Source SINGAPORE, April 27, 2017 (Straits Times by Annabeth Leow): Singapore is a tapestry of languages, each with its unique syntax and history. Some are endangered while others are thriving. In the latest instalment of a weekly series, we look at Sanskrit. Dating back at least 3,000 years, the Sanskrit language has shaped numerous modern cultures in South East Asia…
Source God is not a limited individual who sits alone up in the clouds on a golden throne. God is pure consciousness that dwells within everything. Understanding this truth, learn to accept and love everyone equally. — Mata Amritanandamayi Ma, Hindu spiritual leader
Source BERLIN, GERMANY, March 20, 2017 (Berliner Zeitung, translated from German): The Ganesha temple in Neukoelln’s Hasenheide Park, planned to become Germany’s largest. In 2006 hopes were high to finish the temple construction, punctually for soccer’s World Cup. But nothing came of it. In 2007, the faithful celebrated the solemn beginning of construction with priests from India flown in for…
Source LONDON, U.K., April 13, 2017 (Economic Times): Yoga along with words like Facebook and Twitter are among the top fifteen most popular words in the British society, say scientists who found that the Internet age has had a massive influence on the English language. The need to communicate with a wider-world coupled with a move away from the cosy,…
Source If you desire the world, you may try to renounce it in order to escape sorrow. Instead, renounce desire! Then you will be free of sorrow, and the world will not trouble you. — Ashtavakra Gita 16.9
Source SINGAPORE, April 17, 2017 (The Statesman): The Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple, perched along Serangoon Road, has welcomed people from all walks of life since it first opened its doors in 1855. Indian immigrants, British colonial rulers, devotees of Lord Vishnu, tourists and Singaporeans have all gathered, admiring the place of worship. At the weekends, the temple bursts into life…
Source Devotion to the satguru is the one main prescription. Without this, all learning, all austerity, family status and observances are useless. They are only decorations, pleasing to the worldly eye. — Kularnava Tantra
Source JAKARTA, INDONESIA, April 20, 2017 (White House Press Release): Today, Vice President Mike Pence participated in an interfaith dialogue with faith leaders of Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Confucianism at the conclusion of his tour of the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia. Vice President Pence expressed appreciation to Indonesia for its shared commitment to religious freedom and reaffirmed that…
Source THAILAND, April 19, 2017 (The Asian Age): Last week’s full moon, dubbed the “Pink Purnima” by a Indian bistro in Bangkok, marked the Vernal Equinox and New Year celebrations: Vilambi in Tamil Nadu, Vaisakhi in Punjab, Bikram Sambat in Kathmandu and Songkran, Thailand’s Holi. Public squares hosted water parties with live bands, overhead sprinklers, water cannons and buckets, which…
Source DHAKA, BANGLADESH, April 16, 2017 (Dhaka Tribune, editorial by Syed Zakir Hossain): The clerics have already denounced the festival of Pohela Boishakh, Bengali New Year, as a Hindu festival and they don’t want others to celebrate it. They had elaborated and insisted that it is indeed a Hindu ritual with so much fervor that, as a result, many people…