Miscellaneous Facebook posts & comments in or around Oct. and Nov. 2022
Last updated on 4th Jan. 2023
When author of post or comment is not mentioned, it should be assumed that it is me (Ravi S. Iyer).
To save time, I am usually not providing my FB post links but only contents. I am also not hyperlinking links. So readers may have to copy-paste links from this post onto a browser link box and then browse to that link.
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Around 1966 footage of Tibetan Buddhist church (sect) masters with commentary: Raw footages of Dalia lama, Gyalwa karmapa, Sakya Rinpoche, Ling rinpochea and mamy more., https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rMtFZrMKP0 , 15 min. 33 secs.
The young Dalai Lama's teachers followed by Dalia Lama himself can be seen from around 9 mins in the video.
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On FB post: https://www.facebook.com/terry.reiskennedy/posts/pfbid02X1s6Z4kDvsUkYUQQQW67m3FignDtQg2mApfdRhJw9CDZGWjo6C2DSM7YcqCUCS3il , I wrote (slightly edited):
Just in case you were not aware, the Phuktal monastery, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phugtal_Monastery , shown in this video is in Ladakh in India and so the Buddhists here, I am sure, will have full freedom to practise their faith. Ladakh surely is part of the Himalaya region shared with Tibet but politically Ladakh, or at least this area of Ladakh, is not in communist Chinese Tibet.
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Yes ---, I had seen the video (a few days back and shared it on my Facebook timeline) and like you, I thought it was Tibet. It was when I looked up the monastery info. that I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was Ladakh, India!
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Hmm. Perhaps there is some confusion here about the name 'Ladakh'. But the monastery is in Ladakh union territory of India. Please check out the wiki page link I have given in a previous comment here.
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And here's some info. from Ladakh wiki page, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ladakh , "Ladakh (/ləˈdɑːk/)[11] is a region administered by India as a union territory[1] which constitutes a part of the larger Kashmir region and has been the subject of dispute between India, Pakistan, and China since 1947.[2][3] Ladakh is bordered by the Tibet Autonomous Region to the east, the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh to the south, both the Indian-administered union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Pakistan-administered Gilgit-Baltistan to the west, and the southwest corner of Xinjiang across the Karakoram Pass in the far north. It extends from the Siachen Glacier in the Karakoram range to the north to the main Great Himalayas to the south.[12][13] The eastern end, consisting of the uninhabited Aksai Chin plains, is claimed by the Indian Government as part of Ladakh, and has been under Chinese control since 1962.[14][15]"
So some part of Ladakh is in Chinese hands (but claimed by India). However, the area of Ladakh that this monastery is in, is, as per wikipedia, in territory administered by India (in Indian hands).
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Also, as far as I have read in the Indian media, the people of the area of Ladakh administered by India, are happy to be part of India (instead of China or Pakistan). If you have some other info., Eve, I would be interested to read it.
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the politics is confusing, i agree. but i think it is clear that this monastery is in an area in ladakh that is currently administered by india.
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Bhutan and Nepal are independent countries but I think they have to be very wary of their big neighbour China and try not to upset China.
Sikkim, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikkim , is another Himalayan state of India bordering Chinese Tibet which has many Buddhist monasteries but Sikkim is on the eastern side as against Indian controlled part of Ladakh which is on the western side of Chinese Tibet.
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I think there is some confusion due to Ladakh being name of union territory of India (political meaning) and also geographical area. When I used the term 'Ladakh' here, I used it in union territory of India context. Zanskar is in union territory of Ladakh as can be seen from Zanskar's wiki page, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zanskar .
But the same wiki page also uses Ladakh term in geographical area context too (along with mentioning Ladakh union territory) when it says, "The Zanskar Range is a mountain range in the union territory of Ladakh that separates Zanskar from Ladakh itself."🙂.
Anyway, I learned about Zanskar being different from Ladakh geographically as I read up the topic after seeing your comment. So thanks for adding to my knowledge of this area 🙂🙏
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I don't know the details as I don't think that is reported in Indian media. But there was a lot of tension between India and China in part of Ladakh in past few years due to reported Chinese incursion but it was followed by some withdrawal. The tension is lesser now but still there. The picture is not clear.
However, most of Ladakh union territory of India I think is still controlled by India.
China holds Aksai Chin part of Ladakh which it captured in 1962 war with India.
Pakistan holds some part of Ladakh which I think is right from partition time in 1947 or so.
But that's how it has been for over 60 years now. The Chinese incursion in past few years has been the recent thing. However, I repeat, I think most of the part of Ladakh what was in Indian hands, continues to be in Indian hands.
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Just saw that there is a wiki page on the China-India standoff/tension in past few years - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020%E2%80%932021_China%E2%80%93India_skirmishes . You may want to read it to get some picture of what happened. It also has a map showing who is controlling various parts of Ladakh (geographical region) now.
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In https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10160667503274837&set=a.10151749067004837&comment_id=1352956632112836 which is an account of Swami materializing a lingam for devotees of Venezuela , I wrote (slightly edited): Fascinating account ---. Thanks for sharing.
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In https://www.facebook.com/adiazviana/posts/pfbid029M5UnJ2g2zMvHzsFC1TmFD2pHLYZngwXUyTJ9ghDJw3ZRAEVfovgHmwJrnr7oj8l , about tomb of St. Francis Xavier in Goa, I wrote (slightly edited) :
Thanks for sharing.
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Just giving you some Indian context .... Nothing serious and intent is to just sensitize you to some of these matters.
I thought I should add that the term 'Christian Hindus' which is used by the automatic Google translation of your post, is an odd one. The original term is "hindúes cristianos" and I don't know whether the Google translation to English is a good one.
Among some Hindus at least, the conversion of Hindus to Christians in Goa by the Portuguese is a sensitive topic, as there seems to have been some conversions by force then.
Two relevant wiki pages are:
* Christianization of Goa, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianization_of_Goa
* Goa Inquisition, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goa_Inquisition
But that's the past. There are lot of Goan Christians in Mumbai and I have been privileged to have known some of them as my friends. At least in my days in Mumbai (1960s to 2002), there was good harmony between Hindus, including Hindus from Goa and surrounding areas, and Goan Christians in Mumbai.
However, I don't think the Goan Christians would call themselves as 'Christian Hindus' 🙂 , or like such a term. Converts from Hinduism to Christianity, I think, would be an appropriate term to refer to most Goan Christians, though some of them were Christians of other sects (like Nestorian Christians) who were converted to Christian sect followed by Portuguese then (which would have been Roman Catholic Church, I guess).
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The lady lead singer's voice is very sweet and full of adoration: Sri Sathya Sai Baba Telugu Song - Chooda Chakkani Chinnodanta, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2cCGz2-ha8 , 4 min. 39 secs.
When I had a quick look on the net, I could not find the Telugu lyrics of the song (and so no English translation either).
If some reader has the Telugu lyrics text, and can contribute them here, that would be great!
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To transform man into God: Manishini Madhuvuni Cheya, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2Hf_Z7uvas , 5 min. 20 secs.
The lyrics in Telugu and English translation, courtesy: https://www.raagabox.com/lyrics/?lid=1012266 (with some edits by me)
[(This stanza is not there in above video but can be heard in video link given at end of post:)
Aa Nanda Baalude Aananda Baludai
Thana Gumputho Aadu Konaga Vacche
Aa Rama Chandrude Aaramachandrudai
Thana Bantulanu Kanugonaga Vacche
(That son of Nanda has come as Blissful one to take care of his group, that Ramachandra has come as pleasantly resting one to find his devotees)]
Manishini Madhuvuni Cheya Mahine (Madine) Swargamuga Maarcha
Madhavude Avatharinche Sathya Sai Bhagavanuga
(To transform man into God and Earth (Heart) into Heaven, Madhava has taken avatar as Sathya Sai Bhagawan)
Entha Premayo Swami Ki Entha Premayo
Sathya Sai Bhagawanunikentha Premayo
(O How much love Swami has!)
(O How much love Sathya Sai Bhagawan has!)
Eswaramba Muddubiddadai Nadayade Srinivasudai
(Eswaramba's adorable son walking Lord Sri Venkateswara)
Eswarude Avatarinche Ee Pavithra Bhaarathana
Entha Punyamo Manadenta Punyamo
Sathya Sai Darsimpa Janma Dhanyamo || Manishini
(How fortunate are we that Eswara is born on this sacred land of Bharat, our life is redeemed to have Sathya Sai's Darshan )
Matham Pera Kulam Pera Matsaraalu Thagadhantu
Manavathanu Bodhinchi Prema Mathamu Sthapimpa
(Not to let differences in the name of religion and caste, to teach about mankind and to establish the religion of love)
Sambhavami Yuge Yuge Ani Chaatina Reethiga
Avatharinchenu Aaartha Janula Aadhukonagaa Aaaa
(As (declared?) that God will come (down to earth as Avatar) in each age (yuga),
He has come down to protect the downtrodden)
Needhu Sannidhi Maaku Pennidhi
Needhu Preme Maaku Praanamu
(Being close to you is our refuge, Your love is our life)
Thalli Neeve Thandri Neeve
Dhaathavu Maa Bhraatha Neeve
(You're Mother, Father, Life source and Brother)
Sai Deva Sarvam Neeve || Manishini
(Lord Sai, (our) everything is you)
Sai Babaaaaaaaaaaaa Namosthuthe
(Salutations to Sai Baba)
Entha Premayo Swami Ki Entha Premayo
(O How much love Swami has!)
Parthi Babaaaaaaaaaa Namosthuthe
(Salutations to Parthi Baba)
Entha Premayo Swami Ki Entha Premayo
(O How much love Swami has!)
Sathya Sai Bhagavanuki Entha Premayo
(O How much love Sathya Sai Bhagawan has!)
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What is probably the audio source for above video: (song audio starts around 1 min. 10 secs into the video)
https://youtu.be/Ew-zb-wqdEQ?t=70
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The audio is not so clear but one can still understand the powerful messages of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
My FB post link: https://www.facebook.com/ravi.s.iyer.7/posts/pfbid023toUdqYVhPA4HmLH5LiQpuKTe9oyCrkD7EmRrFNXDcV8gRnEukiEax7MtKX5pdzkl which shares a video post.
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Awesome rendition of 1980s Devi (goddess) Hindi film song: Tune mujhe bulaya sherawaliye (You called me, O the one (goddess) who rides a tiger) by live orchestra , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvE18H3GRHo , 5 min. 36 secs.
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The original Hindi film song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK7eTIyJoOE
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About life of an 8 year old boy Buddhist monk who is believed to be the reincarnation of an old Buddhist monk, in the Himalayas in Ladakh, India: Himalaya, a path to the sky I SLICE I Full documentary, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXlHQpT0JmE , 52 mins, published on 6th March 2022.
About the associated Phugtal Monastery, from its wiki page, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phugtal_Monastery : "Phuktal Monastery or Phuktal Gompa (often transliterated as Phugtal) is a Buddhist monastery located in the remote Lungnak Valley in south-eastern Zanskar, in the Himalayan region of Ladakh, in Northern India. It is one of the only Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh that can still be reached only by foot. Supplies to the monastery are brought on horses, donkeys, and mules in the warmer months, and in the frozen winters, they are transported through the frozen Zanskar River. A road is expected to be built up to the monastery, however, for now, it is a day's walk from Village Cha or Village Khangsaar, the end of the road leading from Padum."
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Interesting video about Bhagavad Gita verses related to meditation with the speaker being a young/middle aged lady who is "a monastic member of Sri Sarada Math and Ramakrishna Sarada Mission": Bhagavad Gita: Art of Meditation by Pravrajika Divyanandaprana, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFawtgEXkOI , 20 min. 17 secs., published by VivekaVani on Jul 16, 2022.
However, I respectfully disagree with what I understand to be her view about meditation on self and "the highest state of existence". In this video, she does not talk about experiencing oneself in all of existence, she does not talk of having knowledge of previous births and karmic acts & consequences of oneself and others etc. all of which I believe great past mystics and Avatars like Bhagavan Sri Shirdi Sai Baba and Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba would experience/know. Now I should also say that I have never had the above mentioned experiences in my meditation but I sincerely believe that some accomplished mystics do get such experiences/knowledge. Therefore I respectfully disagree with the learned speaker's words in this video about "the highest state of existence". Barring that, I think her discourse/commentary about Bhagavad Gita verses on meditation are very interesting.
The concerned chapter of the Bhagavad Gita is chapter 6. The description field in the video gives English translation of some related verses.
The first verse she refers to is verse 17 of chapter 6 dealing with advice to lead a regulated life. Then she mentions verse 10 of chapter 6. I have given below one of the many Bhagavad Gita websites' link to verse 10 of chapter 6 of Bhagavad Gita with Sanskrit and English translation: https://www.holy-bhagavad-gita.org/chapter/6/verse/10 . The page has links to other verses. Note that many of the verses following verse 10 are very relevant for this topic.
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Another interesting Kriya Yoga video ...
Isha Kriya: A Guided Meditation For Health And Wellbeing | 15-Minutes, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwQkfoKxRvo, 19 min. 28 secs., published on 4th June 2019 by Sadhguru
Ravi: Interesting that helper statements of "I am not the body; I am not even the mind" are used in this method, along with breath control, "mild focus" between eyebrows and sitting still.
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15 Minute Kriya Yoga Meditation Session, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebXu1QD33BI , 14 min. 31 secs., published on 9th Nov. 2018 by Kriya Yoga Online with Ryan Kurczak
Ravi: Good to see such free sharing of this meditation practice. I follow a different method but the essential part of the practice of being in the awareness with stilled mind (no thoughts) is the same.
Kriya Yoga is a very "in thing" nowadays, it seems. So I wanted to check out some of these practices and share my initial thoughts on them. This is the first video of Kriya Yoga practice I am sharing (in recent times) and will be sharing some other Kriya Yoga videos later on.
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Kundali [Ravi: perhaps it should be Kundalini] Explained By Master Yogi In 10 Minutes | Sri M, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_aVP18BuEQ , 10 min. 24 secs., published by TRS Clips on 13th Sept. 2022
The full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DASU0GU9to0 , 1 hr. 32 mins., published on 13th Sept. 2022
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(A Hindi bhajan) - KIRTANIYAS & Sufi Soul Sangeet - Radhe Shyam - Gold Coast, Australia 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKnC63WwWyI , 8 min. 47 secs.
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ISKCON Belgium: Bhajan by Yogindra - Day 1, 2022 Radhadesh Mellows, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPkDuX4pWWc , around 42 minutes
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I was doing duty in Sai Kulwant hall as Seva dal from Maharashtra at this main event (first time Swami used golden chariot) and recall the thrill of having darshan of Swami in the golden chariot.
My FB post: https://www.facebook.com/ravi.s.iyer.7/posts/pfbid02M3vakYgtzxCUAU4EbtfpRMSzMknHMN3zEUGXGysirdgHw6EuxhbL6QypFfxbXQXMl shares another post.
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Wonderful to see Dubai's Minister of Tolerance Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak al-Nahyan inaugurate a new and majestic Hindu temple in Dubai
Pics can be seen in this article: Majestic Hindu temple opens in Dubai, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/majestic-hindu-temple-opens-in-dubai/photostory/94665405.cms , 5th Oct. 2022.
5 min video about the temple: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d02oXc7Ba98
The same sheikh had visited Prasanthi Nilayam in 2005 when Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba "blessed him with a private audience for more than an hour in the interview room". See https://archive.sssmediacentre.org/journals/Vol_03/09SEP01/dubai.htm for pics and more details.
Surely the hon'ble sheikh would have been impressed with the Sarva Dharma (respect/appreciation for all religions) teachings of Bhagavan.
It is wonderful to see such encouragement of Hindu religion in Dubai by the Muslim rulers there.
The video mentions (at 3 min. 14 secs.) that "Sai Baba" is one of the deities in the temple, which probably is of Shirdi Sai Baba. The teaching of Shirdi Sai Baba of "Sabka Maalik Ek" - The Lord of all (religions) is one - is very relevant in this context.
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Quite amazed to know that Mahim, Mumbai church which I would often see from the outside, usually from a bus, in the 1970s, was first built by the Portuguese in 1534!
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Michael%27s_Church,_Mumbai :
St Michael's Church is one of the oldest Christian (Catholic) churches in the Mahim suburb of Mumbai (Bombay), situated at the junction of LJ Road and Mahim Causeway. Initially known as San Miguel in Portuguese, the original structure was built by Franciscan missionaries of the Indo-Portuguese era, some time around 1534 AD, in what was then Portuguese Bombay.[2] It was rebuilt a number of times; the present structure dates to 1973. From 1739 to 1761, St Michael's also served as a refuge to the popular icon of the Virgin Mary; the icon is now placed at the present-day Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount of Bandra.
The place is colloquially referred to as Mahim Church due to its location.[3] St Michael's is also known for its novenas addressed to our Lady of Perpetual Succour on Wednesdays, which has been frequented by thousands of devotees seeking mannats (blessings).[4]
[References:]
2. Edwardes, Stephen Meredyth (1902), The Rise of Bombay: A Retrospect, Times of India Press, p. 75
3. "Mary in the Secular Press". Mary Page News. University of Dayton. 26 January 2001.
4. Parvate, T. V. "Greater Bombay District". Maharashtra State Gazetteer. Retrieved 24 December 2008.
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I used to live in Govt. Colony, Bandra (East), Mumbai in the 1970s and would often go by BEST bus from Bandra (East) towards central Mumbai. The route was through Mahim causeway, immediately after which (in direction of south Mumbai) Mahim church would be seen on the left side of the road. So I have seen this church from the outside many, many times but do not recall ever visiting the church.
It was well known in Govt. Colony, Bandra (East) and I clearly recall discussions of elders then about the Wednesday novenas in the church which were supposed to have divine powers to fulfill prayers of devotees. If I recall correctly, even some Hindus would attend the Wednesday novenas there praying for solution to their problems.
If I recall correctly, like one can see in the attached wikipedia pic, there would be short one line quotes in English displayed outside the church, and which I would like to read if I could do so, from my position in the bus.
I am quite amazed to know that the original structure of this Mahim church was built by the Portuguese in 1534, close to 500 years back! The current structure was built in 1973 and so the church does not look like an ancient church, at least from the outside.
This is claimed to be an old photo of Mahim church: https://www.facebook.com/mahimchurch/photos/a.1967564783519046/2204706523138203/
Here's a one minute video of how the church looks from the main road: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUtsr9XEJXI , published in 2019.
[I thank Wikipedia and have presumed that they will not have any objections to me sharing the above extract(s) from their website on this post which is freely viewable by all, and does not have any financial profit motive whatsoever. Attached pic courtesy: Wikipedia and Nicholas (Nichalp)]
[My comments (slightly edited) from my above FB post: https://www.facebook.com/ravi.s.iyer.7/posts/pfbid02KVPYQY1jP1BJsHf1HXkLk29MPSGiKWyBScmtnBHUtGF4LYoSWW235BgrUzTb9HnDl :]
Thanks for the encouragement to share such stuff. I was wondering whether any readers would be interested in such a post, and so had initially put off writing this post. On second thoughts, I put it up. And as you have shown your appreciation for it, I feel it has been worth the time I spent putting up the post. Further, this will encourage me to put up such posts in future too.
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Thanks for the kind words. Noted your interest in history of Mumbai and Goa. And I surely have counted you, madam, as one of my readers. 🙏.
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What Happens To Us After We Die? | Sri M Explains, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YN7PSEEKsc . around 7 mins., published in Aug. 2022
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On FB post: https://www.facebook.com/leonor.abreu.37/posts/pfbid02aKSVkJXxGd3mez1mfpyX8y68bWqtyyo3Fv8cXwXDsNLLnwuzL7HHW7LAwvXX6vnXl which shared youtube video: Jai Sahaja! – Chanting for Shiva (One Mantra Festival) – Full Concert, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=la1svxBdbxo , 55 mins. , I wrote:
Great! Thanks for sharing.
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