books, and a professor with multiple appointments at the University of Chicago, where she has taught since 1978. In her new book “The Woman Who Pretended To…
SourceLOS ANGELES, USA, February 3, 2005: The student community at USC is widely respected as wonderfully diverse in cultural, ethnic and political senses. But one often-overlooked feature is its religious diversity. From the Hindu Student Organization to the Muslim Students Association, from pagans to wiccans, it’s all here at USC. To explore this religious diversity and learn more about the…
SourceHOLLAND, February 7, 2005: On December 8th last year HPI reported the graduation of the first Dutch Hindu clerics. In this article reference was made to the website of the Dutch Hindu Cleric Academy (“source”). On the English pages of this website the content of the program of the academy is given. In response to this article the academy received…
SourceFebruary 7, 2005: Masala Cruises is a company which offers Indian style cruising on the large cruise lines such as Carnival. They create a cruise within a cruise for their customers with Indian entertainment and food. Their latest endeavor caught the eye of HPI — a floating Bhagvat Katha, discourse on the life of Lord Krishna, with accompanying religious activities.…
SourceLONDON, UK, February 9, 2005: Controversial anti-hate speech legislation moved closer to becoming law in Britain on Monday, and religious and civil groups from across the political spectrum remain bitterly divided over its potential effects. Despite claims by the Labor government that proposals to outlaw speech inciting religious hatred will simply close existing legal loopholes, opponents from secular and religious…
SourceLONDON, UK, February 6, 2005: The UK Charity Commission issued a report today which effectively clears the UK Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh and Sewa International of misuse of funds collected in UK and spent in India for rehabilitation after the Gujarat 2001 earthquake. The investigation showed that all of the money, US$4.3 million, could be accounted for and that the charges…
SourceKAUAI, HAWAII, February 6, 2005: HPI Note: Our ashram offices are here on Kauai, and our Saivite lineage comes from Sri Lanka, so we were struck by this remarkable connection between our island disaster of 1992 and that of Sri Lanka in 2004. The story reads: A Hurricane ‘Iniki song cowritten by Kauaians Titus Kinimaka and Glenn Medeiros, is being…
SourceKERALA, INDIA, February 5, 2005: In the aftermath of the tsunami, victims who lost their homes as well as the means of their livelihood (fishing nets & boats), have been caught in the middle of a dispute between supporting factions. The Mata Amritanandamayi Mutt and the Catholic Bishops Conference of India have both offered to provide funds to build the…
SourceVICTORVILLE, CALIFORNIA, February 3, 2005: Hindus will get a second shot at presenting their plans for a temple on Apple Valley Road to the Town Planning Commission. By a unanimous vote, the Planning Commission decided to re-hear arguments for allowing the construction of a 7,950-square-foot Hindu temple and an adjoining community center on March 2. Several members of the community…