GO TO SOURCE MOSCOW, RUSSIA, Apr 14, 2001: A solemn gathering of Jains in the D.P. Dhar Hall here, on the 2,600 birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, celebrated the life and teachings of the great Indian saint. Mahavir’s principle of “ahimsa,” non-violence, has retained its relevance in the contemporary world. Prayers were offered and schoolchildren described the teachings of Mahavir…
GO TO SOURCE JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, April 14, 2001: The South African Tamil community is celebrating its New Year’s Day with great expectations. The Tamil community makes up the majority of the 1.2 million South African Indians descended from the first settlers who arrived in 1860 to work on the sugar cane plantations. South African Tamil Federation president, Mickey Chetty,…
GO TO SOURCE NEW DELHI, INDIA, April 10, 2001: Home Minister L K Advani told the Liberhan Inquiry Commission on Ayodhya today that the temple dispute could only be resolved through negotiations or legislation as a court verdict would not provide a solution to the problem. “The BJP has always been of the view that the issue could be resolved…
GO TO SOURCE STANFORD UNIVERSITY, CALIFORNIA, April 8, 2001: Stanford University’s Hindu Students Council (HSC) celebrated their first Holifest on April 8. About 50 students gathered on Wilbur Field and played Holi with colored powder, colored water and water balloons. Holi is a festival celebrating the triumph of good over evil. Sumir Meghani, HSC coordinator said, “HSC began activities at…
GO TO SOURCE HOUSTON, TEXAS, April 13, 2001: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America’s Gujarat Program information is at the website at “source” above and not at the website given in yesterday’s HPI.
GO TO SOURCE The Philadelphia Center for Science and Religion (PCRS) is pleased to announce a call for proposals for an exciting new grant program. The Local Societies Initiative provides three-year grants for $15,000 each available to academic and other organizations interested in developing new programs promoting the constructive engagement of science and religion. Each applicant must be able to…
Source: Abhiyaan Gujarati Weekly AHMEDABAD, INDIA, February 24, 2001: Appealing for funds internationally to restore Jain temples in Gujarat after the devastating January 26th earthquake, the Jain community has made extensive efforts to preserve valuables at all locations.Thirteen villages suffered losses including the sacred pilgrimage place of Bhadreshwar. After locating 205 murthis in 65 damaged temples, a team of about…
GO TO SOURCE TRIPURA, INDIA, April 10, 2001: The Buddhist Chakma tribal community, living in the hill areas of Tripura, was exposed to insults by the Christian Tripura Tiger Force recently. Torching the Buddhist temple where the community worships as well as setting fire to 13 huts belonging to five families, the group has threatened any villagers who practice any…
Source: Ramakrishna Mission BELUR MATH, HOWRAH, INDIA, March 17, 2001: Swami Smaranananda, General Secretary of the Ramakrishna Mission, announced today that after giving extensive primary relief to the victims of the 1999 Super Cyclone in Orissa, the RK Mission undertook the construction of 330 houses and three school-cum-cyclone-shelter houses as a part of its rehabilitation project at Kanaguli village, of…
GO TO SOURCE KOLKATA, INDIA, April 10, 2001: The Dalai Lama on Monday said the proposed mass conversion of one million Indian Dalits (“untouchables”) to Buddhism on October 14 would give those embracing the religion an equal standing in society. “I am always expressing, telling and sharing with new Buddhists, particularly those from so-called lower castes, that taking to Buddhism…