Today at Kauai Aadheenam

Lydgate Park Peace Pole

Leave a Comment /

The monastery cherishes its role in serving the people of Kauai, always striving to foster amity, cooperation, and good-neighborliness across the island. One such effort took shape recently when we were invited to restore a Peace Pole we originally crafted and installed at Lydgate Park in 2009. That same year, we also created a Peace Pole for the SPARK M. MATSUNAGA INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S GARDEN FOR PEACE in Hanapepe—each a quiet testament to the aloha spirit and global unity (a famous one is at the Gandhi Smriti in New Delhi where Gandhi was martyred.

The International Peace Pole Project was launched in post-war Japan by Masahisa Goi, who envisioned a world united under the prayerful message, “May Peace Prevail on Earth.” From that humble beginning, over 250,000 Peace Poles have since been planted around the world, standing silently as beacons of harmony across nations, faiths, and generations.

Upon inspection of the Lydgate pole, we found it better to create a new one. Just days ago, we milled a Eucalyptus robusta log into a beautiful six-sided sculpture. In just four hours, the raw log, still clad in bark, was transformed into a smooth, golden-reddish Peace Pole. The slideshow captures the story of this transformation.

Next, the original wooden language panels will be restored and carefully mortised into the new pole. Stay tuned as this symbol of island peace and unity continues its journey.

  • The log is super dense and heavy. The tree is also called Swamp Mahogany.
  • First cut.
  • Acharya carefully guides the blade.
  • Precision is a must if it is to be six-sided
  • So hard is the wood the blade needs resharpening after two cuts
  • It worked!
  • Now to assemble the six language panels and mortice them into the pole.

Lydgate Park Peace Pole Read More »

The Noni Bottle Labeling Machine

1 Comment /

As the price increased for shipping our noni juice in large totes to California for bottling and labeling, then shipping it back to Kauai, it became apparent that we would save money in the long run by doing the bottling and labeling ourselves. This also gives the flexibility to bottle in small batches as needed rather than filling up large totes all at once.

We invested in a bottling and labeling machine. Today we share some photos of the labeler. It has many moving parts and is finicky during the setup process for each labeling session. The machine not only applies a label, but also stamps a expiration date on the label. All the micro adjustments must be perfect and often require sacrificing a few labels initially. Once it is running well, the rest of the session usually proceeds without a hitch. One of our part-time employees, Doug, does much of the bottling and labeling, under Arumuganathaswami’s guidance.

The Noni Bottle Labeling Machine Read More »

Gurudeva Chitra Puja, and More From California

Leave a Comment /

This morning in Kauai we observed Gurudeva’s Chitra Padapuja for the month of May. In California Satguru Bodhinatha was also given padapuja at a satsang.

And, below are livestreams of the final day of kumbhabhishekam ceremonies at the Concord Shiva Murugan Temple.

Gurudeva Chitra Puja, and More From California Read More »

Concord Shiva Murugan Temple Kumbhabhishekam

1 Comment /
  • Satguru and swamis depart Kauai
  • The new temple entrance
  • The structure is built for all seasons, and houses its kodimaram inside
  • To adorn the temple vinamanam and gopurams
  • The yagasala has been going to several days already, building up power for the consecration
  • Pitchai Gurukkal was also present

Aum Namah Sivaya!

Several days ago, Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, and Sannyasins Shanmuganathaswami and Siddhanathaswami boarded a flight bound for the Bay Area. They arrived in Concord to attend the Mahakumbhabhishekam for the newly completed Concord Shiva Murugan Temple that replaces the aging temple, which was established here from Gurudeva’s original Palaniswami Sivan temple in San Francisco. It was later managed as Himalayan Academy, California branch, by our monks and devotees, and then given over to the Hindu community when Gurudeva consolidated all his teaching activities at Kauai Aadheenam. It has come a long way, and the new temple is a beautiful structure, complete with more parking and a nearby community center which was built in tandem. Aum.

Concord Shiva Murugan Temple Kumbhabhishekam Read More »

Path To Siva: Chapter I

1 Comment /

Jai Ganesha!

With the Aadheenam’s great many publications that are available to explore and share, we decided to present some here in a different format than usual. The idea was to convert the Path To Siva book into a shorter and simpler version for everyone—as a preview of what the chapter is all about. Something that works well for social media, for example. Below is the short-video format of Chapter 1. Who Am I and Where Did I Come From? Following that are nine slides with simple animations. You can download the video to view it in a better quality by clicking the vertical ellipses in the bottom-right of the video frame. Aum.

CLICK THE VIDEO TO PLAY

Below are the slides in image format

Path To Siva: Chapter I Read More »

Corpse Flower Comes Back to Life

3 Comments /

Deep in shady Asian forests, the Amorphophallus konjac sprouts a curious secret — a single, spooky flower smelling faintly of old socks or (some say) dead rats. While its cousin the corpse flower grabs headlines, konjac quietly changes the world. Its underground tuber becomes silky noodles, jellies, and even facial sponges! Blooming only once every few years, konjac’s weird beauty hides its superpower: feeding millions and inspiring some of the coolest plant-based products on Earth.

It is blooming today and it really does stink! But the design is astonishing. And the size impresses, fully four feet tall and seems to be made out of a crinkled taffeta or crushed velvet.

  • ChatGPT imagines Konjac’s admirers today.

Corpse Flower Comes Back to Life Read More »

Scroll to Top