Here is Ashok Chowgule from Goa. Ashok is one of the vice-presidents of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of India and has been in contact with Hinduism Today via e-mail for many years. He spent the morning with the monks and met with Bodhinatha for an hour. He is an articulate spokesman for Hindu issues, and is especially interested in the California textbook controversy. Many years ago, he was one of the early adopters of e-mail and the Internet as tools for promoting the Hindu cause. He enjoyed a tour of the grounds, meeting with Bodhinatha and lunch with the monks before heading on to Maui island for a conference.

Today’s homa begins.

Dr. Sunder from Lancaster here with his family and some friends.

It was a powerful ceremony today… it felt as if “Siva came…”

Monks focused on the ceremonies.

Later the Sunder family went for a walk. First, let’s check out the bells on the Umbrella Ganesha

Then a walk to Iraivan

Dr. Sunder’s son, Anthan

Sadhaka Dandapani shares stories with our guests.

A stop by the Bali Hai falls.

This is a magnificent painting by S. Rajam that we have recently received.

If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
In happy moments, praise Siva.
In difficult moments, approach Siva.
In quiet moments, worship Siva.
In painful moments, trust Siva.
In inward moments, meditate on Siva.
In every moment, thank Siva.
In this moment, see Siva.
In your deepest moments, be Siva.

This past retreat was the silpi outing. They went all the way up to Waimea Canyon.