Bodhinatha was in Perth today… He writes:

“This morning the Singapore members and devotees sent us off at the Singapore airport and on arrival after a five hour flight we were greeted by some devotees of the Perth Hindu Temple at the Perth airport.

At the temple we attended the fifth yagna (out of 8) for Lord SIva which had about eleven priests participating. We knew many of them. The lead priest ‘s name I believe is Somaskanda. He is the priest that Ceyonswami took three classes from in the Alaveddy area long ago.

We toured the new temple which is quite large. Central shrine is a Sivalingam, To Siva’s left is Ganesha and right is Devi and Murugan. Two shrines on the far left are with marble Deities for Vishnu and Hanuman. Also a Bhairava near the front door for protector. The temple president said they have created a temple for all 6,400 Hindus in Western Australia.

After the Yagna we gave a talk on Karma Management in the old temple to a few hundred people. Some found it very helpful and asked good questions afterwards.”

Reverend Kosen Ishikawa from the Koloa Jodo Mission brought a group of Buddhist ministers from Japan this morning to visit our monastery.

Rev Ishikawa knows Bodhinatha from the Interfaith Alliance meeting that they both attend on the island.

Our guests were most fascinated with the temple and the uniqueness of the carvings.

We also showed them the sacred Bo tree.

And they each took a leaf for their worship.

Ashish Suresh Chitnis is on pilgrimage here from Michigan with his mother and father who have come over from Indore, India.

Ananth and Darcy, newlyweds from San Francisco, were among our visitors this morning.

Darcy operates a henna business and here she shares with Arumugaswami some information about her business http://www.hennalounge.com and how henna is also used by other cultures.

The Wailua Mission recently had one of their “Rudraksha Satsangs” which they call “Iraivan Evening” and sent us these photos… and captions…

“The Wailua Mission Rudraksha project reported an income this past July of $1,519.00! We appreciate the lead that Kulapati Durvasa & Kulamata Isani Alahan and their daughters have taken to keep the mission focused on this great seva and the many hours of drilling that Brahmachar Rajadeva does every month to keep us supplied with beads. Also a special thanks to Brahmacharini Lila Shakti Devi for the many hours she puts in between our family evenings to help keep the project moving.

Tandu & Uma Sivanathan hosted us this month in their beautiful home.

Uma kept everyone inspired by her very delicious special herb & black tea blend.

Not only Malas but jewelry, key chains, bracelets, ear rings and other innovative ideas have made this project a wonderful success for our small mission.

Tandu & Uma just returned from Bali, so they had many stories to tell.

Among many beautiful items they brought home, nothing could compare to this huge and beautifully carved wood Ganesha that Tandu carried in a large back pack all the way home – he wasn’t sure they would let them both on the plane in one seat but Ganesha must have really wanted to come to Kauai!

We offered the first Mala of the evening to Him with great joy!

Another Rudraksha masterpiece with bracelet to match. (Rudra means Shiva and Aksh means eye.)

A tray with malas, rudraksha ear-rings…and key chains

One of the benefits of rotating our family home evening is seeing the creative life of our members.

Tandu & Uma’s back yard is like a temple sanctuary for a bonsai collection that staggers the imagination

Rows and rows of these beautiful miniature trees must take hours of loving care.

Nothing goes to waste in Bali – here is what they do with their coconut shells! It’s a lamp!