Daily Inspiration
Source Attach yourself to Him who is free from all attachments. Bind yourself to that bond so all other bonds may be broken.— Tirukkural 350
US Federal Judge: Clergy Tax-Free Housing Allowance is Unconstitutional
Source WISCONSIN, USA, November 24, 2013 (RNS): HPI Note: This ruling, if it stands, could impact any Hindu priests who receive a cash housing allowance as part of their compensation and which they have been claiming as tax-exempt. It specifically does not change the tax situation for priests who live in temple-provided housing, however we advise consultation with the temple’s…
Shankaracharya of Kanchi and Others Cleared in Murder Case
Source CHENNAI, INDIA, Novermber 27, 2013 (BBC): An influential Hindu religious figure has been found not guilty of the murder of a temple manager in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Sri Jayendra Saraswathi, head of a 1,000-year-old Brahmin monastic order, was arrested in 2004 in connection with the murder of Sankararaman, manager of a temple in Kanchipuram. A…
Daily Inspiration
Source There was once a wise man who lived simply. His spartan food habits reflected this. He had a friend who, being a sycophant of the king, lived in great luxury. One day this friend called on the wiseman while he was eating. Looking at the food, the friend said, “My friend, if you can please the king like me,…
Atheists challenge IRS over nonprofit finances
Religion News Service KENTUCKY, USA, November 22, 2013 (Religion News Service): HPI Note: While this lawsuit has only a remote chance of succeeding, if it did there would be an impact on Hindu temples in the US, many of whom are “churches” under the IRS rules and not required to file income tax forms at all. Donations to temples would…
Christian Woman In Bali Sentenced To 14 Months in Prison for Criticism of Hindu Practices
Source BALI, INDONESIA, November 22, 2013 (opposingviews.com): A Christian woman was sentenced to a prison term of 14 months in Bali, where the majority of people practice Hinduism, after she called offerings “dirty and disgusting,” the Supreme Court of Indonesia announced. “The defendant Rusgiani, who is also known as Yohana, has been proven validly and convincingly guilty of purposefully and…
Daily Inspiration
Source Enquire: ‘Who am I?’ and you will find the answer. Look at a tree: from one seed arises a huge tree; from it comes numerous seeds, each one of which in its turn grows into a tree. No two fruits are alike. Yet it is one life that throbs in every particle of the tree. So, it is the…
Are You a Writer? Enter Our Story-Writing Contest.
Himalayan Academy KAUAI, HAWAII, November 23, 2013: Himalayan Academy is producing a series of books for Hindu youth and invites both experienced and aspiring writers alike to contribute. We’re offering US$100 to the person who submits the best short story illustrating the character trait of loyalty from a Hindu point of view. This is a part of a series on…
Does Doing Yoga Make You a Hindu?
Source UNITED KINGDOM, November 2013 (BBC): For many people, the main concern in a yoga class is whether they are breathing correctly or their legs are aligned. But for others, there are lingering doubts about whether they should be there at all, or whether they are betraying their religion. Suspicions about yoga are shared by many Muslims, Christians and Jews…
Russian Ayyappa Devotees Arrive in Sabarimala
Source INDIA, November 21, 2013 (The Hindu): Dressed in black cloths and with the customary sacred bundle (irumudikkettu) on their head, a 14-member team of Ayyappa devotees from Russia reached the holy hillock for the 12th consecutive year on Tuesday night. Induchoodan, aka Iliya Padukova, the team leader and Guruswami, said he, along with a group of devotees from St.…