We are back after a marvelous three-day full-moon retreat. Here is Bodhinatha giving his Sun One upadesha today in Kadavul temple. He spoke on the four perspectives of the Shum language, shumef, moolef, simnef, defee, and ways to come to understand this mystical concept.

Yesterday our crew of silpis left for India for a one-month vacation to go home and be with their families. They came for blessings from Bodhinatha before departure.

This group of silpis has long-term visas and they are more than willing to come back for another three years.

So, we are giving them a break and will see them back again in September.

Bodhinatha give each one a gift.

Yoginathaswami has been been their supervisor and coordinator for the last year, in the absence of a full-fledged Sthapati.

Next the go to see Paramacharya Palaniswami.

Palaniswami has prepare a series of movies which have been put onto a DVD which they will take home to show all their families.

Coming up to this morning… Sun One homa….

Bodhinatha give his talk.

It was tour day and being summer vacation time we were packed. Over 100 people on the first, 9 am tour.

Everyone is fascinated by the intricate carving.

We also have a number of Hindu pilgrims with us. Sadhaka Dandapani has been totally busy with all the hosting of these very sincere souls.

Kulapati Easan Katir has been in Pennsylvania, teaching at the Sri Venkateshwara Temple annual summer camp. The group is divided among three teachers who offer different presentations. On the left is “Dadaji” Dr. S.N. Subba Rao, a 78-year old Gandhian, who has conducted many youth camps worldwide. Center: Brahmachari Uddhav Chaitanya, of the Chinmaya Mission.

Bodhinatha made a gift of 150 copies of “What Is Hinduism” to for the occasion. Two campers with Bodhinatha’s gifted book. The youth really love it!

Nandini Narayanam holds a picture she drew today from art in What is Hinduism, held by her friend Divya Raghu.

Studying the new and colorful book.

Group photos of all the participants.

The new finches in our aviary are so colorful!

These older Cockatiels have been with us for a long time. Some are so tame they will sit and eat out of your hand.