last updated 11th May 2007

Kazakhstan video links
http://www.dandavats.com/?p=3345

By BB Govinda Swami

Dear All,

Hare Krishna !! Pranam.

Here are the links to the Hare Krishna Kazakhstan demolition Video.

With affectionate regards,

BB Govinda Swami

Visit http://www.kazakhkrishna.com to see the tragedy of the Krishna community in Kazakhstan.

…………………………………………………
Please try this link. This is a smart system. It automatically created 2 smaller videos based on full size I uploaded. Due to it links were changed.

You can visit this page and download from there:

http://www.archive.org/details/KazakhHinduAbuse

Full size 640×480 82Mb download:

http://www.archive.org/download/KazakhHinduAbuse/KazakhHinduVideo_WM.wmv

Smaller 32Mb size video download:

http://www.archive.org/download/KazakhHinduAbuse/KazakhHinduVideo_WM_256kb.mp4

Tiny 14Mb size video for Dial-Up connection download:

http://www.archive.org/download/KazakhHinduAbuse/KazakhHinduVideo_WM_64kb.mp4

By Felix Corley, Forum 18 News Service , and
John Kinahan, Forum 18 News Service

04th May 2007

Even though a Hare Krishna commune was told by phone today (4 May) that court executors were on their way to re-start demolitions of Hare Krishna-owned homes, none had arrived by late afternoon today, Forum 18 News Service has learnt. The latest demolition threat repeated an official warning given yesterday. The morning, the electricity supply to the commune’s homes was cut off ­ but was then restored after 30 minutes. The only official who spoke to Forum 18, in the Justice Ministry’s Religious Affairs Committee, refused to give his name and insisted that the dispute is economic and not religious discrimination. Asked why a range of religious minority communities in Kazakhstan face official intolerance - including raids, official bans on their activity, fines, detentions, arbitrary denial of legal status and denigration in official publications - the unnamed official responded: “This is disinformation. We have no information about such occurrences. Accusations of discrimination are challengeable in law.” The unnamed official insisted to Forum 18 that “no violations of international standards” take place in Kazakhstan.

Although the Hare Krishna commune was told by phone today (4 May) that Karasai District Court executors were on their way to re-start demolitions of Hare Krishna-owned homes, none had arrived by late afternoon on 4 May, Maxim Varfolomeyev of the Hare Krishna community told Forum 18 News Service from the village near Almaty. “Earlier this morning, after we were told that court executors were on their way to resume demolishing the 13 homes, the electricity supply was cut off.” The electricity was later restored, but Varfolomeyev said the community does not know when the threatened demolitions will begin again.

The Sri Vrindavan Dham commune - located in the village of Seleksia in Zhetisu rural area of Karasai district and named after the “beautiful forest of Vrindavan” in India where Krishna spent his youth - originally had 66 Hare Krishna-owned homes, plus a 47.7-hectare (118 acre) farm.

Following telephone threats on 3 May to re-start demolition of the devotees’ homes (see F18News 3 May 2007 http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=951), representatives from the local media, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Centre in Almaty, and the US Embassy visited the community today.

The Hare Krishna community this morning rang the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Presidential Administration and the state Religious Affairs Committee to protest about the demolitions. But they were given “the usual story that no senior officials could speak to us,” Varfolomeyev told Forum 18. The General Prosecutors Office claimed that, legally, they could not intervene in local court proceedings, so there was nothing that they could do.

But 30 minutes after the electricity supply was cut off, the power supply to the commune was restored.

Later, the deputy chair of the state Religious Affairs Committee, Ludmila Danilenko, told the Hare Krishna community that she had spoken to the Almaty Regional Hakimat (administration), and they had stated that they had no involvement in sending Karasai District Court executors to the commune. The Hare Krishna community told Forum 18 that they think that the decision to send the court executors was made within the Karasai Hakimat, and that Anatoli Portnyagin, who has represented the Hakimat in court cases against the commune, may have made ordered the latest demolition threats.

On 4 May, Forum 18 tried to reach Gulnara Sultonova, head of the Internal Policy Department at the Karasai Hakimat, and her subordinate, Ryskul Zhunisbayeva, who heads the Department’s section dealing with religious organisations. However, both telephones went unanswered.

Officials at the office in Astana of the Human Rights Ombudsperson Bolat Baikadamov told Forum 18 on 4 May that he is abroad until the end of May, currently in the United States. They refused to say where he is and the purpose of the visit. Baikadamov’s subordinate, Vyacheslav Kalyuzhny, refused absolutely to comment to Forum 18 on the latest moves against the Hare Krishna commune. He also refused to comment on Baikadamov’s contradictions of his own statements to the Hare Krishna community (see F18News 3 May 2007 http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=951).

The official who answered the phone on 4 May of Eraly Tugzhanov, head of the Justice Ministry’s Religious Affairs Committee, refused to give his name. However, he insisted to Forum 18 that the dispute over the Hare Krishna commune is economic and is not based on religious discrimination. Asked why only Hare Krishna devotees have had their houses confiscated, bulldozed and threatened he retorted: “Do you think other people apart from the Krishnaites have broken the law?” He insisted that the dispute will be resolved “according to the law”.

Asked why a range of religious minority communities in Kazakhstan face official intolerance - including raids, official bans on their activity, fines, detentions, arbitrary denial of legal status and denigration in official publications - the unnamed official responded: “This is disinformation. We have no information about such occurrences. Accusations of discrimination are challengeable in law.” The unnamed official insisted to Forum 18 that “no violations of international standards” take place in Kazakhstan.

Read HERE how the original issue began in Kazakstan

Read HERE what the previous articles from November 2006 were

Written by HH Bhakti Purusottama Swami

Dear Maharaj/ Prabujis/ Matajis,

It is my great pleasure to inform all the devotees of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu that a great service opportunity has been offered by the temple authorities of Gambhira, in Puri dham, where Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu spent the final years of His manifested pastimes on this earthly planet. Kasi Mishra's house, also known as Gambhira, and the Radha Kanta math, were both under the care of the Orissa government due to 20 years of litigation. Finally, this litigation problem has been resolved and the management of the institution has been returned to the temple mahanta.

The temple has sustained much damage over the years due to lack of proper maintenance. The whole place is very dirty and the roofs and walls are falling down. The temple roof is also cracking. Additionally, the temple has a lack of proper income for the maintenance of the devotees and for deity puja—and, of course, the more the Gambhira is allowed to deteriorate, the fewer visitors it will have.

At this crucial point, the mahanta of Gambhira has requested ISKCON to extend kind assistence to him in order to protect and maintain this most holy place. Devotees from all over the world come to offer their prayers and obeisances at Gambhira. This is one of the most important places for the followers of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and must be maintained nicely.

Thus, this is a golden opportunity for devotees to render service to this most sacred cause. I request all devotees to kindly donate towards this purpose. There are many things to be fixed at the place. For the time being we have prepared a rough budget, for whatever the most urgent needs are, just to bring the situation up to  survival position. Later on, we will let you know about further opportunities for service in the development of the Gambhira.

For further information contact

Bhakti Purusottama Swami

Phone: ++ 91 9434506434

E mail: bps@pamho.net

http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/may/08veda.htm

May 08, 2007 09:51 IST

History was made when the senate of the US state of Nevada opened its session with chanting of Hindu prayers for the first time since it was established in 1864.

Director of Interfaith Relations of the Hindu Temple of Northern Nevada Rajan Zed chanted the prayers to open the session on Monday.

Wearing saffron robes, 'rudraksh' necklace and traditional sandal paste 'tilak' on the forehead, Zed began with a hymn from the Rig Veda.

"I open my prayer with an invocation to the divine -- whatever it may be and however we may conceive it."

He read the next prayer from Tattiriya Upanishad, composed around 400 BC, reciting again in Sanskrit Om saha naavavatu, Saha nau bhunaktu, Saha viiryan karavaavahai,

Tejasvi naavadhiitamastu, Maa vidvishhaavahai, which means, 'May we be protected together, may we be nourished together, may we work together with great vigor, may our study be enlightening, may no obstacle arise between us.'

The next part of the prayer was from the Bhagavad Gita which was about duties, action, selfless work, welfare of others and compassion. He concluded reciting the last mantra of Rig Veda.

President of the Senate, Lieutenant Governor Brian K Krolicki, introduced Rajan Zed and all Senators stood up as he started chanting the prayer. Besides people from the area Hindu community, ministers/priests from various Christian denominations like Presbyterian, Episcopal, United Methodist, Seventh Day Adventist; and activists from Satyachetana International and World Peace and Divine Mission also attended the prayers as a gesture of support.

By Kaunteya das

While I am typing this piece, Vidvan Gauranga Prabhu is talking on the Skypecast: “The Secrets of the Medieval Mystics of India.” The introduction is: “Realized sages, free from all mental conditionings, have left jewels of experienced knowledge. Such treasure of wisdom helps us to solve our problems and fulfill our deepest desires. Their message is that happiness is possible.”

People appear receptive and respectful, asking a broad range of related questions. We already distributed four Science of Self-Realization books, pdf format.

I am seeing more and more how we can flood the internet with transcendental knowledge through this medium.

Basically we could have three approaches to this skypecast preaching, with many sub-headings and styles:
A direct approach, for everyone, with titles like “Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” Or “Lord Caitanya, the Most Munificent Avatar” and so on. In this direct approach we could highlight—in the title and introductory remarks—Krishna consciousness as it is, and we could also specifically focus on detailed themes, such as “The Differences Between the Commentaries of Srila Jiva Goswami and Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura.”
A “Bhakta Program” on line, focusing on those who already have some basic faith in and acceptance of the philosophy. This approach could provide an ongoing, planned curriculum, with a scheduled sequences of lessons: the guru, varnasrama, the three gunas, the various types of yoga , etc., etc.
An indirect approach (at least in the title and introduction), with a wide range of themes and issues that people might particularly be interested in: reincarnation, freedom from solitude, astrology, the mind: enemy or friend?, better relations and interpersonal skills, yoga secrets, and so on and on. Of course it would depend on the style, patience and overall strategy of the different preachers how direct the speeches and presentation could be, and how gradual and sequential (cumulative) the approach.

It would be good to discuss and to coordinate the efforts of various devotees, to identify languages, time zones, and individual expertise and preferences.

(This morning Kesavi Mataji, the gifted artist of the ISKCON Congregational Development Ministry, went into the “skype me” mode especially focusing on Japanese people (she is from Japan and she wants to preach to them). She sent pictures, also of Sri Sri Radha Madhava with the “Bird of Paradise” outfit she designed.)

Anyway, back to Skypecast, one idea could be to have Srila Prabhupada preaching 24/7, by organizing casts (say every 20 minutes, round the clock) of his lectures. We could just give a short introduction of each and in most cases we could use the existing titles. Of course we could also promote the speeches of other ISKCON preachers and spiritual masters, the point being that, even if we don’t have anyone for speaking live, we could have the preaching going on. And we could always provide links for free books, relevant sites, and contact information.

In this way we could systematically flood the system with Krishna consciousness.

Thousands are thought to be dependent on cannabis
Scientists have shown how cannabis may trigger psychotic illnesses such as schizophrenia.

A King's College London team gave healthy volunteers the active ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

They then recorded reduced activity in an area of the brain which keeps inappropriate thoughts at bay.

THC levels are thought to have doubled in street cannabis in recent years - at the expense of other ingredients which may have a beneficial effect.

 If something has an active effect in inducing the symptoms of psychosis after one dose, then it would not be at all surprising if repeated use induced the chronic condition

Professor Robin Murray
Institute of Psychiatry

A separate study has shown that one of these ingredients - cannabidiol (CBD) - has the potential to dampen down psychotic symptoms, and could form the basis of new treatments.

The research will be discussed at a conference on the impact of cannabis use to be held at the Institute of Psychiatry at King's College this week.

Dependency

Although figures are not kept, it is estimated that as many as 500,000 people in the UK may be dependent on cannabis.

Increasing numbers of people are seeking help for cannabis problems at specialist clinics. In 2005, only heroin users accounted for a greater proportion of patients.

Experts are concerned that street cannabis is becoming increasingly potent. It is thought that average THC content has risen from 6% to 12% in recent years.

The Institute of Psychiatry study gave THC, CBD or placebo capsules to adult male volunteers who had not abused cannabis.

They then carried out brain scans, and a battery of tests, and found that those who took THC showed reduced activity in an area of the brain called the inferior frontal cortex, which keeps inappropriate thoughts and behaviour, such as swearing and paranoia in check.

The effects were short-lived, but some people appeared more vulnerable than others.

In a second study, a team from Yale University administered THC intravenously.

Even at relatively low doses, they found 50% of healthy volunteers began to show symptoms of psychosis.

Volunteers who already had a history of psychotic symptoms appeared to be particularly vulnerable.

Side effects

A third study, by the University of Cologne, compared the effect of CBD and a commonly used anti-psychotic medicine, Amisulpride, on 42 patients with a history of schizophrenia.

After four weeks both groups showed a reduction in psychotic symptoms, but the CBD group were less prone to side effects, such as muscle stiffness and weight gain.

 We strongly urge the government to heed the growing evidence and take urgent action to warn young people that some of them are risking lifelong mental illness

Marjorie Wallace
Sane

The researchers warned that THC and CBD compete with each other biochemically, so a rise in THC levels would blunt any positive impact of CBD.

Professor Robin Murray, a consultant psychiatrist at the Institute of Psychiatry, said the research provided the strongest evidence that cannabis had a significant impact on the brain.

He said proving a long-term effect was extremely difficult, as it was not ethical or feasible to stimulate long-term psychosis in volunteers.

However, he said: "If something has an active effect in inducing the symptoms of psychosis after one dose, then it would not be at all surprising if repeated use induced the chronic condition."

Professor Murray also warned that the high potency cannabis now widely available was likely to pose a much bigger risk to health than the significantly weaker formulations of previous years.

"It is similar to comparing the effect of drinking a glass of wine at the weekend with drinking a bottle of vodka every day."

Marjorie Wallace, of the mental health charity Sane, called the research a "significant contribution" to the understanding of the dangers of cannabis.

"Sane has been saying for years that there is a link between psychosis and the drug, particularly in its more potent forms.

"We strongly urge the government to heed the growing evidence and take urgent action to warn young people that some of them are risking lifelong mental illness - that they are playing Russian roulette with their minds."

go to our pages Reefer Madness for further insights

http://www.pib.nic.in

DELHI, INDIA, May 3, 2007: (HPI note: Following is an official press release from the government of India.)

"As per the Detailed Project Report (DPR), the Sethusamudram project is scheduled to be completed by November, 2008. There is no scientific evidence regarding the existence of any ancient man-made structure in the proposed Sethusamudram Ship Channel alignment. Representations against undertaking the project have been received. However, as per the scientific information available with the Project Authorities, there is no underwater construction in the project area. As per the information available no heritage site has been declared in the project area. Final selection of the alignment has been done keeping in view various aspects including the navigational, environmental and ecological considerations. This information was given by the Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Shri T.R. Baalu in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today."

Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport & Highways
 http://www.pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=27429

 SETHUSAMUDRAM PROJECT

Rajya Sabha

As per the Detailed Project Report (DPR), the Sethusamudram project is scheduled to be completed by November, 2008.

There is no scientific evidence regarding the existence of any ancient man-made structure in the proposed Sethusamudram Ship Channel alignment.

Representations against undertaking the project have been received. However, as per the scientific information available with the Project Authorities, there is no underwater construction in the project area. As per the information available no heritage site has been declared in the project area.

Final selection of the alignment has been done keeping in view various aspects including the navigational, environmental and ecological considerations.

This information was given by the Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Shri T.R. Baalu in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

VBA/BS

State Government Bans Proselytization by Other Religions at Tirupati Temple

http://news.monstersandcritics.com/india/news/article_1297413.php/Andhra_bans_propagation_of_other_religions_at_Tirumala_temple

HYDERABAD, INDIA, April 27, 2007: The Andhra Pradesh government Friday decided to promulgate an ordinance prohibiting propagation of other religions in certain notified places of worship belonging to any particular religion. The move is mainly aimed at banning propagation of any religion other than Hinduism at the Lord Venkateshwara temple on Tirumala Hills near Tirupati. Taking a strong note of evangelical activities around the famous hill shrine, the state cabinet decided to promulgate the ordinance. Anybody found violating the provisions of the ordinance will be sentenced to three years' imprisonment or imposed a fine of US$113 or both.

In other news, here, the temple has decided that there will be no "fast-tracking" for celebrities and so the Bachchans, Ambanis, Vijay Mallya, Sachin Tendulkar and other famous pilgrim will have to wait. This comes after protests from devotees that last Sunday the Bachchan family along with newlyweds Abhishek and Aishwarya got VIP treatment at the shrine and were allowed to conduct a 20 minute puja while thousands of devotees waited in the sun for over an hour.

courtesy of Hinduism Today  http://www.hinduismtoday.com

http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070009764

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, INDIA, April 26, 2007: If Indian Railways has its way idlis and dosas may be on the way out from railway cuisine. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC ) is planning to introduce a new system to create uniformity in its catering service across the country. As per the plan, only 21 approved food items will be served on trains - a move that South Indian rail passengers feel is in bad taste.

The IRCTC has decided to remove the south Indian delicacies from the menu, initially on a pilot basis for three months. "People from different regions have different food habits, and there has to be some consideration for that and meals have to be given accordingly," said Dr Sivam, IT Consultant.

The IRCTC used to have more than one hundred items on its menu. Nevertheless, to bring uniformity, it has approved a new menu with 21 items. Noodles, vegetable burger and assorted pakoras are what are now available for the passengers. "Everyone must be given his or her food of choice. If you give only North Indian food, it is like forcing you to have that food," said passenger Ravindran Nair. To deprive the South Indian of his idlis and dosas is tantamount to a cultural onslaught. If the Indian Railways goes ahead with its decision, it should be prepared to face stiff resistance from down south.

courtesy of Hinduism Today  http://www.hinduismtoday.com

Yoginder Sikand

Some months ago I wrote an article on western Christian evangelical groups active in various Muslim countries, pointing out how many of them were actively working for promoting the strategic interests of Western governments, particularly the United States. I had been careful to buttress my arguments with ample quotations from Christian sources themselves so as not to appear to be making any unsubstantiated claims. I sent the article to several Muslim magazines, websites and Internet discussion groups, expecting it to raise some discussion of the issue in Muslim circles. To my surprise, while almost no Muslim readers got back to me about the article, I received several letters and emails from angry Christian evangelicals, almost all of them American and working among Muslim communities in South Asia, protesting that I had unfairly tarnished their image. Yes, they admitted, they did believe that the way to heaven was through Jesus alone. Without accepting him as 'personal saviour', they stressed, no one could hope to escape eternal damnation in hell. But, they protested, despite their firm faith in the exclusiveness of Christianity, they were engaged in doing 'good' for the Muslims they were working among. They were supplying them free education, and medical help, they said. They were running scores of economic development project to help 'uplift' the poor, they argued. Hence, they insisted, I had presented a completely one-sided picture of Christian evangelism among Muslims, ignoring the many 'positive' contributions that the missionaries were apparently making.

The angry response from evangelical Christians to my article prompted me to delve further into the history and broader agenda of European and American Christian missionaries working among non-Christian, particularly Muslim, peoples. A random search on the Internet revealed to me the existence of a vast, well-organised network of institutions I never knew existed, devoted specifically to missionary work among Muslims. These include academic institutes, publishing houses, radio and television stations, medical missions, centres for training missionaries and so on, all seemingly generously funded and, for the most part, located in western Europe and the United States. As they described themselves and their mission, they all seemed to be fired by a passionate belief in Christianity as the only road to salvation, and Islam, as well as other faiths, as paths to perdition in hell. Some of them described Islam as nothing less than a Satanic invention.

As many critics, including several Christians themselves, have pointed out, the fiery zeal that drives white Christian evangelicals to swarm to the 'Third World', including Muslim countries, in a desperate bid to save 'lost' souls reflects the continuing hold of the nineteenth century European imperialist discourse that saw 'natives' as beyond the pale of civilization. Today, when Christianity is almost dead in the West, how does one explain the rush of American and European evangelicals to the 'Third World'? Quite obviously this has little or nothing to do with mere pious intentions, for the decline of religion is far from apparent in the West than in the rest of the world, making it more of an urgent imperative for missionaries to work in the West than elsewhere. Thus, one has to turn to other factors to explain this seeming paradox. From a close examination of the agenda of evangelical groups in the 'Third World' it appears that, as a whole, Christian fundamentalism in our part of the world is no simple religious mission. As is widely believed, many evangelical groups working in the 'Third World' are simply fronts for Western agencies and governments, helping to promote their vested interests and strategic goals. This is most readily apparent from the cozy relationship between Christian fundamentalists and the current Bush administration. Right-wing American Christian groups are known to be sources of immense financial support to Israel. They are also vociferous backers of America's imperialist designs on the Muslim world, seeing these as a divinely mandated crusade against the forces of 'evil'.

My own discomfort about western Christian evangelicals were further confirmed when, recently, I came across a fascinating book titled 'Mission, Myth and Money in a Multicoloured World', authored by a certain Jules Gomes. Gomes is apparently a leading Indian Christian scholar, a member of the teaching faculty at one of the largest Protestant seminaries in India, the United Theological College at Bangalore. Author of several books, he is presently a research scholar at the University of Cambridge. In this insightful book Gomes describes in detail the dark and little-known world of Western evangelicals who see themselves as entrusted with the burdensome task of bringing the 'light' of Christianity to the 'benighted' non-white world.

Gomes tells us that many white right-wing Christian evangelicals whom he has interacted with closely for many years see America as God's chosen nation, capitalism as 'sacrosanct', globalisation (a euphemism for American imperialism) as a 'blessing', the carpet bombing of Afghanistan as 'necessary', the war on Iraq as a 'crusade' and the American flag as a 'quasi-religious icon'. In short, he says, he has discovered, much to his dismay, that 'the western church [is] replicating the imperialistic behaviour of the western world'. The only difference now is, he writes, that the centre of imperialism, economic, cultural and political, has shifted from Europe to America. Today, America leads the world in sending out missionaries to other lands. In 2002, America is said to have sent out 60,200 missionaries to 220 countries in 2001. 'Coca-Colonisation', as Gomes describes American imperialism, thus goes hand in hand with Christianisation.

Gomes writes that the close alliance between the Christian rightwing and American imperialism is not a new phenomenon, although the bond seems to have become even closer in recent times. As early as 1854, he tells us, a book appeared in America under the revealing, though clumsy, title of 'Armageddon: Or, The Existence […] of the United States Foretold in the Bible, Its […] Expansion into the Millennial Republic, and Its Dominion Over the Whole World'. Two decades later, in 1885 another tract, 'Our Country', was published, that claimed that America had attained the 'highest degree of Anglo-Saxonism and true Christianity' and that God had bestowed upon it the task of Christianising and 'civilising' the whole world.

While white racism, American imperialism and evangelical Christianity thus have a long history of mutual collaboration, Gomes writes that the rise of America as the global centre of right-wing Christian evangelism is largely a post-Cold War phenomenon. He argues that in the aftermath of World War II, America deliberately sought to promote right-wing Christian missionary groups in other countries, particularly in the 'Third World', in order to combat the ideological challenge of communism and anti-imperialist nationalism. These Christian groups also served to promote American interests abroad. Several of them received generous funding from far-right American government lobbies, CIA front organizations, American big business and right-wing think tanks. Many missionaries were appointed as sources of vital information for the CIA, and were used to bolster American hegemony by indoctrination and spreading American propaganda. As Sara Diamond writes in her 'Spiritual Warfare: The Politics of the Christian Right', these Christian groups eagerly sought to promote 'dependence on the world leadership […] of the United States'. For them, missionary work was simply a means 'to organize social movements and development programs favourable to US political and economic priorities'.

Contrary to the image of evangelical missionaries as pious, God-fearing do-gooders that they are so concerned to portray, Gomes shows how many of them have been involved in murky deals, working closely with American imperialist organizations. In 1975, the journal 'Christianity Today' admitted that large numbers of both Protestant and Catholic missionaries had provided information to the American intelligence authorities. In 1996, the 'Washington Post' reported that CIA officials admitted the existence of a 'controversial loophole' that permits the CIA to recruit 'American journalists as agents, use newsgathering organizations as cover and [employ] clerics or missionaries for clandestine work overseas'. Gomes provides several examples of the active role of missionaries working in

Gomes contends that American evangelicals today are one of the fiercest supporters of Israel, seeing Islam as their greatest ideological enemy. Several Christian fundamentalist groups send huge sums of money to Israel, including to various fiercely Zionist Jewish organizations. The close collaboration between right-wing Christian groups in America and world Zionism, Gomes says, is clearly suggested by the fact that when the Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Washington in January 1998, his first meeting was not with the American President, but, instead, with the leading Christian evangelist Jerry Falwell and more than a thousand Christian fundamentalists. At the meeting he was hailed as 'the Ronald Reagan of Israel', and Falwell promised to contact more than 200,000 Christian pastors, asking them to 'tell President Clinton to refrain from putting pressure on Israel'. The unrelenting hostility of many American Christian groups towards Islam and Muslims is clearly apparent in their passionate endorsement of recent America's military strikes against Muslim countries. Thus, Gomes writes, let alone the Protestant fundamentalists, even the apparently somewhat less extreme US Catholic bishops blessed the American invasion of Afghanistan. The evangelicals are now among the most fervent supporters of the American invasion and occupation of Iraq.

To come back to where I started, I do not wish to tar all evangelicals with the same brush, for surely there must be noble souls among them as well. However, taken as a whole, the evangelical project, I would still insist, constitutes a major menace, a thinly veiled guise for western imperialism, and a powerful threat to religious and cultural communities in the 'Third World'.

Message from Google Groups "Hindu Religion".

The Largest Hindu Internet Community - Over 17000 members.

http://groups.google.co.in/group/Hindu-Religion
To post send email to Hindu-Religion@googlegroups.com

http://hindustantimes.com/news/181_1934077,000600010001.htm

NEW DELHI, INDIA, February 21, 2007: Japan wants to encourage studies of Hindu Gods and Goddesses found in their country. Saraswati, Laxmi, Brahma, Ganesha among a large number of other Deities are still prayed to there though under different names. Saraswati's sketches (Benzaiten in Japanese) sanctify kitchens in rural areas of Japan even now, says Director International Academy of Indian Culture Lokesh Chandra. Japanese understood her as sa-rasavati or the Goddess of the kitchen. Rasavati is 'rasoi' in Hindi. Talking to the Hindustan Times the Japanese Cultural Counsellor Shigeyuki Shimamori said, "We would like to encourage more studies by scholars on the Hindu deities found in Japan."

It is the Mantrayana sect of Buddhism emphasizing mantras and rituals through which Hindu Deities reached Japan, Dr. Chandra said. The Japanese also perform homa known as "goma" to their Deities. Sarasvati or Benzaiten in Japanese is one of the Seven Lucky Deities (Shichi-fuk u-jin) blessing every home. Couples who desire to have beautiful daughters pray to Her. She is known as the patroness of writers, composers, musicians and painters. German scholar Philipp Franz von Siebold has written that in 1832 there were 131 shrines dedicated to Goddess Sarasvati and 100 to Lord Ganesha in Tokyo itself. A 12th century temple to Ganesha in Asa Kusa suburb of Tokyo is a National Treasure of Japan. Hindu Gods and Goddesses were introduced into Japan in 806 ADE by Kobodaishi a Japanese saint who went to China and brought with him Mantrayana text, scrolls and images.

courtesy of Hinduism Today  http://www.hinduismtoday.com

Chanting on sacred beads: our link with Krishna and the Vaishnavas

I’ve been having fun with our new online ‘virtual temple’ for members of the congregation here in Britain. Of course, being online anyone in the world can take advantage of it, but so far we’ve had our little virtual temple filled with devotees from various parts of the UK. For me it’s an exciting new forum, although I’m aware that technologically speaking, linking up various members of a forum online with voice and visuals has been available for some years.

Those who have a web camera can choose to participate by allowing themselves to be both seen and heard chanting japa during their morning meditation period. And other members can click to see them too. And that means you can see and hear everyone around the country chanting their rounds on their japa beads. It’s quite a sight for those who’ve never had the chance to chant in a temple during the early morning hours, and the sound, of course, is wonderful.

There’s nothing quite like the cacophony of Vaishnavas all chanting japa at the same time, in the same place. It’s different from a kirtan which is musical, when everyone chants in unison to the same melody. The sound of japa has been compared to the droning of bees in a hive, or the dawn chorus of many birds just before the sun rises.

Japa is the collective audible outpouring of sincere spiritual hearts struggling to make their spiritual union with the Supreme Soul, Krishna. Through the transformative power of the maha-mantra we rise above the flickering mind and attain the level of Vaikuntha, that place beyond all problems.

To begin the day with japa is the true spirit of carpe deum, as we truly ‘seize the day’ and offer it back to the Person to whom it belongs. Dedicating our mornings in this way means that we can see everything that happens that day in the light of the Absolute Truth.

And if japa was not enough there then comes the class. I have been giving classes alternately with my godbrother Tribhangananda Das. He has been speaking on the life of Narada Muni and I’ve been discussing the story of Sati, the wife of Lord Shiva, found in the fourth canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam. At first, I found it difficult to give a talk by speaking directly at the webcam. I am used to seeing the audience and feeding off their responses to what I’ve said. If they look bored I’ll tell a story; and if they nod in agreement with a point I’ve made I will know that they are appreciating what I’ve said. With a webcam there is no response at all, except that I can see if they leave the room. And they are all far too polite to do that ­ so far.

The discussions after class have been lively ­ members write their questions and I speak the answers - and I think that the novelty of having a live Bhagavatam class delivered straight to their home has interested some of our devotees sufficiently to attend regularly. The force behind this innovation, Antardwipa Das up in the Midlands town of Leicester, is delighted with the response so far. I think our greatest audience yet has been around 18 members, but now that out glitches have been dealt with and protocols established it looks all set to grow. Japa begins at 6.00 UK time and class is at 7.15. Welcome to the virtual temple.

Visit our pages on Harernaam - The chanting of the Lord's Holy Name

NOTE: (you have to go to the site to see the actual packaging....amazing)

The other day, on the way back from a five day preaching engagement at a Rainbow gathering, we stopped at a gas station. There we witnessed a most abominable thing. As we were paying the gas we noticed that in front of the cashier there was a large shelf on which they were selling worms and insects for snacks. Yep, you heard it right, worms, insects, and even scorpions. They had fried worms and crickets, spiced in varieties of ways. You could clearly see crickets’ wings and hairy legs. They had bug suckers and even insects dipped in chocolate. The advertisement for worm suckers said “Genuine Worms - Sugar Free.”

My God (Krishna)!!! What has come over these people?! They have all gone mad. Sense gratification knows no limits. For the pleasure of the
tongue people are ready to go as far as you can imagine, and then even beyond that. Damn, damn, crazy materialists.

None of us could believe that people really eat that crap. We then asked the woman behind the register if people indeed eat that stuff. She said she her self tried the worms. Yuck!!!

We all looked at each others in utter disbelief. One of devotees then said, “This is Kali-yuga.”

Later, while continuing to drive back to our home temple in San Diego, I was reflecting on the whole thing. Eventually my thought process boiled down to the final realization:

Preaching Is So Important!

If one’s mind is constantly exposed to a certain information, that information will eventually penetrate one’s consciousness and make him act a certain way. The whole commercial world is based on this principle, and as we witness it daily, it is quite successful. Simply because something is being advertised, even though it may be utterly stupid or even disgusting, people will eventually believe in it or buy it ... or as in this case: EAT IT!!!

Similarly all devotees of God in this world should put hands together and powerfully advertise God consciousness, otherwise this civilization will get sidetracked so bad that even the most powerful minds will fail to imagine such abominity. Well, now that I’ve said that I look around and already can see such far out things that have become so normal that I don’t dare to write about here in fear of public scorn.
 

Dear Sastra Dana members, please fix your mind on this most important work of distributing Krishna conscious literature. Let us all come together and see how can we fulfill the desire of Srila Prabhupada’s that billions of his books be distributed to the public in general. Srila Prabhupada wanted us to flood the society with his books. I hope this article helps you deepen the understanding how important our mission is.

Web site: http://www.sastradana.com

Pigs will now not only be for eating but powering cars too

A solution for the world's energy crisis may come in the form of a pig.

American oil company ConocoPhillips and Tyson Foods, the world's biggest meat producer, have announced that they will produce diesel from pork fat.

Cows and chickens will also be transformed to power motor vehicles.

The companies say that this renewable source of energy will be cleaner than conventional diesel. It is hoped that it will be available at petrol stations by the end of the year.

"It is chemically equivalent to diesel itself," said Geoff Webster, who is managing the scheme for Tyson Foods, in an interview with the BBC World Service.

"It has lower Carbon Dioxide, it is zero sulphur, so many positive benefits for the environment."

Animal power

In two years, ConocoPhillips expects to produce in the region of 175 million gallons of animal diesel a year. That will add another 15,000 barrels of diesel a day, which amounts to about 3 percent of the company's total diesel output.

It will receive pre-processed fat from a Tyson Foods rendering facility. Animal fat and other waxy waste is usually turned in to ingredients for soaps, cosmetics and pet food.

Animal diesel will be available at US pumps by end of 2007

The company expects to spend approximately 100 million dollars over several years on the project, and will probably enjoy tax breaks.

Since 2005, US oil companies can benefit from a dollar-per-gallon tax incentive for creating renewable fuel from animal carcasses and other food wastes.

While other car fuel replacement products already exist in the form of bio ethanol - made from grain, palm oil and sugar cane - Mr Webster said that animal diesel will not be made at a cost to food production.

"We won't be processing animals simply to get the fat to turn them in to fuel. We're taking a by-product and using that for fuel," Mr Webster said.

"We feel that it is a huge step forward as opposed to taking grains which are needed for food around the world and turning those in to fuel."

Vegetarian issue

Biofuels are seen as a way of reducing harmful emissions from burning fossil fuels.

While animal diesel may be an environmentally friendly alternative, there are fears it may not be to everybody's tastes or ethics.

Mr Webster admitted that they were yet to discuss this new product with vegetarian and religious groups.

The diesel when produced will be pumped into a network and mixed with other types of diesel. It will not be possible to tell at petrol stations whether the diesel is made from animal fat or not.

In a statement, the animal rights group PETA expressed its dismay.

"A recent report published by the United Nations concludes that the meat industry is responsible for more global warming emissions than all the cars, trucks and planes in the world combined."

"Clearly, the answer to global warming isn't to fill gas guzzling cars with ground up remains of tortured animals, it is to go vegetarian, which is something every person can afford to do and should do for the sake of their own health, animals and the environment."

http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=234788#

RAJKOT, INDIA, May 6, 2007: Archaeologists are excited about a circular wooden structure found underwater at a near-shore excavation site off the coast of Jamnagar. Thought to be the remains of the lost city of ancient Dwarka, the wooden structure is well preserved and surrounded by another structure made of stone blocks. "It is significant as scientific dating of wood, which is carbon, is possible. This was not the case with evidences like stone, beads, glass and terracotta found earlier," said Alok Tripathi, Superintending Archeologist, Underwater Archeology Wing of Archaeological Survey of India. The dating of submerged ruins off the coast of Dwarka has been matter of debate for some time as archaeologists and historians disputed the age of these structures and have claimed various dates about the origin of one of the most scared places in India. Answers to questions such as when Lord Krishna set up his kingdom in Dwarka and when did the "Golden City" su bmerge in the sea? -- are based on the interpretations of these scholars and no material evidence has so far been found that these structures could be scientifically dated. "Though excavation at Dwarka has been carried out a number of times, this is for the first time a wooden block has been found, and this is going to help us almost pin-point a time frame and give some credible answers, said Tripathi. The collected samples will be sent to different laboratories. We expect the results to come as soon as possible."

This piece was found during a near-shore excavation carried out in the southwest region of Samudranarayan Temple. The structure is made of stone and wood. The underwater archaeologist carried out diving in shallow water and studied the technique of joining these blocks in detail. The blocks were joined so well with the help of wooden dowels and nails that they remained in situ (in position) despite heavy surfs and strong current for a long period.

According to ancient literature, the ancient Dwarka city had submerged in the sea. The Underwater Archaeology Wing (UAW) of the Archaeological Survey of India undertook systematic study of Dwarka about two years back. After a thorough analysis of earlier research and extensive fieldwork, UAW started archaeological excavation at Dwarka from January 1, 2007 to know the antiquity of the site based on scientific study of the material evidence.

courtesy of Hinduism Today  http://www.hinduismtoday.com

Vedic World Heritage links:

See our pages supporting these views HERE:
http://www.hknet.org.nz/VWH.html (Vedik World Heritage)
Western Indologists been exposed page:
http://www.hknet.org.nz/WesternIndologists-page.htm
How British Misguided the World on Vedic History
http://www.hknet.org.nz/MotiveBritishRajMissionaries.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6571993.stm

LONDON, ENGLAND, April 19, 2007: American oil company ConocoPhillips and Tyson Foods, the world's biggest meat producer, have announced that they will produce diesel from pork fat. Cows and chickens will also be transformed to power motor vehicles. The companies say that this renewable source of energy will be cleaner than conventional diesel. It is hoped that it will be available at petrol stations by the end of the year. "It is chemically equivalent to diesel itself," said Geoff Webster, who is managing the scheme for Tyson Foods, in an interview with the BBC World Service. "It has lower carbon dioxide, it is zero sulphur, so many positive benefits for the environment." In two years, ConocoPhillips expects to produce in the region of 175 million gallons of animal diesel a year. That will add another 15,000 barrels of diesel a day, which amounts to about 3 percent of the company's total diesel output.

While animal diesel may be an environmentally friendly alternative, there are fears it may not be to everybody's tastes or ethics. Mr Webster admitted that they were yet to discuss this new product with vegetarian and religious groups. The diesel when produced will be pumped into a network and mixed with other types of diesel. It will not be possible to tell at petrol stations whether the diesel is made from animal fat or not.

In a statement, the animal rights group PETA expressed its dismay. "A recent report published by the United Nations concludes that the meat industry is responsible for more global warming emissions than all the cars, trucks and planes in the world combined." "Clearly, the answer to global warming isn't to fill gas guzzling cars with ground up remains of tortured animals, it is to go vegetarian, which is something every person can afford to do and should do for the sake of their own health, animals and the environment."

courtesy of Hinduism Today  http://www.hinduismtoday.com

See our World Vegetarian Day Newsletters 2004 - 2005 - World Vege Day

See similar articles at Vegetarianism & beyond:
http://turn.to/Vegetarianism

Once there were three sages, and these sages were discussing what is the best age to be delivered from material existence.  One said, "I propose that Satya-yuga is the best age, because it is the golden age, the age of enlightenment.  Just by a few hundred thousand years of meditation one can go back to Vaikuntha.  That is my proposition."  The next sage said, "No, Treta-yuga is the age.  We can do agnihotra, and just by offering grains and ghee into the fire, distributing gold to the brahmins, by this simple process we can get moksa and leave this world."  The third sage said, "Excuse me, but Dvapara-yuga is without a doubt the best age, because Krsna Bhagavan Himself is coming.  Yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata.  He comes in His original form and those who take birth in that Yuga can get the opportunity of the Lord's personal association.  So back and forth they were arguing, Satya, Treta, Dvapara, Satya, Treta, Dvapara.  But there's four ages, Satya-yuga, Treta-yuga, Dvapara-yuga and Kali-yuga.  However, these sages would not even say the name of Kali, because it's so inauspicious.  What to speak of discussing it's ill effects, they wouldn't even mention the name.  So after many years of discussion they came to no conclusion.  So they said, "Well, let us go to Srila Vyasadeva, the greatest of all sages.  He lives in the Himalayas, so lets go there and get his opinion."  So they went to Badrikashrama, and when they arrived there Vyasadeva was taking bath in a tank.  "O great sage," the rishis addressed him, "Of Satya, Treta and Dvapara, what is the best age for making spiritual advancement?"  But he wouldn't come out of the water.  They pleaded and pleaded, and then out he came and he spoke, "Satyam satyam param satyam, kaler dosa-nidhe rajann asti hy eko mahan-guna \ kirtanad eva krsnasya mukta-sangah param vrajet."  And then splash, back under the water he went.  The sages asked each other, "Did you hear that?"  "No," one replied, "I blocked my ears as soon as I heard the name of Kali."  "Ask him again," the third one said.  "O great Srila Vyasadeva, could you please repeat yourself?"  So out he came again, "Satyam satyam param satyam, kaler dosa-nidhe rajann..."  And then he explained the verse, "The highest truth, the truth of all truths, is that although this Kali-yuga is an ocean of faults, there is still one good quality about this age.  Simply by chanting the Hare Krsna mahamantra, one can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the transcendental kingdom."

See similar inspirational snippets HERE:
http://www.hknet.org.nz/parables.htm

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Vegetarianism & Beyond - http://turn.to/Vegetarianism
Vegetarianism in the major Religions - All manner of religions
Articles for newcomers to Krishna consciousness - http://www.krishna.com/newsite/main.php?id=87
Self Help and Motivational pages - Deals and Affiliate programs: - http://www.hknet.org.nz/index-selfhelp.html
Myth of the Aryan invasion by Dr. David Frawley: - http://www.hknet.org.nz/Aryan-invasion-mythDF.html

The Peace Formula - (By HDG Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada) http://www.hknet.org.nz/PeaceFormula.html

.........many other articles - http://www.hknet.org.nz/index-articles.htm

and from there go to the Main Index http://www.hknet.org.nz/index.htm

Iskcon News Articles now available - many topical insights
http://www.iskcon.com/new/index.html

Paradigms - where things are not all they seem

 The Peace Formula
http://www.hknet.org.nz/PeaceFormula.html

The Real Peace Formula
http://www.hknet.org.nz/PeaceRealF.html

See more on Yoga and Meditation HERE:
http://www.hknet.org.nz/index-yoga.html

World Vegetarian Day October 1st yearly &
World Vegetarian Awareness Month of October yearly
...please visit our links and see what you can do to help

World Smoke Free Day
31st May Every Year 

http://www.be-free.org/b-media/market-bfree03/cinema.php

yeah kick the butt
...and remember from 10th December 2004 no more smoking in public places in New Zealand by law