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September 14, 2009

Hindu of the Year issue released
October-November-December, 2009 issue:

4 groundbreaking articles, read all about them below:


Swami receives award
1. Meet our Hindu of the Year 2009!

Here is Sri Swami Gopal Sharan Devacharya, another of those outstanding young swamis manifesting on our Hindu horizons today, doing yeoman's work and making a tremendous difference. He was raised in an ashram and has become become chief of the eminent Nimbarka Sampradaya. He inspires devotion and is attracting a worldwide following, especially among young people. Hinduism's other sampradayas are fond of him, too, as he has developed strong bonds of friendship with them. He has built an ashram outside of Delhi that is a dharmic citadel, and is progressing dynamically on a project he launched—building 108 new temples, of which 70 are already completed. Yes, read and rejoice. The future of Hinduism is in good hands. Om.


Siva raising up his devotee
2. Another shaft of clarity from our publisher

Bodhinatha sheds light on another area of our faith, faith itself. The key, he explains, is to understand faith as a dynamic concept that grows as the soul evolves. At first, we live by blind faith, where we believe what we have been taught to believe. Later, faith becomes informed conviction, where we hold tenets and philosophy because it makes sense to us and inspires us. Finally, the soul comes to the most solid kind of faith, which rests on what we experience directly--what we know. Read and meditate on this most enlightening and encouraging teaching.

Bodhinatha with editorials titles
All of Bodhinatha's editorials are now online. For nearly 10 years, our publisher has poured the most useful, life-transforming and practical kind of wisdom into Hinduism Today via his editorials. All of them are now available to you as PDFs to read or download to uplift yourself, for a class or a lecture, or to capture some jewels to share with your kids. A few of the 32 topics are listed here.
3. History of Hinduism, lesson 3
     Helping children be proud of their faith
covers of history lessons 1, 2 and 3 with stills from video

Here is the third in the series of lessons that teach children accurate and fair history of our religon—to replace the aberrant material currently offered in schools. Lesson 3 covers 1100 to 1857 CE—a critical period when Hinduism itself was threatened first by the Muslims and then the British. But the bhakti movement continued unabated and Hinduism managed to survive. It is important for children to know and understand this period so they may intelligently and positively cope with a difficult past. See our publisher and managing editor present a résumé of this lesson in a 16-minute VIDEO on YouTube .

Lesson 1 and Lesson 2, from ancient times to 1100 CE are available in booklet form. Lesson 3 will soon be available, too. You will find it here.

Read these lessons through. Have the children read them. Distribute them at your temple, send boxes to your contacts abroad. Have the schools in your locality use it in the classroom. This is a most noble cause.


two players in chidambaram situation
4. Government takeover
      of Chidambaram

Another great mystery from the land of mysteries. India is a vibrant democracy, yet its government is taking over all Hindu temples, one after the other--now it is Chidambaram temple's turn. Only Hindu temples—other faiths are left totally in peace to manange their own affairs. That is a mystery, and you can read all about it—with clarity and objectivity—only in this issue. You won't find it anywhere else.


Order a print copy of this issue
or read or download the PDF version NOW— FREE !

  •  Single, bulk or back print copies of Hinduism Today are available here.
  •  Subscriptions to the print edition available here.
  •  Download the PDF edition of the October-November-December '09 issue here.


Innersearch poster

Innersearch Kauai (Hawaii), 2010
Applications now being received
Space is highly limited

If you want to come, better hurry. And you probably do want to come—June 12-21. Life-transforming. It will be only the world's most superb setting, choice spiritual companions, classes on what matters most in life—spirituality—by Bodhinatha and his acharya swamis, meditations, grand pujas at Kauai's Hindu Monastery temple, spectacular outings by land, sea and air, and... Interested? Then, don't wait. Very few places available. Read more and apply here.


The nine hindu beliefs in hindi

Now in Hindi !
Hinduism's 9 core beliefs

Hinduism's essence in the form of 9 key beliefs has been translated into Hindi and placed on our website as a PDF for you to download, print, distribute or even frame for your shrine room. One of Gurudeva's great gifts to humankind was his astounding distillation of Hinduism's vastness down into a few key concepts for the rest of us to grasp and hold. Here you have those 9 gems in Hindi. In English, they are here. Browse our other-languages page.


Bodhinatha travel photos

Bodhinatha teaches:

  •  unity in diversity
  •  Hindu tools for     success
  •  karma management
  •  religion & the media

Hindus are learning that clear answers to their questions ARE available, as are keys to a positive and abundant life. Consequently, there is a growing demand for teachings. In response, Bodhinatha has had a busy Summer, traveling and teaching:

  •   Edmonton, Canada. Bodhinatha attended the yearly Ganesha Festival, in June, and spoke on karma management and on cultivating tolerance.
  •   Calgary, Canada. At the Murugan Society, Bodhinatha offered suggestions for passing on Hindu traditions
  •   Maryland, USA. Bodhinatha attended the Nallur Festival and presented Hinduism's tools for success
  •   Midland, Texas, Bodhinatha conversed with the Hindu Association of West Texas about passing our traditions on to the next generation
  •   Houston, Texas, Bodhinatha was Chief Guest at the grand Janmashtami celebrations, he attended a special get-acquainted gathering and visited the Meenakshi temple. He spoke on Hindu unity, on religion and the media and on how to pass our traditions on to the next generation
  •   Singapore, Hindu Centre: Bodhinatha offered a highly successful seminar with projections, The Tirukural, its relevance today.


Bodhinatha: coming travels & satsang

  •   September 15-20, Malaysia. • On September 19, Bodhinatha will give one of his most powerful presentations, Hindu Tools for Success, focusing on the teachings of Gurudeva's book, The Power of Affirmation. Bodhinatha encourages everyone to repeat affirmations every day for the strength we need, especially in these challenging times • On September 20, Bodhinatha will introduce a special 3-hour seminar on Key elements of successful estate planning for families with a presentation on the spiritual dimensions of planning one's financial future. Ask for more information here.
  •   October 30-November 2 San Francisco Bay Area. Bodhinatha offers a Donor appreciation luncheon (by invitation only).
  •   December 15-9, Melbourne, Australia. On December 8, Bodhinatha will attend the 2009 World Parliament of Religions and offer a special address to the dignitaries from India.
  •   January 2-3, Southern California. Bodhinatha will attend the reconsecration of Swami Gopalcharan Devacharya's (Hindu of the year) Valley Hindu Temple in Northridge California.
  •   February/March, India, details coming later
  •   February/March, Mauritius, details coming later

  •  Stay up to date with Bodhinatha's travel planss, here.
  •  More about Bodhinatha here.
  •  Formal invitations for him to visit your area are received here.


Pittsburgh summer camp photos

Pittsburgh: best
Summer camp yet

Feedback:
Nine-year old Krishan: Hatha yoga makes me feel good, and I see a golden light when I look inside myself and it gets brighter and brighter.
Twelve-year old Anand: Awesome. Best part was learning visualization and how to keep myself in higher chakras, happiness and all the good stuff, instead of anger, fear and all that.
Easan katir has been teaching Hinduism at the Sri Venkateshwara temple Summer camp for 7 consecutive years, "But," he explained, "these were the best classes ever. Mainly, there were two of us this year and that made all the difference." Nanthakumar Satgunasingam graciously came to assist. Both used the book What Is Hinduism? exclusively, and coordinated their presentations closely. "Especially popular," concluded Katir, "was the practice of writing up disturbances from the past onto paper and burning them up. Many feel that this tool will change their lives. Now, they can clear their minds anytime! The whole camp's been magical in so many ways."


Rajen teaching teachers
Mauritius:
from conversion
to edification

Back in 1982, conversion raged in Mauritius. To stem the tide, Gurudeva urged Hindus to learn their religion well, and "build walls of intelligence" around themselves and their community. He then set up Hinduism classes that have continued ever since. Today, a good section of Mauritian Hindus are well versed in their faith, and conversion has virtually disappeared from the land!

Rajen Manick has been teaching Hinduism ever since Gurudeva gave the challenge and, last May, with Bodhinatha guiding, he began training teachers. The main reference is the book, What Is Hinduism? and the focus is how to teach youngsters using the Saivite Hindu Religion course "Ours are no-paper classes," he explains. "I share material computer-to-computer, and show participants how to locate and use digital resources, such as navigating Hinduism Today's rich new website." One of the trainees, S. Maurimootoo, has already started teaching and exults, "It's a whole new world—the children love digital presentations." In response to growing demand, Rajen is planning to teach a second group soon.


photo-of-children's-course.jpg

The lessons of the Saivite Hindu Religion course for children are in various languages and graded for ages 7 to 12.

photo-of-What Is Hinduism? book
What Is Hinduism? is an incomparable resource for learning, teaching, or simply musing on the marvels of Hinduism. It is a compilation of 46 of the best educational articles produced by Hinduism Today's editors over 20 years. More resources at minimela.com
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