Guest guest Posted June 24, 2005 Report Share Posted June 24, 2005 Dear Siblings in Amma, Madhu is our first East Indian letter recipient. His parents were born and raised in Fiji and they visit him often. He attended the University of California at Berkeley, a very prestigious school. In the prison he works in the Education Department, teaching literacy classes and tutoring anyone who needs extra help. He also is a representative on the Men's Advisory Council. In that position, he gained administrative approval for inmate's contributing to tsunami relief after the December 2004 disaster in South Asia. He has been in prison for 10 years. Madhu identifies as Hindu/Sikh. When asked whether he had a spiritual advisor or access to Hindu sacred texts, Madhu told that he had been seeking a spiritual advisor for years, even writing to the Indian Embassy to see whether they would send him a list of recommended people. He was yearning for a copy of the Bhagavad Gita. He had only seen one once in ten years and it was the personal property of another inmate, not a library book. Prison rules restricted receipt of packages from outside more often than once every 3 months. If Madhu had wanted a Bible, it would have been recognized as a sacred text and he would have been permitted to get it but State Prison Officials do not know very much about Hinduism. At one point the Director was sending him lists of Hindu Sacred Texts to show to the authorities. The Director asked a member of the MA Center community who was knowledgeable and enthusiastic about texts like upanishads, Bhagavad Gita and Ramayana, to support Michael and perhaps act as his spiritual advisor, a technical term within the prison system. At present the two men are exchanging letters and both seem very happy about the opportunity. There are 5 libraries in the prison where Madhu stays. It would be wonderful if someone could donate 5 or a multiple of 5 paperbound copies of a good translation or the Bhagavad Gita for Circle of Love Inside to donate to these libraries. Hardbound books cannot be taken out of the prison library. Paperbound books can be taken back to one's cell. If you would like to help with this, contact me offlist. In Amma's service, Aikya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 28, 2005 Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 Namah Shivaya, A paperback copy of Dr. Prasad's Gita is reportedly available free of charge. Check out www.gita-society.com or www.gita4free.com. An abbreviated booklet version of the Bhagavad-Gita is also distributed. You can e-mail barry. sweta There are 5 libraries in the prison where Madhu stays. It would be wonderful if someone could donate 5 or a multiple of 5 paperbound copies of a good translation or the Bhagavad Gita for Circle of Love Inside to donate to these libraries. Hardbound books cannot be taken out of the prison library. Paperbound books can be taken back to one's cell. If you would like to help with this, contact me offlist. In Amma's service, Aikya Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! Ammachi/ Ammachi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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