Guest guest Posted January 15, 2005 Report Share Posted January 15, 2005 In a message dated 1/14/2005 10:18:23 PM Eastern Standard Time, Ammachi writes: On behalf of the Canadian devotees, Amma Foundation > of Canada has sent a > cheque for $25000.00 CDN ( Twenty-five thousand > Canadian dollars) to > M.A.Math, in Amritapuri , Kerala, India . The > amount is a donation to help > the ashram's efforts in rehabilitating the victims > of the tsunami disaster > in the areas of Kerala on the western coast as well > as Tamil Nadu and > Andhra Pradesh on the eastern coast. Anyone know how She intends to come up with 23 million? At first, I accepted it, but upon reflection it seems hard to see where it would come from. A few million, perhaps, but some cynics have said that it is less than true. the auctions come up with thousands, but not hundreds of thousands, even less millions. Donations are generally not too much: not inconsiderable, but not to the tune of 23 million dollars. that's a lot of dough! Perhaps someone knows something they might share as to this? Avram Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 15, 2005 Report Share Posted January 15, 2005 sprose1 wrote: In a message dated 1/14/2005 10:18:23 PM Eastern Standard Time, Ammachi writes: On behalf of the Canadian devotees, Amma Foundation > of Canada has sent a > cheque for $25000.00 CDN ( Twenty-five thousand > Canadian dollars) to > M.A.Math, in Amritapuri , Kerala, India . The > amount is a donation to help > the ashram's efforts in rehabilitating the victims > of the tsunami disaster > in the areas of Kerala on the western coast as well > as Tamil Nadu and > Andhra Pradesh on the eastern coast. Anyone know how She intends to come up with 23 million? At first, I accepted it, but upon reflection it seems hard to see where it would come from. A few million, perhaps, but some cynics have said that it is less than true. the auctions come up with thousands, but not hundreds of thousands, even less millions. Donations are generally not too much: not inconsiderable, but not to the tune of 23 million dollars. that's a lot of dough! Perhaps someone knows something they might share as to this? Avram Dear Avram, 23 million dollars/100 crores isn't huge with Indian/Hindu religious leaders. One thing you shouldn't forget about Amritapuri Ashram is that besides being Ashram (monastry), its a temple too(Bavatharini Deity). Had you been to any temple in India eg: Tirupati, Srisailam etc. Vatican City pales when compared with Tirupati. People stand in lines for days together to have glimpse of deity. Almost everbody deposits some amount in 'Hundi'. I had been to Amritapuri twice in 1999 and 2000, frankly speaking I felt it was more like Temple town than a monsatry (something like Ramakrishna mission). If you have thousands of people residing at ashram throughout the year naturally there is lot of money flowing. 100 crores is nothing for any Hindu religious leader, especially given the popularity of Ammachi. Money does come from Western devotees, but Indians (1 billion plus population) do contribute a lot. Ammachi has annual North Indian tours where she hugs thousands of people (she tours Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Delhi). In India, Her devotees include many film stars,politicians, industrialists and affluent people. What about contemporary movements like ISKON, Ramakrishna mission, Swami Narayan Movement etc every body is prosperous. Another thing, Indians in India may poor but not those resididng outside. Their population is said to be 20 million (approx one Iraq) and worth $200 billion. Finally how do you think she was able to establish and support so many schools, orphanages, Engineering instutions, Medical college etc. Heck! one of their engineering institution has a Super Computer (there are many countires in this world which don't have a single super computer). To my knwoledge there are few Super Compuetrs in India itself. You can put your western predujices aside and Ask any Indian if 23 million is much for a religious leader (in general)? P.S: Interesting incident happened during last year NYC program. I thought that the Family a head of me in darshan line was Punjabi, They where Punjabi, but from West Punjab aka "Pakistan". Over years I have seen very intersting people at Ammachi's program in NYC, But Pakistanis (Muslims in general) were the last people I was expecting to see. Gone is the misconception that Pakistani men are Henna-drenched beard sprouting mullahs who hate India and anything to do with Hinduism. Recently I read that Sri Ravi Shankar too(Art of Livivng) has good following in Pakistan. om Namah Shivaya Avinash. Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! Ammachi/ Ammachi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 17, 2005 Report Share Posted January 17, 2005 I really hope these kinds of attitudes towards muslims in general are beginning to lose their strength. Americans especially have a really negative attitude towards Islam. It's important to remember that all religions have something precious and valuable at their heart, even if they get distorted by people who seek power over the masses. One quick glance at any of the great Sufi poets and one can see that the heart of Islam is love, not hate. I pray that hindus and muslims will someday salute and celebrate the divine truth within eachother's faiths, and that we will see the day when the world's religious leaders embrace spiritual diversity. "I am so happy, I cannot be contained in the world; but like a spirit, I am hidden from the eyes of the world. If the foot of the trees were not tied to earth, they would be pursuing me; for I have blossomed so much, I am the envy of the gardens." -Rumi Hope everyone had a good weekend! love, Prajna .. Gone is the > misconception that Pakistani men are Henna-drenched > beard sprouting mullahs who hate India and anything > to do with Hinduism. Recently I read that Sri Ravi > Shankar too(Art of Livivng) has good following in > Pakistan. > > > om Namah Shivaya > > Avinash. > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > > > Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! > > > > > > > > > Links > > > > Ammachi/ > > > Ammachi > > Your use of is subject to the > > > > > > > Tired of spam? Mail has the best spam > protection around > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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