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“Since the inner intent of all religions is to bind man back to God, Saivite Hindus seek not to interfere with anyone’s faith or practice. We believe that there is no exclusive path, no one way for all. Saivites profoundly know that God Siva is the same Supreme Being in whom peoples of all faiths find solace, peace and liberation. Nonetheless, we realize that all religions are not the same. Each has its unique beliefs, practices, goals and paths of attainment, and the doctrines of one often conflict with those of another. Even this should never be cause for religious tension or intolerance. Saivites respect all religious traditions and the people within them. They know that good citizens and stable societies are created from groups of religious people. Saivite leaders support and participate in ecumenical gatherings with all religions. Still, Saivites defend their faith, proceed contentedly with their practices and avoid the enchantment of other ways, be they ancient or modern. The Vedas explain, “Let us have concord with our own people, and concord with people who are strangers to us. Ashvins, create between us and the strangers a unity of hearts.” Aum Namah Sivaya.
–Gurudeva
Kulamata Bhavani Param from California, one of our senior Church members, met Gurudeva in 1967. So she and her husband Kulapati Janaka have been with the Parampara for a long time. She had not been to India for a very long time and this was like a dream come true. Bhavani has been a strength to the membership all through the years, always a shining exemplar of our Saiva culture and a great singer too!
Bodhinatha’s next journey is brief, on the weekend of April 3-4 in the San Francisco Bay Area of northern California. He will visit with Saiva Siddhanta Church members and Himalayan Academy Students.
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It’s a still quiet day at Kauai Aadheenam as we begin a new phase. We had our normal Sun One Homa this morning and then every dove into their work. It’s a short 4 day phase and we are busy as bees.
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Iraivan Temple Progress Update |
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The focus here continues to be on the Iraivan Temple as we still have our architect, Selvanathan Sthapati, from India with us. Daily meetings are being conducted to iron out details for the future work.
Meanwhile at the work site, the team completed the installation of the base of the east chinna gopuram and here we see them now working on the west gopuram base stones.
Some serious adjustments being made. One can always tell by the height of the hammer, how much stone the silpi is trying to remove. This is obviously a heavy blow… He is swinging down from nearly two feet above the chisel, holding the hammer nearly at the end with firm grip.
Here, we see the light grip on the hammer, higher up the handle for “tap, tap” work or removal of perhaps just 1/8″ layer of stone.
Shanmuga Sthapati watching over it all. He’s really happy to have Selvanathan here.
Having been cleaned, the capstone gets a bathing cap to keep dry and clean, awaiting the time when the gold leaf work begins.
A sample of the jalakom or “windows” that we have in some locations.
The base of the east gopuram, all done.
Another look at the east gopuram area.
One of the final courses at the very top of Iraivan, just a layer below the capstone.
The entrance to Iraivan main sanctum.
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Himalayan Academy Travel Study Programs |
2004 Indian OdysseyJanuary 19, 2004 – February 5, 2004 |
These Innersearch pictures are from the Carole Kahn collection…. Here is Bodhinatha at the temple carving site in Bangalore, greeting the silpis and their wives an children.
Palani Hills shortly after the puja. Our monks standing quietly waiting to meet the priests.
A poignant shot of Mrs. Karen Reese with the littlest innersearcher of all, our beloved Matthew Reese, seated on the soil of Bharat, surrounded by the stones of Iraivan. He wins the prize for the most well-behaved 2-year old we’ve ever known who lived through the stress of travel in India with great decorum. That says a lot about his mom! Thanks to Matthew’s father, Evan who brought his wife and son on this trip. You made our family, a real family!
Here is innersearcher, Marquis Delano Street, a prominent attorney in Greensboro, North Carolina. Marquis is active spiritual seeker and has been reading Gurudeva’s books for many years and coming to Kauai Aadheenam for major festivals. We’re so happy to have him with us on his first trip to India. Always a strong and elegant presence, Marquis clearly has a strong focus on spiritual and religious life that’s sets a good example to us all. It was wonderful to have you with us Marquis!
We turn now to the Malaysia story with pictures from Day 3 of Innersearch, January 20th, at the famed Batu caves. Our correspondent writes:
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Salutation to Lord Ganapathi before we go up the steps of the Batu Caves.
And Up..Up we go..Here we come Lord Muruga!
Innersearchers climbing up the steps with great intensity…..
Satguru is the first to reach the top. Wow, he’s in better shape than some of the rest of us! (Smile!!!)
The Pooja was conducted at the main sanctum. The sound of the Muruga Mantra is intoned in the background by a singer, over and over again:
“Aum Saravanabhava….
Aum Saravanabhava….
Aum Saravanabhava…
Aum Saravanabhava…
Few more steps above the main sanctum resides another sanctum for Lord Muruga with his two Sakti’s.
Arati to our great Lord Kartikeya.
Deep into meditation to absorb the intense vibration prevailing in the atmosphere…
One of the innersearchers feeding the troops of monkeys ( or Lord Hanuman’s helpers I would say ) in the caves..
Satguru & swamis take a group photo with the temple priests…
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2005 Indian Odyssey
The 2004 Indian Odyssey was a great success. Ninety pilgrims spent 21 days together with Bodhinatha in Malaysia and South India. Our next Himalayan Academy Travel Study Program is planned to be a 10-day cruise on the South side of the equator, with ports of call in New Zealand and Australia, and events with local Hindu communities there. We expect this to be held in the fall of 2005, in October or November, depending on ship routes. There have been three Innersearch cruises, all very focused on classes. If you would like to get to know Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami and Gurudeva’s remarkable metaphysical teachings first hand and explore the Hindu spiritual tradition with Gurudeva’s monks and with others on the path, start saving now to join us. Send a message to our coordinator, Sadhaka Dandapani, to put your name on an advance notice list to make sure you get details as soon as they are out. |
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From Our Gurus' Teachings
Archives are now available through 2001. Light colored days have no posts. 1998-2001 coming later.
