Our monastic greenhouses where created by, and have long been cared for by, the monks of the Siddhidatta Kulam. After many years of Kauai’s weather, the shades are now in need of some deep cleaning and repairs. Due the the strong UV sunlight we have here, the shades had started to deteriorate. This is bad for many reasons, one of the main ones being that the plants are no longer as protected from the sun. These shades automatically go up and down based on the sunlight and heat. If it’s too bright, they lower to protect the fragile plants from the light and if it’s cloudy out, they raise up to offer as much light as possible. The SK Team decided to replace the torn shades with new ones, but in the process discovered that the greenhouse needed to be thoroughly washed. Today they spent the morning pressure washing the greenhouse to make it look like new.
The garden changes day to day, hour to hour, it is never the same. Walk along the paths today and it won’t be like it was last month. This is the garden now, October 12, 2024. Did you know that plants can communicate with each other and with insects through chemical signals. When under attack by pests, some plants release volatile organic compounds into the air. These signals can warn neighboring plants to preemptively strengthen their own defenses and can also attract the predators of the pests attacking them, effectively calling for backup. And there is this: Some plants exhibit incredible adaptability to extreme environments. For instance, Welwitschia mirabilis, found in the Namib Desert, survives with only the moisture from fog and dew; it can live for over a thousand years in one of the harshest environments on Earth.
One of the stories being assembled for the next issue of Hinduism Today, January 2025, is the traveling outdoor art exhibition called the Great Elephant Migration. It is created by Elephant Family USA, a charity that works to protect Asian wildlife. One hundred life-size elephant sculptures are traveling across the USA over a one year, one month period to raise awareness and funds for conservation projects. The elephants are made of Lantana camara, the second most invasive species in the world which is toxic to humans and elephants. This fast-growing shrub has taken over 40% of forests in India, thus diminishing food sources for animals and forcing them to seek sustenance in urban areas. Stay tuned for the full story.
Once we create, edit, design, print and post the 86-page magazine, we move on to other monk chores. But not everyone is content with that. One young man recently decided to put the new Notebook LM AI service to the test. He fed a PDF of the entire issue into the beast, and asked it to create a podcast. What came out is nothing short of astonishing. He sent it to us and we were floored. The resulting podcast, created in minutes, was better than most professional (think National Public Radio) audio casts.
So good in fact, we want to share it, and we are thinking we should do this for all future editions of Hinduism Today. It is 17 minutes long and covers several of the major articles in such a spontaneous and informative way. You will think two professional journalists are in a studio conversing about it. Click the small arrow below to start the podcast and prepare to be a bit gobsmacked as they say in London.
As everyone knows, the monks here loves papayas, but did you know that we grow them by ourselves? The trees are taken care of by our monks of the Siddhidatta Kulam, who have been wonderfully managing them for many years. But just like all things, these trees must eventually conclude their time on this beautiful Earth. So recently, the SK team decided to plant some new papaya trees, replacing the older ones that have been producing delicious fruits for many years.
As you can see in these pictures, Sadhaka Shankaranatha is working hard to plant the new trees. First they have to dig a hole around the old trees, going deep for their roots. Once the old tree has been removed, they plant the new papaya tree. Once placed in the ground, new soil and mulch is added. As you can see, it requires quite a lot of work to upkeep our many papaya trees and ensure that our monks have an everlasting supply of these healthy, tasty fruits!
You can also download our free Hinduism Today app here
Embark on a cultural and spiritual odyssey with the latest issue of Hinduism Today, where every page is infused with the rich heritage and profound teachings of Hinduism. This edition brings to light the grandeur of the little-known Mahasivaratri Festival in Mandi, a unique gathering where 200 deities converge from as many villages, attended by hundreds of thousands of devotees celebrating Siva’s Night with great reverence and joy.
Our 14-page Insight Educational centerpiece (“Visiting a Hindu Temple”) explores the deep significance and proper etiquette of temple worship through a detailed guide designed to enhance your spiritual encounters and understanding of these sacred spaces. Each part of a temple visit is illustrated and explained. A great resource to share with first-time visitors to our temples around the globe.
In a series of thought-provoking articles, Hindu leaders share their insights on integrating spirituality with modern living, offering perspectives that bridge ancient wisdom and contemporary challenges. Our publisher, Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, writes of willpower and concentration, clarifying that our inner life and outer life are more intertwined than we often think.
Discover the unusual history of Siamese Brahmins who perform religious rites for the king of Thailand. There’s an article on the monastic centers in Tamil Nadu that serve as guardians of South Indian Saivism, with stories of how they are modernizing. A US lawyer calls for Dharmic bylaws in the diaspora temples, assuring the welfare of temple priests who are not always treated well, it seems.
The popular Quotes & Quips section is rich with humor, cartoons, and sagely sayings; Global Dharma explores mini-stories from around the world. It’s a rich issue, with something for everyone.