slJ1h,scrinticm and editorial inquiries sbould be sent to Hinduism Today, 107

A.<I~I""'II/-'J.d''''= Qb7,4b-~1~04 USA. E-mail: letters@bindu.org. HINDUISM TODAY (ISSN#

20, 4. Editorial: 1-808-822-7032 (ext. 241); subscriptions:
USA) 1-800-890-1008 (ext. 238); advertising: (in USA) 1-800-850-
1008 or 1-1:SC)1:S-~S23-9b2.q; All-departmlentfax: 1-808-822-435I. HINDUISM TODAY is published month-
ly by Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, Publisher; Acbarya Palaniswami, Ed-
itor. USA year, $74"2 years, $1Og!3years, $60ollifetime. Internatiomilrntes are
an additional $ distributed through major subSCription agencies worldwide. Call
1-808-822-7032 (ext. 230) or permissien to publish a HINDUISM TODAY article (ext.
I ~~ 227) or fax Printed in USA.
Affirming Sanatana Dharma and Recording the Mode:[R History of'a BilliON-Strong Global Religion in Renaissance 107KAHOLALELE ROAD, KAPAA, HAWAll96746-9304 USA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

, . '.
,
.:

APRIL, 1998

~-a~.~ .
INTERNATIONAL
Lead Stor¥: Three Movies Focus Global
Attention on Tibetan Buddhism 20
Interviews: What's Buddhism's FUture? 24
Resources: The Best Titles on Tibet 26
Philately: Saintly Stamps Are Cool! 32
Music: Mauritians Make MuSical Magic 34
Tribal Rig~ts: Reclaiming Their Culture 36

LIFESTYLE
Insigh't: Exploring BoI1. the Still-Living
Religion of Pre-Btidclhist Tibet 28
Women: I Survived Chinese Prison 38
Pl\rf}l1tingi Why Children Test You 4t.
taw: Big Tobacco's on the Run in US 44
Boo~s:' Five Texts on Reincarnatioll 45
....
OPINION
Publisher's Desk: The ;Briber and the
-
t ~ribed-Partners in Bad Karma 10
Letters 12
My turn: Why I F/}.vo~ the Joint Fa..rnily 13
Editorial: Yogi WillS .Gold Medal at
1998 Wmter Olympics in Nagano 16
Astrology: Pitfalls of Past Life Readings 27
Healing: AIDS-AZT and mv Tests 46
Minister's Message: Parenting for Pros 50

7 News in Brief 49
11 Digital DHarma 56
46

.t10I1:nc~ss, Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th of Tibet, at a meeting in

> www.HlndulsmToday.kaual.hl.us
o 74470 12134 Marketing poster for Martin Scorseses hit movie, "Kuhdun," Member: 1997 Editor's Choice
3
1aI;~LYaIlS1: KUnga Ter¢n as the five-year-old Dalai Lama. Page 2p .' Ap AIIoclated Preaa website award
..
Welcome
to hinduism today’s digital edition!
am pleased to welcome you to the free digital edition of Hinduism
I Today magazine. It is the fulfillment of a vision held by my Satguru
Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, founder of Hinduism Today, to bring the
magazine’s profound Hindu teachings to the widest possible audience.
The text of each issue has long been available on the Web, right back Click links below to soar over other areas of our vast
to 1979, but without the photographs and art. Now you have here the ocean of internet resources in your web browser
entire contents of the printed edition, with all photos and art. Plus, it
is interactive—every link is live; click and you go to a web page. You participate learn explore
can participate in the magazine in a number of ways, accessed through
buttons on the right. And you can help support this free edition in two
Make a Donation to Hinduism Today A Daily Chronicle of
ways: make an online contribution (even a small one); patronize our
Hinduism Today Home Page Kauai’s Hindu Monastery
specialized advertisers. Explore the resources here, enjoy our latest
edition and e-mail us if you are inspired.

Subscribe to the Print Hinduism Today Amazing Publications,

Edition of Hinduism Today Archives Online Viewable Online

Submit an Article to Read the Story of Shop at the Himalayan

Hinduism Today Hinduism Today Academy Online Store

Send Comments Subscribe to Hindu

An Audio Library
To the Editor Press International, a
Of Inspired Talks
(e-mail) Daily News Summary
 Maharishi University of Management Rudraksha-Sacred Peace and Power
Founded in 1971 by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Experience the power, peace
• Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and and purifying influence of
Schools • Graduate and undergraduate programs in a broad the sacred rukrasha seed.
range of disciplines, including pre-med, computer science, yoga and nonviolence figure
electronic engineering and Maharishi Vedic Medicine "Even if one holds merely one strongly in the show, but there
• Students learn to engage the managing intelligence of Nature Rudraksha seed purified and is also a heavy dose of sex and
for success in their professional and personal life • Food is all- surcharged with Shakti, he an unexpected crudeness. The
vegetarian • Campus is drug-free, crime-free and alcohol-free uplifts his twenty-one genera- show has no special underlying
• Financial aid is available • For a free video: tions, attains to heaven and "message," beyond entertain-
Office of Admissions, Maharishi University of Management resides there with respect." INDUS PERUSING THEIR ment, which it does well. Bud-
Fairfield, IA 52557-0001 USA
Tel 800-369-6480 • www.mum.edu
-Sri-nuui Devi Bhagavatam Hlocal TV schedule may be
bemused to encounter a show
dhists in America seem to like
it; the Chicago Tribune's re-
Choose from among a great entitled "Dharma and Greg." viewer thought it trivialized the
variety of high quality beads They may be more nonplused concept of dharma; and Hindus
andmalas: by the show itself-a situation will probablj'get some full out
comedy complete with a '!laugh of seeing our religious concepts
Sivananda Yoga Teacher Training • rudraksha • sandalwood track," in case you miss when a in such an offbeat setting.
• tulsi • crystal beads, and more. joke is made. The hit ABC
4-weeks intensive in the Swami Satchidanando. is paraded to the opening ceremonies show stars Jenna Elfman
Sierra foothills of California We guarantee the authenticity and purity of all our as Dharma, the only child
May 3-31 '98. products. Send for a free catalog. EDUOATION of hippie parents, who
Asanas • Pranayama
Meditation • Mantras Jai Hanuman International Ltd. Sw~~mi's Temple of Learning
meets, and marries the
same day, Greg, a lawyer
/
Raja Yoga • Vedanta 808 S. 2nd st. ( PO Box 1764 ) from a rich, well-estab-
Bhagavad Gita • Kriyas Fairfield, IA 52556-3607 USA ITH A DESIRE TO GIVE BACK TO HIS NATIVE COUNTRY, lished San Francisco fam-
Anatomy • Physiology
For Free Brochure: Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm
Tel: 800-379-6439 or 515-472-2448
E-mail: sales@rudraksha.com
W Swami Satchitananda of the Integral Yoga Institute in Vir-
ginia, USA, opened the Satchidananda Jothi Nikethan in Coim-
ily. Dharma, so named by
her father in honor of the
14651 Ballantree Lane, Grass Valley, CA 95949-9731 USA http://www.rudraksha.coml batore, India, in mid-1997. The school-Swami calls it a "temple Dalai Lama, works as a
Tel 800-469-9642 or 530-681-2731 of learrring"-is following the traditional gurukulam model yoga teacher. Most jokes
(founded by Swami Vishnu-devananda, pictured) Wholesale opportunities available. where s,t udents and teachers live and learn together. The initial revolve around the con-
65 students are doing well. The full capacity is 810 students in trast between Dharma's
4th to 12th standard. The 45-acre site is at the foothills of the family and Gregs, and be-
Nilgiri Mountains-wild elephants can be spotted from the tween her free-spirited
campus. Each day at the multi-religious school begins with life and his constrained
hatha yoga and meditation. Meals are all vegetarian. career as a US attorney.
S..p:'O{lDA.NANDA JCYrHI NlXETHAN, Eastern concepts such as
XALLAR (po) ME"ITPALAYAM 641305. COJMlIATORE Dl5TRlcr. INDIA
karma, reincarnation, Thomas Gibson and Jenna Elfman as
vegetarianism, chakras, Dharma and Greg, Af3C's hit comedy

320-meter-diame- CROSS-CULTURAL tures from Asia to Argentina

ter Millennium and is as entertaining as it is in-
Dome, has run But Didn't You formative about just how differ-
into a religiou~ ent we are from each other.
snag. The govern-
ment minister re-
Say 'Yes'? THE HAWOHTH PRESS, 10 ALICE STREET,
BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK, 13904-1580, USA.

sponsible for the

Visit Vai~.nava h01~ pl@ces through
this magnificent 800 page volume.
This hand-made hard bound
11" x 14" volume with its 249 pages
. . . . ._iiiil...iiiI__~.a of color photos will take you and
your family on a wonder of discovery.
-immense project,
essentially a
T HE AMERICAN CHIEF
negotiator. for a multination-
al company pitches his Prop9sal
Handbook
~ Cross-Cultural
world's fair exhibi- to his Asian counterparts. "Yes,"
tion, pledged to says their chief man, and the
make Christianity American thinks he has a deal.
Giant poles support the tent-like a.ome. central. Other But wait what did that "yes"
faiths immediately mean? The ~kee thinks it
UNITED KINGDOM protested, insisting the exhibi- meant "I accept your terms."
tion's "spirit zone" include all of But in Asia, according to the re- /
Millennium England's faiths. Christians re- markably insightful Handbook
, torted that it was, after all, the of Cross-Cultural Marketing, it

SEE OUR ELEVEN PAGE ADVERTISEMENT ON THE INTERNET

Donle anniversary of Christ's birth be-
mg celebrated. One Hindu, one
could mean, among other possi-
bilities, only "I understand what
Sikh, one Muslim, two Jews and you are proposing," with not the
E NGLAND'S GRAND PLAN TO

http://www.vedic.net celebrate the year 2000 with

the world's largest enclosed
structure, the U5$680 million,
20 Christians belong to the
group advising on the prOject's
religious content.
slightest sense of acquiescence.
This book covers the mysteries
of dealing with varying cul- Market without getting cross

OR FAX INQUIRIES To: 310-837-0243 (USA) CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: IYI, ABC, HAWORTH PRESS , MILLENNIUM WEB SITE
6 APRIL , 1998 HINDUISM TODAY 7
 - - - - - - - --- ------.------------------~--------------------

t,

Lear'n Kriya Yoga from a Realized Master New Books from Tarthang Tulku
The Kriya Yoga Institute wel- One of the last teachers alive today
Hindu
•
Serials comes sincere seekers to learn to be trained inside Tibet by this is a Ghoice
the authentic Kriya Yoga med- century's greatest masters, Tarthang
EscaF-?e the Ax itation technique. The God- Tulku seamlessly bridges the gap
Tarthang Tulku

realized living master of the between Eastern and Western ways

S .S. GILL, MARXIST HEAD OF
the newly formed Prasar
Bharati Board overseeing Do-
ordharshan, India's state-run
TV, backed down from a deci-
sion to cancel the popular
Hanum~ and Aum Namah
Shivaya religious series. He
came under particularly heavy
fIre from Dr. Karan Singh, MP,
who called the decisioR an ex-
Happy Chinmaya campers at the 1997 UK youth retreat ample of "the sort of insensitiv-
ity to religious and cultural
UNITED KINGDOM perception that is, in fact, at
the root of many of our current
Chinmaya Youth Retreat problems." "I personally view
the two shows regularly," Dr.
IN THE WORLD WITH LOVE" WAS THE THEME OF Singh wrote to the board, "and
The beat of different drummers
MUSIC
HE "MASTER DRUMMERS ·
T of Nepal" from Kathmandu
University will be on tour in
the US from May 15 to June 15.
The ensemble includes drums,
shawms (double-reed instru-
ments), flutes, trumpets and
cymbals and will play music of
original Kriya lineage, Parama-
hamsa Hariharananda teaches
at the Institute. Paramahamsaji
of understanding universal human
needs. This new title offers a taste of
the beauty and compassion of Bud-
attained the supreme pulseless dhist teachings, and of the profound
and breathless state of nirvi- implications of even their most basic
kalpa samadhi in 1948. elements. 355 pp. US$16.95
DHARMA PUBLISHING (see below)
Kriya Yoga is a direct gift
from God, and was taught by
Krishna to Arjuna (Gita 4:1-2).
The modern revival of Kriya
Yoga began in 1861 when Babaji initiated Lahiri Mahasaya. Books on Buddhism, Jataka Tales
Swami Shriyukteshwar, a realized disciple of Lahiri Baba,
initiated Paramahamsa Hariharananda into original Kriya In clear language this new volume
Yoga. Hariharanandaji also received direct teachings from (right) integrates timeless Buddhist
Paramahamsa Yogananda. wisdom into the context of daily life,
suggesting fresh ways of envisioning
Initiation is available at the Institute on Saturdays at 9 am. and empowering our lives. US$16.95.

W September's Chinmaya YUlia Kendra (CHYK) Youth Re-

treat conducted in the English countrys·de under the
@.idance of the Mission's popular Swami Swaroopananda. Reports
am particularly,impressed at
the way producer Sanjay Khan
has handled a Hindu mytho-
one camper, "Swami struck a chord with all of us, immediately put logical theme. Surely the
us at ease and soon cleared many of my doubts. He taught us that whimsical perceptions of a su-
insecurity lies only in attachment, and that confidence and true se-~ perannuated bureaucrat cannot
curity can be found in prema, unconditioned higher love." be allowed to disturb these two
Campers arose for 6 AM meditation, then took solitary walks excellent serials. Doing so
through the sprawling acreage before beginning a day full of dis- would create widespread re-
cussion groups, cultural entertainment and outdoor act~vities . sentment in the country"
Nepal's Newar communities.
The university's new Depart-
ment of Music, located in a
Monthly ten-day intensives are offered. Direct initiation is
also available at more than 25 centers countrywide by monks
and yogacharyas of this lineage.
Also, childrenS books, Tibetan art prints
DHARMA PUBLISHING
2910 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA
temple near Bhaktapur, aims to 94702-2426 USA
preserve and promote the tra- Kriya Yoga Institute - 24757 SW 167th Ave Tel: 800-873-4276-Fax: 510-548-2230
ditional Nepalese forms, as Homestead, FL 33031-1364, USA - Tel.: 305-247-1960 www.dharmapress.com
well as acquaint their students Fax: 305-248-1951- www.kriya.org - institute@kriya.org Ask for our free catalog.
with world musical traditions.
FOR SCHEDULE: GREG GRIEVE, 7.73-702-
8635 IN CHICAGO OR SOUTH-ASiA-OUT-
REACH.@UCHICAGO.EDU.

THE VEDAS Truth alone conquers, not untruth. By truth is laid out the
path leading to the Gods by which the rishis who have
their desires fulfIlled travel to where is that supreme
God's Word, abode of truth.
Sages'Voices MUNDAKA UPANISHAD 3.1.6

SacrifIce has only one sure foundation, only one abode,

The Deity whose name is
"Helpful" dwells encom-
passed by cosmic order. It
is by reason of her color
that these trees are green,
and green their garlands of
flowel"s.
ATHARVA VEDA 10.8.31
May the One God who, in
accordance with his nature,
covers himself like a spider with threads spun out of mat-
ter, grant us union with Brahman!
SVETASHVATARA UPANISHAD 6.10
The man who understands both the impermanent and the
permanent, holding the two ill tension together, by the
impermanent passes over death and by the permanent
attains immortal life.
ISHA UPANISHAD 14
8 HINDUISM TODAY. AP IL, 1998
the heavenly realm.
SHATAPATHA BRAHMANA 8.7.4.6 P
If he who draws near the sacrifIce were to make an im-
proper utterance he would waste the sacrifIce, just as he
might waste water by spilling it from a full vessel. Where
the priests perform sacrifIce as described with perfect
mutual understanding, however, there everything takes
place properly and no trouble appears. Therefore, it is in
this fashion that sacrifIce should be carefully cherished.
SHATAPATHA BRAHMANA 15.2,15
To you, most brilliant and shining God, we pray now for ,
happiness for our friends. Listen attentively to our call;
save us from every evil man.
YAJUR VEDA 3.26
The Vedas are the divinely revealed and most revered scriptures,
sruti, of Hinduism, likened to the Torah (z,ooo BCE ), Bible New Tes-
tament (zoo CE), Koran (600 CE) or ZendAvesta (600 BCE). They are
GE~O Vision Software DOS, Windows and Macintosh
Only $185 incl. manual, atlas, and
P.O.Box 2152, Fairfield, IA 52556
0Ill"y four in number, Hie, Ytqur, Sarna and Atharua and include over
100,000 verses. The oldest portions date back as far as 6,000 BOE.
technical support. Optional classical
1-800-4JYOTISH texts/yogas module: $99. Demo:
$14.50 Payment by check or credit
CLOCK\VI SE FROM TOP: CHYK, KATHMANDU UNIVERSITY, PAINTING BY S.fA-J AM

(515 472-0855 card. FREE OVERNIGHT SHIPPING 9


PUBL ISHER'S DESK
Bribery.lsDisru.pti'on
Of Society 'a nd Culture
The briber and the bribed are equally guilty and
bound together in the bad karma of their secret crimes
BY SA TGURU SIV A Y A SUBRAMUNI Y A SWAMI
YOUNG MAN IS RIDING HIS
motor scooter in busy 'Kuala
Lumpur. His taillight is out, and
he knows it. Hearing a siren
behind him, he slows and is
pulled over by a motorcycle policeman.
In Malay, the officer informs him of the
infraction, pulls out his ticket book, then
indicates through well-known signs that a
small bribe would take care of the matter.
Heart pounding, palnis sweating, the boy
musters up his courage and says, ''Are you
asking me to bribe you? I'm not paying
you anything. What is your badge num-
ber? Take me to your superior!" Visibly
shaken, and seeing the youth is no easy
mark, the officer spins around, mounts
his bike and speeds away.
There was a bad feeling about this true
incident. The cop knew he was commit-
ting a crime. The youth was tempted to
become the accomplice, but resisted,
sidestepping, for the'moment, one of society's most sinister prob-
lems. Yes, briber and bribed are bOlffid together in their dishonest,
dark deed. Reluctance, resignation, efficiency, disdain-none of
these sentiments relieve a person from the guilt, the ever-aqcumu-
lating kukarma, the bad karma, of the crime.
There are three kinds of bribery. The fir st is the most common-
withholding ser vices one has been paid to perform until that addi-
tional, secret compensation is paid. The seco d kind is a little
more subtle. Favors- contracts, concessions, legal immUnity, etc.-
are given to those who pay a bribe in cash or kind. The briber
offers money, saying, "I am giving you this money, and this is what
I want you to do," and if the p~uty receives it, that is what he must
do. It's a purchase of secret, unauthoFized use of influence, posi-
tion or authority. The third for~of bribery, even more subtle, is to
provide a ser vice and then exact a reward. This is, however, the
most easily detected of all, because when asked for another ser- .
vice, it is denyed-that is if the gift, after the first service was per-
formed, was not given or was 'not large enough.
Bribe comes from old French " meaning a morsel of bread given
to'll beggar. Says Webster's Dictionary, a bribe is " 1) Anything,
especially money, given or promised to induce a person to do
something illegal or wrong; 2) anything given or promised to in-
duce a person to do someth ing against his or her wishes.'"
Br.ibery money when received is bad money, because it is....got-
10 HINDUI SM T O DAY AP R"IL, Igg8
,
Dharma or disruptionP Three depictions of bribery, for a phone in-
stallation, to make a simple purchase and to board a train. Far left:
an extraordinary lijesize portrait called "Dharmasimha, " lion of
dharma, of Gurudeva painted by Sri Indra Sharma, in 1998. To re-
~eive an 8x10" gift poster of this, write to HINDUISM TODAY, today.
,.,.... , .... ,.", ............ _.~ •••" ' ................. n .••••••• n.n ..... ,. ............................................................... \ ........... , . .............. , .............. ..
sonal prayaschitta, sincere penance, can help relieve the bad kar-
ma but that, too, is all for naught unless the practice is stopped.
The power of decision rests on the character of each person in the
fanIily. If that power is used rightly, the kukar7has clear. If not, the
fanIily and all members go down and down and down, for bribery
is stealing and being stolen from. It is similar to walking into some-
one's, house~te at night, opening their cash box and taking money.
Bribery has the same emotional and psychological impact. He who
pays a bribe is an accomplice to the person who demands it. He
who accepts a bribe, proffered to buy his favors, is likewise bound
.... to his crafty benefactor. 'TIiere are two criminals in each case, he
who accepts and he who pays. Inwardly, karmic ally, astrally they
are bound together as one. Those who pay bribes for the sake of
ten- in whatever of the efficiency or accept gifts without examining the intent may deem
three ways, in cash or themselves innocent, but they are not. Karmic law spares no one.
kind-by psychological Bribery breeds an educated criminal generation. It blocks the
force, the arousal of greed, free flow of business. Bribery disrupts positive projects. Bribery /
or by devious coercion. In diverts creative energies to worries about who, if not paid, will
many couritries, bribery disrupt the progress, cut the phone lines, turn off the electric pow-
has become a way of life. er or otherwise cause delay after delay after delay. Bribery is dev-
Bribes are demanded, and astating to the economy. No one knows how much anything really
usually paid, for most any- costs, and since it is illegal money, black money, the recipients don't
thing, from getting a con- pay taxes on it. Two sets of books have to be kept. Honest compa-
tract signed to buying a nies are put out of business by dishonest, bribe-giving competitors.
train ticket. A prominent What can be done about bribery? On the governmental level,
politician told me he found there are instructive examples from recent history. Twenty years
it impossible, simply im- ago in America, undercover FBI agents approached various politi-
possible, to get anything cians and offered them bribes to help a ficticious Arab company
done without it. Most, but gain American business. A few politicians accepted the bribes and
not everyone, would agree. quickly "found themselves jailed. Every.politician got the message.
A successful, sophisticated Just this year, New Orleans hired a new police chief to reform its
Bangaloi e woman, now in notoriously corrupt police force. First he demanded and got the
her for ties, swears she has officer's pay doubled. Then he arrested, prosecut~d and fired the
never, ever, paid a bribe in next 65 officers caught taking bribes. The rest, it's said , no longer
her entire life. risk their now well-paying careers for bribe money.
Spiritual people and institutions Internationally, only the United States has a law preventing its
sometime~ feel compelled to accept or companies from bribing foreign officials. Other countries-
pay bribes because the alternative is so including all of Europe-have refused to pass similar statutes on
frustrating or because their sense of the excuse that i t would put their business communities at it disad-
mission is so strong, ·and they want it to vantage. In fact, the bribes so paid are even tax-deductable. Yet,
go for ward at all costs. Still, it must be ~ the same companies paying a bribe in their own country results in
remembered that it is not only what you ~ prosecution. One organization, Transparency International (Otto-
do that is important but how you do it. . ~ Suhr-Allee 97' 99, D10585, Berlin, Germany), is attempting to end,
Bad money cannot be purified by ..: ' -_ _....:....:_.....c:....::......_ _ ---=_ ---''-_ _--''-_ _----=--'=-''''''''-''-= --'=-''''''''---'''''--===__ this global double standard \Yhich makes it so d ifficult for individ-
spending it on good projects. Rather, ual countries to roof out the scourge of bribery.
bad money sours and fails them. and ultimately unnecessary. If enough people are following this From a psychological point of view, bribery is a criminal con-
In our spiritual fellowship, we have a rule that we do not engage kind of principle in any society, ¢.en bribery will go away. If sciousness, of deceit, cheating, on the darker side of life. Guilt is
in bribery, even when it means gre'a t sacrifice. In our efforts to enough people are not, then bribery becomes the accepted way of always iD.volved, secrecy, and fear of b'e ing caught for extorting
carve a IR-anite temple in Bangalore to be shipped to Hawaii-fo; . doing business, and everyone will ~e bribery as a source of addi- funds, fear o( what might happen if bribes are not paid, worry
which we established a village of a hundred workers and their
families-we have been called on time and time again to hand , tional income, and a means of getting things done. The acceptance
of a bribe is an affirmation of the practice. Every time a family, an
over obligations incurred by accepting bribes. Such surreptitious
dealings create an erosion of trust in society. A healthy society is ,
over a br ibe. Yes, a giant project can be hampered by a small individual, a community, a nation disavows or rejects the practice based on honesty, openness, love, trust and good will. And correct
brib e. We had to ask ourselves, shall we pay the petty pittance to of bribery; then bribery is diminished. To walk away from a bribe, me if I am wrong, but there is no country that has made bribery
keep the electricity on or the phones working? It was hard some- to reject a bribe or to refuse to pay is to fulfi.'ll Hindu Dharma. legal within its own borders, even where it is tolerated as an ac-
times not to submit, but now it is known that we don't pay and the Where does bribery begin? The same place as everything else- cepted way of life. It is at the grass roots level, in the home, in
bribers no longer ,ask. One' previous bribe seeker actually apolo- at home, often at a young age. Mothers bribe their children to be- schools, in the marketplace, o'ffice and factory, that bribery should
gized for his earlier demands. have and earn good grades. Fathers bribe youths to marry fIrst be stopped. Hindu Dharma is the law enforcer. Simply don't
By not accepting or engaging in the opportunities of bribery, my according to their race and fmancial position. Those who taI<e bribe. It really is OK not to bribe. More and more, not bribing is
devotees are telling the community that bribery is unacceptable bribes and pay bribes raise a corrupt family. Mercy, through per- becoming acceptable behavior.
A PRI L, I gg8 HIND UI SM TOD A Y 11

No More Christmas
THANK YOU FOR MAKING KNOWN THE
tiIJlely and needed practice of Pancha
Ga:napati [PUBLISHER'S DESK and-EDITORIAL,
Dec., '97] and for the phra!j.e of "Hindus
honor all religions, we don't practice all reli-
gions." Both need to be further propagated,
particularly to the people of Hindu faith
who have adopted other countrtes as their
homeland and to those who are feeling iso-
lated andlor wanting in the midst of a ma-
jority of other faiths. We certainly have
started to give it a priority to spread the
message in our part of the world through
various means and sources.
DR. ANAND LALCHANDANI
CARINGBAH, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA
..-
HT is the Best
I HAVE SEEN SO MANY NEWSPAPERS AND
magazines on Hinduism and Indian' cuIture.
Yours is by far the best. And each issue gets
better. Your articles are compelling, educa-
tional, inspiring and uplifting. Your artwork,
layout and design is truly graceful. HIN-
DUISM TODAY has really mastered the bal-
ance between beauty and simplicity:
SWAMI CHIDANAND SARASWATI (MUNIJI)
PARMARTH NIKETAN, RISHIKESH, INDIA
Share the Grief
THE DEUKI GIRLS :ARTICLE BY DR. HARI
Bansh Jha is very upsetting to me [In God's
Name, INHUMANITY, Dec., '97]. Tp see Deu-
ki girls treated like concubines by feudals or
abandoned by families truly disturbs me. I
feel such girls should be provided for. lIhey
do serve many temples in Nepal. To treat
a
young girls like things is moral outrage. I
feel such dehumanization is an affront to
God. They should be cherished within our
hearts and minds. Are there any sanctuaries
for women? How can man.k ind not be
moved by her tears? It must be very painful
for the Deuki women to be forced into pros-
titution due to economic factors. No woman
wants such a fate. No woman wants, to use
her body as a commodity and be exposed to
humiliation, unwanted pregnancies, STDS
and AIDS. I feel gratitude toward Dr. Hari
Bansh Jha for writing an article about the
Deuki and making us aware of the problems
they face. Through awareness comes hope! I
pray someone will help them. I have en-
closed a donation for the Deuki.
'" WENDY SCHULJAN
CORAM;' NEW YORK, US
Jainism Needs Comparison, Too!
IT WAS INTERESTING TO READ THE EDITO-
rial and the insight articles on Dharmic dif-
ferences, a co'mparison between Hinduism
and Buddhism [Dharmic Differences, IN-
SIGHT, Feb., '98~ . I am happy that you give
12 mNDuIsM TODAY APRIL, 1998
LETTERS
importanc~ to other religions and publish
to heal herself I think this is a wonderful
such studies. However, I felt that it wotlld
have been better if you had included Jain-
ism in your comparison as Jainism has
many things in common with Buddhism.
thipg and something to strive for.
MEENAKSHI DEVI PALANI
CONCORD, CALIFORNIA, us
" spalani@flash.net
Jainism is an independent religion by itself,
since ages. While it is true that Buddhism
has spread in Asia and other parts of the
world much more than Jainism, i("would not
Divorce Awareness
DIVORCE AND WIDOWS REMARRYING IS
taboo among most Hindus. However, with
be correct to say that Hinduism and Bud- the passag~ of time, these practices are
dhism are the only two religions originated slowly but surely being accepted by Hindus.
in India. In fact, Jainism is much, much old- In its many scriptures one will find that
er than Buddhism. Much can be said about Hinduism does not object to divorce a.rra
Jainism. Suffice it to mention that in the f u- Widows remarrying, but traditionally Hindu
' ture you should print details about this im- widows accept the theory of "one wOnlan,
portant religion. Sikhism is also another re- only one husband and only one marriage."
ligion of India. ' With changing attitudes, more and more
Hindu widows are remarrying, and this is
PRAKASH MODY'
NORTH YORK, ONTARIO, CANADA happily matched by an increasing number
" Prakash_Mod.f@tvo.org of educated Hindu men accepting them as
•
brides again. Changes in our society outlook
THANK YOU FOR A VERY GOOD ARTICLE ON have brought a great deal of benefit to the
Buddhism. When I was young, I read that usually tradition-ridden Hindu society. But
Jainism derived from Hinduism. Mahavir at the same time, one cannot lose sight of
was a born Hindu. Can you please throw the present era which Kas made inroads into
some light on Jainism, and Mahavir's birth? the Hindu society, resulting in the break-up
MAHENDRA PAREKH of families. Where one rarely heard of a di-
" J)ltulsa@webtv.net vorce among Hindu couples in the good old
,- days, it is now a common thing to read in the
Don't Need to Compare Paths newspapers accounts of court Cases involv-
AFTER READING SEVERAL ILLUMINATING ing Hindu couples. As such, I suggest HIN-
articles in the February, '98 issue of HIN- DUISM TODAY publish some constructive arti-
DUISM TODAY, it appears to me that the basic cles about divorces to stop this sad
deterioration in our social structure.
difference between Buddhism and Hin-
duism is merely one of semantics. How in- s. SUNDRALINGAM
adequate words such as Suny a, Brahman, TAIPING, PERAK, MALAYSIA
cleva, atman, Buddhahood, etc., are to de- J " s5 261 4@pc.jaring.my
sc ibe essentially the indescribable. And
further it appears that there is no need for Sankara's Touch
such terms once the indescribable nature is You have covered in a very excellent manner
realized. So let us practice what suits us the the Ati Rudra Maha Yajna with nice pic-
most without having to compare with any tures [Vedas, USA, PRIESTHOOD, Dec., '97].
other paths. Your mention about the stock index in the
SASH S. SESHADRI article was very interesting, and I showed it
" seshadri@sunline.net to a lot of my American friends who are not
Hindus but who believe in Hinduism. The
Elpvating Piece "'cover page art is one of the rarest we have in
MANY THANKS FOR THE BEAUTIFUL ARTI- the present times of.Sri Adi San~ara with
cle by Brahmacharini Maya Tiwari [Re- the Shanmatha Murthis in the same picture.
claiming Sadhana: Nourisher of Health, I am going to preserve it in my prayer room.
WOMEN OF VISION, Feb., 'g8]. I fdund it to be K. GURUVAYURAPPAN
inspiring, uplifting and nurturing. To see ' a NESHANIC STATION, NEW JERSEt ,.us
womanl): perspective about dharma and " gvkrupa@msn.com
sadhanlTand the many issues that come up
creates a different and deeper understand- Letters with writers name, address and daytime
ing fo; me, even if I cannot put my finger on phone number, should be sent to:
it. I met Bri. Tiwari in San Francisco last Letters, HINDUISM TODAY
year during the ":gody, Mind an,9 Spirit" 107 Kaholalele Road
workshops. She was looking for an assistant, KAPAA, HI, 96746-ga04 USA
and with my luck, I was chosen,. I feel that or faxed to: (808) 822-4351
or e-mailed to: letters@hindu.org
Bri'.""Tiwari has reached the highest state of
healing. She has become the Mother of Letters may be edited for space and clarity and may
Ayurveda. I look up to her as a great teacher, appear in electronic versions of HINDUISM TODAY.
a woman who has used her womanly powers "INDICATES LETTERS RECENED VIA E-MAIL
HINDU RENAISSANCE TEA.M
HINDUISM TODAY was founded January 5, 1979,
by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, for the
follOwing purposes: 1. To foster Hindu solidarity
as a unity iin diversity among all sects and lin-
eages; 2. To inform and inspire Hindus world-
wide and people interested in Hinduism; 3. To
dispel myths, illusions and misinformation
about Hinduism; 4. To protect, preserve and
promote the sacred Vedas and the fIindu reli-
gion; 5. To nurture and monitor the ongoing
spiritual Hindu renaissance. We invite our read-
ers to share these purposes with us by writing
letters, contributing reports and articles on
events, sending news clippings and encouraging
othe, s to subscribe.
Publisher:'Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami
Admin. Dir;: Paramacharya'IBodhinathaswami
Editor-in-Chief Acharya Palaniswami
Publisher's Aide: Acharya Ceyonswami
Deputy Editor: Aqharya ~marswami
Managing Editor: Sannyasi Arumugaswami
GraphiCS Director: Sannyasi Natarajaswami
Mauritius Editor: Sannyasi Murugaswami
Mauritius Staff Writer: Sannyasi Devaswami
Prod.!Promotion Manager; Sannyasi Kathirswami
Managing Ed. 's Aide: Tyagi Saravananathaswami
Dep. Managing Ed.: Tyagi Karttikeyanathaswami
Editor-in-Chiefs Aide: Yogi Yuganatha
Advertising Manager: Sadhaka Jothinatha
SubSCription Manager: Sad,haka Haranandinatha
Correspondents: Gowri Shankar & Anandhi Rama-
chandran, Chennai; Choodamani Shivaram, ~anga­
lore; ~ajiv Malik, Prab~a Prabhakar Bhardwaj,
Mangala Pmsad Mohanty, Delhi; V S. Gopalakrish-
nan, Kerala; Basudeb Dhar, Bangladesh; Archana
Dongre, l.os Angeles; Lavina Melwani, New York;
Dr. Hari Bansh Jha, Nepal; Parasram Ramoutar, Ani!
Mahabir, Trinidad; Dr. Devananda Tandavan, Chica-
go; V G. Julie Rajan, Philadelphia; Shikha Malaviya,
Minnesota; Rajesh Janhlal, South Africa; Tara Katir,
Hawaii
Artists; A. Manivelu, S. Rajam
Cartoonists: Barry Geller, David Lourie, Mario de
Miranda, Manick Sorcar, Gary L. Stair,'Bob Thaves
Photo Contributors: Thomas L. Kelly, St!lphen P.
Huyler, Dev Raj Agrawal, Pha! S. Girota, Tuny Stone
Images, Photobank, Art Wolfe Inc., Gordon Wiltsie,
Indivar Sivamathan
Web Maste1rs: Deva Seyon, Sadhunathan Nadesan
Scanning: Vikram Patel, New York '
Distribution: USA: Ingram Periodicals, New Leaf,
EBSCO Subscription services, Indo-US Beoks, One
Source, Ubiquity, Total Circulation Services. Cana-
da: Gordon and Gotch. Europe: SWETS Subscrip-
tion Service. Malay~ia and Singapore: Sanathana
Dharma Publications. South Africa: Atlas Printers
Printer; Banta Publications Group, Kansas City
, • I
joint Family Life Is the
Natural Human Way
How I convinced {IlY retired parents to join
me in America and live as one family again.,:
BY 1)OHINI RAMANATHAN
NORMALLY HIGH YET housekeeper tactic dispelled any
blood pr~ssure doubts my parents might have
a bit, and the had. Moreover, my children are
~ symJ)to:ms were not good. 8 and 6 now, in school till 3 in /
Her she had no ap- the afternoon, and I have start-
petite, the mouth felt dry, the ed working from home.
body\ weak. She panicked, and Then, as f art of the same
remembered how her own process of convincing them how
mother, who also suffered from important it was for me to have
hypertension and died of a them with me, I responded to
heart attack, had her first stroke their need to pursue their inter-
around age 55, now her own age. I took her ests. Dad, a young 58-year-old, a retired
blood pressure. It was indeed high. I drove comptroller, enjoyed accounting. I took him
her to the doctor. He examined her, pre- to job interviews, and now he is on his sec-
scribing str;onger medication and rest. ond career. Mom, with her music education
A proud woman, my mother, in her mo- background, needed an outlet, too, and
ment of anguish, blurted out how grateful today she is a rr;tusic teacher. I thought, now
she was with her children. She further I had earned the privilege of keeping them
added, "Who else but with your children With me.
can you ask at liberty to take care of you I had the added respon~ibility of making
when you get sick?" I, an advocate of the them feel at home in a foreign land, much
merits of an extended family outweighing as they praised this land of QPportunities. I
the mutual adjustments the members have even expanded the house to accommodate
to make, was elated by this comment.' For a their more peculiar needs, and threw in a
woman who never felt any vulnerability that few details that bore the flavor of thj'!ir
she could not h~dle herself, fmcling that we native surroundings.
all need one another must have been hard. . No doubt, all these reminders make them
In the last five ytjars, I had done every- happy, and at home. Yet, the emotional
thing I could to prove that I valued the idea need to be together as an extended family
Q[ my parents' living with me after retire- was never admittea. For me, declarations ,
ment for no other reason but to be together of loye are important. For all the love and
as a family. I expressed this sentiment in • affection they showered on their grandchil-
every letter I wrote to them, with strong dren, my children, they refused to admi,t
arguments upholding the logic behind such any emotional ties to them.
togetherness. The tribal being ip. me reiter- I often wondered if it was my persuasive
ated that families ought to live togetl,ier. powers only that made them stay on. How-
This is the way God meant it, I would in- ever, I never wanted to find out. But yester-
sist. Modern lifestyles and ways of thinking, day, Mom said, "Who else do I have the
I believe, interfere with this yearning to privilege to ask to take care of me when I
stay together as family. am sick?" She is right. It is a daughter's
As part of my attempt to convince my pri~lege to take care of her parents, and I
parents that my desire to have them live was fmally awarded this privilege.
with me was not for the sake of baby-sit-
ting, I hired a full-time housekeeper who DR. ROHINI RAMANATHAN is a writer,
took care of the house, cooked and cared lecturer/speaker, training consultant and
for my boy while I was out working. My singer living in New York with her family.
APRIL, 1998 HINDUISM TODAY 13
 --- - ----~--------------------------~---=~=-----------------~---------=-------------------=-=-=----------~------------~

loVING G.ANESA DANCING WITH SIVA

800 Lavishly fllustrated Pages on Ganesa Special Hard Cover 5th Edition, Limited Quantity (Only 500 Printed)!
by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami. Learn about This remarkable 1,00S-page sourcebook covers every subject, answers every question and quenches
Ganda's powers, pastimes, mantras, miracles, nature, the thirst of the soul for knowledge of God and the Self. Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami has spent over
science, forms, sacred symbols and much more! There 50 years in deep study, meditation and samadhi to create this masterpiece. Clearly written and lavishly
is no book about Ganda that's more complete. The illustrated, expertly woven with 600 verses from the Vedas, Agamas and other holy texts, 165 South Indian
Lord of Dharma comes to life through the pages of paintings,40 original graphics, a 40-page timeline of India's history and a 190-page lexicon of English,
this inspired masterpiece. Loving Ganesa makes Sanskrit and Tamil. A spiritual gem and great value at twice the price. "The most comprehensive and
approaching Ganda easy and inspiring. '~ copy of sensitive introduction to the living spiritual tradition of Hinduism ... a feast for the heart and the mind
Loving Ganesa should be placed in every library (Georg Feuerstein}." Smythe case binding, 5W'x S ~;' cloth, gold embossed cover, $56.
and Hindu home (Sri Om Prakash Sharma)." M ........ ~ . . ~ ............ Softcover edition (pictured) is $29. 95.
Softcover, SOO pages, 5~¢ x S~," $23 95 • ==::'0::--==
SMpo.-~ , HINDU MARRIAGE SAMSKARA
Author Dr. Prem Sahai has carefully detailed
the procedures, rites, traditions and attitudes that make
MONK'S COOKBOOK
the Hindu wedding a binding sacrament not only for
A tasteful arrangement of
South Indian and Sri two individuals but two families. Cloth cover, printed in
Lankan dishes perfected India, 6"x 9;' 130 pages, $IS.
in homes and temples as
offerings to the Lord.
Indian ashrams serve the
finest cruelty-free meals
enjoyed anywhere, and the
monks at Kauai's Hindu HAWAIIAN-GROWN
Monastery carryon that RUDRAKSHA BEADS
AUM NAMASIVAYA BRACELET
6,000-year-old tradition. H ere is a 36 bead strand, packed
With this handsome piece of Indian jewelry for men or women, you can
Believing that good food is wear the most sacred Saiva mantra, ''Aum Namasivaya;' all day as a with Hawaii's sublime life-energy.
humankind's best medicine, reminder of God's grace at work in your life. Best quality, made in India The beads, gathered from the
they are sharing their secret collection of recipes gathered Rudraksha forest at Kauai's Hindu BRASS DEITY MURTIS
from silver, copper and brass, with the mantra in Sanskrit Devanagari
over the years. Includes a comprehensive introduction to Monastery, are five-faced and We commissioned craftsmen in South India to make quality
script. Band is five-eighths inches wide. Excellent for gifts. $32.
ayurveda as it applies to nutrition and health, including roughly 3/4-inch in diameter. $39 bronze murtis for the home altar, hand forged and etched in
the values of spices and herbs and their effects on the the traditional way. Six-inch standing Ganesha, three-inch
body. Sturdy wire binding, sW' x 11;' 104 pages, $19.95. Sivalinga, and a six-inch Ardhanarishvara. Supplies are
limited. Each statue is $45.

GURUDEVKS
THE VEDIC ExPERIENCE INSPIRED TEACHINGS SAIVITE HINDU RELIGION
Back when we were gathering Vedic verses for Dancing ON CD. There are What every Hindu parent needs: intelligent, nonviolent,
with Siva, we could hardly believe our eyes when we came gurus for mathematics, traditional texts for their kids-an authentic, illustrated,
upon this thoughtful anthology from the Vedic Samhitas, music and medicine, seven-book series called The Master Course, teaching
Brahmanas, Aranyakas and Upanishads and other scriptures. philosophy, culture and family life.
but the most important
This Vedic epiphany tells the story of the universal rhythms of Book One, at the 6-year-old
guru is the one who
nature, history and humanity. level, is available in an Hindi-
guides us in our spiritu-
The translation and abundant Tamil-English edition. Book
commentary are the work of
renaissance thinker Raimon
IRAIVAN
h ~a1 PlIgMIaP IIaIIPIIoIl
allife. In this CD,
Satguru Subramuniya-
swami, publisher of
Two, at the 6- to S-year-old
level, is now available in an
Panikkar-the fruit of twelve English-Tamil-Malay edition.
years of daily sadhana in HINDUISM TODAY, re-
Softcover, sW' x 11:' Book
Varanasi between 1964 and MULTIPURPO~E HINDU GREETING CARDS created by veals the deep mystical
One: Hindi-Tamil-English.
1976 while he lived above a the Hindu Students Association. Put your own message on the dynamics of the teacher-student relationship and unravels the
170 pages. $15. 95. Book
Siva temple on the Ganges. inside. Proceeds go to the Iraivan Temple construction project. myths of that relationship, telling how the spiritual seeker may
Two, English-Tamil-Malay,
He considers 4"x 6", high quality coated paper. Twelve cards: $12. nurture it so as to reap the greatest benefits. THE MAHA SrvARA-
196 pages. $15. 95 .
TRI UPADESHA, 1997,43 minutes, $IS .
• HAPpy PANCHA GANAPATI CARD: joyous Ganesh radiates divine
energy in 5 different ways. Artist: A. Manivel, Chennai, India.
Banarsidass, Send your order and payment to: Himalayan Academy Publications, 107 Kaholalele
smythe • A TEMPLE IN PARADISE CARD: a new pilgrimage place for 21st- Road, Kapaa, Hawaii, 96746-9304 USA. Or fax your order with credit card number
cloth cover, 5~"x century lovers of Siva-the Iriavan Temple of Kauai, "where and expiration date to 1-808-822-4351, or phone 1-800-890-1008, ext. 238, or e-mail:
1,000 pages $41. heaven touches earth:' Artist: DJ Khamis, Nawiliwili, Hawaii. books@hindu.org. All prices include shipping to USA and Canada. Overseas, add 10%.
 -----------------------------------------------------------------~-
EDITORIAL
Tibetpn Yogi Wins at
'98 Wi11ter OlympiCS!
Despite soul-shaking challenges, the Tibetan .
people r~main
a cheerful, hopeful community
BY THE EDITOR
HEN I WAS FIRST TOLD THAT THE WINTER OLYMPICS
Committee had used its "host nation option" to add a
yogic event to the 1998 Games and wanted HINDUISM
TODAY to cover the story, 1 was skeptical. Still, they
convinced our editors to fly to Nagano, a modern, narrow- for each yogi to endure three distinct disturbances: noise, numbing
streeted city of 350,000 n~stled in the Zenkoji Plain amid Japan's
largest island, Honshu. Only 120 miles northwes of Tokyo, Nagano
lies in the midst of majestic mountains~a silk producing region
and vacation spot for city dwellers looking to escape urban .sprawl.
The moment we arrived, our doubts dispersed. The Committee
ushered the Tibetan team to our quarters along with Bikram
Singh, India's only entry. With the help of translators, we were in-
troduced to the newest sport, officially called the YAK Champion-
ships, which 1 soon learned stood not for some exotically high-alti-
tude ox race but for "Yoga and Kundalini." That's right, ,the old
mystical arts were being showcased for the entire world to see, and
small nations whose national passions incline toward inner striving, when he captured the prized Bhara,t Padma in New Delhi in 1994,
instead of baseball or soccer, would have a chance to excel. •
Ten days later, on Friday, February 20th, in the packed White
Ring where earlier rounds of Figure Skating, Speed Skating and
Ice Hockey had been held, we watched the finals, won by a
diminutive man with. golden skin and rosy cheeks, lithe and liquid
and ever so loquacious. This was Sri ~------';;::;i.iWlii_F"'''''''~''''''''9 your mind's negative energies toward me,
Khetsun Gyatso, and he had just won
Tibet's first ever Olympic Gold Medal.
His elation was electric. "I am the seren-
est!"<;yatso gloated when his prize was
announced. It was a brazen statement,
clearly meant to intimidate opponents.
Gyatso fared poorly in the early YAK
rounds, which, like the pentathlon, has
five distinct events: Hatha Yoga, Breath
Control, Zazen (stillness in meditation),
Distractions and Timed Trans,Pendence,
which requires each athlete, without.
aids or implements, to attain SUll¥.a, Absolute Nothingness, for one
full minute and return to normal consciousness in the same body.
On the first day, Gyatso languished behind Zen Buddhist Roshi'
Konishi-san in the Double-T, as it is called, which Konishi, a native
of Japan and local favorite, wdn in a mind-obliterating 17 minutes
and 57 seconds, a full two minutes under the world's record. Gyat-
so, who took 24 minutes flat to transcend, complained that the alti- have endured, a blithe ancLfun-loving people. As the Dalai Lama
tude hampered his efforts. "This is a travesty. 1 wasn't myself today. once noted: 'We Tibetans ((ive all cererrwnial and elegant dress; and,
1 wasn't anyboay's Self 1 trained at 19,000 feet. The air here at five
thousand feet is too dense for our more refined Tibetan style."
As. the days progressed, Gyatso's youthful will and intensity slow-
16 HINDUISM TODA~ ,
APRIL, 1998
ly eroded Konishi's lead. The Tibetan
received a 9.6 in the Hatha Yoga "manda-
tory postures," then topped it with a 9.8 in
the free-style finals. The Gold Medal in
Breath Control went to Bikram Singh,
whose average over the one-hour course
was .72 IHCs (Inhalation Cycles) per
minute. Gyatso Was second at .85 with
Konishi breathing down his neck at .8J.
The two tied in Zaz-en, long assumed by
insiders to be Konishi's event. But he
couldn't, or maybe he just refused to, sit
still for Gyatso's guff and Gorilla dust. Af-
terwards, Gyatso ratcheted up the verbal
jostling: ''A tie is as good as a loss (or Kon-
ishi. Everyone said he would out-Zazen
...:me, but he failed. Tell the world this: Gyat-
so would have won, derriere down, if the
cushions had not been so preposterously
soft. They forced us to use zafu Zen pillows. Real yogis don't use
pillows. 1 challenge these sissies to meditate on a bare rock abc:>ve
Lhasa. These city boys couldn't handle it."
Distraction was Nagano's innovative event. Olympic rules called
cold and, the tOl!lghest, insects. Konishi earned a 9.5 in the Decibel
Dual, compared to Gyatso's paltry 7.9. No doubt Konishi's access
during spring training to sound-polluted Japanese cities gave him
the edge. But an undeterred Gyatso brought the astonished crowd
to their feet with back-to-back perfect lOS in the Zoological Diver-
sion-where he sat unfazed by mosquitos and even the crawling
spiders that ultimately broke Konishi's concentration- and Cold
Exercises, something he had always boasted he could achieve but
which had eluded him until now. "Cool!" grinned Gyatso, turning
up the heat on his gelid adversaries.
Gyatso, 36, gained prominence on the international yoga circuit
where he introduced his abrasive style. Yoga Federation Commis-
sioner Srila Patel told HINDUISM TODAY that no rules prohibit such
braggadocios behavior, though it is considered,"unBuddhalike." "I
don't care what critics say," Gyatso scorned. "I am who 1 am. 1 am
also who you are. My mind is as reflective as a IIl!rror. By turning
you only hurt yourself That's the first les-
son of the kindergarten karma text. Read
it and stop whimpering about me. Change
yourself... if you can. 1 dare you."
Before the Delhi meet, Gyatso had nev-
, er placed better than fifth. Many said he
had forsaken rigorous training for the I
celebrity status gained from his contro-
versial Nike contract, which showcased
him using their new line of Self-Inflating,
Ego-Deflating Meditation Mats. His
. Nagano p~rformance will rank him Num-
ber One. th the end, the media found Gyatso's taunting as daunting
as did his foes: "I am the One. Who can compare with Sri Khetsun
Gyatso? 1 am the greatest monk since time began!"
This rrwnth's feature on Tibetan Buddhism is full of pathos, so it
may surprise readers to'know that Tibetans remain, after all they
perhaps even rrwre important, as a national characteristic, we love
a joke. I do not know if we always laugh at the same things as West-
erners, but we can alrrwst always .find something to laugh about. "
"He who attracts the notic'e of God may be
. @ntire~y unknown to the world.
...
Paramahamsa Yogananda (1893-1952),founder of Self Realization Fellowship and author of Autobiograpw of a Yogi
,... e
o
0<
~~------~~=-----------~~~
It is found that people usually remember view of "Seven Years in Tibet."
religion when they run into hard times.
Otherwise, they don't even think of it.
H.H.,penolr Rinpoche, revered head of the
NyingrruI lineage of Tibetan Buddhism,
now living in exile near Mysore, South In-
dia, in his rrwnastery of 1,500 rrwnks.
1 don't need movie stars to point me t(,ilward
the path of enlightenment; even if they
managed to push me in the right direction,
r d probably head the other way out of
sheer spite. CNN's Paul Tatara in his re-
THE. HUMAN IS
OBLIGEDTO MAKE
I
,
....
,
JJ
Birbal smiled, "The answer is simple. After
God created fish, birds and animals, He
still had many gifts to give away. So He
decided to make man. lie wanted to-give
n:.ten anything they liked, but they had to
collect these gifts from Him. In one part
of His court, intelligence was available. In
another, beauty. In a third, wealth. 1 went
immediately to get intelligence. By the
time 1 finished collecting my share, it was
too late to collect any beauty. But my
friends in this court who are so good-look-
ing were too late to collect intelligence."
Go ahead and be miserable. Whatever
makes you happy. Swami Beyondananda
Muslim King Akbar had somefoolish,
courtiers who said that handsome people
are better than unattractive people in
every way. Akbar found them tiresome, as
did his Hindu chief minister, Birbal. Many
were jealous of Birbal's intelligence. They
railed, "Birbal is a Hindu. You cannot trust
DID YOU KNOW?
him. He will poison Akbar one day so that
he can become King." One day they asked
The Original Doctor
.
the King, "Why are we so handsome and
Birbal so homely?,1 The court was shocked. UCR OF MODERN MEDICINE CAN
11 .be traced to the Hindu surgeon,
Sushruta, circa 600 BCE. Best
known for plastic surgery, his other
notable achievements include cosmetic
surgexy, treatises on medical ethics,
definitions for 121 surgical implements,
control of infection through antiseptics,
use of drugs to control bleeding, toxicol-
ogy, psychiatry, midwifety, cataract op-
erations and classification of burns. And
if all this weren't enough, Sushruta was
among the first to prescribe surgical
anesthesia-which in his day was a
healthy dose of strong wine!
APRIL, 1998 HINDUISM TODAY 17
 Gurani Anjali (Guruvi) South Asia Books AyulI'veda Holistic Center Spirit of Himalaya
Author, poet, songwriter and artist. Your path to India for 28 years. Books by Swami Shankar the Story of a Truth Seeker
Hear her message for the body, mind 4,000 titles in active stock. Purushottam Tirtha: by Swami Amar Jyoti
and spirit. Experience the Yogic per- One soul's search for Enlightenment
spective. Books: Ways of Yoga, Rtu Newest titles in stock Yoga Vani reveals powerful truths about the
(meditational poems), and the soon- (Prices net and include shipping) Instructions for the attain- quest and the Gurus role in attaining
to-be released: Think on This . Audio ment of Siddhayoga during the ultimate Realization. A classic of
cassettes: Someone is Calling, From • Abbott. Life of Tukaram. U8$16.00 sadhana. Vedic Wisdom that will '1eave you
the Silent Depth Within Me and • Griffith. Hymns of the Rigveda. 28.00 postpaid: US$13.50 (USA) in awe." 125 p., US$7.95 from your
other works. Yoga Anand Ashram. •Alston. Devotional Poems of Mirabai. 9.00 $16.50 (Canada) bookseller or directly from: Sacred Mountain Ashram
Tel 516-691-8475 • Mailing address: • Hiriyanna. Essentials of Indian Philosophy. 12.00 10668 Gold Hill Road. Boulder CO 80302-9716 USA
49 Forrest PI, Amityville, NY 11701- • Monier Williams. Sanskrit-English Dictionary 40.00 Guru Bani Tel: 303-447-1637. Free shipping.
3307 USA • http://www.santosha.com • Singh. Siva Sutras. 9.00 100 ways to attain inner Ask for our free catalog of spiritual publications and music.
• MacDonell. Vedic Grammar for Students. 9.00 peace. How to live a spiritual
• Miller. Hindu Monastic Life. revised edition 24.00 life-for monks and families.
• Keshavadas. Ramayana at a Glance. 8.50 postpaid: US$9.50 (USA)
• Wade. Music in India, Classical Traditions. 16.00 $12.50 (Canada)
Spiritual Books from Blue Dove • w.J. Wilkins. Hindu Mythology. pa. rep. 9.00 OLD TIBET Imports
• Two·-year Ayurveda Certification Programs in person or
• Divine Life Society Also: 3,000 titles on our new web site. by correspondence (either by post or via e-mail) Importers of Nepali, Tibetan and
• Ramanashram For the new illustrated Motilal1996 catalogue containing 350 Indian goods, including:
• Anandashram items, or for lists of books on yoga or ayurveda, novels, chil- Ayurvedic Products Distributors-wholesale or retail • thanka • incense • jewelry
• Ramakrishna Order dren's books, write or call: Catalog: $1.00 (free via e-mail) • Consultations. • singing bowls, bells, cymbals j
• Anandamayi Ma • clothing. books • tapes and CD's
• Scriptures- Puranas, ver- South Asia Books • PO Box 502 Ayurveda Holistic Center A beautiful variety of Hindu and
sions of Srimad Bhagavatam, Columbia, MO 65205-0502 USA c/o Swami Narayan Tirtha Math Buddhist statues and other religious
Ramayana, Mahabharata etc. Tel: 573-474-0116 • Fax 573-474-8124 82A-H Bayville Ave. Bayville, NY 11709-1671 USA items in a calm, spiritual gift shop.
Free LIGHTS OF GRACE catalog. E-mail: sabooks@juno.com Tel/fax: 1-516-628-8200 • Ask for Swami Sada Shiva Tirtha 948 Pearl St., Boulder, CO 80302
Blue Dove Press Website: http://members.socketis.netl-sab/sab.htm E-mail: mail@ayurvedahc.com Tel: 303-440-0323 • 635 Lincoln Ave.
PO Box 261611, San Diego, CA 92196-4109 USA Web: http://ayurvedahc.com (Free interactive dosha self-test Steamboat Springs, CO 80487 USA
Tel: 619-271-0490 • Fax: 619-271-5695 • bdp@bluedove.com Visa, MC, checks accepted. and articles) Tel: 970-870-9401

."

Sivananda Ashram Yoga Camp Mahabharata on tape or CD What Happells When We Die?
-~ -.--
Established by
Swami Vishnu-
devananda in 1962
Enjoy this magnificent epic
on audio tape or CD while on
the road, or relaxing at home.
MahabhanU+;aJI 1f Follow the soul'sjourney in ...
and located amidst Introduce your children to From Death to Birth: Understanding Karma and Reincarnation
250 acres of peace- this immortal classic. Let
them absorb its lofty ideals,
Pandit R~mani Tigunait, Ph.D.
ful forest in the
Laurentian moun- its unforgetable characters
tains, 1 hour north and fabulous stories.
• How do we create our life circumstances? • How does the law of karma '
of Montreal. Year- shape our destiny? • How can we change life's limitations? ~ .
round program An exquisite reading of C. .• What happens betWeen death and birth?
includes morning Rajagopalachari's translation,
and evening complete and unabridged. ttpandit Rajmani generously reveals little knouJ:nand little understood
meditations and two yoga classes. aspects ofspiritualli/e, which makes this book 7t,.verltable treasure. "
"The rendering is specially $ .IHAfilAnYA VI OVA .ti"YAN. IJUM'''1-411O 007. -Georg Feuerstein, Director, Yoga Research Center, Yoga World
• June 27-July 25: Childrens' Summer Yoga Camp good when it expresses the
• June 28-July 4: Vedic Architecture, with Dr. V. Ganapati
Sthapati, founder and research director of the Vastu Vedic
Research Foundation, Madras, India
fear, excitement, anger, as
well as the bravery and heroism which fill the epic."
-Upendra Sabat, News India-Times.
.. "In From Death to Birth Pandit RaJmani Tigunait provides an in depth study
of the process ofkarma and rebirth, With many detailed examples and inter-
esting stories to highliglit the great truths that he has gatheredfrom the Yoga
• July 5-Aug. 2: Yoga Teacher's Training course
• Aug. 2-9: Bhagavata Saptaham w/Sant Venu Gopal Goswami "Ethnic Enterprises has done all of us a remarkable service traditio1J, ... It is perhaps the most illuminating study of the subject to come
5 95/Item'#1l4RT out in recent years. "
• August 17-23: Vandana Shiva, director of Research by putting this scholarly piece of work on compact discs." 21. 6 pp. I $1 •
Foundation for Science, Technology & Ecology , -Jyotsna Sanzgiri, India Currents. -David Frawley, Director, American Institute of Vedic Studies, Yoga World
Dehradun, India and Andrew Kimbrell, founder Call Today For
National Centerfor Technological Assessment, Washington DC 12 CD set: us$89.95 • 6-tape set: $49.95 plus shipping. Allow
4 to 6 weeks for delivery. (For orders from outside the USA: A Free Catalog To or.der, Gall: 800·822·4547 F~: 7l7~251·7812
Sivananda Ashram Yoga Camp • 673 8th Avenue Mastercard, Visa or money orders only, please.)
And Special Offer On 'Our &IiU!ll;, lllbooks@epix.net Web: :www.himalayaninstitute.org
Val Morin, PQ, JOT 2RO Canada. Tel: 800-263-9642
(from Canada), 800-783-9642 (from USA), 819-322-3226 Ethnic Enterprises Inc. • PO Box 385468 From Death To Birth Write: The .m:ima:la~a:n irnsllitute Press, BR 1 Box 405, Honesdale, PA 18431-9706
Fax 819-322-5876 • E-mail: HQ@sivananda.org Bloomington, MN 55438-1182 USA
www.sivananda.orglcamp.htm Tel: 800-496-4074 or 612-914-9064 Book And Tape Set!
s&h $4. ODJ{of.lfirst book, $1.0Qjor additional title 80117
18 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~19

CELEBRITIES
Holy Hollywood, Tibetman!
, .
The Western world'watches as Tibetan Buddhism
takes center stage in the entertainment industry
ONE WANTS TO TALK ABOUT IT, ex- .. '
for those who have taken to ac-
For these, speaking out serves
cause, and they do so passion-
Otherwise, the spiritual seekers
ill the of celluloid make-believe want to
keep secret ... well, secret. «Ther~ are many,
many people interested in Buddhism and
Hinduism in Los Angeles," writer and pro-
ducer Richard Rutowski, who works closely
with producer Oliver Stone, told HINDUISM
TODAY recently. «But you will never hear
anything about it, because it just becomes a
subject for discussion in the media. And
who wants that? It's a very personal thing."
But the secret is out-for Buddhism, at
least.-thanks to three major films and some
avid lobbying by Tibetan rights advocates,
20 HINDUISM TODAY A I\ RIL, 1998
will be a true test of endurance to see if the
actors-and the Dharma-can s~vive un-
scathed. After all, this is the type of hype
news-hounds howl for, and the hot Holly-
-wood media spQtlight has made even the
especially Buddhist actor-turned-activist boldest blush. Seven Years' star Brad ,;Pitt
Richard Cere. Kundun and Seven Years in cQmplained, «You can sit there for an hour,
Tibet (two multi-million dollar productions) and you can compliment this and feel thld
focus awareness on the Dalai Lama and the way about this positive thing. But) f one
Tibetan struggle [see pages 22-23]. A third thing is even borderline negative, that's
movie, Ceres Red Comer, tal:<es a purely po- what's ther-e in the final print, no matter
litical tack, aiming to reproach anQ. expose a what you say." And Rutowski adds, "I' get
corrupt Chinese government, in the process calls from some of the major ·magazines. But
revealing in graphic scenes just what the Ti- I don't talk to them anymore because they'
betan people are struggling against. And re- manipulate and take out of context what you
ports tell of a forthcoming movie by Steven say. You can try to talk about Buddhism to
Seagal and Paul Wagner, The Wind Horse, Time magazine, and you can look like an id-
which portrays modern-day Tibet. Wagner iot.. There is responsible media out there.
told CNN, «This is a movie that focuses on But many of them are not responsible."
the value of modern Tibetan culture, and Major magazines have published articles
that cultute is being destroyed." that question the sincerity and motivation of
Meanwhile; critical and at times harshly the actors and the very ability of anyone in-
cynical journalists are having a field day. It volved in the movie industry even to recog-
I
nize and understand a spiritual' truth. It is been promoting his cause through exhibi- Black Hat ceremonies all over California.
no wonder Holl~wood is seeking spiritual tions of photographs he took while in Tibet This is not something that's just sprouted in
solace. «Hinduism and Buddhism both con- as well' as with a new book of these photos, the last two or three years. r mean, the Hin-
tain helpful roadmaps for living a lif~ with Pilgrim (Bulf'inch Press, New York). The dus have been here forever! Paramahansa
some kind of integrity," offers Rutowski. «It venue for this spring's exhibition, Tai:gei, it- Yogananda has been here since the '30S or
seems natural that people,in L.A., and par- self reveals the provocative approach he is '40S. Back then, it was a more underground
ticularly in the film business, WQuld be in- taking. And this attitude is echoed among relationship, particularly with Hinduism.
terested in them. There is semething very -others. Rutowski comments, «The chit chat But iJ: was a strong influence."
practical about Buddhism-and probably and the C:pinions about it mean nothing. I'm And the appearance of monks in the me-
Hinduism too, and about meditation. It is interested in the actions." All this has earned dia is not limited to 'movie theaters. An
very helpf~, if for nothing else, for resolving Cf?re-along with Brad Pitt, Harrison Ford, episode of the hour-long TV drama Danger-
stress and clarifying who you are relative to Melissa Mathison, Jean-Jacqu~s Annaud (di- ous Minds featured a group of Buddhists
the world around you." rector of Seven Years) and Martin Scorsese monks who convinced an angry high-school
Still, those who have been touched and (director of Kundun)-the distinction of be- youth about the power of chastity and non-
changed by the Dharma also see some dis- ing banned from ever entering China. violence. In that show, the monks created
crepancies. Screenwriter Becky Johnston Yes, the Harrison Ford on that list is the and dissolved a Tibetan sand mandala along
called her experiences learning about' Ti- one ~ho played-among many more signifi- with the students, and one of the teachers •
betan Buddhism in the course of working on cant roles-Indiana Jones in Raiders of the revealed that he was a Buddhist and taught
Seven YeQ~rs «earth shattering." Yet, in an in- Lost ArR and Temple of Doom. «I support the angry student basic meditation.
terview with Tricycle magazine, she cautions
not to underestimate the power of the ego. «I
would never presume to say who is deluded
and who isn't. However, I can tell you it looks
pretty weird to me to see a big movie star
walking around in Chinese satin robes. with
a fat cigar in his mouth. A lot-of people here
in Hollywood have egos the size of a whale.
You can't fail to see the irony of putting prac-
tice about diminishing the ego through the
Hollywood machine, which is really about
making tlle ego more grandiose. The Holly-
wood machine c~ turn almost anything into
a bloated example of ego running amok."
Of monlks and men: For most everyone in
the entertainment capital, this is a «non-is-
sue." But surely nd one feels that fhis is old
new~ more than Richard Cere. He became
a Buddhist 20 years ago. In April, 1997, on
the popular CNN talk show, Larry King
Live, he told the viewing world, «I was in my
early 20S and life wasn't JIlaking sense. I had
experimented with a 10t of philosophical
and spiritual systems, and I felt a great pffm-
ity for the Buddhist approach. I think main-
ly becau~e it left responsibility totally on me
.
for the state of my mind, and the state of my <
experience of myself and the world, and a Fords in the rights ~iver: The Dalai Lama blesses Harrison Ford and his wife in Beverly Hills
very systematic approach to changing all of
that-changing my mind, my heart, chang- Tibet publicly," Ford told George magazine's Shrugging aside -the cynics, Rutowski af;
ing, therefore, the outside world as well." Josh Young. «I just don't make it a public is- firm~ that Hollywood's adherents are sin-
Cere is without question the most forth- sue. I have introduced the Dalai Lama on a" cere. «It looks like people are just jumping
right in confiding the role of his religion in couple of occasions, and I have privately sup- on a trend," he explains. «But anyone yvho
his life as well as dedicating a gr~at deal of ported and am involved in other efforts to re- goes deeper understands that to really do a
his resources to its benefit. «I met His Holi- dress the inequity of the situatiop., but I don't Buddhist practice takes much more dedica-
ness in 'Ih or '82 in Dharamsala,,: India," actively look for opportunities to 1lPvance tion. I don't think it is that easy a path, my-
Cere told CNN interviewer Ron Tank in these issues." His wife, Melissa Mathison self It takes some serious commitment. It's
1996. '1\5 we became closer friends and had Ford, became deeply' involved while re- not just going to church on Sunday. You have
an easie; dialogue, the Dalai Lama said, searching the script for Kundun. She and her to be ready to really take a look at yourself
'We really need the help from yoh Western- husband met with the Dalai Lama several Most of the people I know in L.A. are very
ers.' And they obviously did." times to check the accuracy of the story. gerfuine. Many of them have been into it for
Cere has met with the Dalai Lama count- But the highly revered Dalai Lama is not a long. time. It has just become known re-
less times and travels to Dharamsala one to this movement's sale support and cauSe. cently. But I'm not sure there is any more of
three times a year. He has held rallies, is on «Lamas have come here from many differ- a significant number of people interested
the board of the International Campaign for ent lineages,'" Rutowski told HINDUISM To- here than anywhere else. Still, something
Tibet and has a foundation that supports Ti- DAY. «The Karmapa came here in the 70S has changed. It has ripened. Maybe the fruit
betan causes, among others. Recently, he has and did extensive empowerments-major is being borne now." .,.t
APRIL, 1998 HINDUISM TODAY 21

'z"
...o
~ about universal loss. The movie became an
~~~f:m
The Presence: A young Dalai Lama is revered in Disnetjs unique and controv~rsial Kundun
EPIC S
Disn~y's Lama
lJsing Tibetans, not/stars, Hollywood daringly tells
a true tale of one nation's loss and its living spirit _
By LAVINA MELWANI, NEW YORK
ITH A CINEMATOGRAPHIC HELPING
from noted director Martin
Scorsese, Walt Disney and Touch-
stone Pictures have attempted to do
for Tibet that which, years agQ, Richard At-
tenborough did for India. Through the latest
multi-million dollar Disney-bacl~ed motion
picture, Knndun, the tragic and heroic his-
torical account of the Dalai Lama, the exiled
spiritual leader of six million Tibetan Bud-
dhists, has been brought to the attention of
America's millions of movie-goers. While
Disney's Kundun and Attenborough's Gand-
hi differ significantly in style and content,
the impact of the films in the Western me-
dia and populace-spreading awareness of
each. nation's struggles and generating com-
passion for their millions of people and their
22 HINDUISM TODA.Y A RIL, 1998
-.see deeper dimensions. She explains in an
• them is amazing. Everyone who plays a part
leaders-is identical. An important differ-
ence, of course, is that the Dalai Lama lives
and the Tibetan people are still in the midst
of their struggle. • 'The Dalai Lama is played at differeQ.t
Kundun, which means "the Presence," is
the story of Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai
Lama, following his diviI).e recognition
when he was just two-and-a-hal( years old
up to 1959, when his holy homeland was in-
vaded by the communist hordes of chair-
man Mao Zedong and he was forced to seek
exile in India. Told through the young eyes
of His Holiness, Kundun charts his extraor-
dinary growth from a giggling child into a
figure who raises the world's consciousness
about the Buddhist society of the spirit, the
plight of Tibet and the sufferings endured
by his people. It is the story of a boy imbued
with the insight and wisdom of centuries,
whose will proves indomitable, spirit invio-
late and compassion inexhaustible. Says au-
thor Pico Iyer, "It's an inspiring and remark-
ably serious film as far from Hollywood as
anything I've ever seen. And yet all of us
know it is a 28-million-dollar production."
Screenwriter Melissa Mathison Ford, wife
of mega action-llCtor Harrison Ford and
perhaps most famous for the film E. T, wrote
the screenplay after-more than fifteen per-
sonal meetings with the Dalai Lama. Inti-
mate details of events which took place
when he was a child were confided to Math-
ison and were incorporated into the film.
Initially, Mathison was drawn to the sheer
story-telling potential. But soon sh~egan to
interview with Tricycle magazine, ''Anyone
who went to work on this movie to do just
another job came out of it with an expand-
ed consciousness. My original intention was
to write about a little boy who becomes the
Dalai Lama. It's a great story. I didn't know
anything about the history of Tibet. But as
time went on, I met the Dalai Lama, I be-
came politically active for Tibet and became
more aware of Budahism and became con-
scious of who His Holiness is. That changed
the emphasis of the movie. It was no longer
about a boy who loses his country, or even
just about a people's loss. It became a story
act of devotion on my part."
The film is already being hyped as an Os-
car contender, although there is nothing
glitzy about,it. There is not a single Holly-
wood star in the film! Instead, Kundun uses
Tibetan refugees to play the multifarious
roles. Not one of them i~ a professional actor.
Yet, Mathison and Scorsese were dually im-
pressed. "These people have an incredible
passion for sharing their story with the
world," said Scorsese. And Mathison
stressed, "You could not find actors who
could play these parts the way o~ cast did.
The emotion that is generated from inside of
in the film has played a part in the history of
Tibet. It's their- story, and they all ha~e a
stake in it."
stages of his life by four actors. Tenzip Thu-
thob Tsarong, who plays the 24-year-old
Dalai Lam&, bears a striking resemblance to
His Holiness. Three Tibetans who were part
of the Dalai Lama's life in .'Fibet were con-
sulted on the costume design and religious'
and ceremonial matters. Since the film
could not be shot in Tibet-and India de-
layed permission to the point of refusal-the
land.scapes of this forgotten land were recre-
atea. in Morocco. The magnificent Potala
palace was duplicated from scratch, and
everything from the hairstyles to the intri-
cate costumes are faithful to the originals.
The film will certainly inform and influ-
ence those who knew or cared -little about
Tibets plight earlier. And, in a way reminis-
cent of Gandhi, it will impress the wisdom
and persistent power of a strictly nonviolent
approach to diplomacy. Even as the Chinese
armies march into Tibet, ¢.e young Kundun
refuses to return violence with violence and
holds firm to his dharma. B1,!t as Mathison
told Tricycle, "It's very dangerous to use a
movie for a political agenda, or even to think
that a movie can lead to political action. But
in this case, I think that if people are moved
by the past, that they will be moved by the
present. I would love for people to leave the
theater asking themselves, 'Where is the
Dalai Lama now? What's happening in Ti-
bet now? And what can I do?' "
Kundu.n is a moving experieri.ce for every-
one, bethey Buddhist or not. There is a uni-
versality to this story, and viewers come
. away with a sense of sadness and loss, for
something glorious has been interred in Ti-
bet. For the Tibetans, of course, this is a film
which pulls at their heartstrings, giving
them a glimpse of their lost homeland,
which many have seen only iIi. their dreams.
Tenzin Lodoe, who acts in the film and
grew up in India, reflects, "This will proba-
bly be the closest thing I'm ever going to see
of the Tibet that my parents knew. It could
be the closest thing to Tibet that I'll ever see
in my li£e. As I left the,set on my last day, I
wondered when I would walk on the real
steps of the Potala." ..
Martin allld the monk: Scorsese plays with
Kunga Tenzin, who played the young Kundun
CINEMATOGRAPHY
Together in Tibet '
The ~oyhood bond that reached beyond borders
• ONTHS BEFORE KUNDUNINCARNAT- mous, with lots of possessions, but very un-
ed into US movie theaters, TriStar happy. He returns with no possessions but
Pictures delivered their own drama- himself. And he is very happy. It was impor-
tized encounter with a young Dalai tant to understand that money and success
Lama-Seven Years in Tibet. Although there meant nothing compared to self respect."
is some overlap, the two films do not com- The suspense and drama of Harrer's Hi-
pete. they focus on separate histor-
ical figures and tell two unique
tales. Kilndun's main character is
the Dalai Lama, and it's story is his
life. Seven Years follows famous
Austrian mountaineer Heinrich
Harrer through his arduous expedi-
tion over the Himalayas, finally
landing in the court of His Holiness,
where he begins a deeper, spiritual
and emotional journey.
In the fall of 1939, Harrer and his
countryman Peter Aufschnaiter set
out to climb Nanga Parbat, one of
the highest peaks in the Himalayas.
The self-centered Harrer, whose
sole pre0ccupation was the achieve-
ment of fame and glory, would ex-
perience a-pain-induced emotional
awakening on his fantastic journey
that would take him from the
heights of conquest to the depths of
internment in a British prisoner-of-
war camp, then from escape and a
harrowing two-year trek through
the Himalayas to refuge in the mys-
terious Tibetan city of Lhasa.
As a stranger in a strange land
which few Westerners had ever
visited, Harrer"':"'who was expertly Who tutored whom?: Brad befriends the young rrwnk
played by Brad Pitt in a role far
from his typical teen heart-throb parts-was malayan trek is captivating, but the true
befriended by the young Dalai Lama and spiritual heart of the film begins beating
later was asked to tutor the spiritual leader when Harrer begins to interact with His Ho-
of millions in English, geography and the liness, who is played exceptionally by young
ways of the Western world. He would even- Jamyang Wangchuck. Here, in the last half
tually spend seven years in Tibet, during a of the film, we feel we are in Lhasa as we
period of tremendous political _upheaval in witness Harrer struggle to adopt Tibetan re-
that country, graced with the friendsQip and ligious protocols and to adjust to the entire-
the spiritual enlightenment of the young ly religious approach to living. Screen-writer
Dalai Lama. As the deep and abiding bond Becky Johnston hopes that, "people will be
between these two isolated, lonely people affected by the power of the place and by
evolved, the selfish and egotistical Harrer ex- the awareness that another culture so anti-
perienced selflessness for the first time, al- thetical to our own can exist on earth."
lowing him to complete the emotional trans- Seven Years is a welcome relief from Tin-
formation which began on his way to Lhasa. seltown's usually inane offerings. Its spiritual
To director Jean-Jacques Annaud, that lessons are subtle, yet compelling. They are
quest for self-esteem and inner peace is the found in the context of a fascinating tale of
whole story of the film. He explains, "Harrer true adventure and a one-of-a-kind en-
is a man who leaves his country very fa- counter with a real-life religious legend. . .
APRIL, 1998 HINDUISM TODAY 23

Will Tibet's venerable faith again prosper?
N 1997, DON FARBER TRAVELED TO
and Nepal on a FUlbright schol-
to photograph the religious life
refugees. Farber, whose
is Tibetan, pas photographed
Buddhist life fbr over twenty years.
He was fortunate to gain access to the
Dalai Lama and other key leaders. He
specifically sought their insights on how
religion and Gulture will be perpetuated
among Tibetan youth. Some excerpts:
His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, at his ;esi-
dence in Dharainsala, India, July, 1997.
Children: In a typical Tibetan family, the
practice of Tibetan Buddhism, is just recit-
ing a few mantras and then offering some-
thing. But they do not know mu$ about
Buddhism. Recently, I have been telling
people that parents should be the guru of
their own childre:p.. l'he guru in the ordi- - Buddhism to be very important, due to
nary sense, that comes much later. Once
parents become the guru of theiF own cliil-
dren, they teach what is Buddha, what is
Buddhism, what is Sambogakaya, what is
Dharmakaya, Nirmanikaya, Four Noble
Truths, and more, so in the whole society
there can be genuine Buddhists. That's my
main idea.
24 HINDUISM TODAY A, RIL, 1998
.\
Faith: There are two kinds of Buddhist
faith: In the scriptures, also, this is men-
tioned. One faith is faith which is com-
pletely relying on someone, for example,
someone saying Buddhism is good-just re-
lying on that. That, the scriptures say, is not
at all reliable, not genuine faith. The other
faith is where in the beginning one remains
skeptical. Yop study, investigate, experi-
ment, then gain some understanding. Faith "
which comes fr<;lm that understanding is
genuine faith. We should have that kind of
faith.
Science and religion: I never criticize otner
religions. All of them have great potential
and benefit. But you see, other religious
concepts are difficult to explain through
science. The interest, respect, apgreciation
or faith in religions among young people is
now decreasing. OUr parents consider
blind faith. But if Tibetan youth think that
Buddhism is about blind faith or supersti-
tion, then they may think that Buddhism
has no relevance in today's world.
Challenge of conflicting belief: In Tibet the
people take it for granted that Buddhism is
best. So, there is no need for argument. To-
Los Angeles, 1991: The Dalai Lama "cuts the
energy" of the Wheel of Time Sand Man-
dala. By ritually effacing hours of awesome-
ly meticulous work done by teams of Bud-
dhist rrwnks, he releases peace and healing
to the planet and all beings.
day, although we are Tibetans, we live in
an entirely different environment. Not only
are there ancient, non-Buddhist philoso-
phies, but also radical, materialist and
atheist ones. In facing so many djfferent
ideas and influences, Buddhist study
should include learning in the original
comparative way taught by the early Indi-
an Buddhist masters, especially in the
midst of so many different views. Then.
aIpong them, one should know how Bud-
dhism compares, have a deep knowledge
of Tibetan Buddhist explanations, and
know what is the fault of a particular phi-
survive. ..
losophy's c6ncepts. Without that, you can't
Impact of Western respect: The younger r
Tibetan generation who have turned away
from Buddhism and also the Chinese must
be finding it very intriguing that in the
West, professors and scientists in the most
respected educational institutions are
showing genuine interest and taking teach-
. i
ings from some stupid, diTty Tibetan lama!
(laughs). You can't say all these scholars and
scientists are stupid or crazy.
H.H. Pen~'r Rinpoche, head of the Nyingma
lineage, was interviewed at his rrwnastery
in Bylakope near Mysore, Karnataka State,
South India. This area has the largest num-
ber o£Til?etan refugees in India, and his
rrwnastm-y, with rrwre than 1,500 rfWnks, is , most disappeared. Despite all this, people
arrwng the the biggest in the country, and
much larger than any Hindu rrw~astic
communUy. He fled Tibet in 1959.
r
Ganden Tri Rinpoohe
Religious surviviil: Buddhism is not only for
Tibetans, but for all sentient beings who
have the karma to learn and practice it. In
recent times, due to the rule and rigid con.!
trol of the Chinese in Tibet, religion has al-
with faith hung on to their religion and its
practice in their hearts and home. We who
escaped from Tibet had a lot of hardships
in the beginning, but were later able to
teach and build monasteries accorditig to
our respective capabilities. We used to
think that after the persecution of almost
all the learned religious teachers the fate of
Tibetan Buddhism was sealed. But it was
not to be so. Those who survived helped it •
flourish with renewed fervor and devotion.
On young Tibetans hot learning Buddhism:
FIrst' and foremost it depends on the karma
of the people or' an individual. For those
who have the karma, they will study aiid
become learned. And those who don't work
hard and are lazy don't have the karma.
Ganden Tri Rinpoche was interviewed at
Drepung rrwnastery, at Mundgod, also
near Mysore in South India. He is the head
of Tibet's three largest Tibetan rrwnasteries,
Sera, Ganden, and Drepung, in:. Lhasa; Ti-
bet. All th-c;ee have remanifested in South
India with 'thousands of rrwnks.
• Khan, comes under Chinese suzerainty.
On tradition: The Tibetan culture and way
of life is passing through one of its most
crucial times. The old Tibetan traditions
are facing a slow erosion. If people fmd
that this age-old Tibetan tradition is of
some use to the world as a whole, then it
does h ot matter whether the people who
.are striving for its upkeep are Tibetans or ,
not. If there is a person who truly feels that
this tradition, if lost, will be a great loss to
mankind, then that person should help;
otherwise, there is no reason for clinging
onto it like some kind of wealth or land.
On Tibetan youth: After they finish their
school, they should study any of the four
sects of Tibetan Buddhism for sollie time.
Then they will get the essence of our tradi-
tion. It need not necessarily be at a
monastery. It can be any of the mafiy reli-
gious or cultural institutions. If they study
hard, it will be a deterrent to this erosion of
our culture:":
.The vend"able Gona Tulku Rinpoche of the
Sakya lineage is a respected rrwnk living in
Himachal Pradesh. Especially noted for his
powers of divination, he provides coufuel-
ingfor Tibetans in India.
.;'
On why Tibetans lost their country: In
Buddhism, we have the doctrine of karma,
taught br the Buddha. The people of Tibet
,
were unable to stick by these virtues
preached by the Buddha, even though they
have been told or taught about it. So, it was
not OI;Jy that the Chinese were too strong,
but it was also the karma of the Tibetans
which led to losing our country. It is not
du~ to one or two person's fault, but is the
manifestation of our collective karma. The
karma does not have a time period of one
life but of many lives. Only a Buddha can
understand it, not us.
On Buddhist Resurgence: Those who were
devout in the past are still devout now, but
those who were not, still aren't. So that will /'
be so in the future.
I
200 bee: King Nyatri Tsenpo founds
Yarlung Dynasty, first record of Tibet.
700 ce: Buddhism introduced to Tibet
under King Songtsen Gampo, tempering
the Tibetan warrior spirit. Hfs empire ex-
tends into China, Nepal and north India.
800: Buddhist teachers invited from In-
dJa. Tibetan written script introduced.
1000: Indian Pandit Atisa in Tibet.
1100: Uniquely Tibetan form of Buddhism
emerges.
1278: Tibet sends delegation to Genghis
1368: Tibet regains independence, first
monastic government.
1447: Gendun Drubpa, first Dalai Lama.
1642: Fifth Dalai Lama becomes temporal
and spiritual ruler of Tibet. Good relations
with China. .1
1876: Birth of 13th Dalai Lama.
1904: British invade Tibet. .
1905: China invades Tibet, 13th Dalai
Lama takes refuge in India.
1913: 13th Dalai Lama expels renmants of
Chinese army, reasserts independe:q.ce.
1933: 13th Dalai Lama prophecies, "The
future holds darkness and misery," dies.
1935: Birth of present 14th Dalai Lama.
1940: 14th Dalai Lama enthroned.
1942: Tibet ejects Chin~s liaison officer.
1949: People's Republic of China foull'ded.
1950: China invades Kham region of Tibet.
1954: Dalai Lama meets Mao Zedong.
1959: People of Lhasa rise up against the
Chinese to prevent seizure of Dalai Lama.
100,000 killed; Dalai 4!ma escapes.
1966: "Cultural Revolution" begins in Chi-
na, all but nine of s~ thousand Tibetan
monasteries destroyed.
1983: Systematic inImigration of Chinese
settlers into central Tibet.
1989: Dalai Lama wins Nobel Peace Prize.
1995: US Congress passes resolution that
Tibet is a nation under foreign occupation.
1996: Photographs of the Dalai Lama are
outlawed in Tibet.
APRIL, 1998 HINDUISM TODAY 25

Publications that honor Tibet and her people
S VAST AS ITS ROLLING HIGHLAND
plateaus are the mountains of books
available on Tibet, and their topics
and viewpoints are as divergent as
its flora and fauna. From photos of nature to
academic analyses, from historical narratives
to gripping autobiographies, the market is
awash with lush choices. If you are intrigued
by the "Land of Snows" and its people and
you hanker to know and see much more than
you can imagine, read on. , modern Tibetans and refugees as well as
Of the wildlife, real people and raw beau-
ty of this land, My Tibet (162 pages, Univer-
sity of California Press, U5$45) has it. The
stUIllling photographs by Galen Rowell and
the personal and absolutely disarming com-
mentary by the Dalai Lama' himself make
this book rare and captivating. A similar ef-
for t is Tibet (192 pages, Shambllala, U5$55).
Its photos, covering the same range of sub-
jects, are by Kazuyoshi Nomachi. Don't wor-
ry. Tibet is plenty big enough for more than
one photographer, and Nomachis imagery is
distinctive. Along with the descriptive text
26 HINDUISM TODAY APRIL, Igg8
and appendices, a forward by H is Holiness
and an interview with him make this offer-
ing a well ro~ded resource.
Arguably the region's most compelling
photographer, Thomas L. Kelly of Nepal,
presents one of the most objective overviews
of Tibetan lifestyle, culture and teligion in
Tibet: Reflections From the Wheel of Life
(204 pages, Abbeville Press, U5$55). This
work includes rare photos of a wide range of
powerful historical images apd colorful nar-
rative text. Kelly's photos of The Hidden Hi-
malayas (200 pages, Abbeville Press, U5$50)
reveal the rich hidden world of the Humla
district of northwestern Nepal. It's not Tibet,
but the people and the landscape are indis-
tinguishable, and Kelly's images are stunning.
Hopping back across the Himalayas from
Humla, we land at the foot of Mt. Kailas. No
tome reveals this hallowed destination more
beautifully than The Sacred Mountain of Ti-
bet, On Pilgrimage to Kailas (127 pages, Park
Street Press,'"tJS$24.95), which documents the
Looking in: A Tibetan nomad girl
wears tocha, a buttermilk cosmet-
ic that protect~ her from the sun
ongoing feats of pilgrimage by
Buddhists, Hindus, Jains and Bon-
pos. Tibet: Enduring Spirit, Ex-
plOited Land (192 pages, Hearts-
fire Books, U5$29.95), just released,
includes "color photographs in a
sensitive exploration of Tibet's no-
mads and farmers and the envi-
ronmental wisdom they have ac-
quired through the centuries.
Studious souls will find solace
with Religiilns of Tibet in Practice
(560 pages, Princeton University
Press, U5$60). Professor Donald S.
Lopez is the editor of this land-
mark, photo-less anthology of Ti-
betan spiritual practices, prayers
and texts. His recent study, Pris-
oners of Shangri-La, (272 pages,
University of Chicago Press,
U5$25) is a timely, in-depth cultur-
al history of the West's fascination
with Tibetan Buddhism. The Bon
Religion of Tibet (155 pages,
Shambhala Publications, U5$55), a
fully illustrated scholarly work by
Norwegian Per Kvrerne, is a rich,
detailed study of the Bon tradi-
tion [see page 28], focusing on the
art and iconography of Bon
Deities.
. Following the Tibetan refugees
into India is World Peace Ceremo-
ny, Bodh Gaya (249 pages, Dhar-
ma Publishing, U5$35). peared for Buddhist
practitioners, it is a colorful documentation
of the yearly massive gathering of Lamas in
Bodh Gaya.
Haven't found what you wanted yet? Then
curl up and hear His Holiness tell his own
life story in his inimitably lovable and hu-
morous way in Freedom in Exile: The Autobi-
ography of the Dalai Lama (288 pages, Har-
per Collins Publishers, U5$22.95). He'll en-
chant you, as he does most everyone. But be-
fore you buy anything, you must consider
the absolutely riveting true-life story ofboqa
fide yoga in the Tibetan tradition. You will
find this as nowhere else in Tibet's Great
Yogi: Milarepa (315 pages, Oxford University
Press, U5$9 .95). This release, edited by W.Y.
Evans-Wence, is the one to get. .,.J
Publishers
OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS , 200 MADISON AVENUE, NEW
YORK, NEW YORK 11016 USA; WISDOM PUBLICATIONS, 361
NEWBURY STREET, BOSTON, :M ASSACHUSETTS 02115 USA;
ABBEVILLE PRESS, 22 CORTLANDT STREET, 32ND FLOOR,
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10007 USA; UNIVERSITY OF CALIFOR-
NIA PRESS , 2120 BERKELEY WAY, BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA
94720 USA; SHAMBHALA PUBLICATIONS , 300 MASSACHUSETTS
AVENUE , BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02115 USA; DHARMA
PUBLISHING , 2425 HILLSIDE AVENUE , BERKELEY, CALI FOR-
NIA 94704 USA; HEARTSFIRE BOOKS, 500 NORTH GUADALUPE
STREET, SUITE G-46S , SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO 87501 USA;
PARK STREET PRESS, ONE PARK STREET, ROCHESTER,
VERMONT 05767 USA
the ascendant was Libra when Johnston
died, which became the ascendant of Kelly.
Johnston was born with the Moon in the wa-
tery ~gn of Scorpio, in the 12th house, af-
flicted by Saturn, an indication of his early
dellth in water in a distant place, while Nep-
tune was in Cancer, in the 8th house (of
death). Kelly was reborn with the Moon in
the watery sign of Cancer along with Ketu, ,
an indication of the water phobia from the
past-life horror of slowly drowning as the
submarine fi~ed with water. Jupiter had
traveled once around the zodiac since John-
ston left his body at the bottom of the
Celebes Sea near Indonesia and arrived ..
back again in Taurus when he was reborn,
twelve years later, in Glendale, California~
In this case, the intensity of the moment of
death, along with its planetary positions,
""""~-=.IVI 'were carried forward to the next life. At
.Echoes of' the Past: Fear of water can come from death by droWning in one>s last life , death the Sun, Mercury and Venus were in
Capricorn and at rebirth the Sun, Mercury,
ASTHOLOGY . i
Venus and Rahu were all in Capricorn, as if
Kelly was picking up right where he left off
In Jlnother Life... When the planets came bac'k into a similar
vibration as the moment of death, the soul
of Johnston was impelled to be reborn.
Actual documented case studies of rein-
The facts and fallacies of analyzing past lives carnation have helped dispel many misun-
derstandings aDout the process. The first is
... that if the past life was rather blase or very
ATER TERRIFIED BRUCE KELLY. In this life, Kelly's ascendant or rising sign short, the present life chart may not relate to
Even the sight of a swimming pool is Libra, with Mars, Saturn and Neptune. it at all, but connect to several lives back.
caused him to tremble. He did not This is already revealing, as Saturn relates Second, not all of the aspects of your pre-
know why, for he never was in dan- strongly to past life characteristics, and with sent horoscope necessarily relate to a specif-
ger while swimming or boating, even as a Mars, the planet of violence> and Neptune ic past life. The choice of a new birth, along
small child. He avoided ~nclosed spaces and with the horoscope that accompa-
couldn't stand to be in an airplane. Though a nies it, is somewhat like buying a
natural athlete and a successful sales man- new car with unwanted extras.
age/ of medical supplies, he simply could We may be ~bliged to ~ccept cer-
not shake these deep-rooted fears. Finally tain anomalies in life in order to
he sought professional therapy. By hypnotic acquire the basic birth pattern
regression, a therapist forced Kelly's memo- needed to fulfill our karmic debts.
ries backward in this life, asking him to re- Some aspects of our present life
member anything related to water in his may be simply part of a .package
teens, then his childhood, then as an infant deal. For example, a soul may
and thE;Il ... Kelly shouted at his startled ther- need to take birth when Mercury
apist' "Mayday, Mayday"-Anglicized m>ai- is in the 12th house in Pisces, to
dez, French for "Help me," the international bring forward a great spiritual .
distress call. "We'r.e hit, we>re sinking," he and internaliz~d intellect, but the
screamed. Suddenly-his last life and his trau- same combination could '"cause
matic death on a World War II submarine Undersea Coffin: World War II submarine like Kelly's chronic feet problems. We should
had opened to his inner vision, and in that • .J
not presume that this person mis-
flash, the origin of all his fears was revealed. the lord of the seas, we start to see a window used his feet in a past life> such as by kick-
Finally, water could be his friend. into his past. In his previous life as James ing a cow, and is now paying the price. They
This fascinating true-life reincarnation Johnston at Alabama, USA, Rahu (the have simply accepteg., a minor inconve-
case was showcased on the TV program moon's north node) was in Libra. Rahu is an nience to acquire the greater asset. For this
"Unsolved Mysteries." Becaust! Kelly had re- . indicator' of one>s dharma, where one is reason it is not possiple to relate every plan-
searched and identified his past life, HIN- headed or directing energy. The unfulfilled etary position in a birth chart to a specific
DUISM: TODAY was able td obtain the birth dharma of Johnston relating to LibrJ, be- past life deed and therefore not possible to
'charts of both lives, as well as the horoscope came the rising sign of his next life as Kelly. indicate precisely who you were in a past
for the moment of death. Upon examination But more significant, Mars and Sat1p'n were life, based purely on a birth chart. But when
we found defInite connections between both in Ari~s when Johnston's submarine was hit faced with inexplicable fear? or desires that
birth charts, bur many more between the by a torpedo and slowly sank, and in the have long puzzled you in this life, it may be
death chart and the present birth chart. This next life both planets reversed to their oppo- helpful to look further back than this life-
is often the case when a death is traumatic. site sign placement in Libra. To top it off, time for the original cause. ..
/
APRIL, Igg8 HINDUI SM TODAY 27
INSIGHT
The Forgotten Faith
The mysterious and mountainous country of Tibet is !mown worldwide as
a sanctuary of Buddhism, but the religion called Bon claims seniority there
N A SEQUESTERED SECTION OF EARTH, PRO-
tected and defined by the towering Himalayas,
humankinds relationship with Gods and demons
remains vibrant and real. Tibet, known as the
"Land of Snows" and the "Rooftop of the World," has
borne and continues to nurture the world's most fan-
tastic and other-worldy faiths. The religious land-
scape of Tibet is as rich and varied as the country's
terrain and as intricate as any Tibetan tangka paint-
ing. As most inhabitants still do today, early Tibetans
regarded the earth, air and waters as home to a spe-
cific hierarchy of spirits, both helpful and harmful. In
daily life, they sought to appease the wrathful
"demons" and to enlist the beneficent deities. These
practices were formalized in some cases. In others,
they have remained isolated, private traditions or se-
cret knowledge, loosely grouped together today as
shamanism or animism. Modern Tibetan Buddhism
shares Tibet with a religion that has uncertain links
to this past. This religion is Bon. It has a limited
traceable history, substantial traditional literature
and detailed ritual codes. More and more, Western
scholars are studying Bon, as the world slowly learns
of yet another ancient way mankind seeks the Truth.
The following sympathetic yet academic study is
drawn from The Bon Religion of Tibet (1995, Shamb-
hala, Boston) by Per Kvaerne, professor of the Histo-
ry of Religions and Tibetology at the University of
Oslo, Norway.
By PER KVAERNE, OSLO
INCE THE TENTH OR ELEVENTH CENTURY AND UNTIL THE
S present day there have been two organized religious traditions
in Tibet: Buddhism and a faith that is referred to by its Ti-
betan name, Bon. An adherent of the Bon religion is called
Bonpo. A Bonpo is a 'believer in Bon,"and for him Bon signi-
fies Truth, Reality or the eternal, unchanging Doctrine in which
Truth and Reality are expressed. Thus, Bon has the same range of
connotations for its adherents as the Tibetan word cho (chos, trans-
lating the Sanskrit term dharma) has for Buddhists. Although limit-
28 HINDUISM TODAY APRIL, 1998
ed to Tibet, Bon regards itself as a universal religion in the sense that
its doctrines are true and valid for all humanity. The Bonpos also be-
lieve that in former times Bon was propagated in many parts of the
world (as conceived in their traditional cosmology). For this reason,
it is called "Eternal Bon," yungdrung bon.
Western scholars have adopted the Tibetan term Bon together
with the corresponding adjective Bonpo to refer to ancient pre-Bud-
dhist as well as later non-Buddhist religious beliefs and practices in
Tibet. Hence, in the context of Western scholarship, Bon has no less
than three significations:
ARTIST S CONCEPTION OF TIBET BY B.B . THAPA. 1989. F ROM KY TIBET;
COURTE SY. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS
1. The pre-Buddhist religion of Tibet which was gradually sup-
pressed by Buddhism in the eighth and ninth centuries. This reli-
gion appears to have focused on the person of the king, who was re-
garded as sacred and possessing supernatural powers. Elaborate
rituals were carried out by professional priests known as Bonpo.
Their religious system was essentially different from Buddhism. The
rituals performed by the ancient Bonpo priests were, above all, con-
cerned with ensuring that the soul of a dead person was conducted
safely to a postmortem land of bliss, to ensure the happiness of the
deceased in the land of the dead and to obtain their beneficial in-
Holy land: Artist's rendering of Tibet by B.B. Thapa aptly illustrates
its holy cities as well as the mountainous nature of the country
"to.
fluence for the welfare and fertility of the living.
2 . Bon may also refer to a religion that appeared in Tibet in the
tenth and eleventh centuries. This religion, which has continued as
an unbroken tradition until the present day, has numerous and ob-
vious points of similarity with Buddhism with regard to doctrine
and practice. The fact that the adherents of this religion, the Bon-
pos-of whom there are many thousands in Tibet and in exile to-
day-maintain that their religion is anterior to Buddhism in Tibet,
and, in fact, identical with the pre-Buddhist Bon religion, has tend-
ed to be either contradicted or ignored by Western scholars. Tibetan
Buddhists, however, also regard Bon as a distinct religion. I
3. Bon is sometimes used to designate a vast and amorphous body
of popular beliefs, including divination, the cult of local deities and
conceptions of the soul. Tibetan usage does not, however, tradition-
ally refer to such beliefs as Bon, and they do not form an essential
part of Buddhism or of Bon in the sense of the word outlined under
point two above. It is only since the mid-1g60s that a more adequate
understanding of Bon has emerged.
Subtle Distinctions: To the casual observer, Tibetans who follow
the tradition of Bon and those who adhere to the Buddhist faith can
hardly be distinguished. They all share a common Tibetan heritage.
In particular, there is little distinction with regard to popular reli-
gious practices. Traditionally, all Tibetans assiduously follow the
same methods of accumulating religious merit, with the ultimate
end in view of obtaining rebirth in a future life as a human being
once again or as an inhabitant of one of the many paradisiacal
worlds of Tibetan (Buddhist, as well as Bonpo) cosmology. Such
practices include turning prayer wheels, hand-held or set in motion
by the wind or a stream; circumambulating sacred places such as
monasteries or holy mountains; hoisting prayer flags; and chanting
sacred formulas or engraving them on stones or cliffs. It is only when
these practices are scrutinized more closely that differences appear;
the ritual movement is always counter-clockwise and the sacred
mantra is not the Buddhist "Om mani padme hum, " but "Om matri I
muye sale du." Likewise, the innumerable deities of Tibetan reli-
gion, whether Buddhist or Bonpo, may at first appear to be indis-
tinguishable. But again, the deities are, in fact, different (although
belonging to the same range of divine categories) with regard to
their names, mythological origins, characteristic colors and objects
held in their hands or adorning their bodies.
Even a cursory glance at the doctrines of Bon, as expressed in
their literature or explained by contemporary masters, reveals that
they are in many respects identical with those found in Tibetan
Buddhism. It is this fact that until recently led Western scholars to
accuse the Bonpos of plagiarism. The view of the world as suffering,
belief in the law of moral causality (the law of karma) and the cor-
responding concept of rebirth in the six states of existence, and the
ideal of enlightenment and Buddhahood, are basic doctrinal ele-
ments not only of Buddhism, but also of Bon. Bonpos follow the
same path of virtue and have recourse to the same meditational
practices as Buddhist Tibetans.
One may well ask in what the distinction between the two reli-
gions consists. The answer, at least to this author, would seem to de-
pend on which perspective is adopted when describing Bon. Ritu-
als and other religious practices, as well as meditational and
metaphysical traditions are, undeniably, to a large extent similar,
even identical. Concepts of sacred history and sources of religious
authority are, however, radically different and justify the claim of
the Bonpos to constitute an entirely distinct religious community.
Hidden Holy Land: According to its own historical perspective, Bon
was introduced into Tibet many centuries before Buddhism and en-
joyed royal patronage until it was finally supplanted by the "false re-
ligion" (i.e. Buddhism) from India and its priests and sages expelled
from Tibet by King Trisong Detsen in the eighth century. It did not,
however, disappear from Tibet altogether. The tradition of Bon was
preserved in certain family lineages, and after a few generations it
flourished once more, although it never again enjoyed royal patronage.
It is claimed that before reaching Tibet, Bon prospered in a land
known as Zhangzhung and that this country remained the center of
Bon until it was conquered by the expanding Tibetan empire in the
seventh century. Zhangzhung was subsequently converted to Bud-
dhism and assimilated into Tibetan culture, losing not only its inde-
pendence but also its language and its Bonpo religious heritage in
the process. There is no doubt as to the historical reality of
Zhangzhung, although its exact extent and ethnic and cultural iden-
tity are far from clear. It seems, however, to have been situated in
what today is, roughly speaking, western Tibet, with Mount Kailash
APRIL , 1998 HINDUISM TODAY 29
as its center. [See map, page 28.]
The ultimate homeland of Bon is, however-so the Bonpos
claim-to be found even farther to the west, beyond the borders of
Zhangzhung. The Bonpos believe that Eternal Bon was fIrst pro-
claimed in a land called Tazik. Although the name suggests the land
of the Tajiks in Central Asia, it has so far not been possible to make
a more exact identifIcation of this holy land of Bon. Tazik is, howev-
er, not merely a geographical country like any other. In Bon tradi-
tion, it assumes the character of a "hidden," semi-paradisiacal land
which latter-day humans can only reach in visions or by supernat-
ural means after being spiritually purifIed.
For the Bonpos, Tazik is the holy land of religion, being the land in
which Tonpa Shenrap (the Teacher Shenrap) was born in the royal
family and in due course became enthroned as king. Tonpa Shen-
rap is believed to be a fully enlightened being, the true Buddha (the
word "Buddha" means "the Enlightened One") of our world age.
The Bonpos possess a voluminous hagiographicalliterature in which
his exploits are extolled. One may note that his biography is not, con-
trary to what has sometimes been claimed by Western scholars,
closely related to that of Sakyamuni. Thus, during the greater part
of his career, Tonpa Shenrap was the ruler of Tazik or Wolmo Lun-
gring and hence a layman, and it was as such that he incessantly
journeyed from his capital in all directions to propagate Bon. This
propagation also included the performance of innumerable rituals.
These rituals, which are performed by Bonpos today, thus fmd their
justifIcation and legitimation in the exemplary exploits of Tonpa
Shenrap. Contrary to Buddhism, where rituals generally have no di-
rect canonical basis, in Bon, as pointed out by Philip Denwood, "We
have whole developed rituals and their liturgies specifIed in the mi-
nutest detail in the basic canon." It was only late in life that Tonpa
Shenrap was ordained, after which he retired to a forest hermitage.
It was only at this point in his career that he fInally succeeded in
converting his mighty opponent, the Prince of Demons.
The Bonpos have a vast literature which Western scholars are only
just beginning to explore. Formerly it was taken for granted in the
West that this literature was nothing but an uninspired and shame-
less plagiarism of Buddhist texts. The last twenty-fIve years have,
however, seen a radical change in the view of the Bon religion. This
reassessment was initiated by David L. Snellgrove, who in 1967
made the just observation regarding Bonpo literature that "by far
the greater part would seem to have been absorbed through learn-
ing and then retold, and this is not just plagiarism." Subsequently,
other scholars have been able to show conclusively that in the case of
several Bonpo texts which have obvious, even word-by-word Bud-
dhist parallels, it is not, as was formerly taken for granted, the Bon-
po text which reproduces a Buddhist original, but in fact the other
way round: the Bonpo text has been copied by Buddhist authors.
This does not mean that Bon was never at some stage powerfully in-
fluenced by Buddhism. But their relationship, it is now realized, was
a complicated one of mutual influence.
Those texts which were considered by the Bonpos to be derived,
ultimately, from Tonpa Shenrap himself, were collected to form a
canon. This vast collection of texts (the only edition available today
consists of approximately 190 volumes) constitutes the Bonpo Kan-
jur, forming an obvious parallel to the Tibetan Buddhist canon, like-
wise called Kanjur. A reasonable surmise would be that the Bonpo
Kanjur was assembled by 1450. The Bonpo Kanjur, which in turn
only constitutes a fraction of the total literary output of the Bonpos,
covers the full range of Tibetan religious culture. As far as Western
scholarship is concerned, it still remains practically unexplored.
It is diffIcult to assess the number of Bonpos in Tibet. Certainly,
they are a signifIcant minority. Particularly in eastern Tibet, as for
example in the Sharkhog area north of Sungpan in Sichuan, whole
districts are populated by Bonpos. Another important center is the
region of Gyarong where several small kingdoms, fully independent
of the Tibetan government in Lhasa as well as of the Chinese Em-
peror, provided generous patronage for local Bonpo monasteries un-
til the greater part of the region was conquered in a series of devas-
tating campaigns conducted by the imperial Chinese army in the
eighteenth century. Scattered communities of Bonpos are also to be
found in central and western Tibet. Of the ancient Zhangzhung
kingdom, however, no trace remains, although Mount Kailash is an
important place of pilgrimage for Bonpos as well as Buddhists. An-
other much-frequented place of pilgrimage, exclusively visited by
Bonpos, is Mount Bonri, "Mountain of Bon," in the southeastern dis-
trict of Kongpo. In the north of Nepal there are Bonpo villages, es-
pecially in the district of Dolpo. In India, Bonpos belonging to the
Tibetan exile community have established (since 1968) a large and
well-organized monastery [in Dolanji, Himachal Pradesh] in which
traditional scholarship, rituals and sacred dances of Bon have been
preserved and are carried out with great vigor.
Left to right: Tantric lamas perform an elaborate funeral ritual in
Humla, northwestern Nepal; Galok woman ofTa Ho Pa, Amdo, Ti-
bet; Senge Tenzing Rinpoche, abbot of the Bonpo monastery Tashi
Menri Ling in Dolanji, India, instructs disciples in esoteric practice.
Cards for the Dead
Bon death rites reveal this livingfaith's practice and profound belief
in the role of sacred priests as gUides to liberation. This account by
Per KV:Erne is from Religions of Tibet in Practice (1997, Princeton
University Press), edited by Donald S. Lopez.
IBETAN DEATH RITUALS, BOTH BUDDHIST AND BONPO, BASI-
cally serve to guide the consciousness of the dead person, of-
ten through a succession of initiations, out of
the cycle of rebirth and toward fmallibera-
tion. The consciousness of the deceased is be-
lieved to pass through several stages after death, at
each of which the possibility of liberation exists.
Bonpo death rites have three parts. Inlmedi-
ately after death occurs, a ritual called "trans-
ference of consciousness" is performed in
which a Bonpo monk attempts to transfer the
consciousness of the deceased directly from
the cycle of rebirth to the state of liberation.
Three days after death, a second ritual is per-
formed in which the consciousness of the
deceased is led progressively along the path
to liberation. This ritual, which lasts ap-
proximately two hours, involves displaying
various cards to a picture of the deceased. This
takes place in the home of the deceased and is
performed by a chief monk and two assistants.
The corpse is present in the room but is kept be-
hind a cloth screen. The ritual begins with the chief monk making
an effIgy of the deceased out of dough and offering it as a "ransom"
to malevolent spirits that might interfere with the ceremony. Next,
the consciousness of the deceased is summoned and asked to reside
in a picture of the deceased. After cleaning the picture, the chief
monk writes two series of seed syllables on it. The fIrst series of six
represent the six realms of rebirth, as a god, demigod, human, hun-
gry ghost, animal, or hell being. The second consists of the "fIve
heroic syllables," which are antidotes to the rebirth in the six realms.
The next phase of the ritual involves the presentation of various
gifts. This is effected through the chief monk showing the picture
of the deceased a series of cards on which the gifts are depicted. ini-
tially, all the sensory faculties (sight, hearing, taste, etc.) of the de-
ceased are satisfIed symbolically by being invoked in turn, :p1d a se-
ries of small, painted cards depicting the object of each faculty are
held up in sequence. In this way, whatever craving for material
wealth and worldly power that the dead person may have experi-
enced during his or her lifetime is appeased.
With the deceased now ritually provided with satisfaction of all
material needs and ritually endowed with the mental qualities nec-
essary for progress toward liberation, it is time for the consciousness
of the deceased to be led through the stages of the path to enlight-
enment. The picture of the deceased is shown cards depicting four
groups of deities, including the teacher, Shenrap. Final-
ly, the deceased is shown a ritual card showing
Buddha Kuntu Sangpo, the 'J\ll Good," the
essence of all the Buddhas.
The deceased, again through the use of ritual
cards, is then given four initiations, after which
he or she becomes an "unchanging mind hero,"
the Bonpo equivalent of a bodhisattva. As such '
the consciousness of the deceased now passes
through the thirteen stages of the path, each
symbolized with a ritual card painted with a
swastika. These are placed in a row on the floor,
and the picture of the deceased is moved for-
ward one card as the qualities of that stage are
recited. At the end of the row is a card showing
Kuntu Sangpo. Before moving to that card, the
chief monk takes a lighted stick of incense and
burns the six syllables symbolizing the six realms of
rebirth, thus indicating freedom from all future re-
birth.
Finally, to bring about the fInal union with Kuntu Sangpo, the
chief monk places his robe over his head and enters a state of med-
itation in which he unites his consciousness with that of the de-
ceased. He then unites his consciousness with Kuntu Sangpo. At this
point, the deceased achieves liberation, and when the monk
emerges from meditation, the picture of the deceased is burned and
the ashes retained to be made into small religious fIgurines called
tsatsa. The next morning, the third and fmal part of the death rite,
the cremation of the corpse, takes place.
Recommended Resources: The Bon Religion of Tibet, Per Kvrerne, Shambbala Publications,
Inc , Horticultural Hall, 300 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115 USA. Religions of Tibet
in Practice, Donald S. Lopez, Jr., editor, Princeton University Press, 41 William Street, Princeton, New
Jersey 08540- 5237 USA.
PHILATELY
India's Sacred Stamps
A lesson in Hindu tradition gets delivered with your daily mail
TAMP COLLECTING IS AN IM-
probable method of theological
t.. rrlqUliIy'-l~xc. ept in India. Nearly
every postage stamp initially is-
sued by the newly independent
country in 1948 and 1949 had a
religious theme, carefully inclusive of
Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam. Most
stamps issued since the 1950S have a sec-
ular theme, but about 100 are Hindu.
They honor ancient sages such as Tiruval-
luvar and Valmiki and saints from the
medieval period, such as Dnyaneshwar,
Chaitanya and Haridas. Many stamps
carry modern saints, friends and scholars
of Hinduism, including Ramakrishna,
Swami Sivananda, Annie Besant and
Ananda Coomaraswamy. Also included
are temples, sacred dances and arts,
scenes from the Ramayana and Indus
Valley seals. Among the most striking is
the double-size, five-rupee stamp issued
in 1996 depicting the Vivekananda Rock
Memorial at Kanya 'Kinnari. HINDUISM
TODAY was introduced to this heretofore
unknown goldmine of devotion by Pradip
Jain of Bihar State, one of India's leading
philatelists.
Jain started collecting stamps in 1969
with an initial investment of three ru-
pees, soon augmented by a loan of Rs .100
from his grandmother. '1 live by stamps,"
he told the Hindustan Times in 1994. He
has received many awards, especially for
his unequaled collection of Indian airmail
stamps, and has represented India at vari-
ous international stamp shows-most re-
cently in San Francisco, California.
Stamp Lover: Pradip Jain with antique mailbox
What makes the Indian stamps with a
religious theme especially useful are the
"information sheets" produced by the De- tional introduction to Hinduism's impor-
partment of Posts when a stamp is re-
leased. Each contains a short biography or
story about the subject of the stamp, often
in both Hindi and English. These synop-
ses are very well done; in fact, a collection
of them made into a book would
form an excellent reference.
Mail service is an old con-
cept-the earliest references are
in Egypt from 2000 BCE. Ac-
cording to Jain, there was an or-
ganized postal system during
the Mauryan Dynasty in 300
BCE that was mentioned in Kau-
tilya's Arthashastra, a manual on
statecraft. Postage stamps are a
relatively recent invention, dat-
ing only to 1840. They allowed
the sender to prepay the
postage; previously, the recipient
paid the messenger.
Assembling a collection of
dharma stamps need not be ex-
pensive. Save for a few rare ones,
like the 1948 ten rupee Gandhi
stamp worth US$60, most Indian
stamps have a list value of
US 15¢, though lack of availability
may raise the price. Every stamp
issued by India (and every other
country) is listed in the authori-
tative Scotts Catalog, available
at libraries. Each stamp has a
"Scotts number," used by deal-
ers to identify it. Especially for
children and teens, India's religious
stamps offer an entertaining and educa-
tant people and places. _
STAMPS OF INDIA CAN BE PURCHASED FROM PRADIP
JAIN, POST BOX 12.8, MITHAI'UR, :rATNA 800 001 INDIA, OR
FROM DOWNTOWN STAMP COMPANY, POST OF FICE BOX
3209 . W HITEHOU SE, NEW JERSE Y 08888 USA
 gan and an exquisite Lord Siva as Dakshina-
murthi, the Silent Sage beneath a banyan
tree. Key organizer S.K. Moorghen recount-
ed: «Over a three-month period, we made
proba,9ly 2,000 phone calls, faxes and e-mails
solving so many problems." Just fmding and
getting six great artists-none personally
India's best: (left) Shruti Sadolikarwith
Santosh Mishra (sarangi) and Mauritians
Naden Veerapen (tabla), Veylan Armoogum
(mridangam). (below) Dancer Paolomi
Pundit Ashwinkumar. (Not pictured: Jayan-
ti Kirin, veena, Mala Chandrashekar, bam-
boo flute, Manik Munde, Pakawaj drum)
CULTURE
known to the otlIer beforeh$d-from differ-
ent cities (Chennai, Mumbai and Banar~s),
representing six different art forms, on the
same flight to Mauritius was' in itself a near
miracle. Moorghen especially credited Sunil
Gopal and Satish Ruehe of Mauritius Broad-
casting Company for providing invaluable
pre-concert publicity and filming the event
for broadcasting on national television, the
five-star mega-resort, Sofitel, where the
ane:
artists stayed in style, Air Mauritius dance
teacher Anandhi Ramachandran'who select-
ed the three artists from Chennai.
Nothing they did managed to get the in-
terest of the youth, who were noticeably
purchased advertisements in the concert's
souvenir magazine.
mlssmg in the audience. «Most of our
friends feel this kind ' of music is boring;"
teens bluntly told disappointed ticket sellers.
But the few dozen who did sacrifice their
weekend snack money for a ticket confessed
afterwards that their friends definitely
missed an «awesome happening."
The concert profited US$7,200...,-a sizeable
Maur. Rs. lso,ooo-which is now funding
completion of a Ganesha pavilion at the
Dharmasala. This architecturally rare, jew-
el-like, wooden Kerala-style shrine is the
first increment' of a grander park vision se-
riously unfolclJng on a seven-acre seaside
property on the island's".northeast coast. ,-
Opening the show, the senior Minister of
Education, Hon. Kadress R. ChedumbaruIll'
Pillay, praised the Dharmasala not only for
the concert but for its youth programs and
its blossoming spiritual park. «I wish to en-
sure that the government is always ready to
support religious organizations whose aims
are to promote peace and harmony." Many /
of the nation's major companies-including
Pepsi Cola, the State Bank ~d Shell Oil-

Mas.merizing Mauritius The artists are classic examples of perfec-

India's best music and dance ?Ttistes pilgrimage to paradise island
IR MAURITIUS' WEEKLY MUMBAI
flight #749 touches down at sunny
Plaisance Airport on the east coast
of this Hindu-majority island/na-
tion 400 riles east of Africa. An
excited crowd is waiting. Pop
siNger Baba Seghal struts into view, wel-
comed by a herd of female fans and flashing
cameras. Just behind him appears famous
classical singer Shruti Sadolikar followed by
five more of India's greatest living cultural
artists. A Saiva Siddhanta Church of Mauri-
tius welcome group greets and garlands the
classicists. TV cameras turn and capture
their arrival, too, for evening news. This por-
trait of musical culture clash is unforget-
table-Indias hottest «pop" prince landing on
the same flight as six of Bharafs greatest
classical superstars. . mand the stage. For four and one-half hours,
Three months earlier, September, 1997.
«This idea is not good. Guaranteed, it will
fail," helpful-minded friends respectfully
warned Saiva Siddhanta Church-locally
kn"own as the Saiva Dharmasala-when they
first heard of the plot to bring classical
artists from India for a fund-raising gala. «To
be honest, nobody really likes this music
anymore. You should bring some popular
«playback" singers if you really want to make
any money-not to mention losing an awful
lot! " With doomsday fears in their ears, a
small group of members nevertheless decid-
ed to proceed, and began a stomach-churn-
ing-at times downright harrowing-three-
month ascent. ' get it." Shweta Beeharee, 19, swooned, «Def-
Thursday night, December 4-showtime.
Overcoming ,an unending series of fmancial
crevasses and logistical avalanches, the orga-
nizing team reaches the sUlllIDit. Triumph.
On opening night, at the grandiose national
public arts theater of Mahatma Gandhi In-
stitute, a capacity crowd of 650 enters-wo-
men donning a rainbow of elegant gOld-
threaded saris and churidhars and men in
dinner dress or embroidered kurtas. Six of
India's finest talents-with. three superb
Mauritian percussionist accompanists-com-
they stun an unsuspecting audience with the
greatest of India's musical/dance magic.
«I loved them all, but I think Shruti Sado-
likar was my favorite," said well-known me-
dia personality Sunil Gopal. «Her voice was
so amazing, so clear. I don't know how she
can sing like that." Young music enthusiast
Soopaya gUshed, «For me, I adored the bam-
boo flutist, Mala Chandrashekar. I could
hardly believe it. She seemed so relaxed, but
tion, dedication and long training-fIfteen
years or more in every case, beginning at
ages five or six. Genes help too. Shruti Sado-
likar is the daughter of Marathi classical
singer Pandit Wamanrao Sadolikar. Sarangi
maestro Santosh Mishra and Jayanti Kirin's
musical families go back seven generations
each. He teaches at Banaras Hindu Univer-
sity. She, at just 27, is considered one of the
played such fast, complex rhythms." finest veena players in India. «The veena
«I liked Jayanti the byst," said Oomavadee sings," she told HINDUISM TODAY, «it calms
Pallanee conclusively. «We never hear the people with its sweet;' tranquilizing effect,
veena performed in concert here, only the whereas pop music just excites people."
sitar. It was just so beautiful. I will never for- The concert helped stem a waning respect
for Hindu classical music. Local artists felt
initely, it was the dancer I loved the most. I personally revitalized, and a doubting Hindu
myself am studying dance, and when I heard public proudly witnessed some of their old-
PaolOIni was coming, I just couldn't miss this est cultural traditions spectacularly and
chance. She totally thrilled me and inspired youtlUully represented, as well as supported
me to practice harder." Others were espe- by the government and private sector.
cially impressed by the drum accompanists. Were there lessons learned that others
On stage were the best of Mauritius-Manik might benefit by? «Yes," organizer Moorghen
Munde playing the pakawaj, the North Incll.~ states. «Firstly, everyoner should knoW. that
an drum, Veylan Armoogum, the India- good classical music is sellable, despite all
trained super talent on mridangam and ac- one might hear to the contrary. Select the
complished' artist Naden Veerapen on tabla. best artists you can find. Then promote the
A first-time experience for all was the· ethe- event well. Most people don't do this, just to
real sounds of the sarangi, a North Indian save money. But this is demoralizing to the
string instrument that looks like an oversize' artists and gives events"'like this a «poor at-
violin, played by Santosh Mishra of Banaras. tendance" reputation., Regarding selling tick-
The sarangi's graceful sliding notes offered a ets, there is no easy shortcut. You have sell
welcome contrast to the South Indian fast tickets the old fashioned way-person to per-
staocato patterns. son. Of our 1,100 tickets to the two concerts,
The show was a fund-raising project for a 95% were sold by friends and Hindu church
spiritual park on the Church's Dharmasala members. But there is hardly a greater joy
grounds. The seven-acre site features huge than seeing the cultural retmement these
ten-foot granite statues of the Gods-a five- events bring to a community." w/
faced Lord Ganesha, six-faced Lord Muru- With reports by Anand Mulloo, Mauritius

34 HINDUISM TODA,Y APRIL, Igg8 APRIL, Igg8 HINDUISM TODAY 35

 •
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
Tribal"Tribulations
,---------------------------
My personal encounter with the impact of Christian conversion on Meghalaya
FIRST MET THE KHASI PEOPLE OF
in 1995. A delegation of 30
touring the state of Maharashtra
part of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak
Sangh's project, Bharat Meret Ghar
("India is My Home"). Previously my con-
cept'of India's Northeastern States-Assam,
Meghalaya, Tripura, Nagaland, Manipur, Mi-
zoram and Arunachal-was that everyone
had converted to Christianity and wanted to
separate from Bharat. Now I was delighted
to meet this delegation of Khasi Hindus who
were patriotic to India ~d proud. of their
heritage. I resolved to go to this state when
tlie opportunity arose. By good fortune, the
following year was my last in medical school
and the curric~um allowed time for experi-
ence outside the US. t arranged a position at
a clinic with Dr. R. S. Thangkhiew, a Khasi
Hindu physician in, Shillong, the capital of
Meghalaya. As a medical student, I expected
to learn a lot about infectious diseases and
the consequences of poverty and lack of ba-
sic resources on health. I saw those prob-
lems, and to some extent could alleviate
them through my wOFk as a physician.
As a concerned Hindu, I wanted to expe-
rience this state of Bharat that so few people
get to experience, l~arn about the unique
culture of the people there and see first
hand what Christian missionaries were do-
ing. I was truly shocked by the rampant dis-
crimination that Christians meted out to
non-.christians (mostly Hindus, including
Khasis, Sikhs, Assamese and Bengalis).
Christian denominations control almost 100
percent of the state's educational ana health
care institutions and resources. Most of
them give discounts to those people who
identify themselves with the particular
Christian sect that runs that iJj.stitution. Ad-
clltionally, in many hospitals if an individual
cannot pay his bill at the end of Jiis stay, the
hospital will offer to waive the full amount if
he converts to Christianity. Most top govern-
ment jobs are given to Christians, and there
are barely any non-Christian members in the
state legislature.
'Aprial Mon Thangkhiew, a resident of
Shillong, explained how this all happened.
"Missionaries got converts because of edu-
cation," she told me. "Converts got admis-
sion . to colleges and hostels outside the
Northeast while non-Christians did not.
36 HINDUISM TOD A.Y A RIL, Igg8
Poor Khasis couldn't afford to go outside. Then other people converted."
Only Chriistians got scholarships. My cousin The 50 percent of Kh~sis who did not
was a Presidency College Gold Medalist, but convert are one of the few communities of
he didn't get a scholarship, because he was the Northeast that still maintains their an'-
not a.,-Christian. Conversion was the price cient traditions. They believe in one univer-
for higher education. People conv6 ted be- sal God, U Blei, who is the creator of every-
I ChJ;istians in the world believe such a predic-
cause of educational and economic reasons thing. They do not have a written text or
initially. So, the poor, bright people convert- scripture, and the heritage verbally passes
ed, and then the other poor followed. If from generation to g~neration. The basic
these preferences were not offered, people principle of Khasi religion is similar to the
would not have converted." .,., eternal principles of other tribal faitl}.s. It is
to earn righteousness in the
world. The basic precept is that to
know God, one must first know,
love and respect fellow human be-
ings. Prayer, song and dance are"
important aspects of the culture.
Throughout the year, there are
community dances where vil-
lagers get together. In March and
April "is the most important, the
Shad Suk Mynsiem, (shad means
dance, suk means happiness or
tranquility and mynsiem ' means
soul or heart), a dance of joy, mer-
riment, gratitude and thanksgiv-
ing. Khasis follow a matrilineal
system. The wife keeps her moth-
er's last name, children keep the
mother's last nam~ and;- the
J'"Oungest daughter iFlherits the
family property.
First Communion: Khasi girls await beginning of Mass , Attempts during British times
attired in white European cqmmunion outfits to resist the Christianization of
the people generally failed. Jrin
Mon Thangkhiew recalls, "My
"Christians taught uS' to hate grandfather, Babu Jeebon Roy,
wanted to start a.school to promote
. our ciulture and religion,. If
./
the Khasi culture and religion and
.; strengthen ties with the rest of In-
. we sang a Khasi-song, they dia. He approached the British
Government in 1875 and was told
would laugh at us. They to get permission from the Welsh
Calvinist Mission, which had been
called 'us devil wo~shippers." entrusted the task of propagating
education. The mlsslonaries
--APRIAL MON THANGKHIEW ; eplied, 'We have only come to ed-
ucate your people to the extent that
Thangkhiew went on, "TIie Christians they can read the Bible. Anyway, your peo-
and British tried to. teach ,us to hate our cul~ ple db not have enough brains for higher
ture-song, dance, religion, everything. If studies.' " Nevertheless, in 1876, the Shillong
we sang a Khasi song, they would laugh at High School opened with Roy's own money.
us. They called us devil worshipers. They But the Christian missionaries coula not tol-
preached in our schools and brainwashed erate it because they realized'it was a threat
Khasis. The converted Khasis were just like to ·their control of education, a main tool for
them. They laughed at us when we went to proselytizati"on. The government was forced
our dances. I went to the Presbyterian to give control of the school to the Presby-
school. I had many good fri~nds. However, . terian missionaries, and subsequently, edu-
after some of them were converted to Chris- cation about Khasi heritage was eliminated.
. tianity, they told me, 'We'll' go to heaven and Christianity became the sole religion taught,
you'll go to hell.' They didn't realize that and the medium of instruction was cKanged
they were dishonoring their apcestors. The from Bengali to English.
British policy of sending missionaries' didn't I was shocked to discover that the latest
do anything for lis except weaken our cul- method for gaining converts was simple fear.
ture. They converted all the SyJems [local Missionaries were telling the people that the
rulers] except the Syiem of Nongkrum. apocalypse-a time predicted in the Christ-
I ,
ian Bible when the world is destrdyed and
only' righteous Christians are saved-will oc-
cur in the year 2000 . I was asked time and
again by frightened local people if it was true.
"Of C;;urse not," I told them, "hardly any
tion." It is a version of the old 'best bet" con-
version argument used for centur.ies in the
West. Dr. Sam Pamei, a Christian from Na-
galand who lives in Shillong, 'gave me the
Meghalaya version: "If I have a choice to be a
Christian and face no bad outcome from the
perspective of'my indigenous religion, or to
follow my indigenous religion and face eter-
nal damnation if Christianity is the true way, ...
then 'the safe bet is to become a Christian."
According to Sunil Deodhar, the missionaries
are. resorting to sucn extreme measures be-
cause, "Due to the work of Seng Khasi, Sein
·Raj and RSS, they are gaining fewer new con-
verts and are actually losing many old con-
verts back to the indigenous fold. Thi's threat
of eternal danmation is their last-ditch at-
tempt to win converts."
Many organizations have-: been dealing
with these challenges. Since 1899, Seng
Khasi has been working t3 maintain the in-
dj.genous Khasi culture and religion and de-
fend it against attacks from Christian mis-
sionaries. Seng' Khasi and its sister group,
Sein Raj, organize Khasi religious and cul-
tural programs, hold regular prayers and
meetings and publish material to educate
people about the Khasi heritage. The Ra-
makrishna Mission has been active for de-
cades. More recently, the RSS, Seva Bharati
and Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram have assisted
Seng Khasi and Sein Raj with their pro-
grams and set up manx schools, student and
youth hostels and medical clinics. However,
all these groups encounter constant opposi-
tion from Christians.
When I left Meghalaya in 1996, I felt
among Khasis a growing sense of pride in
their religion, culture and heritage. Two
hundred years ago Hindus may have been at
a technological, economic and political dis-
advantage. But today Hindus have all the re-
so1;trces they need to support our fellow .
brothers and sisters. If tjle Northeast goes,
then many other tribal communities ru;e sus-
ceptible to severing ties with the age-old
Hindu society. Today, as tribal communities
are strengthening their identities, there is a
need to reaffirm to them that they are an in-
tegral part of Hindu sO.,9iety and that Hindu
society will neither take them away from
their traditional beJiefs and culture, nor
swallow them. Each time a Hindu commu-
nity converts, their unique contribution to
the religious and cultural melting pot is lost
and Hinduism becomes less diverse. wi
By DR. MIHIR MEG,HANI , Michigan
MIH IR MEGHANI: E-MAIL : MIHIR@HINDUNET.ORG . POSTAL
ADDRESS.: PO BOX 2503 0 4, WE ST BLOOMFIE LD, MI C HIGAN
48325 USA. SEVA BH ARATI MEGHALAYA, D. M . SYIEM COM·
POUND, UPPER NONGTHYMMAI, NEHU ROAD, SHILLONG ,
MEGHALAYA 7 9 3 019 I NDIA.
APRIL. Igg8 H I'NDUISM TOD AY 37

WOMEN OF VISION
How .J'Su"rvived
. one day, a feeling came over me that 1
Years fn Prison
One courageous Tibetan woman's
powerfu} tale of faith and suffering
BY ADHE TAP'ONTSANG
HEN ADHE TAPONT8ANG LEFT TIBET
in 1987, she did sO'on the condition of
never telling anyone about the atroci-
ties of her 27 years in Chinese prisons,
of Tibet's subjugation. But she felt
compelled to inform the w.orld of the inhuman
conditions in those prisons and the destruction oj
t1ie country's Buddhist monasteries. Through
nearly. three decades of malnutrition, beatings,
physical labor g.nd solitary confinement, Adhe,
65, never wavered in her compassion. Her
strength, determination and selflessness during
those horrific years was bome of constant adher-
ence to religiOUS perspectives and practices,
which is what we focus on in the following ex-
cerpts from her new book, Ama Adhe, The Voice
That Remembers: The Heroic Story of a
Woman's Fight to Free Tibet.
Throughout my imprisonment, 1 always prayed
to my tutelary deity-Dolma, the Protectoress-
but found it increasiI}.gly difficult to concentrate
on the long, 21-vers~' prayer that my father had taught me. Perhaps
due to starvation clouding the mental faculties, 1 found that my
mind would go blank at certain points in the prayer. 1 simply
coulqnt remember, which was very discouraging. It was alsp im-
possible to pray in my free time without being interrupted either
by guards or by other prisoners. One time the opportunity arose
to consult an imprisoned lama, Kathong Situ Rinpoche, regarding
this problem. H~ seemed quite moved to hear of my predicament,
and taking my hand, he looked into my eyes and gently said, "Un-
der this situation we have no time of our own to devote to tradi-
tional practices, so 1 will teach you this shorter prayer, and you can
recite it with the same devotiQn. 1 am glad to know that your spiri-
hial practice is still of such concern to you." He then taught me an
abbreviated prayer of nine verses' to Dolma, which was to become
my refuge in all future times of trial and loneliness.
One time, after having worked and weakened for some months;
1 slept for a week and stopped working. 1 decided the system was
such that you had to work and then had so little to eat that you'd
most probably die of starvation. The only' thought 1 had was, "I am
gOing to die here," so 1 tore a stI'lP of cloth from the bottom of my
blouse and, making one hundred and eight knots, fashioned it into
a rosary. 1 felt 'that to do some religious practice was the only thing
left for me. During that period of solitary confinement, 1 recited
the Dolma prayer as long as my strength held out. 1 would recite,
38 HINDUISM TODA.Y APRIL, 1998
then fall unconscious. 1 would wake up
again and try to walk while reciting the
mantra, then 1 would fall down. From that
time until 1 decided to try working again,
the guards didn't give me any food. Finally,
should not try to force the end of my own
misery, and decided to go back to work.
One time 1 was given some extra food by
a family member wbo visited the prison. 1
decided to share it with all the prisoners,
one of whom was Kathong Situ Rinpoche,
who had taught me the Dolma prayer. He
said, "In independent Tibet, we used to
have many rich families sponsorin$ meals
and teas in the monaSteries. We can under-
...stand that situation because of their
wealth. But today, your sharing of this food
with everyone has far more meaning. You
have done a greatly meritorious work, and
you will live. But for us, there will only be
death. There will be no way to escape from
this atrocity."
As 1 left Gothahg Gyalgo prison for a dif-
ferent camp, we walked slowly through the
places where -all the starved prisoners had
been buried, and 1 realized that my own
remains could easily have been left there.
As we passed the graves, 1 silently spoke to
my fellow prisoners, saying, "If only you
had survived a little longer, you would be
walking with us today." 1 prayed to all the
deities of Tibet for their departed spirits,
that they have a good rebirth, and
promised that all through my life 1 would
pray for them. It was as if one's own rela-
tives were buried there because we had all
endured the same suffering.
In Minyak Ra-nga GlIDg region there is a
sacred mountain known as Sha Jera, tradi-
tionally a place of pilgriIItage for festivals
and religious occasions. People of the region offered prayer and in-
cense ceremonies. In the early 19708, over 300 prisoners were em-
ployed in mining lead from the mountain. At its base is a small
lake. During....the summer of 1975, this lake was the site ~f what
was regarded by us l'ibetans as a miraculous event. One day peo-
ple noticed that an impression of a nomadic tent had manifested
beneath the water in the middle of the lake. The Chinese took
binoculars .up on the mountain to monitor whether the image w,as
moving. They realized thJl.t the image was not a natural occur-
rence, and it frightened them. Mter a week, the image of the tent...
began to disappear and a very large green lotus began to physical-
ly grow in its place. The flower continued to spread over the lake.
The people said that the flower had great significance because of
its size anP color: green is associated with His Holiness, the D~
Lama, who was born in the year of the Wooden Hog. Green is the
color of the wooden element. Tibetans came to the shore in great '
numbers. Before long, the Chinese decided to bombard the lake.
As a wall of water rose in the lake's center, people rushed to pick
up the pieces of the flower that floated to the shore. Those manag-
ing to preserve the flower's·fragments said the petals had the con-
sistency of grass. We Tibe ans felt that the apparition and the ex-
traordinarily large lotus held promise of better times to come.
TO READ ABOUT AMA ADHE'S PRISON LIFE IN VIVID DETAIL, ORDER AMA
WHE t THE VOICE THAT REMEMBERS, FROM: WISDOM PUBLICATIONS,
199 ELM STREET, SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS 02144 USA
..
Teaclhings of Paramahansa Yogananda Deities Gilded in 24 K. Gold
The bliss of Ganapati sitting (or danCing), Ram
God-awareness is Darbar, Lakshmi, Shiva-Parvati,
not an exclusive
Durga, Shirdi Sai Baba, Hanuman,
possession of Santoshi Ma, Tirupati Balaji, Vishnu,
saints and yogis, Shiva Nataraj, Krishna, Krishna with
but belongs to you Cow. 3 to 5" (7 to 12 cm) high. $19.95
as well. "Self-real- to $39.95. $3.50 shipping. Catalog.
ization,'" explained
Paramahansa
Yogananda, "is the
fo unDED In 19aO
BH
pnRnmnHnnsn
Discounts for retailers and temples.
Nirvana Collection
94 Route 416, Campbell Hall, NY
knowing-in body, IIOllnnnnon 10916 USA • Tel: 800-374-2304 or
mind, and soul-
that we are one with the omnipresence of God; that we do
914-294-1498. Fax 914-294-3870.
not have to pray that it come to us, that we are not merely
near it at all times, but that God's omnipresence is our om-
nipresence; that we are just as much a part of Him now as we
ever will be. All we have to do is improve our knowing." Custom Tours to India
Through a series of printed Lessons for home study, you
can receive Paramahansa Yogananda's complete and accurate Kali Travel is uniquely qualified to
instruction in the Self-Realization techniques of meditation, organize custom-made tours to satis-
concentration, and pranayama. This in-depth program ex- fy the needs of any type of group,
plains practical ''how-to-live'' principles for harmonizing organization or individual and to
body, mind, and soul and is offered on a subscription basis structure an itinerary appropriate to
for a nominal fee to help cover printing and handling. their specific needs and interests.
For a free catalog of books and recordings, or further
information, please contact our international headquarters at: For more information, contact:
Self-Realization Fellowship • 3880 San Rafael • Dept. 7HTG Kali Travel Ltd.
Los Angeles, CA 90065-3298 USA 169-12 Hillside Ave,
Tel: ,213-225-2471 (9-5 Pacific) • 24-hr fax: 213-225-5088 Jamaica, NY 11432-4498 USA
Visit us on the Web: http://www.yogananda-srf.org Tel: 1-718-291-9292
KriYcl Yoga Seminars: US, Can., Europe Moneesh Resources - Gifts and Books
Roy Eugene Davis, a disciple For the past 18
of Paramahansa Yogananda, years, we have
will teach in these cities: developed an ex-
tensive collection
• Los Gatos, CA: Mar. 12 of gifts, statues and
• Vancouver, BC: Mar. 17 books to support
• Ashland, OR: Mar. 20-22 you in your spirit-
• Dallas, TX: Apr. 4 ual upliftment.
• Munich,Germany: Apr. 18, 19
• London, UK: Apr. 25 • A broad collec-
• Detroit, MI: May 9 tion of spiritual
texts of all tradi-
Request information and tions, esp. Hindu-Vedas, Upanishads, Sutras, Puranas, etc.
our free book catalog: • The finest rudraksha malas, custom made-gold-filled,
Center For Spiritual 14k gold, with silver etc. • A wide collection of wrist or
Awareness. PO Box 7-H necklace malas in various stones and styles • Statues of
Lakemont, GA 30552 USA deities: Ganesha, Krishna, Shiva Nataraj, etc. • Posters,
Tel: 706-782-4723. Fax 706-782-4560 calendars and notecards of deities from the finest artists-all
E-mail csainc@stc.net • Website http://www.csa-davis.org sizes • Puja and meditation items: Incense, prayer shawls,
wool meditation asanas, cushions and more
Roy Eugene Davis' Books in India: • Alternative health care remedies and books: ayurvedic
(when ordering by mail add Rs. 15 postage each book) and herbal preparations, essential oils and related books
B. Jain Publishers. Post Box 5775 New Delhi 110 055 • Apparel: hatha yoga T-shirts and mats, meditation clothes,
An Easy Guide to Ayurveda, Rs. 45 kurtas and dhotis
Motilal Banarsidass, Publishers
41 u.A., Bungalow Road, Jawahar Nagar, Delhi 110 007 Call or write for our free catalog!
The Book of Life, Rs. 65
A Master Guide to Meditation, Rs. 85 11oneeshResources
Life Surrendered in God (yoga-sutras), 467 Brickman Rd., Hurleyville, NY 12747-5314 USA
Hardcover, Rs. 295 • Softcover, Rs. 195. Tel: 914-434-8990 • Fax: 914-435-0018
39
 ,

Pragya Yug Literature Center, Chicago American Institute of Vedic Studies

Founded by Gayatri Pariwar Yug- Expand your horizons in
Nirman, Chicago. Featuring the Vedic and Hindu Dharma.
enlightened, inspiring literature of Practical teachings of
Gurudev Shri Ram Sharma Acharya, Vamadeva Shastri (Dr. David
which promotes the development of Frawley). Authentic knowl-
family and society by stimulating edge in a clear modern idiom.
genuine awakening in the individual. Books and courses, confer-
Contact: PYLC, 2046 W Devon Ave ences and seminars, research
Chicago IL 60659-2128 USA. information, from the Rig
Tel: 773-465-2533 Veda to India Today.
Or Smt. Kusum Patel at Gayatri
Pariwar, Chicago: 847-692-7712 Dr. Frawley's latest books:
• Ayurveda and the Mind
• Oracle of Rama
• Awaken Bharata:
A Gall for India's Rebirth
Deja Vu Spiritual Adventure in Nepal
• Ayurvedic Correspondence Course: "Ughh:" This miniature mutineer tells mom she'll only
November 6-26, 1998. Explore six hundred pages of in-depth material.
PARENTING Here it is-the Hindu art CD of the
the treasures of Kathmandu;
trek 12 days through the Mt. • Vedic Astrology Correspondence Course:
Everest region. Experience the
spirit of Tibetan Buddhism
through Sherpa villages and
six hundred pages of in-depth material.

• Vedic yoga and the new view of ancient India.

To t[let What They Want ,
decade. It contains a wealth of clip

art, Aums, patterns, textures,

Buddhist monasteries. 4-day
R&R in Kathmandu. Tour led
by Susan Hull-Bostwick, director of Berkeley Psychic Institute.
Deja Vu Spiritual Adventures, 2210 Harold Way, Berkeley,
CA 94704-1425 USA. Tel: 800-204-TOUR or 510-644-1600.
Fax: 510-644-1686 • CST #2022133-40.
American Institute of Vedic Studies
PO Box 8357
Santa Fe, NM 87504-8357 USA
Tel: 505-983-9385 • Fax: 505-982-5807
Email: Vedicinst@aol.com. Web: www.vedanet.com
Why children try to "p1).sh your buttons"
OU DON'T L OVE ME! IF YOU DID,
you'd let me stay up and watch TV!
Everyone el.se's mother and father does.
They love them and you don't love me!"
So opens Dr. T. Berry Brazelton's chapter on
"Emotional Manipulation" in his book,
sacred symbols, borders, finished
mad at me." To encourgge cooperation and graphics and some rare Rajput
reduce a child's attempts at manipulation,
the following suggestions may help. scans. More than J, 500 images
1) Before problems arise, discuss the is-
sues. Ope~ly present the choices and the reflecting Indias rich traditions and
way you'd 'like the child to behave. Use times

Dharma-Sevak Course Touchpoints, The Essential Reference. Bra-

zeltoFl expllains how this blatant attempt at
manipulation will be familiar to parents. It
when the child is in control to di'scuss iSsues,
not when she's in the midst of a struggle. 2)
Respect' her for her capacity to make the
spiritual culture. Great graphics for

Sponsored by will be accompanied by a wretched, op-
Chinmaya Mission West pressed expression. The lack of subtlety of
such a request indicates 1;hat the child knows
Taught by Swami Tejomayananda she hasn't a chance. BUt it will still impact
parents, mlmy of whom will react angrily.
Assisted by Swami Chidananda Emotional manipulation is usually thought
of as an .attempt to control another person
June 14 - July 11, 1998 by artfui\ unfair .or insidious means. Within
the parent-child relationship, it is normal,
Swami Tejomayananda at Krishnalaya, Piercy, California Swami Chidananda and unless parents overreact, not all that in-
sidious. Children are trying out their wings.
In thinldng about emotional manipula-
Four-week program for serious study of Vedanta. Empowers you to teach Vedanta, tion, parents should fIrst remember that
conduct study groups and effectively serve others. they, too, manipulate their children "for
their own good." They often try tq influence
For Brochure and Reservation: Call (707) 247-3488 or Fax ( 707) 247-3422 children's behavior-with rewards, praise,
bribes and threats. Children learn tQ model
Youth Camp July 12-19, 1998 at Krishnalaya, California, USA themselves on their parents. Even a toddler
Info: 415-969-4389 soon learns that bringing her favorite book
over to her parents is more likely to distract
Vedanta classes. stucly groups. yaJnas. educational. cultural and social service activities.
them from their conversation dian simply
asking for attention. Looking sad or nestling
next to a parent on the couch is e'tfective,
Chinmaya Mission Main Centers: too. Manipulation is involved in almost every
choices you offer. Gear them to her age and an ashram bulletin, yoga book,
ability to maintain control and to remember
the choice. she's made. 3) Remember that Web page or multimedia presen-
provocative behavior is the child's way to
test herself and her own limits. 4) E~amine
your own tolerance for the child's misbehav-
tation. Mac only. Special offer for
ior. Perhaps cer~ activities make you over-
Hinduism Today readers: SJ 99.
react. 5) Join her in what you want her to do.
This not only giveti her a model but also
gives you both a sense of communicating 1-800-890-1008 or
¥.Qth each other. 6) Recognize that escala-
tion of parental pressure and manipulations 1-808-822-3152 (ext. 238)
results in escalation of defIance in children; • Fax: 1-808-822-4531
offer alternatives. 7) If you defInitely want a
child to do something, never ask, "Will E-mail: books@hindu.org
you?" Instead, say, "Now it's tim!,)." 8) Praise
her after cooperation is achieved.
Manipulative parents undermine trust,
detracting from the child's ability to live up DHARMA
to a situation. When parents are direct and
honest in their expectations for a child, she
has the experience of being entrusted and
GRAPHICS CD
empowered. Honest communication is the
most powerful system parents can establish. • HIMAlAYAN ACADEMY PUBUCATIONS

AUSTRALIA 61-3-9850-7148 Fax: 61-3-9850 6348 INDIA 91-22-852-2367 Fax: 91-22-852-7065 part of a child's day, commonly through in- Parents are then modeling for the child an 107 KAHOlALELE ROAD

FRANCE 33-1-437-33794 Fax: 33-1-42786222 U.K. 44-181-9055453 Fax: 44-181-9055656 vidious comparisons. He might say, "You are alternative to emotional manipulation. ..,,; KAPAA. HI 96746-9304 USA

always nicer to him than you are to me. You TO ORDER TOUCHPOINTS, THE ESSENTIAL REFERE~ CE > WRlTE
HONGKONG 852-2367-1278 Fax: 852-2367-5167 U.S.A 001-707-247-3488 Fax: 001~707-247-3422 TO: ADDISON "'WESLEY PUBLISHING co. , INC., RTE. 1z8,
BOOKS YOU CAN TAKE , SERIOUSLY
let him get away with it, but you always get REDDING, MASSACHUSETTS 100146, USA

40 ~ ________ ~
Visit our website http://www.chinmaya.org
________________________________________________________ ~

CLASSIFIED
Classified ads are uS$25 for 20 words, $1/word
for each additional word, payable in advance
• Hinduism Today, 107 Kaholalele Rd, Kapaa,
Hawaii, 96746-9304 USA. Tel: 800-850-1008 or
808-823-9620 • Fax: 808-822-4351.
E-mail: ads@hindu.org
Ashrams
Ananda Ashram. Sanskrit, meditation, yoga,
cultural programs, intensives, retreats. One
hour from New York City. Wooded setting.
Tel: 914-782-5575. Fax: 914-774-7368 (USA).
Ayurvedic/Health
Discover Homeopathy! Books, tapes, medicines,
software, information for laypeople or health
profeSSionals. Homeopathic Educational
Services, 2124 W Kittredge, Berkeley CA
94704-2604 USA. Tel: 510-649-0294. Website:
http://www.homeopathic.com
Home Remedies from India: Herbal and
Narural by Dr. Ranvir Pahwa, Ph.D, Herbalist-
Homeopath. US/Can$15 (includes shipping
and handling) check or money order to:
Heritage Holistic Health and Environmental
Institute, 1527 A, Idylwyld Drive N., Saskatoon
S7L lA9 Canada.
Avoid gum surgery-save your teeth. Natural
home-care breakthrough fights advanced gum
disease. Proven. Painless. Economical. Call:
800-533-1821. Website: wwwalbrite.com
Meat substitutes: Textured Vegetable Protein
and Instant Seitan. Fat-free, quick-cooking.
Free catalog: 800-695-2241. PO Box 180-HT,
Summertown, TN 38483-0180 USA.
Computer
Best software, Hindi/others. US$109 +$10
s&h. VB.L., PO Box 86065, Oakville, ON L6H
5V6, Canada. Tel: 416-315-3186. Fax 905-896-
7500. E-mail: dsharma@worldchat.com.
Devotional Supplies
Ganges clayfired statues for puja, meditation,
immersion, other rituals. Sixty intricately
hand-painted images, many hard to find.
Color catalog includes 200 other deities.
Send US$2 to: JBL, Box 163 H, Crozet, VA
22932-0163 USA.
Quality Incense
from India. Golden Rose.
Neel Kamal Pure Sandal-
wood cones, and more.
Tel: 970-949-6329 USA
Email: vel@vailnet
Beautiful wooden puzzles. Krishna, gods and
goddesses. Also two games for Hindu children:
"Memory" and "Dominoes." Call Lakshmi:
209-337-2477 (USA). vrndavan@hotmail.com
42
. ,
Malas, malas, malas! Tulsi, rudraksha, lotus,
sandalwood, rosewood and semiprecious. Sil-
ver and gold capped in rudraksha, sandalwood
and tulsi. Sacred images and more. Call 1-812-
323-9768 or write for catalog. Sacred Woods,
1916 Arden Drive, Bloomington, Indiana,
47401-6731, USA.
Education
Accredited Vedic astrology degree program
offered by state-recognized Florida Vedic Col-
lege (FVG) Also: books, workshops. Contact
Shyamasundara Dasa, Dean of Astrology
(FVC), Jyotish Sastri, member ICAS, fully
trained by masters in India, over 20 years ex-
perience, author of the pioneer Matrix Jyotish
Vedic astrology program that made Vedic
astrology accessible to the West. Tel 352-332-
3931. E-mail: shyamasundara.acbsp@com.bbt.se
Excellent correspondence course on Vedic
Astrology by Jyotish Krishnan, recipient
of several awards including the recent
award of Jyotish Vachaspathi by ICAS, India.
Normal cost for four courses, US$558 (regis-
tration through May '98: $200 off). Tel/fax:
972-783-1242 or write: PO Box 852892,
Richardson TX 75085-2892 USA.
Vedic Astrology classes, workshops, tapes,
books. Offered by Umananda-Stephen Quong,
Ph.D., Jyotisha Vachaspati. 17513 Grizzly Den
Road, Lake Shastina, CA 96094-9448, USA.
Tel: 530-938-2997. Website: www.jyotisha.com
E-mail: quongassoc@jyotisha.com
Free Products and Services
Free educational flow charts on all aspects
of Hinduism. Write to Viswanath. Am I a
Hindu? Box 56697, New Orleans, LA 70156-
6697 USA. arvind-4@msn.com
Find God. "What right has a man to say that
there is a God ifhe does not see Him?" Contact
Dr. Aruna, 183 Jalan Besar, Bukit Tengah,
14000 Bukit Mertajam, Penang, West Malaysia.
Jewelry
Affordable gems/jewelry for ayurveda, astrology,
meditation. Satisfaction guaranteed. Mail order.
King Enterprises, 1305 N. H St.!A-289-T,
Lompoc, CA 93436-4377 USA. Tel: 805-736-
0449 (business hours.)
Astrological rings, pendants of gemstones,
made to order in 14, 18, 22 karat gold or silver.
Call Manju: 914-434-6630 (USA).
Music and Art
Hindu Deity paintings, notecards and prints
from India. Website: http://wwwlakshrni.com.
Catalog. Lakshmi International, 411 Madison
Street, Boonton, NJ 07005-2051
East Indian instruments and gift items.
Giant selection of instruments: harmoniums,
tabla, daggas, kirtan instruments, audio/video
tapes. Also incense, spiritual books, etc. For
a beautiful catalog, send US$l to Encinitas
Imports, PO Box 230419-H, Encinitas, CA
92023-0419 USA. Tel: 760-436-9589
Beautiful devotional sculptures and masks.
Special new-year offer-33% off classic cast
stone murthies for your home, temple or retail
shop. Ganesh, Shiva, Laxmi, Sarasvati, Durga,
Buddha. Ht: 2 ft. (61 cm) or 4-5 ft. (1.2-1.5 m).
Free catalog, tel: 800-608-8632,515-472-8115.
Vedic Sculpture Studio, 607 W Broadway #136,
Fairfield, IA 52556-3200 USA.
Exquisite Vedic paintings done to order. Art
book, Windows to Spiritual World. For free
flyer: Pushkar, PO Box 1094, Alachua, FL
32615-1094 USA. Tel: 904-462-0144.
PilgrimagelTravel
Discover the heart and mind of India/Nepal.
Journey with Dr. Martin and Carol Noval. Noval
TourslTreks. Brochure: 800-486-6825 (USA)
Products/Stores
Purity Farms organic traditional ghee.
100% pure, from cows raised completely
free of hormones, chemicals or pesticides. A
delight to cook with! Wholesale or retail. Ask
about our 89-page book, Making and Using
Ghee-theRoyaIOil. Call 303-647-2368, USA.
Elegant, custom-designed Hindu clothing
for all occasions-kurtas, punjabs, salwar
kameez, etc. Also, western. Free brochure:
Palani Sewing, tel: 510-680-7278 (USA).
E-mail: spalani@flash.net
Publications
Sri Aurobindo books. Ayurveda. Reiki. Classi-
cal spiritual texts. Homeopathy. Aromatherapy.
Alternative health. Also over 7,000 health
products including ayurveda, homeopathic
remedies, herbal remedies, incense, essential
oils, massage oils, etc. Wholesale-retail-mail
order. Free catalog. Lotus Light, Box 1008HT,
Silver Lake, WI 53170-1008 USA.
Auromere: Sri Aurobindo books, classical spir-
itual texts, ayurveda books, children's books
from India, ayurvedic products, incense, and
much more. Free catalog: 1-800-735-4691
(USA).
Palani Pan chang 1998. Trivedi's American Pan-
chang available in English or Gujarati. US$9
+$2 sIh. 3 versions for NY, Chicago, San Fran-
cisco times. 510-490-1533. Devendra Trivedi,
4831 Piper St, Fremont, CA 94538 USA.
Samvid and Bharatiya Vidya: quarterly re-
search journals on Indian culture. Samvid
(Sanskrit): US$10/year. Bharatiya Vidya (Eng-
lish): $60/year (surface mail). Phone (+91-22)-
363-4462/3/4. Fax: (+91-22)-363-0058. "De-
mand Draft" only, payable to BHARATIYA VIDYA
BHAVAN do The Editor, Samvid, or Bharatiya
Vidya, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Kulapati K.M.
Munshi Marg, Mumbai 400 007, India. India's holy men, see the Kumbha Mela. Wanted
60 min. US$33.95 pstpd (ck). Pal and Catalog
Vacation/Retreat available. Penny Price Media. 355C Lake PRIEST-for Lakshmi-Narayan Mandir, Syra-
Pleasant Dr. Staatsburg, NY 12580 USA. cuse, NY. Graduate of Acharia, Shastri or Mas-
The Cave. Are you ready for the next step? Tel: 914-876-0239, fax 914-876-0260 ters in Sanskrit. Minimum 2 years experience.
Is your spirit "climbing the wall" to be free? Good in Hindi and English. Send resume: Anil
Do you want to go deeper? Does true stillness Yoga Verma, Hindu Mandir, Box3114, Liverpool, NY
evade you? Perhaps you are ready for Samadhi 13090-3114 USA. 315-484-9723. Fax: 315-484-
Cave, (NM, USA). Available for sadhana on 7863. E-mail:BIAVERMA@compuserve.com
donation basis, March-November. Tel/fax: 505-
Yoga in Daily Life
473-3~560. http://wwwsamadhihermitage.org Yoga, meditation, guest lecturers, satsang. Hinduism Todayis looking for news items, quips,
E-mail: ananda@samadhiherrnitage.org. Books, audio & video tapes and more. Free quotations, cartoons, professional photographs,
catalog. 1310 Mt. Vernon, Alexandria, VA etc. HT, 107 Kaholalele Rd, Kapaa, HI 96746-
22301-1714 USA. E-mail:yidl@erols.com 9304 USA. Tel: 808-822-7032, ext. 227.
Videos
Tel: 703-299-8946 • Fax: 703-299-9051 Fax: 808-822-4351. ar@hindu.org
Acclaimed spiritual videos: Sadhana-
ShiJ_ping and Freight Forwarding Experience•.•
Best choice in shipping ...one man's quest for the Pure Self
between USA and India,
Pakistan, Sri Lanka and
JJAIR -; SEAS within. Relive with him his years
with Paramhansa Yogananda, and
PTRANSPORT LOGISTICS, INC.
Bangladesh. SFO • LAX· CHI· NYC his inner-dimensional journey, culmi-
nating in a face-to-face meeting with
BY AIR OR SEA. H.O: PO Box611117 the living being of Light call I AM
San Jose, CA 95161 USA
THAT lAM.
Tel: 800-22-lNDIA or The Christ Consciousness
4018-977-9040 by Norman Paulsen. US$23 incl.
Fax: 1-800-396-6659 or 408-977-9049 s&h.
E-mail: sales@air7seas.com Solar Logos Fdn. • PO Box 2008- H
URL: www.air7seas.com Buellton, CA 93427-2008 USA
----- OUR S
classes it) your home wid> an adept Yoga Master guid-
YOGA TEACHERS' CERTIFICATION COURSE
of the way. Whether you are a complete beginner
Yoga. these videos & audios will help IN BRAZIL: Jm, 2S IQ fEB 6.1998
Each has calming background music. Held in a beautifUl. quiet retreat in the mountains.
AT THE ASHRMl IN FoRT LAuDERDALE, FLoRIDA
Now AVAILABLE. SP!CfAl OfllR
. c_ _ _ _--, Escalate your practice with a new Yogi Hari d Leela Mata JUNE 5 IQ JUNE 19. 1998
2-hour advanced Yoga session with Asanas • Pranayama • Meditation . Mantras
acclaimed Yoga Master, Yogi Han. invite you to dtUdy Yoga Anatomy· Physiology. Vedanta Philosopby
For a limited time only - just $29.95 Diet. Kriyas • Introduction to Ayurveda •
... in the comfort of Limited to 20 students
OTHER VIDIOS IN THI SIRlES
Beginners - Level 2 $1500 covers tuition, materials, lodging & meals.
60 minutes, was $29.95, now $19.95 your own home
lntermediate - Level 1 or in the quiLt of theird ...
90 minutes, was $34.95, now $24.95
Intermediate - Level 2 CaLL flOW to or()~r or for infortlUltion. I
90 minutes, was $34.95, now $24.95
800.96-L2553
SPlOAl Omi! • fREE AUDIO SIT
OrdeF the full series of 4 videos at the YOGI HA.ru's ~ SADHANA WEEK
Be in the company of a Mltster and get established in a balanced
newly reduced price of just $99.80 & re-
ceive the AudlO Set of 4 cassette tapes 2216 NW 8th Terrace daily routine, or take the oppqrtWiity to deepen your own prac-
tice of Yoga and Meditation with his guidance.
--.,•..-- - - - - ' that will help you practice anywhere.
A $48.00value is yours FREE! Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33311 AT THE ASHRi\M IN FORT LAUPERPALE. FLoRIDA
Jum; 19 TO JUNE 26. 1998
au~~,.ntic, y"!:a 'praoti,~
with spiritual awareness from th!; heart. H
MG I VISA I AMEX/DISCOVER
$900 covers tuition, materials, lodging & meals.
<';ptdnun.' The lJriIilh Wh,,[ ,fYoga &'~". Shipping d haJ/dling
for the ....nce.ofa Hath. Yoga practice on tape. look no further." $4.()(}/or J.i:.lgluiiko + .50t la. aJditwflal ,(iJw I N BRUSSELS: JULY 10 TO JULY 12
Yoga in/,ma/ional 1~'rLtl or callfor a fm calaloglll.
Hili 19iv... d.", instructions and encourAges students to work at a comfortable _'I IN G ERMANY JuLy 12 TO Jwx 19
~- ~ "ililour we/; Jllt at www.yogif)ari.com.
the practice to suit thelt particular needs." y~jl JOUl'luU (}(lit for dalu ilt other plm:u .
~ __~~__________ ~____________________________________________________~ 43

"One God, One World" will be
chiseled in many languages into
the white gral1ite ceiling of Iraivan
Temple, Americas first all-st€me
traditional Siva temple. In 1991
a small village was created
in Bangalore, India, for 100
craftsmen and their families who
are, to this day, hand-carving the
Iraivan temple to be shipped to the
Garden Island of Kauai. Call or visit
our web site for more details.
1-808-639-8886
www.HinduismToday.kauai.
hi.us/ashram/lraivan.html
nONE GOD,
ONE WORLD"
SAN MARGA IRA/VAN TEMPLE
107 KAHOLALELE ROAD,
KAPAA, HI 96746-9304 USA
A TEMPLE BUILT 'FO LAST 1, 000 YEARS
..,
''o""
u quips, "Oh, I'm sure they'll send you back as
Joe Criminal: Leggl action and n~ laws are putting rrwre and rrwre restraints upon srr:ok-
ers. Califorr:ians who light up in a restaurant now face stiff penalties.
Smoke'rs On the Run
Secondhand smoke hazard leads to California ban
ITH JEERS AND CATCALLS, MANY
Californians kept right on puffing
Thursday as the new year and
a new ban on smoking in ' bars ar-
rived together< "It doesn't make me angry
that I can't smoke. What makes me angry is
that the government can dictate to a restau-
rant owner what they can and can't do," said
Cathy Cawley, who rang in 1998 wifh a long
drag on a cigarette while partying at Bar-
ney's Beanery in West Hollywood.
The law prohibiting smoking in bars gives
California tqe nation's strictest no-smoking
rules. But it got little respect when it went
into effect at Ini~ght. As waitresses confis-
cated ashtrays, many smokers went right on
smoking. At San Francisco's Cafe. DuNord,
Granger Davis and Peter Rossi were smoking
at 1 A.M. Each had a different reason "for
breaking the law. "Because I'm drunk,"
Davis said. "Because addiction doesn't stop
at Inidnight," put in Rossi. C~fornia banned
smoking in restaurants and most.: other in-
door workplaces in 1995. The law is aimed at
protecting employees from secondhand-
smoke, which has been linked to lung cancer,
respiratory problems and other illnesses.
A judge Tuesday refused to block the ban
as requested by a group of bar owners and
others. Owners could be fined up to US$100
for a fIrst offense and up to $7,000 per viola-
tion for a series of offenses. Customers who
insist on smoking could also be fmed.
The California law is the latest in a series
of legal actions aimed at reducing the in-
credible impact of smoking on America's
health. The state of Texas settled a lawsuit
against the p.ation's major cigarette compa-
nies for uS$IS.3 billion. It is the largest legal
settlement in American history and will pay
to treat smoking-related illnesses. "Our law-
suit asserts that the hi;tory of this industry
has been rooted in a concl([ted, decades-long
conspiracy to conceal the truth about tobac-
co," Texas Attorney General Dan Morales
said, 'f\s a direct result, Inillions of Ameri-
can-fathers, sons, daughters, mothers- have
died horrible, preventable, premature
deaths." Thirty-seven other states have law-
,suits pending agqinst the tobacco industry.
Among the recent r\evelations is that, to-
b~cco companies deliberately developed
marketing plans to hook teenagers as young
as 13 on cigarettes, especially throlJgh the
"Joe Camel" ad campaign. Anti-tobacco
forces responded to this adInission by
threatening to thwart a proposed $300' bil-
lion plus national settlement of all cases and
go after the companies in court.
The basic strategy of the American tobac-
co companies is to weather the storm of law-
~uits as best they can without getting ciga-
rettes banned altogether, cover their legal
expenses by raising prices and in the mean-
time open new markets for their tobacco
products in Asia and Africa where govern-
ment control is still Ininimal. -.1
from Associated Press reports
REVIEWS
. of today's world-thanks to the publicized
BOlrn-Again Books
Five scholars explere the souls, repeated entries
and exits into and from the physical form
By TARA KATIR, HAWAII
o REINCARNATION DESK - REPORT
for reassignment," is a signboard in an
episode of the popular Frank and
Ernest coInic strip. Ernest poses ques-
tions wondering how he will come back this
time: As a brilliant scientist? ' A rich busi-
nessman? Or maybe "just as I am?" Frank
a completely different persorr""Nobody
makes the same Inistake twice!"
Americans' affection for reincar-
nation is burgeoning. A 1989
Gallup Poll found that S8 per cent
either believe completely in rebirth
or consideJr it a distinct possibility-
and today the fIgure is riding at 72
percent. A peek ~ any large Ameri-
can bookstore reveals a plethora of
books on rebirth. This law and its en-
twinemenit with. the principle of kar-
ma is revealed in From Death to
Birth, Understanding Karma and
Reincarnation (216 pages, Himal-
ayan Institute Press, uS$IS.95) by
Pandit Rajmani Tigunait. A disciple
of the late Swami Rama, Tigunait of-
fers humorous and original insights
into one of life's most intriguing ques-
tions-what happens after we die? And
how does karma affect"the outcome of
our next lifetime? I is Dan S. Wards Reincarnation Is Mak-
Sometimes we get discouraged when
"bad" th1ngs happen while we're working
so hard...to do good. Tigunait points out
that these are the return of past Inisdeeds
(in this or previous lives), and the solution
is to create our future with "exceptional
karmas"-positive karmas created by intense
repetition of mantras, tapas (austerity), self-
less service, the grace of God and the com-
pany of saints, These help us override our
karmic destiny and change our life. "Such
loopholes in the law of karma," 1:igunait
,
jokes, release us from its bonds.
Besides resolving to enter our next life a
few steps up the human evolutionary ladder,
we should equally consider how to best exit
this ORe. Sh.ould we be scared of death? Not \
if it's approached with spiritual maturity.
Sushila Blackman wanted to know how this
is done, so she sought examples of great tran-
sitions, compiling and editing the uplifting
Graceful Exits, How Great Beings Die, Death
Stories of Tibetan, Hindu and Zen Masters
,
(159 pages, Weatherhill Press, uS$IS.9S). A
devotee of Swami Muktananda, BJackman
tells 108 soul-elevating true accounts of the
remarkable ways ancient and modern spiri-
tual giants departed this world. Especially
esotefic is the narrative of the passing of
Gyanamata, a nun of the Ramakrishna Or-
der. Just"before death she exclaimed, "What
joy! What joy! Too much, too much joy!"
Upon her passing, Paramahamsa Yogananda
requested close disciples to feel her feet-
which were very cold. Then he asked them
to feel the top of her head, which felt as if it
were on fIre. Yogananda explained, "This
shows she has left the body in the highest
state of samadhi ... the thousand-petaled 10-
tus ... she has no need to return to the world.
But we'll meet again." Less than four months
later Yogananda himself left his body.
While it's not.yet documented where Yo-
gananda reincarnated (if he did at all), much
I
Free Tibet movement-is fascinated to hear
how Tibetan Buddhist monRs track and val-
idate the reappearance of their revered
leaders. Vickie Mackenzie documents this
process in the death of Lama Thubten Yeshe
and his rebirth in Spain as Lama Osel in
Reincarnation, the Boy Lama (175 pages,
Wisdom Publications, uS$I6.95), You'll follow
events from the lives o f Lama Yeshe and
Lama Osel through testimonies of the Dalai
Lama, fellow monks, devotees and the Span-
ish parents of Lama Osel. We learn just how
common an occurrence it is for advanced
souls of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition to
be identifIed in their next birth as they re-
tur-n to serve Dharma,
What about other world religions? If
you've ever wondered what Christians, Jews,
Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus all have in
common, you may be surprised to kllow it is
reincarnation, according to Steven
Rosen's The Reincarnation Controver-
sy, Uncovering the Truth in the World
Religions (125 pages, Torchlight Pub-
lishing, US$1l.95). Guiding 'us through
each religion's history, with a large
bibliography at the end of each chap-
ter, Rosen points out that mystical
sects of Judaism and Islam both hold
the belief For Christians, reincarna-
tion as a doctrine of the church was
removed more for reasons political
than theological in 553 BCE at the
Second Council of Constantinople.
Perhap" Rosen's evidence explains
why today so many Westerners per-
sonally feel quite comfortable with
rebirth, reinspirecJ. by the age-old
question popular in this "new age,"
"Who am I and wher, am I going?"
Amplifying the rebirth renaissance
ing A Comeback (219 pages, Vl{hitford
Press, uS$I2,95, out of print, but fInd-
able) in which he objectively explore!>
the implicit changing paradigm caused
by more and more peoples' acceptance of
reincarnation as a valid law of life. Of
cour$e, reincarnation is a vast subject, so
Ward shows its interconnectedness with re-
lated psychic phenomena ranging from out-
of-body experiences to spirit possession to
numerology. 8'0, to all those who fInd that
the advice, "You only go around once in life,
so you have to grab all the gusto you can"
doesn't seem very sagely, treat yourself to the
,
alternatives wonderfully presented in these
handy
, books. ..,.I
Publishers:
T~ HIMALAYAN INSTITUTE PRES S, RR I , BOX 4 05, H ONES-
D ALE, PENNSYLVANIA 18 431 USA; W ISDOM P UBLICATIONS,
361 NEWB URY STREE T, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02115
USA; TORCHLIGHT PUBLISHING , INC. , PO BOX 5 2, BADGER,
CALIFORNIA 93603 USA, E MA IL: TORCHLIGHT@
COMPUSERVE.COM ; WEATHERHILL , I NC., 568 BROADWAY
SUITE 705, NEW Y ORK, N EW Y ORK 10012 U SA, E M AIL:
WEATH1212@AOL.COM; WHITFORD P RE SS, 1469 MORSTEIN
ROAD, WEST CHESTER, P E NNSYLVANIA 19380 USA
APRIL, 1998 HINDUISM TOD A Y 45

HEALING
-{JIDS, Part Two:
Tests '& Treatment
HIV tests are flawed, yet used to justify a
. .fatal course of AZT treatment
potentially
BY DEVANANDA TANDAVAN, M.D.
ST MONTH WE EXPLORED
J; the reasons some doctors and
researchers feel the public
is being mislead about the
nature and treatment of AIDS.
Their position is consider~d
heresy to prevailing medical
opinion, and despite its potential
impact, their point of view is
ignored both by the medical
profession and policy makers.
Central to the issue is the relationship of gressed to a condition that resembled full-
HIV (human immunovirus) and the condi-
tion called AIDS. Since the development of
a test for antibodies to HIV in Ig8S, most
doctors assumed an HIV + patient would
necessarily deve lop AIDS. But it has been
documented that there are 64 diseases or
health conditions that can make an HIV
test positive (Continuum Sept/Oct Igg6,
compiled by Christine Johnson of HEAL,
Los Angeles). This list includes such simple
things as flu, flu va~cine , herpes simplex I on AIDS, very little study has been done
& II, recent exposure to a viral disease or
viral vaccine, rheumatoid arthritis, tetanus
vaccipe, organ transplants, alcoholic liver
disease, hemophilia, and receptive anal sex. result, the evidence against AZT and relat- ·
More serious conditions on the list include
tuberculosis, malignancy and other virus
infections. There are also many cross-reac- • dosage with the "protease inhibitor type"
tive results in the performance of the HIV
test. It is not understood how clinicians
could use the criteria of HIV + to confIrm
any condition, since the antibqdies can re-
sillt from any of these diseases. In other
words, the HIV test is not a test fQr AIDS. It progression and fewer deaths giv~s the
is not everf specifIc for HIV
As soon as the patient is diagnosed
HIV +, doctors who believe "HIV equals
death" insist on prescribing tlie toxic drug, HIV/ AIDS model.
AZT, or another DNA terminator. They do
tRis despite the fact there is really no dis- DR. TANDAVAN, 77, retired nuclear physi-
ease process or disease symptoms present.
We must understand that AZT was in Ig84
used almost universally for the treatment
of HIV, to forestall developing the recently
46 HI !'I DUI S M T O DAY A P"R IL , 199 8
...
discovered and yet little under-
stood condition called AIDS.
An in~idious fear was cultivated
in patients by medical institu-
tions and pharmaceutical com-
panies-"If you don't take k.ZT,
you are going to die. Period."
Most patients succumbed to the
pressure-they took AZT in
excessive dosage for years (at a
cost ofUs$I ,soo/month), pro-
blown AIDS and died from the effects of
this overdose rather than from the disease
itself It was supposedly given to prevent
replicatoion of HIV, and thus prevent pro-
gression of the disease to full-blown AIDS.
There were -some HIV + patients who did
not succumb to pressures to take AZT;
many are still alive today and live comfort-
ably. Unfortunately, because such a result is
contrary to the prevailing medical opinion
on these patients. Researchers who sought
to explore the true impact of AZT have
been denied, funding for their work. As a
ed treatments remains largely anecdotal.
AZT now is often combined in lower
drugs to produce a "cocktail." There is less
death with this cocktail therapy-it seems
to increase CD4 T-cell counts for awhile-
but this improvement is neither consistent
nor permanent. The current. slowdown in
appearance of statistical positive changes,
but they are not valid. It seems we are no
closer to a "cure" for AIDS when using the
To be continued .. .
cian and hospital staff preSident, lives in
Chicago, where he specializes in alternative
healing arts. Visit his home page at the
HINDUISM TODAYw ebsite.
EVOLUTIONS
CELEBRATED: Jayanti birthday bash for
Swami Bua JI Maharlij, attended by
ISO devotees at his New York Vedanta
Center. Though Swamiji doesn't divulge
his age, devotees place it around 106.
At his biggest birthday party to date,
Indian instrumental and bhajana per-
formances were lively. Swamiji then left
for Panama on a lecture tour.
AWARDED: Legendary South Indian car-
natic vocalist M.S. Subbulakshml, 8z,
with the Bharat Ratna ('1ewel of In-
dia"), the country's highest civilian
honor, on January 14, Igg8, the only
musician so honored. Taught fIrst by
her mother and
later music guru
Shanmugavadivu,
she gave her fIrst
formal recital of
bhajanas at age
13 and later en-
thralled audi-
ences around the
world with her
enchanting soul- A bright gem
ful voice.
RETIRING: sgt. Mlij. Chaturbhuj N. Gld-
wan I, 60, from a zs-year military ca-
reer in the US Army Reserve. An avid
supporter of HINDUISM TODAY, Gid-
wani began as a private at the unusual-
ly advanced age of 3S. Enduring boot
camp training with a platoon of
teenagers, Gidwani quickly found a
nitch providing
needed guidance
to the youngsters
and earned the
nickname
"grandpa." A
refugee from In-
dia's violent Ig47
partition and
now a staunch
follower of Military missionary
Gandhian phi-
losophy, he says, '1 believe my military
contributions helped resolve conflicts
without bloodshed." His career-long
desire to see a Hindu chaplain in the
US armed forces has yet to be realized,
but he and others have successfully
convinced the Department of Defense
of the need (see "Call for Military
Chaplains," March, 'g8). GidwaniSfam-
ily, members of the Vedanta Society of
Portland, Oregon, believe that "uphold-
ing the sacred Vedas in the West will
bring unity among all faiths."
iiZf
The J~urvedic Institute Writings and Music of Sri Chinmoy ,
Dr. Vasant Lad, Ayurvedic
Physician and Director of the
We offer a wide selection of
Sri Chinmoy's inspirational
Institute, with visiting faculty, and instructional written
offer the Ayurvedic Studies works, including essays,
Program, seminars and pri- poetry, plays, and extensive
vate consultations. answers to questions asked
Yearly Curriculum:
• I: Introduction to philosophy,
theory and systems (Fall).
by seekers.
Music includes soul-stirring
audio and video perform-
• II: Introduction to Ayurvedic ances by Sri Chinmoy on
assessment (Winter).
• III: Intro. to management of
instruments from all over
the world.
imbalances (Spring).
New this fall-God Is ... ,
• Correspondence Course by selections from the more than
Dr. Robert Svoboda, Ayurvedic Physician one thousand books Sri Chinmoy has written in over thirty
• Weekend and Intensive Seminars: Ayurvedic Cooking, Psy - years of teaching meditation and spirituality. His intimate
chology, Herbology, Pulse Reading, Sanskrit, Jyotish , etc. knowledge of God transcend~ religious dogma and scripture,
• Panchakarma- purmcation and rejuvenation by licensed staff:
oil massage, herbal steam, cleansing diet, herbal therapy, etc.
• Ayur-yoga- integrating Ayurveda and Yoga for the purp ose
of returning each person to his or her balanced state.
shedding light on each seekers path to the divine. In simple
language, he transmits an astonishing depth of knowledge
that directly communicates the wisdom of the soul.
• Ayurvedic and Western herbs, extracts, oils, books, audio For a free catalog with over 70 items, contact:
and video tapes and a quarterly journal.
H eart-Light Distributors
Write/call for our mail order catalog and information: P.O. Box 85464-H
The Ayuvedic Institute. PO Box 23445 Seattle, WA 98145-1464
Albuquerque, NM 87192-1445 USA Tel: 800-739-2885 or 1-206-527-2099
Tel: 505-291-9698. Fax: 505-294-7572 Fax: 1-206-527-2099
C ,onscious Living
The Ex panding Lig h t retreat center
offirs a wide variety ofworkshops and retreats
in yoga and yoga teacher's training, medita-
tion, Ayurveda, alternative healing, chakras
and Kriya Yoga. For a free 24-page guide to
programs, call 800-346-5350.
Y
~oga philosophy, med itation, and "p lain living and h igh thi nking"are t he fo u n d at io n s fo r the Ananda inten-
tional communities, which are based on the teachings of Param hansa Yogananda (author of Autobiography ofa Yogi).
. There are seven Ananda communities-in Nevada City, CA (Ananda Village); Assisi, Italy (Ananda Europa); Palo Alto
and Sacramento, CA; Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; and our newest near Brisbane, Australia. T hree of the communities have
schools based on the Education for Life philosophy. Ananda's retreat facility, The Expanding Light, offers programs year-ro und in
yoga, meditation, alternative healing, and the spiritual lifestyle. T h e Ananda Course in Self-Realization is available for h o me-
study in meditation and yoga. Books and music by Yogananda and Ananda's foun der, Swami Kriyananda, are available from
Crystal Clarity, Pu blishers. We also offer a healing prayer network and support to 70 Ananda m editation gro ups in the U. S.
and abroad. Visit us at http://www.ananda.org
The Ananda Course in Self-Realizatio n is a Audio Book: Read by Swami Kriyananda, a
comprehensive home-study course with instruc- close, direct discip le w ho lived and studied
tion in beginning and advanced meditation, yoga with Paramhansa Yogananda. Th e original
postures for higher awareness, breathing exercises, 1946 edition of Autobiography of a Yogi
yoga philosophy, diet, nutrition and vegetarian- audio book is $29.95, includes six cassettes
ism, deepening your spiritualliJe and Kriya Yoga (approx. 10 hours) of selected chapters. To
preparaton. For a brochure, order or for a free catalog,
please call 888-535-8160. ~ A call 800-424-1055.
II .
Ananda, founded in 1968 by Swami Kriyananda, a direct disciple ofParamhansa Yogananda, is not affiliated with Se/fRealization Fellowship.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~47
 A New Incarnation of the Bita's Truths Natar~ Books-5,OOO Titles

Paramahansa Yogananda penetrates to

the Bhagavad Gita's psychological
and metaphysical depths, revealing its
The Major Distributor of
books from India.

A sampling from our catalog:

BRIEflY",
"WHA];.IS BI~DY CONSCIOUSNESS" and "Utility and declared it "India Day." The ten-hour The Eoonomist, "One in three people now
innermost essence. Many long-lost
• The Broken Tusk: Stories of and dangers of egoism in the armea forces" , event was held at the South Street Seaport spe~ English well enough to get along in
truths come to life in his new transla-
Ganesha. Krishnaswami. were two themes of a three-day workshop in Manhattan and included singers and conversation, making it the Union's lingua
tion and commentary, illuminating the conducted for the Indian Army by the Au- dancers-notably the Nrityagram Dance
US$19.95 franca." Forty percent or more of the peo-
eternal questions found in every heart. robindo Ashram. This latest of five pro- Ensemble of India now on tour in America. ple in France, Germany, Sweden, Denmark
God Talks With Arjuna: • Hindu Astrology Lessons: 36 \
Teachers Share Their Wisdom. grams in two years was held at the College and Holland speak English.
The Bhagavad Gita of Combat in Mhow, Madhya PradeSh, and AT LEAST ONE MALAYSIAN HINDU is ups~t with
1,224 pgs, two vols. w/slipcase, US$42. Ed. by Richard Houck. $16.95
• Lakshmi Puja, Dipavali Puja: was iptended to boost motivational levels by the December cover of the UK 'Communi- NAIMISARANYA~, a Malayalam-Ianguage
Self-Realization Fellowship imparting spiritual training to thE! officers. cations International. It displays Lord Siva magazine promoting Hinduism in Kerala
213-342-0247 USA (9-5 Pacific) Book with Cassette. $12.95
• Book of Daily Prayer for All: Nataraja, King of seeks fmancial assistance to continue its
Meditations on Siva-Sakti. LESS BEEF IS CONSUMED IN INDIA than any Dance, holding vari- publication, local teaching programs, car-
Das. $9.95 other country in the world, according to a ous communication natic music concerts and book production.
• Sacred Hindu Symbols. 1997 consumer survey by the Roper Starch icons in His hands, Just US$80 a month is needed. Contact:
Chatterjee. $23.00 Worldwide research company. Eighty-two such as a microwave Sree Hari. KK, Editor, Naimisaranyam
DHARMAWARE: Gallery of Sacred Arts percent of Indians surveyed enjoy a vege- tower and satellite. \ Spiritual Magazine, P.o. Etakkad-Nadal,
• Vishnu and His Incarnations. Gupta. $16.00
• Vedanta: What Can It Teach? Raina. $18.00 tarian main dish daily-compared to just He stands upon a ·Kannur, Kerala, India 670 663.
For 22 years, providing the highest
• Light of Truth. Dayanand Saraswati. $20.00 eight percent of Americans and 27 percent globe and is encir-
quality Hindu and Buddhist puja
supplies to the growing Dharma • Secret Power of Tantrik Breathing. Swami Sivapriyananda. of peElple worldwide. Malaysia leads the cled not by a ring of TWO WOMEN PRIESTS have been been ap-
$10.00 world in fish consumption. fire, but a ring of pointed to regular temple duties by Ma Am-
community. Deity statues, South
• My Music, My Life. Ravi Shankar. $25.00 telephone re- ritanandamayi at temples owned by her
Indian bronzes, Shiva Lingams,
Arati lamps, incense and malas. • Namanjali: An Identity-Not Just a Name. Usha Kedia $9.95 '" villages are
THARU PRIESTS IN NEPALESE ceivers. Irs be- Flattery or sacrilege? ashram in Kerala. Soumyamrifua and Nalini,
Visa/MC accepted. renowned for saving people bitten by co- come common in brahmachari-
Send US$3 for 36-page color catalog
bras, which regularly kill several thousand recent years to use the multi-armed danc- ni residents of
specializing in Tibetan Buddhist
Nataraj Books people a year in the Indian subcontinent. ing Siva image to depict complex, interrelat- tJ:e ashram,
items. 54E Tinker St., Woodstock,
7073 Brookfield Plaza • Springfield, VA 22150-2915 USA The priest and a band of assistants will rush ed activities, such as high tech issues. where they
NY 12498-1200 USA. 914-679-4900
Tel: 1-703-455-4996 • Fax: 1-703-912-9052 to the house of the • I were taught
Orders from USA: 888-679-4900
email: nataraj@mail.erols.com • Please ask for our free catalog stricken person, p~~­ "GOD IS D~D" WROTE GERMAN philosopher puja ritual,
Website: www.dharmaware.com
form prayers and ad- Friedrich Nietzche in the late 19th century. are the first
minister treatment Today, fElr the fIrst time in history, most women to of-
until the person re- Germans believe him. According to a poll ficiate at a
vives many hours lat- by Der Spiegel magazine, only 45 percent public tem- Kerala's new lady priests
er. Mukhiya Tharu, believe in God, and just a quarter in Jesus pIe in Ker-

.L/"~.L//'~ ~ ~~ ~~ct
priest of Bhakari vil- Christ. Both results reflect the strong non- ala. It is common for women to be priests
lage, has cured 70 religious trend in West European nations. within women's ashrams, and women served
people. Great, but In contrast, 96 percent of Americans be- as priestesses in Vedic times. Other organi-
how~any has he lieve in God or a Divine Spirit. zations, notably the Ai§a Sarnaj, have also
lost? Not a single trained women priests. Women are general-
(ff/W.~~ one, he says. The deadly cobra VINOD PRAKASH'S SON AND BRIDE found a
unique way to support their fathers and
ly complemented as being more attentive to
their devotional duties than their male
Kar unam ayi :,:CI.:,;TY:....-_ _ _ _ _ _...:.DA::.:T.:,:ES:....._ _ _ _ _.:,:CO:.::N:.:,;TA::.:C.:,;T_ _ _ _....-l
1 OVER 75 TRI~STEES AND HEADS of temples grandfather's relief program in India. They counterparts.
Atlanta April 10-12 770-973-2614
Dal l as April 14-16 972-866 - 6622 gathered in Udupi, Kerala, to protest the told their wedding guests to not send pre-
Hou ston April 17-19 713-526-5491 proposed "Hindu Religious and Charitable sents, but to give money to the India Devel- AMONG A LONG STRING OF DIGNITARIES visit-
San Antonio April 20-22 210-434-1738
505-986-3881 Institutions and Endowments Bill, 1997." opment and Relief FUnd's orphanages, ing London's ornate Swaminarayan Temple
Bhagavati Santa Fe
Phoenix
April 24-26
Apri l 27-29 602-502-8888 The bill 'Would bring every Hindu temple woman'( .vocational programs and medical was the president of Uganda, Yoweri
L.A. April 30-May 4 818-955 -7 946 Kaguta Museveni. Personally welcomed by
805-957-4901
and monastery, including the huge institp- services. The fund sends 100 percent of do-
Santa Barbara May 5
San Francisco May 7-9 510-482-8201 tions of Mata Amritanandamayi and of Sree natiOIl.s to India. Contact: IDRF, 5821 Moss- Swarninarayan leader Pr~ukh Swami Ma-
Portland May 10-12 503-297 -2181 Narayana Dharma Sanghom Trust, under rock Drive, North Bethesda, Maryland, haraj, Museveni invited Indians to res~ttle
Sri Sri Sri Seattle
West Coast Retreat
May 13-14
May 15-17
425-391-9582
425-391-9582 tight government control. Institution heads 20852-3238, USA.
, in Uganda, from which they were summari-
Boulder May 19-20 303 -786-7437 would be required to submit their yearly ly ejected by Idi Amin in 1972.

ViJ'ayeswari
Chicago
Ann Arbor
Toronto
Pittsburgh
May 22-24
May 25-26
May 28-30
Junel- 2
708-481-4984
517-522 - 8114
416-598-3331 .. budget for approval by a government body.
Government boards would be set up to as-
sist in the administration of the monaster-
NATIONAL CURRY DAY IS NOVEMBER 10 in the
UK, home to 8,500 Indian restaurants with
annual saleS:of US $4.5 billion. Tops among
THE UK WORLD COUNCIL OF HINDUS proudly
announced that their t«;.xt book, Explaining
Maryland June 3-4 301-977-5666
Philadelphi a June 5-7 610-933-6019 ies, and "to define the powers and duties of several unusual items produced for the day, Hindu Dharma: A Guide for Teachers, has
New J ersey June 8 908-479-1037 the madhai~hipathi (abbot)." ~e proposed . which included a one-ton Jalfrezi, a spicy sold out. The text Wc\s produced by sixteen
Boston Jun e 9-11 617-354-0865
Ea st Coast Retreat June 12-14 914 -941-36 59 bill impacts only Hindu institutions, not cut vegetable dish, was a curry-flavored ale authors over three years and is approved
Devi New York
Frankfurt, Germany
June 15-18
April 5-6
718-898-2841 those of any other faiths. • made by Firkin brewel;)'. There were no re-
ports on consumer reaction. ...
for use in UK schools. Hinduism is now an
option for the "General Certificate of Edu-
London, England June 22-24
NEW YORK HINDUS PARTIED from noon into cation Examination." Thousands of 16-
~er birth, Sri Karunamayi has been revered as an incarnation of the Divine Mother, Sarasvati, the late night during Deepavali celebrations
attended by 150,'000 people on October 5.
WHILE INDIA STRUGGLES with the concept of
a national language- anything other than
year-olds, many of them non-Hindus, se-
lected this option in 1997- dontact: Dr.
Goddess of Knowledge, Music and the Arts. On behalf of humanity, She meditated in a remote forest for New York Mayor Rudolph Guliani attended English-in the European Union, reports Nawal K Prinja, nprinja@aol.com.
ten years. Come. Receive Her guidance in meditation and human values. Experience the fullness of
Karunamayi's unconditional love. For more information, http://www.globeworks.com/karunamayi CLOCKWISE ~ROM TOP: COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, THE WEEVVINU ABRAHAM, COREL
APRIL, 1998 HINDUISM TODAY 49
I ,
48 ~~==========================================================~
 . 1998 Celebrations at Barsana Dham Ayurveda Workshop wi Dr. R. Svoboda
MINISTER'S MESSAGE between them; and when the children see
this repeatedly, they will also fight. Such a • Holi-March 14
J

March 28 & 29, 1998

household will be filled With violence. • Ram Navmi-April5 Arsha Vidya Gurukulam

Child,ren " +-Ire D.ivirie, It is important to seek the root cause of • Mela/Open House-May 9 Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, USA
problems. Our bodies show many symp- • Janmashtmi-August 15
toms of illness before the onset of disease. • Radha Ashtmi-August 30 This 2-day limited-enrollment workshop is open to medical
These early signs are a blessing because • Rath Yatra-October 3 and health care practitioners, students of Ayurveda and

Treat Them Thus they draw our attention to the source of

irritation. We become more alert and sensi-'
tive. In the same wa}, you should become
• Divali-October 17
We invite you to visit Shree
Raseshwari Radha Rani Temple at Barsana Dham and
receive the Divine blessings of Radha Krishn.
Jyotish, and other serious students wishing to deepen their
knowledge of Ayurveda. Contact Ellen at:

sensitive to your children's reactions. Ob- Tel: 908-995-9109 (NJ, USA)

serve whether they are indicative of a seri- Barsana Dham, 400 Barsana Rd, Austin, TX 78737-9075 Fax: 908-995-9037
As kids experience growing pains, rerrtember ous problem or just a normal part of USA • Tel: 512-288-7180 • Fax: 512-288-0447 • www.isdl.org E-mail: eleary@ptd.net
growing up. Avoid sermons-nobody likes
that parents set the example by. their actions
, . .
to hear sermons. That is why whenever
sermons are given, people tend to tall
BY S W A M I ,T. E J 0 MAY A N .f\. N D A
EFORE WE START OUR JOURNEY OF INQUIRY INTO
topic of parenting, let me tell you that I am not
to give you some kind of magical formula that
will provide you with immediate relief. We need to
..asleep!
Learn to become a facilitator. Dealing
with our children in a friendly manner is as •
important as what we convey verbally.
Method and approach will differ' from child
to child. Take genuine interest in your chil-
dren's interests. By showing concern and
WISDOM PUBLICATIONS
A leading publisher of
Buddhiist books.

See two of them

Ama Adhe: The Voice That
Wisdom
Pooja, Devotional and Wedding Items
Pre-packaged items for all
types of puja • Homa pits
• Deity statues, devotion-
al pictures • Japa malas-
rudraksha, tulsi, lotus,
34159 FremontBvd I
Fremont, CA 94555 USA
Tel: 510·793-7930
Fax: 510-793·7026
•
~ ~

think together to discover how we can arrive at the best solu-

tions to this situation. There are no.black-and-white rules
interest in their activities and hobbies, you
will fmd that they will be more responsive Remembers and Publications sandalwood • Bhojaptra Pooja
that apply all of the time. A man confessed; "Before mar- to your guidance. .
Establish a rappoi t with your child. The
Reincarnation: The Boy Lama .
mentioned in this issue.
• Ganges River water
• Oils· Religious Books
International
riage, I had six theories on raising chilmen. Now, after mar-
riage, ·1 have six children and no theories!" best way to do this is by letting your child Browse our virtual bookstore at: www.wisdompubs.org in English, Sanskrit, Gujarati and Hindi • Bhojaptra • Men's,
The first thing that is required when you face any problem know that he or she has your full confi- Or for a free brochure, write to: children's kurta, pajamas, sari blouses, sari falls and petti-
is that you shocld keep cool. Calm down and relax. Remem- dence and love. Then alone will your child Wisdom Publications • 199 Elm Street coats • 1998 Jaintri & Panchang • Ask for our free list of
ber that the problems you·face as a parent are not unique. confide in you. There is a Sanskrit verse Somerville, MA 02144-3129 USA items • Prompt delivery • M.Card, Visa, AmEx accepted.
They are co~on to all parents. Also, if you look at your that says that you should fondle your child
situation more closely, you will fmd that your worries are not be- until he is five, educate and discipline him until his fifteenth year,
cause all children are misbehaving, but because your cpild is mis- and, when he reaches sixteen, look upon him as a friend.
behaving. This is possessiveness in relation to "my chih;l." Still In and through the process of parenting, always remember that
subtler is the fact that the action of "my child" has a direct reper-
cussion on me-on my image. If my child misbehaves, people.will
you and yoUr child belong to God-;we are all His children. Invoke
His blessings on yourself, your child and everyone. Since He is the
R.V. VEDTM If you are suffering
from bum out, want to
ask, "Whose child is that?" and I will be embarrassed. So it is the "inner controller," He 'will succeed where your direct control fails. AYURVEDIC NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS build muscles, boost
''1'' and "my" that is the cause of all this worry. Don't look for magical solutions. Always strive for a broader vision immunity, increase
We think that our children belong to us. But remember, we of looking at things. I wish all the best to you and your children. BY AYURVEDIC PHYSICIANS strength and stamina,
ourselves belong to tpe Lord. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krish- R.D. Vedic Energy for
na says, 'l\.ll jivas are my parts." In reality, everyone belongs to
God. We all come together for some time, like co-passengers on a Youth, Please Just Give This a Thought BALANCE YOUR DOSHAS men & women is a
blend of herbs that
train or airplane, then depart, each to go his or her own way. Let helps to improve
us be. objective about our children. To quote Kahil Gibran:., "Your HERE ARE ALWAYS TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY. SO F()R HEALTH AND LONGEVITYTM physical and mental
children come through you; but not from you, and though they while I'm talking to your parents, I might as well have a performance.
are with you, they belong not to you." Each of us is an instru-, word with you. You revolt against parental pressure, but
ment in the hands of the Lord. He is the real doer. Swami Chin- you succumb easily to peer pressure. Are you aware of - Natural Intestinal Cleanser
mayananda used to say that a parent's role i . like that of a this? You talk of independent thinking. How come that inde- A unique blend of
gardener or a farmer. The farmer does not create the seed or the pendent spirit doesn't arise in front of your friend? How come EXTRA STRENGTHTM - Nutritional Ayurvedic herbs to help
soil. He only provides a conducive environment for the seeds to you easily become one among the herd? So, please be careful. 1"~~:UDDOlrt for proper Cholesterol levels nuhitionaUysupport
grow. Similarly, we should do our very best for our children and Think and act. Self-control and discipline will help you optimum pbysical,
leave the rest to God. • achieve your goals. • Ayurvedic Liver mental, and spiritual
. Imparting culture to our children is most important, but we
must begin with ourselves. If wt(want our children to be pleasant, .. - Nutritional health & balance.
KamatoneTM is a total

T~
intelligent, well-behaved and cultured, we have to develop these system tonic and
qualities in ourselves first. In the Bhagavad Gita it is clearly stat- ' . rejuvenating formula ,
ed, "Whatever a great man does, others follow the same." Another for men.
shastra implores, "In houses where women are honored and re-
spected, the Gods dwell there. Where the women are not respect- R.U. VEO INC.
ect-and honored, whatever one dOes is futile .... The husband must 2115 • 112th AVE. NE
see that the wife is happy and the wife must see that the husband BELLEVUE, WA 98004-2946 USA
is happy. When both are making each other happy, there will be SWAMI TEJOMAYANANDA, 48, was deSignated head of Chinmaya
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE
auspiciousness and welfare for all in that house." If this ideal is not Mission in 1993. Based in Mumbai, India, he frequently tours the CALL US AT
held.by both husband and wife, there will only be fighting . globe elaborating on the Upanishads and other Vedantic texts. 1-800-925-1371/425-637-1400
OR SEND A FAX AT 1 -425-451-2670
WE ACCEPT MASTERCARD, VISA, DISCOVER &
50 HINDUISM TOD A.Y A RIL , 1998 AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CARDS
51
-
----~-...-"'-- ~~ ...
~-.~~ .....-- -. - - '--',~-

RECENT DONORS

Hindu Businessmen's Association Fund Iraivan Temple Endowment Total $11.00

VeiAiahan $230.00 Mohana Sundari Gunasegaran $126.47 Mathavasi Travel Fund
Easvan Pararn $87.17 Kriya Haran $179.00 Erasenthiran Poonjolai $75.00
MISSION STATEMENT Janaka Param $6.00 Edwin Hawk $983.41 Total $75.00
.:... Deva Rajan $908.25 Dinesh & Sneh Jain $11.00
Total $1,231.42 Usha Devi Katir $69.20 Puri Monasteries Fund
Hindu Heritage Endowment is a publicly supported, charitable organization'recognized as tax Ravi Chandrasekhara $20.00
. ' Hindu Orphanage Endowment Fund Umah Rani Palanisamy
Aran Sambandar
$155.00
$360.00 R.P. & Bharati Lathi $1,001.00
exempt by the IRS on April 22, 1994. Its ~mployer ID Ilumber is 99-0308924. FO.\,!l1deg by Satguru V Srikanth $100.00
Padmini Samuthiran $1,033.20 Total $1,021.00
Ramakumar & Sailaja Kosuru $20.00
Loganatha Shivam $300.00 Saiva Agamas Trust
Matthew Wieczork $21.00
Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, its philanthropic\mission is to p rovide secure, professionally man- Total $141.00
Palaka Shivam $300.00 Matthew Wieczork $10.00
" , . Hinduism Today Endowment Fund
Saiva Siddhanta Church $8,559.14 Total $10.00
aged financial support for institutions and"religious leaders of all lineages of Sanatana Dharma. Sivaneswaran Sockanathan $78.00 Sri Subramuniya Kottam Fund
Anonymous $478.82 Vayudeva Varadan $940.14
$250.00 Andrew Schoenbaum $10.00
Chaturbhuj N Gidwani Total $13,114.36
Total $10.00
MA,RCH DO~NOR PROFILE Total $728.82
Kauai Aadheenam Annual Archana Fund
Hinduism Today Distribution Fund Sundari Peruman Memorial Scholarship
Darshani Alahan $8.50
Santha Devi MUI1landy of Perak, Malaysia, has helped strengthen Himalayan Academy $600.00 Rathi Devi Batumallab $110.20
Markandeya Peruman $25.00
Arjunan Ammasi $57.37 Total $25.00
Hinduism in her area in countless quiet ways. Among these, she Balamurali Balasupramaniam $22.65
Veerasamy Batumallah $110.15
Womana Skanda $30.60 Thank You Gurudeva
serves as secretary of the Manjung Hindu Sabha which runs various Ramachandra S. Bhatt $30.00 Siven Veerasamy $60.00 Vayudeva Varadan $54.50
local r~ligious programs including hel(ling the poor. Discovering that Ravindra Doorgiat $40.08 Total Small Gifts $51.03 Anonymous $20.00
Chitravelloo Gunasegaran $126.88 Total $370.48 Total $74.50
other religions are taking in Hindu orphanl'.and using this as a means Kriya Haran $138.00
Kauai Aadheenam Monastic Endowment Tirumular Sannidhi Preservation Fund
of conversion; Santha Devi is now working to establish a local Hindu Renuka Kamalanathan $5.00
Murugesu Kandasamy Shyamadeva Dandapani $25.00
Kartikeyen Manick $35.66 $14.27
orphanage. Hearing of Hindu Heritage Endowment, she made the Ganesha Mathialagan $182.00 Sivan Murrugappa Naicken $22.29 Total $25.00
decision to gift a life illsurance policy which was no longer needed for Jayaluxmee Moothoo $13.36 Kumaren Nataraja $8.91 Tirunavakkarasu Nayanar Gurukula Fund
Kamala Mootoosamy $33.40 Ramsamy Natarajan $17.82
her family. She explained: "I know I'm leaving something for the Logadasan Murugesu $52.95 Dohadeva Samugam $1,812.00
VelAlahan $47.00
Kumar Katir $150.00
future benefit of Hindus and HInduism and that I am leaving it in the Nalakini Niranjana $77.88 Sinniah Sivagnanasuntharam $106.60
Meeravadee Koothan $22.27
Chandran Param $214.60 Dhasan Sivananda $42.47
good hands of those who will manage the inoney well." Total $2,024.36
Indivar Sivanathan $10.00
: Kanthasamy Pillaiyar $110.00 Peshala Varadan $80.00
Silver Kumar Rajoo $3.10 Loving Ganesha Distribution Fund Total Small Gifts $5.40
FUND OF THE MONTH Sarasvati Devi Ramanathan $12.12 Eric Mitchell $10.00 Total $314.67
S M Sane $101.00 Total $10.00 VlShwamata Gayatri Trust, Delhi (Reg'd)
The largest known Siva lingam made of mercury (Pardeshwar jn Hindi) can be found in NeW Govinden Sanjeevee $15.00
Malaysian Hindu Youth Educational Trust Swami Pragyanand $400.00
Guha Skanda $104.00
Delhi at the modern, marble-covered ashram of Sri Swami Pragyanand. A focal point for devotees Saroja Vasudevan $9.10 Jeyasreedharan $40.00 Ram Kumar Singh $101.00
Total $40.00 Total $501.00
from around the world, th~ ashram is the fruition of maI)y years of dedicated work by !his tireless Clarence V. Williamson $100.00
Total $2,084.15 Mathavasi Medical Fund Unassigned
servant of God. Over the past 18-years, Swamiji Matthew Wieczork $11.00 Anonymous $679.60
has circled the globe numerous times, teaching, Elfriede Paoletti $108.00
Total $787.60
visiting devotees, performing countless Gayatri We especially thank those young children who gave a small amount,
Total Recent Contrib. us$22,579.56
Yagnas an~ encouraging all to become vegetar- tithing from their allowance each month, creating positive patterns early in life.

ian and follow the path of dharma through

repetition of the ancient, Vedic Gayatri Mantra.
Anxious that his ashram and mission are well INVESTMENT MANAGERS AND CONSULTANTS: Franklin Management Inc.; First Hawaiian Bank,
maintained and continue to flourish, he has Trust & Investment Division; Brandes In'Vestment Partners, Inc.; Pacific Century Trust (Bank of
started the Vishwamata Gayatri Trust Fund Hawaii); Alvin G. Buchignani, Esq., attorney; and Nathan palani, CPA. HPIE is a member of the
which will continue to financially support his ' Council on Foundations, an association of 1,500 foundatiohs which interprets relevant law, inte~­
'work decades, even centuries, from now. national and domestic, and g.ccounting, management and investment principles.
Swami ~ragyanaii.d Maharaj Ki Jai!
I WANT TO PARI'ICIPATE. WHERE SHOULD I SEND MY DONATION? You can send your gift to
an existing fund, create a new endowment or request information through the address below.
" Credit car9- gifts may be made directly by E-mail. Or, use th~ HHE tear-out card in this magazine.
A PROFESSIONAL'S PERSPECI'IVE: The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 phases in over nine years aI1 to join our family of benefactors who are Strengthening Hinduism Worldwide. Thank you.
, ,
increase in estate exemption to $1,000,000. Maximizing the use of the estate exemption has been
one of the most important estate planning strategies. In order to take full . lIINDu HERITAGE ENDOWMENT
,
advantage of this new provision, all taxpayers should review their estatE: KAUAI'S HINDU MONASTERY
documents. Additionally, the new tax law bars the IRS from revaluing a 107 Kaholalele Road
taxpay~r's prior gift for estate tax purposes if the statute of limitations for Kapaa, Hawa.ii, 96746-9304 USA
determining the value of the gift has lapsed. In order to start the running of Tel: (800) 890-1008, Ext. 235
the statute of limitations, taxpayers must file a timely gift tax return. Nitai H. Outside US: (808) 822-31§2, Ext. 235
Pathak, CPA MST, of Kling, ,Lee & Pathak, Artesia, California, (888) 721-5370 Fax: (808) 822-4351
and (562) 924-?610. E-mail: hhe@l:)indu.org
. As a public service, HHE occasionally will offer the opinions of various financial planners. However, it endorses neither these advisor~ nor their
counsel, and recommends that all individuals seek professIOnal adVice from severa! sources before mwg Important long-term deCiSIons . www.hindu.org/hhe/
.\
 1»c~. . I» ~ . N 'llIl ~
ill
eg ~u "
6,;..:.13
0 '" I'l
c .;:; '" ""'d
..,g § ..!,iJ "-.:! 'llIl
c+, """ ....c
8 ~ '" II 0 '" . ~
'-1-1 8 d
i':- 2 J
a~
;. ~ '" It)
:::::1
0 ·S
~
1
..:a ~ ~ ~
" '" .~ """
~ ,....Q -:; 0 til ~
ill til 'llIl § . .... .l:l 'llIl ~ ,....Q.-,j
.8 '" -= ~ ""'d .s 'ijj,:::!l '"
I» ~ 'E
~ ~ ..., tri
0'-
""tl
(J)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"'ii! "j:: ""'d . ~ P ~ :p
..... ::s .... ~ ",""'d " " ..... -
N'\ '" >1 '"
.... id "'ii! ,,~
'" " S I'l f-< .." ~
I'l' " N
....
.;:l
g
:::::1
~ 0
o4lO'-1l
~ ~
~ ~~ ~i 13.g ~~ ~ g'1l~ g:::l'1.~i'~ '" ~
0
8 0 ...... 'S ~ ~
~ '" ... '" "'....... '-+< '" ..... ... '" d " '" ill '" ~ c 0 .~ "a~~O:;;~ CD-ROM
~ .... " Po< 0 "'.!l 0 "'''"'d'' '" "'....c iJ ::r: " .... id....c lJ)" Jj ~, ~sting,back
~ .:tle ""'d ~ "' ....c",::t:I ;." .. > ""'d~~u a- Po< , -cs ..,.,rUt--<N
~ ""'d;:::1m 1
-:S ~a ~<u -t-.:a<U ~~j;i~
1.:.a ~ ~ ~ ~ t-d ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
' .-!"'!1Citl",,"", · rdl-4rtO
..-"I>1('f»:t::\[)~
~Oo{'f)8-oo
".ll :P rl o ~O'-~tO Purifying bends, fuversions and
Vedanta's
~ "' ....1""'1 ....c
~ .... ~~ <UC Po< ~ 0 '" <U _ ill .!!l +I"',.,., 22'
'" 0'- -:S " ~ ..' "'(J)~ supine. Many browsers
.~ .'" "-.:!"'ii! :.: ~ . ~,....Q Ql
III .""
t
~ ~,j .§ §.:+< ,,~(1') ::s 19.
""""""...-. .
'-'-< .-,j .o.. ...g t:
,,' (1; ""' ' will go right to the 4Q
· ~.:.a"' '' _P ...... ",,....Q
~ ;:l ~,....Q .
" Jl,....Q
0 -:S 0 ' " ::t:I .... ,....e.
.... .... " 8 .l9~
c 'U II '0 ~ I»
.
'. ~
o Q ~
~J5 " ~ >£ ~ 6 w]
~ ~
ro ~ ~,u
Postures sets of restorative poses Vanguard
~:; ~:::;;lo1 ~ ~ ~ a " ~""Jl'~.", ·"'.:.a.:.c""S0 .~ gj' o . -:S " ,~o...s:rl
~ e
·s :P ~ ~ r:/J .:9 g for ailments such as dia-
..:::. : s 0 ~.s ~ . ~ 0 I'l ""'d e ~ ~ 0 c.-6' ~ ~ ~ 2; '.E ~Id~~ott ~ ~~ THE RATRA YOGA OF
:::..8i ~ " ~ Po<.,],j §Jl I»::s .... ""'d 00"" 'llIl ~ ~ " ~ ~.-g~~ --lSUkCl.l
betes and high blood THE LATE SWAMI
~ 'llIl " 0 .S ... '" " ",,....Q ~ ""'d I»":'S §,....Q . I'l j ~ 8 ~ ~ ~ ~-a ..£ I BKS Iyengar is now pressure. The option of I Ohinmayiinanda was
1) g-s.§~~~-s.g.~ ....,....8~ ~ 1».s"1t.E . ~8
k b k

-tl " o " .., "' O Po<....c"'''' ... ''' ' "'d rS ~ §f::Q >£ SuO on CD-ROM. "Yoga For customizing your own never known to lack
i~ C " '" . . '" ... '" 0 " r~ ....c . ~ ... 0 ...... z '~ ..,.. '*I: ~ ""
",-" ", _ "-<:j...,
c-Ir-'PoIitI~Poc....,aPol o o.....:~ ...... !'O,...QO r-'~- '-..) All" guides children and workout is one more rea- Wise words- insights
adults through asanM son to strike a pose in such as: "Out of pw;ity
,~. s6"'~~ c)..
(postures) with interac-
tive instruction from the
this healthful Hindu dis-
cipline. Windows only.
and silence come worils
of power:" Find more of
o " gJ
.1jl....ti renowned teacher .and 05$20. Write to: Kir- his potent sayings at the
~ ""'d '.E his daughter, Dr. Geeta loskar Computer Ser- Put on your headphones and sample the sounds website of Chinmaya
Po<'o "
8S 1:1'" 8
Iyengar. A classroom vices, 5570 Malles· MUSIC Mission (www.chinn).aya
S .org). Besides basic info
...... 0...,
a
o ""'d'
~'" "~ lJ)
""'d,....Q a-
. Ragas, and Then Some about the Mission, you'll
learn about dynamic

o~ ~ E ALL LOVE UPLIFTING MUSIC TO CHINMAY;

.~
~
~ ",' <Cl
~""'d
tU <Ll
~ -€c .~
~ 'til
::S' .

. ~ g' ~
;;;J

ft
W accompany work or relaxation. In-
dia's scintillating classical traditions,
with vast melodies and rhythms,
were composed by t'ishis to provide a lasting
spiritual effect in the listener- as proved by their
MISSION

~
.:.a] ~ endurance through millennia. The Gramaphone
~ I'l =il
;:::::: ....9:§ ~

'1l.:.a~
""'d
Company of India offers these sounds on CD at
its website (www.saregama.com.) View the latest
releases from prodigies like Hari Prasad Chaura-
-;::""'d"

d ;...
o '"
~. ]

:i~~
.... 0
"'ii! . ~

;;'I'l ~
~
Good preparation for deeper yogas and :meditations

video and 1,000 illustra-

tions teach 23 poses in
waram West, ,Bangalore
560055: India. E-mail:
mmedia@Kcsgroup.com
sia and S.P. Balasubrahmanyam- and sample a
track online before you order. To find hundreds
of classical CDs (mixed in with modern), go to
the search engine and type in a language, fol-
THII. ,.UIltfl'O.1E 0 ... C H I NM AYA I
,e TO ""OVI DII TO IN DIVI DUA L

six groups: sitting, for- lowed by the name of a singer, raga or song title.

~
" 0 ...
.g ~ ...B
0
....
.8"'ii!- '1"
0 ...
PUBLICATIONS lion titles, most of them specific titles to see the books you want in your
swamis, led by Swami
Tejomayananda, who

N~
~ §~ discounted, this expert book cover, reviews and "Shopping Cart." Most lovingly inculcate Vedan-
o :p "
""'d.:.a:o
.~ c ~
River of website has tons of reli- excerpts, then drop the titles ship the next day. ta philosophy in today's
~ 8~ gious and metaphysical youth, especially through
I § '1l Books books. Key the word Chinmaya family camps.
<:I . !:l~ "Hindu" into its sophisti- Read reports oftheir ef-
TIl '" c cated search engine and
<:I.s . ~ O , IT' S NOT IN forts in the online
Q
;:l
~ <.+<
0 0
N South America.
www.amazon.com.
over 1,200 titles appear.
"Yoga" gets 1,200 hits,
Oro"," IM' lglon .. Splrl:IoIalltyoy Sub)Kt
t ,vrtGlor"r,rlhhltn(5a_lI,rt)
newsletter, Smrithi. Or
;:: ~ """"' 0"""""" fmd out how to j0in one
~
, OjDI.&O!b,cSQmdTu!·
"""'d "Earths Biggest Book- "meditation" 1,000 and 0 "","",",
of over a thousand dy-
J
TIl,....Q "
e::
;:'~o
OJ' store,~ ~anbe visited 'mdia" fmds 2,000. Try
Our CualofMn Rae_lid
. ~g~

° <,,,,,,,,u, ..,.,,,,,,
(SO _ l i t .. )

('1a .....'It ... )

namic Chinmaya study
-tl ~ . anywher.e you have an finding books that TV r/HIM Ad,t IJr ll#...JllLb1l#.
"Imtglnt mll.urpr1I1", thtrtll-tomltll'lI9 WO/nIM,
• ftdb-n"'aPSIIglso l
0""""
. ~(SO_1tt r')
groups that meet weekly
@ i.~
'dlleilldand tntnld .. ,n , ltOrrllU, relS'd In tll. l lllhtrtn
Internet connecti0n. quickly at your local to explore Hindu scrip-
1:::;;J ~I» Boasting over 2.5 mil- Borders store! Click on ~ Check out Amazon's 50 top selling Hindu books tures in satsanga style.
.1:: ......
0
!:l:; ;
...... .!:l "'3
;.. ~ 'llIl
~ "'~
~ " '" UFE MEMBER .HINDUISM TODAY f<OOISSANCE CIRCLE.
~ e
~************** AUTO 3"';DIGlr 959 ~PRI)FIT
iii
;:! ,"
~-li
v C
til 8 ORGANlZATIDN
~ ~ N kiLL &EM Z £; j t= U.s. POSTFBE
~ ~'~
~
E 0 r:/J
"~"
PAID
.~ ~
N
::: 8
til
~ UBERTY, 11)
~ U g. PERMIT NO, 275
::::: i1 ~
~ !l: Ei PffRADlSE Cft 95969-5969
(lj ""'d ;3
~ § ~