"ONENESS AMONGST MEN, THE ADVANCEMENT OF UNITY IN DIVERSITY–THIS HAS BEEN THE CORE RELIGION OF INDIA"

Rabindranath Tagore (1861?1941)

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Don't point a finger–lend a hand.

A day spent without a conscious attempt to clean one's heart is a day wasted. Impurity of cloth or body will lead to diseases which will last only for one lifetime. But impurity of heart will lead to diseases which will afflict the soul for several births.
Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati, (1894?1994) Shankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peedam

India conquered and dominated China culturally [through Buddhism] for 20 centuries without ever having to send a single soldier across her border. Hu Shih, former Ambassador of China to the United States

The greatest source of strength for any society is its faith in God. The day it
renounces such faith will be the day that society begins to die.
Swami Vivekananda (1863?1902)

I am one with my duality.

While it is clear that Hoddle's statements caused offense to a number of people, it seems that a far greater number–including at the very least British Hindus and Buddhists–have been offended by the subsequent furor. My own understanding of the karmic principle is that it has more to do with growth and balance than with sin and retribution, postulating as it does that each soul goes through manifold experiences in order to progress toward what most of us would call Heaven. It is no less logical, no less worthy of respect, and certainly no more of a "superstitious nonsense" or "medieval prejudice" than the tenets of many other religions, Christianity included.
Trish Miller, on comments made by England's soccer coach, Glenn Hoddle, about karma, reincarnation and disabled people which got him fired from his job [see Hinduism Today May 1999]

We are supposed to live in a secular age, but Glenn Hoddle stands as living proof that religion is still one of the most dangerous things in life. He becomes the first person to lose his position in public life on a point of theology since Archbishop Cranmer–but at least Hoddle has escaped burning. Simon Barnes, in the lead of his article in The Times newspaper, London

DID YOU KNOW?

IRON WITH METTLE

Ancient India developed advanced metallurgical technology that made it possible to cast a remarkable iron pillar, dating to about 400 ce (some say 300 bce). Still standing today in Delhi, India, this solid shaft of wrought iron is about 24 feet high and 16 inches in diameter. It has been exposed to the weather and pollution since its erection, yet shows minimal corrosion, a technology lost to current ironworkers. Even with today's advances, only four foundries in the world could make this piece and none are able to keep it rust-free. The earliest known metal expert (2,200 years ago) was Rishi Patanjali. His book, Loha Shastra, "metal manual," describes in detail metal preparation.