SourceCHENNAI, INDIA, January 14, 2005: As speculation mounts that chief minister Jayalalithaa could be mulling an ordinance to take control of the Kanchi mutt (monastery), a debate has started on whether such a takeover is legally possible. Experts say the Tamil Nadu law governing administration of temples and religious institutions, including mutts, has not given such bodies unlimited freedom to…
Hindu Press InternationalBANGALORE, INDIA, January 14, 2005: Kailasa Ashrama has announced that the renowned Hindu leader, Sri Sri Sri Tiruchi Mahaswamigal, attained Mahasamadhi at 1:30 pm Indian time, January 14, 2005. His Holiness passed away while undergoing dialysis at the hospital, for complications related to diabetes. Swamiji’s mortal remains were returned to the ashram in the evening. The schedule of…
Press ReleaseKUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, January 13, 2005: On the occasion of the celebration of Tai Pongal across South India, Sri Lanka and other lands where Tamil Hindus have settled today, Datuk A. Vaithilingam, president of the Malaysia Hindu Sangam, issued the following message: “It has been the tradition for the Hindus in South India especially Tamil Nadu to offer thanks…
SourcePORT BLAIR, ANDAMANS, INDIA, January 10, 2005: In an unusual sight across the tsunami-ravaged coast of Andaman and Nicobar islands, groups of women are offering prayers to pacify the sea God. It is a sad picture of women, many of whom have lost their near and dear ones, worshipping and wishing an end to the wrath of the waves. “The…
SourceNEW DELHI, INDIA, January 8, 2005: The loss of human life in the tsunami was huge and frightening. But has anyone bothered to put a number to the animals that have also been affected? Domestic animals have been the worst hit. “Many owners left their pets behind. In some areas, dead cows can be seen tied to poles and trees,”…
Religion News ServiceKHAO LAK, THAILAND, January 11, 2005: A Buddhist monk garbed in bright orange came to Yan Yao temple to look for his missing father days after tsunamis battered the coastline here. He gave a DNA sample and was told his father was dead — engulfed by a giant wave. The monk calmly turned around, left the temple, and…
SourceLONDON, ENGLAND, Janaury 10, 2005: Sarah Teather, Member of Parliament, made the following “Early Day Motion” in the House of Commons, according to the Hindu Council UK (“source”). Twenty MPs cosigned the motion. “That this House notes with concern the implications for Hindu temples of the new Home Office immigration rules affecting ministers of religion, effective from 31st August 2004,…
SourceVANCOUVER, CANADA, January 10, 2005: A small Canadian Buddhist congregation has sold one of its temples to raise money for Asian tsunami victims. The abbot of the temple in Mission, east of Vancouver, handed a cheque for 500,000 Canadian dollars (US $405,000) to the Canadian Red Cross. A Tibetan group will now take over the temple after purchasing it from…
SourceKAUAI, HAWAII, January 10, 2005: HPI Note: The Hindu American Foundation (website here) is protesting the article, “Countless Souls Cry Out to God” by Kenneth L. Woodward, religion editor for Newsweek (“source”). They are concerned that the “Hindu” view of the disaster, given by a non-Hindu Western academic, does not reflect the actual views of Hindus. First we excerpt the…
SourceU.S.A., December 31, 2004: After many years of supposition but no real scientific data to back up their hunches, doctors and the public at large can now refer to a study that has been published in the Lancet medical journal that links fast food and type 2 diabetes. The news release says, “The results were derived after 15 years of…