Monastery

Efficient Use of Space for More Storage

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For decades we’ve been using “Big Max” small storage sheds to hold many construction, maintenance and repair supplies such as plumbing parts, electrical parts, etc. The sheds served a good purpose, but are inherently flimsy and more susceptible to corrosive elements than a actual building. Now that we have the new Hale Hana metal building, the Siddhidata kulam is gradually moving supplies into secure, better-protected storage space created above the welding station. They are fashioning shelves with unusually-thick plywood that was gifted to us by a local contractor.

Across the room they also recently installed safety poles and ropes along the storage space up there.

After capturing these few photos, we saw taskforcer Aran Malhotra weeding next to the “Tiki” sculpture outside Hale Hana entrance.

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Sadhaka Sabānatha Receives Samaya Diksha

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Aum Namah Śivaya

During this month’s celebration of Ardra nakshatra, and following our special abhishekam to Lord Nataraja, Sadhaka Sabānatha received his Samaya Diksha. This diksha is the receiving of the sacred Panchakshara Mantra along with special instructions for daily japa from one’s Satguru. In the Saiva Siddhanta tradition, this moment of diksha marks a pivotal step in the soul’s long journey. It is when Lord Śiva’s Power of Revealing Grace flows through the Satguru, opening the inner door and granting the devotee both the opportunity and the means for liberation.

  • Sadhaka receives instructions for chanting the Namah Śivaya Mantra
  • Blessed with vibhuti, sacred ash
  • and flower petals!
  • Aum Namah Śivaya

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Art for the Year-End Mailing

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Each year at this time we create a special flyer which serves as an appeal for support for our most urgent needs. This year Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami chose The Garden Path as our focus. It is a special 8-foot-wide path surrounding Iraivan Temple that serves as a mud-free walking entry for pilgrims and also as a maintenance road for our electric vehicles, allowing the team to bring supplies to the pujari, maintain the landscape, and such. It’s a big project, and costly, more than $500,000 due to the special engineering required for water control (so important on our high rainfall island) and the quality installation which will give the impression of a cobblestone path.
We commissioned Baani Sekhon, our artist in Chandigarh, North India. She just submitted the finished art, and we thought it would be interesting to take you behind the scenes to see the process, which takes weeks to complete. Follow the steps in the slideshow.

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The Sweet Sugar Palm

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A walk through the garden today brings us to the Rishi from the Himalayas murti where two stunning Arenga pinnatas are blossoming again. This is the first time we have captured the early protective sheath that covers the inflorescense, and also its removal to reveal the flower buds.

When you visit Siva’s Sacred Garden, you must stand in front of this Sugar Palm, a true gem of Southeast Asia, especially revered in Indonesia and the Philippines. Towering up to 20 meters, this majestic palm boasts large, feather-like leaves that dance in Kauai’s tropical breeze. More than just a scenic marvel, every element of the sugar palm is utilized by local communities. The sap is tapped and transformed into sweet sugar and aromatic alcohol (called arrack). Its fibers are woven into durable ropes and rustic brooms, while the broad fronds find a second life as robust roofing materials. This versatile palm is a cornerstone of sustainability and a testament to the ingenuity of traditional practices in harmonizing with nature.

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Our New Monk-Made Aquarium

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Jai Ganesha!

This week, the monks of the Ganapati Kulam finished up a long term project to rebuild their office aquarium. With the help of Mayuresh, who was visiting for a few months, the monks built this custom aquarium stand out of rough koa wood, some tarnished copper panels and a giant bronze mandala (donated by Holly Young). It’s a copy of the the same bronze chakra that resides on the back of Hanuman’s neck at the rudraksha forest. The tank is made of five tempered glass panels, and the interior is filled with a papaya root-ball and plants from the previous aquarium.

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