Thrilled with Mayan
This is with reference to the article on Mayan Sacred Structures[June 1995]. I was thrilled to read my own thoughts spoken by Sri Ganapati Sthapati. When I visited Mexico in 1988, I was surprised to see the similarities of the temple structures in Chichén Itzá and other places. Also I saw striking resemblances of Hanuman and Siva Lingam in one of the Mayan ruins and talked about them with my tourist guide, Eduardo, who got very excited to learn something new from a saree-clad Indian woman. I also visited a school in a Mayan village, where the teacher was teaching one of the Mayan languages to her students. I was thrilled to hear several Tamil sounding words in the Mayan language. During my conversation with the teacher, I asked the meanings of those words, which I jotted down, and to my amazement, the meaning was similar to Tamil words! As I do not know much about architectural science, being a lay person, I could not compare and write about it in detail. I am extremely happy that Sthapati fulfilled my long-cherished desire.
G. V. Sarojine, Riverdale, New York, USA
Music as Meditation
The musical review of classical CDs is yet another feature bringing the readers closer to the heart of Sanatana Dharma. Hindus living in the West are in general unaware of the existence of the rare and spiritually potent recordings reviewed in the June 1995 issue. Listening to spiritual music or the art of meditating on it is known as Nada-Upasana.Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi observes in a recorded conversation that "meditation on nadais one of the several approved methods. Just as a child is lulled to sleep by lullabies, so nadasoothes one to the state of samadhi.Again just as a king sends his state musicians to welcome his son on his return from a long journey, so also nadatakes the devotee into the Lord's abode in a pleasing manner."
T. S. Vaidyanathan, Bellevue, Washington, USA
From East to West
The latest issue of Hinduism Today was very good, very thought provoking and interesting. I especially want to thank you for the excellent article on Theosophy [June 1995]. It appears that the Theosophical movement was way ahead of the world's opinion on Hinduism-they brought an appreciation of that great religion to the West through many of their intellectual offspring, especially the Liberal Catholic Church, as mentioned in page seven.
Jeffrey Allen , Baltimore, Maryland, USA
New Magazine
Thank you for the years of literary information on our great religion you have published. I was so impressed with your organization's efforts that some dedicated devotees and myself have formed a new organization called Hindu Vaarni Inc. This organization will publish a monthly newsletter, Hindu Vaarni,of religious information which will be sent to our subscribers in the New York area.
Anil Bedasie, 32-22 103 Street, East Elmhurst, New York, 11369, USA
Reaction to Robertson
Do not be overly concerned with the Pat Robertson problem. I am a Catholic, and do not agree with Mr. Robertson's comments on Hinduism.
Mark Medovich, medovich@clesun.Central.Sun.COM
I am a Christian, and have no predjudice at all against Hindus. The slovenly idea that would take from Hindu the respect it justly deserves is not even viewed seriously by Christians. Pat Robertson speaks for himself, and to his own political and religious benefit.
Don Strevel, lasvegas@ix.netcom.com, Las Vegas, USA
Caste System Is a Thorn
One thousand Pat Robertsons and Aurangzebs cannot hurt Hinduism if we Hindus did not have a terrible handicap in our caste system. This archaic system should never have started and should have been abolished 2,500 years ago when it was first challenged. Until abolished, it will remain a thorn in the side of every Hindu. Injustices of this unequal social system have always put Hindus on the defensive for centuries and other faiths have fully exploited this Hindu weakness. Because nobody in the world wants to be mistreated, when other faiths offer brotherhood and equality to disadvantaged Hindu castes, the latter are easily lured.
Surinder Paul, Bothell, Washington, USA
Never-Ending Praise
Great! Amazing centerfold of Chidambaram! What a glorious feeling it conveys to see the enormous temple spread out there. I had to show it to those of us who have been there right away, and they were just transported by it.
Marjorie Wolfe, ramana@cruzio.com, Santa Cruz, California, USA
Hinduism Today is eagerly awaited. Your articles, graphics and contribution to Hinduism are a wonderful service. For those of us who are new (in this life) to Hinduism, it is a great help. Many thanks to all of you who work so hard to create such a beautiful newspaper.
Daly de Gagne, ambika@mbnet.mb.ca, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Your Hinduism Today web site is excellent! Its one of the best sites I have visited. My grandfather is an avid reader of the print version and pointed out that you are on the Net. He was very keen in viewing the electronic version, even though he has no clue what the World Wide Web is. I am planning to give him a tour very soon.
Thomas Savundranayagam, yucc.yorku.ca!thomas@ucsd.UUCP, Toronto, Canada
I found Hinduism Today to be extremely well done, and of the highest quality. I am amazed that it is produced locally right here in Hawaii; the monastery is really a pleasant surprise. I noticed that articles appear regarding various saints and holy personalities of India. If you are interested in writing something on Meher Baba, I would be happy to send you some information, photos, etc. Some of the original disciples, although very old, are still alive.
Jay Ram, neempac@interpac.net, Hawaii, USA
* Yes, we are. We welcome any information about Meher Baba.
We Need Sanskrit
I always enjoy reading Hinduism Today, and it is serving a great cause in enlightening the world community about the wisdom and greatness of Hindu philosophy and Sanskrit language! I think these are the two most superior things evolved by mankind in its history of around ten-thousand years. In my opinion, for the salvation and emancipation of mankind, they (Hinduism and Sanskrit) should form the basis of the world-culture-now that the entire world is being reduced to a small family.
Dr. N. C. Khanduri , Katol Marg, Nagpur, India
It should be our responsibility to teach children Sanskrit. People learn different languages, so why not our mother (and father) tongue? It is also right that in the interim period brief English summation of puja mantrashould be included. Reciting and listening to mantraswith understanding is a higher stage; without understanding is a lower stage. The vibration created with mantrahas transcendental effect; just as we listen to music and like it even though we do not understand the meaning. It also depends on the attitude. Children brought up in the West more often have a negative attitude and that creates more boredom. This is due to our lack of self identity.
Govind Thakkar, Long Beach, California, USA
* If you send us your letters via e-mail (which we welcome), please also include your postal, i.e. "snail-mail," address. Thank you.
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