Guest guest Posted November 19, 2005 Report Share Posted November 19, 2005 So what, Pamela? Are you another quasi-christian cry baby? Man was created in the image of god! The body is a temple of god! Just return back to yourself - you are Him, He is whithin you. No need to scandalize what you dont like or understand. Some temples allow everyone in, some don't. Just go to one that allows it. Where is the problem? Anyway, if you do not find God whereever you are, you will not find Him anywhere else. Maybe soon some American will make a scandal because he will be PROHIBITED to eat meet in Rishikesh? This is not how to deal with religious matters in a civilized way. Some patience, some introspection would have been better. With best wishes Shaas A. Ruzicka Germany --- On Sat 11/19, < vediculture > wrote: [ vediculture] vediculture 19 Nov 2005 14:08:41 -0000 [world-vedic] Digest Number 1188 ------------------------ Sponsor --------------------~--> <br>Get fast access to your favorite . Make your home page<br>http://us.click./dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/saOolB/TM<br>------------\ -----------------------~-> <br><br>There is 1 message in this issue.<br><br>Topics in this digest:<br><br> 1. Press Release: HSC Supports Temple Entry of Non-Indian Hindus<br> Vrndavan Parker <vrnparker<br><br><br>_____________\ _________________________<br>_\ _____________________<br><br>Message: 1 <br> Fri, 18 Nov 2005 10:22:37 -0800 (PST)<br> Vrndavan Parker <vrnparker<br>Press Release: HSC Supports Temple Entry of Non-Indian Hindus<br><br><br><br>Hindu Students Council <hindu_students_council wrote: Thu, 17 Nov 2005 19:47:55 -0800 (PST)<br> Hindu Students Council <hindu_students_council<br>Press Release: HSC Supports Temple Entry of Non-Indian Hindus<br>To: kalyan97<br><br> --\ -------------------<br> PRESS RELEASE (November 16, 2005)<br> For Immediate Release<br> For further information, contact HSC at hsc<br> --\ -------------------<br> <br> HSC SUPPORTS TEMPLE ENTRY OF NON-INDIAN HINDUS<br> <br> <br> The Hindu Students Council is deeply saddened by the denial of entry to a devout American Hindu into the sacred Lingaraj temple in Orissa, India. <br> <br> Several newspapers have reported that the temple custodians have been accused of denying entry to Pamela K Fleig, who is married to an Indian Hindu, even though she has embraced Hinduism. The custodians allege that no “foreigner” or “Christian” is allowed entry into the temple. This is a myopic view of the issue.<br> <br> Some ancient temples in India may restrict entry into their sanctum sanctorum (“Garba Griha”) to non-Hindus because of possible desecration of the consecrated images (“Murthis”) by religious fundamentalists and due to crass activities that include photography, vandalism, obscene behavior or insensitivity to the religious sentiments of the Hindu worshippers at the temple. This reasoning however does not justify the denial of entry to a practicing Hindu just because she is of a different race.<br> <br> By her own admission, Pamela Fleig became a Hindu at the Arya Samaj in the sacred city of Varanasi in June 2005 with full Vedic rituals. Then she got married to Anil Kumar Yadav of Uttar Pradesh on August 3, 2005 as per to Hindu Marriage act at the court of the Additional District Magistrate and Marriage officer in Varanasi. This event should be proof enough of the fact that Pamela Fleig is a Hindu by her own volition and should be reason enough to accept her in the warm embrace of the growing global Hindu population. As Swami Vivekananda stated, self-declaration remains the basic way to enter the Hindu faith.<br> <br> Sanatan Hindu Dharma has always been a global religion for ages. While there is no history of Hindu conversions by violence or financial inducements, the Hindu religion has always accepted and assimilated anyone into its fold who has voluntarily accepted the Vedic philosophy and lifestyle. The Vratyastoma ceremony ("vow pronouncement"), dating back to the Tandya Brahmana of the Rig Veda, has been performed for millennia to welcome “outsiders” into the Hindu fold. Devala Smriti, another Hindu scripture, has clear rules for the simple purification of Hindus forcibly converted to other faiths, or of people from other faiths who wish to adopt the Hindu faith.<br> <br> Historians and archaeologists have recorded the assimilation of millions of invaders into Hindu society over the past 2300 years. Hindu society has invariably converted and absorbed innumerable Macedonian Greeks, Bactrian Greeks, Scythians (Sakas), Huns and Kushans who came to pillage India but were instead won over by the Vedic way of life. In 302 BCE, Helen, the daughter of the Greek general Seleucus Nicator, also embraced the Hindu religion after marrying Emperor Chandragupta in a Vedic marriage. The 2100-year old Heliodorus column in Besnagar (Madhya Pradesh) has Sanskrit inscriptions that commemorate the conversion in 113 BCE of a Greek envoy, Heliodorus who adopted the Vedic religion and the Hindu name ‘Vasudeva’ in the court of King Kasiputra Bhagabhadra of Vidisha. Furthermore, there are records of the invading Scythian kings who embraced Vedic Hinduism, adopted Sanskrit and took Hindu names like Satyasimha, Rudrasena etc while their Scythian armies merged<br> with the Hindu population. <br> <br> History shows that Hindu society has always been broadminded and pragmatic. During the 14th century, in southern India, the Vijayanagara kingdom’s sage Vidyaranya re-converted the warriors Harihara and Bukka after their forcible conversion to Islam. In 16th century Bengal, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s egalitarian teachings attracted many former Muslims like Haridas into adopting Hinduism. In the 17th century, Chattrapati Shivaji, the harbinger of the Hindu resurgence after centuries of tyrannical foreign rule, reconverted Balaji Nimbalkar to Hinduism after the latter’s Muslim conversion and gave his daughter’s hand in marriage to Nimbalkar, thus showing that a convert to Hinduism was of equal status as any other Hindu. This openness in welcoming tens of thousands of non-Hindus into Hindu Dharma by Shuddhi ceremonies has been demonstrated for over a century by the Arya Samaj, the Masurashram (in Mumbai) and two ashrams in Tamil Nadu -Madurai Aadheenam and Kundrakuddi Aadheenam. <br> <br> Over the past 150 years, as a direct result of Hindu scriptures, Swamis and Yogis coming to the West, and of many Westerners journeying to India, millions of non-Hindus have become Hindu including Sister Nivedita (the disciple of Swami Vivekananda) and Mother Mira Alfassa (the spiritual successor of Maharishi Aurobindo, in Pondicherry). The world has witnessed an explosive growth in the Americas, Europe, Australia and Africa of the Hindu followers of Swami Vivekananda (Ramakrishna Mission), Swami Chinamayananda (Chinmaya Mission), Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami (Hinduism Today and Himalayan Academy), Srila Prabhupada (ISKCON), Swami Satchidananda (Yogaville), Yogacharya B.K.S.Iyengar, Satya Sai Baba, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (Art of Living) and Mata Amritanandamayi ('Ammachi'). Even the Pandits of Varanasi have recognized this global Hindu resurgence and have anointed Vamadeva Shastri (Dr. David Frawley), a disciple of Ramana Maharishi, as the world’s first Western-born<br> ‘Vedacharya’.<br> <br> Today, there are 80 million Hindus who live outside India’s borders, constituting nearly 10% of the global Hindu population. Millions of these non-Indian Hindus are ‘seekers’ and devotees who have embraced the Vedic faith after years of learning the Vedic scriptures, practicing Yoga, worshipping the Hindu way (Bhakti, Pooja, Havan, Bhajan) and undergoing a formal name change (Namakaran) under the supervision of a Vedic Pandit (priest). These Western-born Hindus follow a pure Sattvik lifestyle shunning alcohol, tobacco, meat, illicit sex and gambling – vices that are ironically becoming increasing fashionable amongst Hindus in India. <br> <br> Tens of thousands of Indian Muslims and Indian Christians offer worship at Hindu temples like Sabarimala, Mathura, Tirupati and Vaishnodevi. The custodians of these temples are progressive enough to open their arms and welcome all devotees, irrespective of their creed or color. Yet the custodians of the Lingaraj temple persist in making a big issue over the entry of Pamela Fleig and the color of a person’s skin as proof of their Hindu-ness. <br> <br> The Hindu Students Council believes that a simple certificate of conversion, provided by the Arya Samaj or any other Hindu organization, should suffice as proof of Pamela Fleig’s Hindu faith and should be accepted by the temple custodians to allow her entry into the temple. HSC also appeals to all Hindu Acharyas, Hindu religious organizations, the Government of India and the Chief Minister of Orissa to take proactive steps to welcome Hindus of all races and nationalities into all the sacred temples of India, the birth-place of our magnificent Sanatan Hindu Dharma.<br> <br> Yours in Dharma,<br> <br> Samir Rawal<br> International President<br> Hindu Students Council<br> <br> <br> The Hindu Students Council is an international forum providing opportunities for college students and young professionals to learn about Hindu heritage and culture, fosters awareness of issues affecting Hindus and provides Seva (service) to the community through various activities, events and projects. HSC presents ample opportunities for self-development at the spiritual and professional level via campus study groups, seminars, lectures, workshops, conferences and camps. With 81 chapters in North America and several inspired chapters around the world, HSC is the largest Hindu youth movement outside of India, with the participation of over 130,000 youth in our activities. For more information, please visit www.hscnet.org or email us at hsc <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br><br><br><br><br><br><br><b\ r><br>Tired of spam? Mail has the best spam protection around _____________ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 19, 2005 Report Share Posted November 19, 2005 This complain is rather well documented and should be heard respectfully. This topic is very touchy and the "civilised" way to treat it should be compassionate and full of understanding particularly amongst converted , christians, jews and so on. I agree this is not very encouraging to be rejected by the tenants of the Hindu dharma who are sometimes acting even worse than the average of western morality. If I am kick of in Jagannath Mandir Singha dwar I will try later to enter by the Hanuman Gate. And if I can contemplate Jagannath Swami that is a clear message that Krsna fulfill the wishes of His devotee when he feels compulsively attracted to enter and break down a mundane law. So , don t be worried, Pamela, your desire to meet Sri Bhubaneswar will be fulfill in this life or in the next if you are really sincere, if you are supporter of Bhagavad Dharma by the heart and not only by official ceremony. It could be a test of Mahadeva. In the meantime you can say this sloka from Lord Siva in the 4th Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam Who is worshiping an emanation , Anirudha of Lord Visnu through the sun. namo namo ,nirudhaya hrishikeshendriyatmane namo paramahamsaya purnaya nibritatmane Lord Siva will be pleased as well as Krsna. Try again or pray for a special invitation:) Friendly Vrajananda das > So what, Pamela? Are you another quasi-christian cry baby? > > Man was created in the image of god! The body is a temple of god! Just > return back to yourself - you are Him, He is whithin you. No need to > scandalize what you dont like or understand. > > Some temples allow everyone in, some don't. Just go to one that allows it. > Where is the problem? Anyway, if you do not find God whereever you are, > you will not find Him anywhere else. > > Maybe soon some American will make a scandal because he will be PROHIBITED > to eat meet in Rishikesh? > > This is not how to deal with religious matters in a civilized way. Some > patience, some introspection would have been better. > > With best wishes > > Shaas A. Ruzicka > Germany > > > > > --- On Sat 11/19, < vediculture > wrote: > [ vediculture] > vediculture > 19 Nov 2005 14:08:41 -0000 > [world-vedic] Digest Number 1188 > > <br><br>There is 1 message in this issue.<br><br>Topics in this > digest:<br><br> 1. Press Release: HSC Supports Temple Entry of > Non-Indian Hindus<br> Vrndavan Parker > <vrnparker<br><br><br>_____________\ _________________________<br>_\ _____________________<br><br>Message: > 1 <br> Fri, 18 Nov 2005 10:22:37 -0800 (PST)<br> > Vrndavan Parker <vrnparker<br>Press Release: HSC > Supports Temple Entry of Non-Indian Hindus<br><br><br><br>Hindu Students > Council <hindu_students_council wrote: Thu, 17 Nov 2005 > 19:47:55 -0800 (PST)<br> > Hindu Students Council <hindu_students_council<br>Subject: > Press Release: HSC Supports Temple Entry of Non-Indian Hindus<br>To: > kalyan97<br><br> > --\ -------------------<br> > PRESS RELEASE (November 16, 2005)<br> For Immediate Release<br> For > further information, contact HSC at hsc<br> > --\ -------------------<br> > <br> HSC SUPPORTS TEMPLE ENTRY OF NON-INDIAN HINDUS<br> <br> <br> > The Hindu Students Council is deeply saddened by the denial of entry to a > devout American Hindu into the sacred Lingaraj temple in Orissa, India. > <br> <br> Several newspapers have reported that the temple custodians > have been accused of denying entry to Pamela K Fleig, who is married to > an Indian Hindu, even though she has > embraced Hinduism. The custodians allege that no “foreigner” or > “Christian” is allowed entry into the temple. This is a myopic view of > the issue.<br> <br> Some ancient temples in India may restrict entry > into their sanctum sanctorum (“Garba Griha”) to non-Hindus because of > possible desecration of the consecrated images (“Murthis”) by religious > fundamentalists and due to crass activities that include photography, > vandalism, obscene behavior or insensitivity to the religious sentiments > of the Hindu worshippers at the temple. This reasoning however does not > justify the denial of entry to a practicing Hindu just because she is of > a different race.<br> <br> By her own admission, Pamela Fleig became a > Hindu at the Arya Samaj in the sacred city of Varanasi in June 2005 with > full Vedic rituals. Then she got married to Anil Kumar Yadav of Uttar > Pradesh on August 3, 2005 as per to Hindu Marriage act at the court of > the Additional District Magistrate and Marriage > officer in Varanasi. This event should be proof enough of the fact that > Pamela Fleig is a Hindu by her own volition and should be reason enough > to accept her in the warm embrace of the growing global Hindu population. > As Swami Vivekananda stated, self-declaration remains the basic way to > enter the Hindu faith.<br> <br> Sanatan Hindu Dharma has always been > a global religion for ages. While there is no history of Hindu > conversions by violence or financial inducements, the Hindu religion has > always accepted and assimilated anyone into its fold who has voluntarily > accepted the Vedic philosophy and lifestyle. The Vratyastoma ceremony > ("vow pronouncement"), dating back to the Tandya Brahmana of the Rig > Veda, has been performed for millennia to welcome “outsiders” into the > Hindu fold. Devala Smriti, another Hindu scripture, has clear rules for > the simple purification of Hindus forcibly converted to other faiths, or > of people from other faiths who wish to adopt the > Hindu faith.<br> <br> Historians and archaeologists have recorded the > assimilation of millions of invaders into Hindu society over the past > 2300 years. Hindu society has invariably converted and absorbed > innumerable Macedonian Greeks, Bactrian Greeks, Scythians (Sakas), Huns > and Kushans who came to pillage India but were instead won over by the > Vedic way of life. In 302 BCE, Helen, the daughter of the Greek general > Seleucus Nicator, also embraced the Hindu religion after marrying Emperor > Chandragupta in a Vedic marriage. The 2100-year old Heliodorus column in > Besnagar (Madhya Pradesh) has Sanskrit inscriptions that commemorate the > conversion in 113 BCE of a Greek envoy, Heliodorus who adopted the Vedic > religion and the Hindu name ‘Vasudeva’ in the court of King Kasiputra > Bhagabhadra of Vidisha. Furthermore, there are records of the invading > Scythian kings who embraced Vedic Hinduism, adopted Sanskrit and took > Hindu names like Satyasimha, Rudrasena etc while > their Scythian armies merged<br> with the Hindu population. <br> <br> > History shows that Hindu society has always been broadminded and > pragmatic. During the 14th century, in southern India, the Vijayanagara > kingdom’s sage Vidyaranya re-converted the warriors Harihara and Bukka > after their forcible conversion to Islam. In 16th century Bengal, > Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s egalitarian teachings attracted many former Muslims > like Haridas into adopting Hinduism. In the 17th century, Chattrapati > Shivaji, the harbinger of the Hindu resurgence after centuries of > tyrannical foreign rule, reconverted Balaji Nimbalkar to Hinduism after > the latter’s Muslim conversion and gave his daughter’s hand in marriage > to Nimbalkar, thus showing that a convert to Hinduism was of equal status > as any other Hindu. This openness in welcoming tens of thousands of > non-Hindus into Hindu Dharma by Shuddhi ceremonies has been demonstrated > for over a century by the Arya Samaj, the Masurashram (in > Mumbai) and two ashrams in Tamil Nadu -Madurai Aadheenam and Kundrakuddi > Aadheenam. <br> <br> Over the past 150 years, as a direct result of > Hindu scriptures, Swamis and Yogis coming to the West, and of many > Westerners journeying to India, millions of non-Hindus have become Hindu > including Sister Nivedita (the disciple of Swami Vivekananda) and Mother > Mira Alfassa (the spiritual successor of Maharishi Aurobindo, in > Pondicherry). The world has witnessed an explosive growth in the > Americas, Europe, Australia and Africa of the Hindu followers of Swami > Vivekananda (Ramakrishna Mission), Swami Chinamayananda (Chinmaya > Mission), Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami (Hinduism Today and Himalayan > Academy), Srila Prabhupada (ISKCON), Swami Satchidananda (Yogaville), > Yogacharya B.K.S.Iyengar, Satya Sai Baba, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (Art of > Living) and Mata Amritanandamayi ('Ammachi'). Even the Pandits of > Varanasi have recognized this global Hindu resurgence and have anointed > Vamadeva Shastri (Dr. David Frawley), a disciple of Ramana Maharishi, as > the world’s first Western-born<br> ‘Vedacharya’.<br> <br> Today, there > are 80 million Hindus who live outside India’s borders, constituting > nearly 10% of the global Hindu population. Millions of these non-Indian > Hindus are ‘seekers’ and devotees who have embraced the Vedic faith after > years of learning the Vedic scriptures, practicing Yoga, worshipping the > Hindu way (Bhakti, Pooja, Havan, Bhajan) and undergoing a formal name > change (Namakaran) under the supervision of a Vedic Pandit (priest). > These Western-born Hindus follow a pure Sattvik lifestyle shunning > alcohol, tobacco, meat, illicit sex and gambling – vices that are > ironically becoming increasing fashionable amongst Hindus in India. <br> > <br> Tens of thousands of Indian Muslims and Indian Christians offer > worship at Hindu temples like Sabarimala, Mathura, Tirupati and > Vaishnodevi. The custodians of these temples are progressive > enough to open their arms and welcome all devotees, irrespective of their > creed or color. Yet the custodians of the Lingaraj temple persist in > making a big issue over the entry of Pamela Fleig and the color of a > person’s skin as proof of their Hindu-ness. <br> <br> The Hindu > Students Council believes that a simple certificate of conversion, > provided by the Arya Samaj or any other Hindu organization, should > suffice as proof of Pamela Fleig’s Hindu faith and should be accepted by > the temple custodians to allow her entry into the temple. HSC also > appeals to all Hindu Acharyas, Hindu religious organizations, the > Government of India and the Chief Minister of Orissa to take proactive > steps to welcome Hindus of all races and nationalities into all the > sacred temples of India, the birth-place of our magnificent Sanatan Hindu > Dharma.<br> <br> Yours in Dharma,<br> <br> Samir Rawal<br> > International President<br> Hindu Students Council<br> <br> <br> The > Hindu Students Council is an international forum providing opportunities > for college students and young professionals to learn about Hindu > heritage and culture, fosters awareness of issues affecting Hindus and > provides Seva (service) to the community through various activities, > events and projects. HSC presents ample opportunities for > self-development at the spiritual and professional level via campus study > groups, seminars, lectures, workshops, conferences and camps. With 81 > chapters in North America and several inspired chapters around the world, > HSC is the largest Hindu youth movement outside of India, with the > participation of over 130,000 youth in our activities. For more > information, please visit www.hscnet.org or email us at hsc > <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> > <br><br><br><br><br><br><br><b\ r>Do > You ?<br>Tired of spam? Mail has the best spam protection > around > > _____________ > Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com > The most personalized portal on the Web! > > > > > > This is an information resource and discussion group for people interested > in the World's Ancient Vedic Culture, with a focus on its historical, > archeological and scientific aspects. Also topics about India, Hinduism, > God, and other aspects of World Culture are welcome. > Remember, Vedic Culture is not an artificial imposition, but is the > natural state of a society that is in harmony with God and the > environment.Om Shantih, Harih Om > > Links > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 20, 2005 Report Share Posted November 20, 2005 Namaste Shaasa, I agree with your statements regarding people 'demanding' to be allowed into temples. I have experianced not being allowed into certain places in India. I found it a humbling reminder that only when grace is poured upon my head, will I be allowed entry. To demand entry is like a challenge to the Gods. Vishvamitra spent millions of years challenging the Gods, and after it was all said and done, he realized his faults and then recieved the grace of Vashista and the Gods. Also in more recent Vedic history, Haridas Thakur,though recognized as a great Vaishnava acharya, was born in a muslim family. Many encouraged him to enter into Jagannath mandir at Puri. He refused to even try, even though the king and all the acharyas would have allowed him in. I believe, this is the example all of us should follow. The good news in this press release, is that such a public recognition has been issued by the Hindu Students council verifying non-Indian Hindus as authentic members of the Hindu community. Sincerely, Vrndavan vediculture, "Shaasa A. Ruzicka" <amritasyaputra@e...> wrote: > > > So what, Pamela? Are you another quasi-christian cry baby? > > Man was created in the image of god! The body is a temple of god! Just return back to yourself - you are Him, He is whithin you. No need to scandalize what you dont like or understand. > > Some temples allow everyone in, some don't. Just go to one that allows it. Where is the problem? Anyway, if you do not find God whereever you are, you will not find Him anywhere else. > > Maybe soon some American will make a scandal because he will be PROHIBITED to eat meet in Rishikesh? > > This is not how to deal with religious matters in a civilized way. Some patience, some introspection would have been better. > > With best wishes > > Shaas A. Ruzicka > Germany > > > > > --- On Sat 11/19, < vediculture > wrote: > [ vediculture] > vediculture > 19 Nov 2005 14:08:41 -0000 > [world-vedic] Digest Number 1188 > > ------------------------ Sponsor -------------------- ~--> <br>Get fast access to your favorite . Make your home page<br>http://us.click./dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/saOolB/TM<br>- -~- > <br><br>There is 1 message in this issue.<br><br>Topics in this digest:<br><br> 1. Press Release: HSC Supports Temple Entry of Non-Indian Hindus<br> Vrndavan Parker <vrnparker><br><br><br>_______ _______________________________<br> ____<br><br>Message: 1 <br> Fri, 18 Nov 2005 10:22:37 -0800 (PST)<br> Vrndavan Parker <vrnparker><br>Press Release: HSC Supports Temple Entry of Non-Indian Hindus<br><br><br><br>Hindu Students Council <hindu_students_council> wrote: Thu, 17 Nov 2005 19:47:55 -0800 (PST)<br> > Hindu Students Council <hindu_students_council><br>Subject: Press Release: HSC Supports Temple Entry of Non-Indian Hindus<br>To: kalyan97<br><br> - --- -----------------------------<br> PRESS RELEASE (November 16, 2005) <br> For Immediate Release<br> For further information, contact HSC at hsc@h...<br> --------------- --- ---------------<br> <br> HSC SUPPORTS TEMPLE ENTRY OF NON-INDIAN HINDUS<br> <br> <br> The Hindu Students Council is deeply saddened by the denial of entry to a devout American Hindu into the sacred Lingaraj temple in Orissa, India. <br> <br> Several newspapers have reported that the temple custodians have been accused of denying entry to Pamela K Fleig, who is married to an Indian Hindu, even though she has > embraced Hinduism. The custodians allege that no "foreigner" or "Christian" is allowed entry into the temple. This is a myopic view of the issue.<br> <br> Some ancient temples in India may restrict entry into their sanctum sanctorum ("Garba Griha") to non- Hindus because of possible desecration of the consecrated images ("Murthis") by religious fundamentalists and due to crass activities that include photography, vandalism, obscene behavior or insensitivity to the religious sentiments of the Hindu worshippers at the temple. This reasoning however does not justify the denial of entry to a practicing Hindu just because she is of a different race.<br> <br> By her own admission, Pamela Fleig became a Hindu at the Arya Samaj in the sacred city of Varanasi in June 2005 with full Vedic rituals. Then she got married to Anil Kumar Yadav of Uttar Pradesh on August 3, 2005 as per to Hindu Marriage act at the court of the Additional District Magistrate and Marriage > officer in Varanasi. This event should be proof enough of the fact that Pamela Fleig is a Hindu by her own volition and should be reason enough to accept her in the warm embrace of the growing global Hindu population. As Swami Vivekananda stated, self- declaration remains the basic way to enter the Hindu faith.<br> <br> Sanatan Hindu Dharma has always been a global religion for ages. While there is no history of Hindu conversions by violence or financial inducements, the Hindu religion has always accepted and assimilated anyone into its fold who has voluntarily accepted the Vedic philosophy and lifestyle. The Vratyastoma ceremony ("vow pronouncement"), dating back to the Tandya Brahmana of the Rig Veda, has been performed for millennia to welcome "outsiders" into the Hindu fold. Devala Smriti, another Hindu scripture, has clear rules for the simple purification of Hindus forcibly converted to other faiths, or of people from other faiths who wish to adopt the > Hindu faith.<br> <br> Historians and archaeologists have recorded the assimilation of millions of invaders into Hindu society over the past 2300 years. Hindu society has invariably converted and absorbed innumerable Macedonian Greeks, Bactrian Greeks, Scythians (Sakas), Huns and Kushans who came to pillage India but were instead won over by the Vedic way of life. In 302 BCE, Helen, the daughter of the Greek general Seleucus Nicator, also embraced the Hindu religion after marrying Emperor Chandragupta in a Vedic marriage. The 2100-year old Heliodorus column in Besnagar (Madhya Pradesh) has Sanskrit inscriptions that commemorate the conversion in 113 BCE of a Greek envoy, Heliodorus who adopted the Vedic religion and the Hindu name `Vasudeva' in the court of King Kasiputra Bhagabhadra of Vidisha. Furthermore, there are records of the invading Scythian kings who embraced Vedic Hinduism, adopted Sanskrit and took Hindu names like Satyasimha, Rudrasena etc while > their Scythian armies merged<br> with the Hindu population. <br> <br> History shows that Hindu society has always been broadminded and pragmatic. During the 14th century, in southern India, the Vijayanagara kingdom's sage Vidyaranya re-converted the warriors Harihara and Bukka after their forcible conversion to Islam. In 16th century Bengal, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's egalitarian teachings attracted many former Muslims like Haridas into adopting Hinduism. In the 17th century, Chattrapati Shivaji, the harbinger of the Hindu resurgence after centuries of tyrannical foreign rule, reconverted Balaji Nimbalkar to Hinduism after the latter's Muslim conversion and gave his daughter's hand in marriage to Nimbalkar, thus showing that a convert to Hinduism was of equal status as any other Hindu. This openness in welcoming tens of thousands of non- Hindus into Hindu Dharma by Shuddhi ceremonies has been demonstrated for over a century by the Arya Samaj, the Masurashram (in > Mumbai) and two ashrams in Tamil Nadu -Madurai Aadheenam and Kundrakuddi Aadheenam. <br> <br> Over the past 150 years, as a direct result of Hindu scriptures, Swamis and Yogis coming to the West, and of many Westerners journeying to India, millions of non- Hindus have become Hindu including Sister Nivedita (the disciple of Swami Vivekananda) and Mother Mira Alfassa (the spiritual successor of Maharishi Aurobindo, in Pondicherry). The world has witnessed an explosive growth in the Americas, Europe, Australia and Africa of the Hindu followers of Swami Vivekananda (Ramakrishna Mission), Swami Chinamayananda (Chinmaya Mission), Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami (Hinduism Today and Himalayan Academy), Srila Prabhupada (ISKCON), Swami Satchidananda (Yogaville), Yogacharya B.K.S.Iyengar, Satya Sai Baba, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (Art of Living) and Mata Amritanandamayi ('Ammachi'). Even the Pandits of Varanasi have recognized this global Hindu resurgence and have anointed > Vamadeva Shastri (Dr. David Frawley), a disciple of Ramana Maharishi, as the world's first Western- born<br> `Vedacharya'.<br> <br> Today, there are 80 million Hindus who live outside India's borders, constituting nearly 10% of the global Hindu population. Millions of these non-Indian Hindus are `seekers' and devotees who have embraced the Vedic faith after years of learning the Vedic scriptures, practicing Yoga, worshipping the Hindu way (Bhakti, Pooja, Havan, Bhajan) and undergoing a formal name change (Namakaran) under the supervision of a Vedic Pandit (priest). These Western-born Hindus follow a pure Sattvik lifestyle shunning alcohol, tobacco, meat, illicit sex and gambling – vices that are ironically becoming increasing fashionable amongst Hindus in India. <br> <br> Tens of thousands of Indian Muslims and Indian Christians offer worship at Hindu temples like Sabarimala, Mathura, Tirupati and Vaishnodevi. The custodians of these temples are progressive > enough to open their arms and welcome all devotees, irrespective of their creed or color. Yet the custodians of the Lingaraj temple persist in making a big issue over the entry of Pamela Fleig and the color of a person's skin as proof of their Hindu-ness. <br> <br> The Hindu Students Council believes that a simple certificate of conversion, provided by the Arya Samaj or any other Hindu organization, should suffice as proof of Pamela Fleig's Hindu faith and should be accepted by the temple custodians to allow her entry into the temple. HSC also appeals to all Hindu Acharyas, Hindu religious organizations, the Government of India and the Chief Minister of Orissa to take proactive steps to welcome Hindus of all races and nationalities into all the sacred temples of India, the birth-place of our magnificent Sanatan Hindu Dharma.<br> <br> Yours in Dharma,<br> <br> Samir Rawal<br> International President<br> Hindu Students Council<br> <br> <br> The > Hindu Students Council is an international forum providing opportunities for college students and young professionals to learn about Hindu heritage and culture, fosters awareness of issues affecting Hindus and provides Seva (service) to the community through various activities, events and projects. HSC presents ample opportunities for self-development at the spiritual and professional level via campus study groups, seminars, lectures, workshops, conferences and camps. With 81 chapters in North America and several inspired chapters around the world, HSC is the largest Hindu youth movement outside of India, with the participation of over 130,000 youth in our activities. For more information, please visit www.hscnet.org or email us at hsc@h... <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br><br><br><br><br><br><br>_______ _________<br><br>Tired of spam? Mail has the best spam protection around > > _____________ > Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com > The most personalized portal on the Web! > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 21, 2005 Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 Dear Vrn, It was a bit heated response from me, I got little bit carried away. Thank you for forgiving me and for seeing my point. It happened to me too, that I was turned away from a temple. It was very painful. But who would thought to start such a public campaign of denouncing Vedic institutions... except having some hidden agenda or being used by others. Vedic life, or India, has not a Pope who decides everything for everyone. It is a pluralistic society. And it is good so. Vedic means diversity of views and traditions. By the way "Vedic" means "pertaining to (pure) knowledge" not pertaining to temple entry. If the care takers of a mandir are against entry of foreigners then let it be so. There are hundreds of other temples open for everyone. The pandits will have reasons for it. No need to denounce them. If necessary, one can discuss with them directly. But to make a public scandal out of it is bad taste. Traigunya vishaya veda nistraigunyobhava Arjuna nirdvandvo nityasattwastho niryogakshema ATMAVAN With best wishes Shaas vediculture, "vrnparker" <vrnparker> wrote: > > Namaste Shaasa, > I agree with your statements regarding people 'demanding' to be > allowed into temples. I have experianced not being allowed into > certain places in India. I found it a humbling reminder that only > when grace is poured upon my head, will I be allowed entry. To > demand entry is like a challenge to the Gods. Vishvamitra spent > millions of years challenging the Gods, and after it was all said > and done, he realized his faults and then recieved the grace of > Vashista and the Gods. > Also in more recent Vedic history, Haridas Thakur,though recognized > as a great Vaishnava acharya, was born in a muslim family. Many > encouraged him to enter into Jagannath mandir at Puri. He refused to > even try, even though the king and all the acharyas would have > allowed him in. I believe, this is the example all of us should > follow. > The good news in this press release, is that such a public > recognition has been issued by the Hindu Students council verifying > non-Indian Hindus as authentic members of the Hindu community. > Sincerely, Vrndavan > > vediculture, "Shaasa A. Ruzicka" > <amritasyaputra@e...> wrote: > > > > > > So what, Pamela? Are you another quasi-christian cry baby? > > > > Man was created in the image of god! The body is a temple of god! > Just return back to yourself - you are Him, He is whithin you. No > need to scandalize what you dont like or understand. > > > > Some temples allow everyone in, some don't. Just go to one that > allows it. Where is the problem? Anyway, if you do not find God > whereever you are, you will not find Him anywhere else. > > > > Maybe soon some American will make a scandal because he will be > PROHIBITED to eat meet in Rishikesh? > > > > This is not how to deal with religious matters in a civilized way. > Some patience, some introspection would have been better. > > > > With best wishes > > > > Shaas A. Ruzicka > > Germany > > > > > > > > > > --- On Sat 11/19, < vediculture > wrote: > > [ vediculture] > > vediculture > > 19 Nov 2005 14:08:41 -0000 > > [world-vedic] Digest Number 1188 > > > > ------------------------ Sponsor ------------------ -- > ~--> <br>Get fast access to your favorite . Make > your home > page<br>http://us.click./dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/saOolB/TM<br>- > - ~- > > <br><br>There is 1 message in this issue.<br><br>Topics in this > digest:<br><br> 1. Press Release: HSC Supports Temple Entry of > Non-Indian Hindus<br> Vrndavan Parker > <vrnparker><br><br><br>_______ > _______________________________<br> > ____<br><br>Message: 1 > <br> Fri, 18 Nov 2005 10:22:37 -0800 (PST)<br> > Vrndavan Parker <vrnparker><br>Press Release: HSC > Supports Temple Entry of Non-Indian Hindus<br><br><br><br>Hindu > Students Council <hindu_students_council> wrote: Thu, 17 > Nov 2005 19:47:55 -0800 (PST)<br> > > Hindu Students Council <hindu_students_council><br>Subject: > Press Release: HSC Supports Temple Entry of Non-Indian Hindus<br>To: > kalyan97<br><br> -------------------------------- -- > - -- > -----------------------------<br> PRESS RELEASE (November 16, 2005) > <br> For Immediate Release<br> For further information, contact > HSC at hsc@h...<br> ------------- -- > - -- > ---------------<br> <br> HSC SUPPORTS TEMPLE ENTRY OF NON- INDIAN > HINDUS<br> <br> <br> The Hindu Students Council is deeply > saddened by the denial of entry to a devout American Hindu into the > sacred Lingaraj temple in Orissa, India. <br> <br> Several > newspapers have reported that the temple custodians have been > accused of denying entry to Pamela K Fleig, who is married to an > Indian Hindu, even though she has > > embraced Hinduism. The custodians allege that no "foreigner" > or "Christian" is allowed entry into the temple. This is a myopic > view of the issue.<br> <br> Some ancient temples in India may > restrict entry into their sanctum sanctorum ("Garba Griha") to non- > Hindus because of possible desecration of the consecrated images > ("Murthis") by religious fundamentalists and due to crass > activities that include photography, vandalism, obscene behavior or > insensitivity to the religious sentiments of the Hindu worshippers > at the temple. This reasoning however does not justify the denial > of entry to a practicing Hindu just because she is of a different > race.<br> <br> By her own admission, Pamela Fleig became a Hindu > at the Arya Samaj in the sacred city of Varanasi in June 2005 with > full Vedic rituals. Then she got married to Anil Kumar Yadav of > Uttar Pradesh on August 3, 2005 as per to Hindu Marriage act at the > court of the Additional District Magistrate and Marriage > > officer in Varanasi. This event should be proof enough of the > fact that Pamela Fleig is a Hindu by her own volition and should be > reason enough to accept her in the warm embrace of the growing > global Hindu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 21, 2005 Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 Dear Sasha, No need for forgiveness. Im sure you know I get emotional as well regarding these issues. with so many enemies and obstacles to dharmic/sattvic goodness, its enough to drive any dharmic soul to feel anguish. Yr points are always and definately excellent, though. at yr service, Vrndavana vediculture, "sasha108de" <amritasyaputra@e...> wrote: Dear Vrn, It was a bit heated response from me, I got little bit carried away. Thank you for forgiving me and for seeing my point. It happened to me too, that I was turned away from a temple. It was very painful. But who would thought to start such a public campaign of denouncing Vedic institutions... except having some hidden agenda or being used by others. Vedic life, or India, has not a Pope who decides everything for everyone. It is a pluralistic society. And it is good so. Vedic means diversity of views and traditions. By the way "Vedic" means "pertaining to (pure) knowledge" not pertaining to temple entry. If the care takers of a mandir are against entry of foreigners then let it be so. There are hundreds of other temples open for everyone. The pandits will have reasons for it. No need to denounce them. If necessary, one can discuss with them directly. But to make a public scandal out of it is bad taste. Traigunya vishaya veda nistraigunyobhava Arjuna nirdvandvo nityasattwastho niryogakshema ATMAVAN With best wishes Shaas vediculture, "vrnparker" <vrnparker> wrote: > > Namaste Shaasa, > I agree with your statements regarding people 'demanding' to be > allowed into temples. I have experianced not being allowed into > certain places in India. I found it a humbling reminder that only > when grace is poured upon my head, will I be allowed entry. To > demand entry is like a challenge to the Gods. Vishvamitra spent > millions of years challenging the Gods, and after it was all said > and done, he realized his faults and then recieved the grace of > Vashista and the Gods. > Also in more recent Vedic history, Haridas Thakur,though recognized > as a great Vaishnava acharya, was born in a muslim family. Many > encouraged him to enter into Jagannath mandir at Puri. He refused to > even try, even though the king and all the acharyas would have > allowed him in. I believe, this is the example all of us should > follow. > The good news in this press release, is that such a public > recognition has been issued by the Hindu Students council verifying > non-Indian Hindus as authentic members of the Hindu community. > Sincerely, Vrndavan > > vediculture, "Shaasa A. Ruzicka" > <amritasyaputra@e...> wrote: > > > > > > So what, Pamela? Are you another quasi-christian cry baby? > > > > Man was created in the image of god! The body is a temple of god! > Just return back to yourself - you are Him, He is whithin you. No > need to scandalize what you dont like or understand. > > > > Some temples allow everyone in, some don't. Just go to one that > allows it. Where is the problem? Anyway, if you do not find God > whereever you are, you will not find Him anywhere else. > > > > Maybe soon some American will make a scandal because he will be > PROHIBITED to eat meet in Rishikesh? > > > > This is not how to deal with religious matters in a civilized way. > Some patience, some introspection would have been better. > > > > With best wishes > > > > Shaas A. Ruzicka > > Germany > > > > > > > > > > --- On Sat 11/19, < vediculture > wrote: > > [ vediculture] > > vediculture > > 19 Nov 2005 14:08:41 -0000 > > [world-vedic] Digest Number 1188 > > > > ------------------------ Sponsor ------------------ -- > ~--> <br>Get fast access to your favorite . Make > your home > page<br>http://us.click./dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/saOolB/TM<br>- > - ~- > > <br><br>There is 1 message in this issue.<br><br>Topics in this > digest:<br><br> 1. Press Release: HSC Supports Temple Entry of > Non-Indian Hindus<br> Vrndavan Parker > <vrnparker><br><br><br>_______ > _______________________________<br> > ____<br><br>Message: 1 > <br> Fri, 18 Nov 2005 10:22:37 -0800 (PST)<br> > Vrndavan Parker <vrnparker><br>Press Release: HSC > Supports Temple Entry of Non-Indian Hindus<br><br><br><br>Hindu > Students Council <hindu_students_council> wrote: Thu, 17 > Nov 2005 19:47:55 -0800 (PST)<br> > > Hindu Students Council <hindu_students_council><br>Subject: > Press Release: HSC Supports Temple Entry of Non-Indian Hindus<br>To: > kalyan97<br><br> -------------------------------- -- > - -- > -----------------------------<br> PRESS RELEASE (November 16, 2005) > <br> For Immediate Release<br> For further information, contact > HSC at hsc@h...<br> ------------- -- > - -- > ---------------<br> <br> HSC SUPPORTS TEMPLE ENTRY OF NON- INDIAN > HINDUS<br> <br> <br> The Hindu Students Council is deeply > saddened by the denial of entry to a devout American Hindu into the > sacred Lingaraj temple in Orissa, India. <br> <br> Several > newspapers have reported that the temple custodians have been > accused of denying entry to Pamela K Fleig, who is married to an > Indian Hindu, even though she has > > embraced Hinduism. The custodians allege that no "foreigner" > or "Christian" is allowed entry into the temple. This is a myopic > view of the issue.<br> <br> Some ancient temples in India may > restrict entry into their sanctum sanctorum ("Garba Griha") to non- > Hindus because of possible desecration of the consecrated images > ("Murthis") by religious fundamentalists and due to crass > activities that include photography, vandalism, obscene behavior or > insensitivity to the religious sentiments of the Hindu worshippers > at the temple. This reasoning however does not justify the denial > of entry to a practicing Hindu just because she is of a different > race.<br> <br> By her own admission, Pamela Fleig became a Hindu > at the Arya Samaj in the sacred city of Varanasi in June 2005 with > full Vedic rituals. Then she got married to Anil Kumar Yadav of > Uttar Pradesh on August 3, 2005 as per to Hindu Marriage act at the > court of the Additional District Magistrate and Marriage > > officer in Varanasi. This event should be proof enough of the > fact that Pamela Fleig is a Hindu by her own volition and should be > reason enough to accept her in the warm embrace of the growing > global Hindu --- End forwarded message --- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 However, the Brahmins who now run these temples, especially in Orissa, are making something else of the decree. They are using it to enforce archaic attitudes, for which they do deserve criticism. When myself and two devotee friends went to visit the temple of Sakshi Gopal in full vaishnava dress. They compared us to crows and said that we are so low that they (the actual brahmins) should not even look upon our faces on their way to the temple. We did not take offence at this insult, but sat happilly outside the temple reading the CC about Lord Caitanya's visit to Sakshi Gopal. After a few minutes we were approached by the same brahmins who asked us to sign a large guesbook they were holding and give a donation. We asked why we should give a donation after being refused entry to the temple. Their reply was, 'how can you refuse to give when you are Vaishnavas?' It still makes me laugh, but call it what it is: low minded, arrogant, ignorant, bigoted, self-righteous nonsense. Yaduvendu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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