ISIS EXECUTIONS CONTINUE

ISIS EXECUTES GAYS, THIEVES,
WOMAN CHARGED FOR ADULTERY

www.ynetnews.com - The Islamic State group currently ravaging Iraq and Syria has shocked the world again with its horrific execution videos – this time by allegedly throwing blindfolded men off a roof as punishment for their sexual orientation. Images of the execution surfaced two days ago on jihadist websites, and claimed the men were found "convicted" of homosexual acts. The group's radical interpretation of Islamic law, "engaging in homosexual activities" is a capital crime. 
One of the images shows a large crowd gathering at the bottom of a large tower to witness the execution of two men. The masked Islamic State executioner details their crimes, declares them guilty of homosexuality and sentences them to death.

The two men are seen with blindfolds at the top of a building being held by two ISIS members before being thrown off the building, after having been “convicted” of being homosexual. The “sentence” was imposed under a provision of the law that requires “execution of prescribed penalties against all those who commit an act against Lot’s nation,” according to the ISIS website. 
Another photograph posted on ISIS’s official website shows two men being crucified on charges of being thieves. An ISIS member reads the charges against the two alleged thieves out loud before they are then shot by other ISIS militants in the head. ISIS also published a photo showing a woman draped in an all-black niqab standing in front of an ISIS member, about to be stoned to death on an accusation of infidelity.

The so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has posted graphic photographs showing the brutal execution of four men and one woman on charges of homosexuality, theft, and infidelity to Islam. These images, circulating on jihadist websites, show Islamic State group terrorists executing gay men by throwing them off roof with large crowd watching. Isis has recently published a penal code listing crimes punishable by amputation, stoning and crucifixion, along with a chilling vow to ensure the code is vigilantly enforced in areas under its control. Since ISIS proclaimed itself the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, it has committed numerous crimes and human rights abuses which have been condemned by the world, precipitating a military response against the self-proclaimed state by several countries including the United States and Morocco. In Kali-yuga all people quickly have become degraded. We must be very careful because Aghasura (the snake demon) who represents cruelty and violence, is back among us. Today most people perform inferior activities for sense enjoyment and enjoy doing or seeing cruelty done to defenseless living things. Even the priestly class is degraded. Giving up brahminical behavior, many brahmanas take pleasure in malice and envy, others develop desire of pecuniary gain and many others want their own worldly honour or fame; so if they do wrong, then why mention the other members of different sections of this multiple and varied modern society. Our spiritual masters have taught us that we have to make changes in this corrupt society, and “we have to start with ourselves, because it is almost impossible to change others. One person or the whole world would change if we were capable to inspire them with our own example.” We must become loving toward other living beings and try to serve God in the company of selfless devotees, regardless of what section of society they come from. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

We have to become activists of the good. There is so much garbage, so much cruelty that has to stop. Modern man has become insensible; anaesthetised by intoxication and consumption, the "human being" prefers the bad, so that he even forgets his own best and directly or indirectly becomes responsible for the corrupt society. ... With the help from each and everyone, we will make progress. Let us conquer land here in this crazy world, soul by soul, consciousness by consciousness. Let us be compromised with the truth. Let us respect the faith of everyone, as long as they do not harm others. Truth is love, and one has to produce more love; love for God and all His creation; love and gratefulness to Mother Earth; love for the animals; goodness and compassion for the defenseless. It just takes conscience, which actually does not even pain anymore.

Śrīla Bhakti Aloka Paramadvaiti Mahārāja :
“Conscience - Even If It Pains”
“Vedic Wisdom Collection”
http://vedicwisdom.weebly.com/
http://vedicwisdom.weebly.com/concience-even-if-it-hurts.html

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

ISLAMIC GROUP ENSLAVED YAZIDI WOMEN AND GIRLS

ISLAMIC STATE SEEKS TO JUSTIFY 
ENSLAVING YAZIDI WOMEN AND GIRLS

Arbil, Iraq (Reuters) - The Islamic State group said it enslaved families from the minority Yazidi sect after overrunning their villages in northwestern Iraq, in what it praised as the revival of an ancient custom of using women and children as spoils of war. In an article in its English-language online magazine Dabiq, the group provides what it says is religious justification for the enslavement of defeated “idolators”. 
The ancient custom of enslavement had fallen out of use because of deviation from true Islam, but was revived when fighters overran Yazidi villages in Iraq's Sinjar region. “After capture, the Yazidi women and children were then divided according to the Shariah amongst the fighters of the Islamic State who participated in the Sinjar operations, after one fifth of the slaves were transferred to the Islamic State's authority to be divided as khums,” it said.

Khums is a traditional tax on the spoils of war. “This large-scale enslavement of mushrik (idolator) families is probably the first since the abandonment of Shariah law,” it said. Islamic State practices a harsh form of Sunni Islam and has declared its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi the ruler of the entire Muslim world. Mainstream Sunni scholars around the world have denounced the group and its interpretation of Islam. 
“One should remember that enslaving the families of the (non-believers) and taking their women as concubines is a firmly established aspect of the Shariah,” the article said. The group has hounded ethnic and religious minorities in northern Iraq since seizing the city of Mosul in June, killing and displacing thousands of Christians, Shi'ite Shabaks and Turkmen who lived for centuries in one of the most diverse parts of the Middle East. 

This news released by Reuters news agency, is about a Dabiq article on slavery that unfortunately confirms practices documented by Human Rights Watch, which says Yazidi women and girls were forced to marry Islamic State fighters and shipped out in busloads from Iraq to Syria to be sold off as prizes. Last week, Human Rights Watch said Islamic State was holding hundreds of Yazidis captive in both Iraq and Syria and that the group had systematically separated young women and teenage girls from their families, forcing some into marriage with fighters. The Dabiq article said fighters were reviving a practice of the companions of the Prophet Mohammad by enslaving enemies. “Enslaving women and forcing them to become wives reduces sin by protecting men from being tempted into adultery,” it said. Yazidis, who follow an ancient religion derived from Zoroastrianism, have faced some of the harshest penalties from Islamic State, which regards them as devil-worshippers. Many of the captives had “willingly” accepted Islam, the group said, “and now race to practice it with evident sincerity after their exit from the darkness of idolatry”. How terrible! A lot of cruelty in the name of religion. Cruelty acts toward women and innocent creatures causes great disturbances in the world. What is worse, when irresponsible men, under the guise of defending a religion, satisfy their uncontrolled desires by raping women and girls. A bonafide religion must teach that we are all spiritually related and, therefore, it should be very easy for believers to find similarities among the essential principles of all religions and ignore their differences. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Regardless of which religious system you choose, they all have the same purpose, and they all give the same principles. In this way, they are all united in their essential goals, the most important of which is to bring the living beings to the stage of cooperation in love of God. Obviously, our love for God will be shown by how much we cooperate with one another. Unfortunately, before we reach this advanced stage we are in the lower levels of understanding. This immature level of love can take on the characteristics of a blind and fanatical allegiance to a particular process of religious expression rather than attachment to real love for God. In this situation, one may proudly and unnecessarily feel that he is on the highest path, and then will denounce every other process and culture without the proper spiritual understanding of himself or others. This is nothing more than sentimentality and fanaticism. Real love of God, which also displays love for all other living beings, will not develop within a person if he or she harbors such a divisive mentality.

Dr Stephen Knapp (Śrīpad Nandanandana dasa) :
“Toward World Peace: Seeing the Unity Between Us All”
http://www.stephen-knapp.com/toward_world_peace_ebook.htm
http://www.stephen-knapp.com  -  http://www.stephenknapp.info/

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

SUDAN 'APOSTASY' WOMAN MERIAM IBRAHIM ARRIVES IN US

MERIAM IBRAHIM, CHRISTIAN THREATENED
WITH EXECUTION IN SUDAN, ARRIVES IN US

www.bbc.com/news - A Sudanese woman who fled to Italy after being spared a death sentence for renouncing Islam has arrived in the US. Meriam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag arrived in New Hampshire on Thursday evening with her American husband and her children. Welcoming her on a brief stopover in Philadelphia, the city's mayor, Michael Nutter, described her as a "world freedom fighter". There was global condemnation when she was sentenced to hang for apostasy by a Sudanese court earlier this year. 
Mrs Ibrahim's father is Muslim so according to Sudan's version of Islamic law she is also Muslim and cannot convert. She maintains she was never Muslim having been raised by her Christian mother. Mrs Ibrahim's husband, Daniel Wani, also a Christian, is from South Sudan and has US nationality.

Their daughter Maya was born in prison in May, shortly after Mrs Ibrahim was sentenced to hang for renouncing one's faith. Under intense international pressure, her conviction was quashed and she was freed in June although she was initially stopped from leaving the country and the family took refuge at the US embassy in Khartoum. When in Rome, she met the Pope, who "thanked her for her witness to faith", according to a Vatican spokesman. 
Mrs Ibrahim flew from Rome to Philadelphia with her husband and two children, en route to Manchester, New Hampshire, where her husband has relatives and the family hope to settle. At Manchester, her husband thanked the US government for its strong stance, the New Hampshire senators who worked hard to arrange her asylum and the people of Sudan for their support.

International rights groups and Western governments are praising the decision to cancel the death sentence and release a woman from a Sudanese prison. Meriam Ibrahim faced death because she married a Christian. The 27-year-old Ibrahim gave birth in prison last month to her second child, a baby girl named Maya. Ibrahim, whose father was Muslim but who was raised by her Christian mother, was convicted of apostasy - the abandonment of a religion -, a crime punishable by death under Sudan’s strict enforcement of Islamic law. Inter-religious marriages are illegal in Sudan, and Ibrahim was judged to have committed adultery by being with her husband. But finally the young Sudanese woman is released. Happily, Meriam arrived in the United States, where she was welcomed first by the mayor of Philadelphia as a “world freedom fighter” and cheers of people who sympathized with her in New Hampshire. When reading this kind of news, it will be useful to review what is generally accepted as religion: A true religion should convey a universal truth or a divine revelation, which must has validity in any place of the world and benefit all people as well. A truly world religion should teach a genuine spiritual process and it must be freely and voluntarily practiced and accepted by honest people in many countries around the world. If this is not happening in the religious affiliation; well, maybe you should think a bit about it (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

These are the characteristics of what is generally accepted as a true religion: 1. A true religion teaches us about the creation of the world and about the creator of the world. - 2. A true religion teaches us to love God and His creation. - 3. A true religion holds the truth above all other relative considerations. - 4. A true religion respects the individual freedom of every man to follow his own faith, unless he harms others and transgresses the rules meant to protect the well being of others. - 5. A true religion is the source of personal divine realization of the sincere practitioner of the teachings of the religion. Such realizations will confirm what other realized souls of this religion have taught or expanded upon it. Usually some religious books lay down the basic principles and such books are of divine origin or inspired in the authors by revelation or divine realizations. - 6. True religions teach through priests, or spiritual masters who have learned the science of their religion from previous masters. This is called spiritual succession. A genuine teacher cannot teach something which deviates from the substance of the teachings he has received.

Śrīla Bhakti Aloka Paramadvaiti Mahārāja :
“Vishva Vaishnava Raj Sabha, World Vaishnava Association”
“The Future - A True Religion”
http://www.vedic-wisdom.org/
http://wvafilecenter.blogspot.com.ar/2011/09/vishva-vaishnava-raj-sabha-world.html
http://officebap.com/india2009/wva/wvabook.pdf

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

HOW MALALA LEFT A LATE-SHOW HOST SPEECHLESS

HOW MALALA, TEEN ACTIVIST,
MADE JON STEWART'S JAW DROP

- Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani schoolgirl who was shot by the Taliban in 2012 for speaking out about girls’ education rights, has been interviewed by Jon Stewart for The Daily Show. Malala Yousafzai sat down with Stewart to talk about her views on education and terrorism and how she plans to continue her fight to open up classrooms for girls all over the globe. Stewart was quick to praise Yousafzai’s new book and express how privileged he felt to meet her. But it was the moment when she talked about how she would react to the terrorist who wanted to take her life that shook him most. The Nobel Peace Prize nominee said that when she learned she was a target while living in Pakistan, she often thought about how she would react if she found herself face-to-face with a terrorist. At first, she thought she would fight back. But then she realized, she could not stoop to his level.

“If you hit a Talib, then there would be no difference between you and the Talib,” she said. “You must not treat others with cruelty … You must fight others through peace and through dialogue and through education.” Once she decided she could not respond with violence, Yousafzai thought about what she would say to a terrorist. “I would tell him how important education is and that I would even want education for your children as well. That’s what I want to tell you,” she envisioned saying, “now do what you want.” 
After Stewart collected his thoughts, he made a pretty bold offer. “I know your father is backstage and he’s very proud of you,” Stewart said. “But would he be mad if I adopted you?” We were kind of thinking the same thing. We can't all adopt Malala, but we can support her fight for global education at the Malala Fund.

Jon Stewart is an American political satirist, television host and media critic, and he isn’t easily impressed. But last week, a 16-year-old Pakistani activist left this late-show host speechless when she talked about girls’ education rights and their implications in regard to poverty, health and basic human rights. One year after of being shot in the head by the Taliban she has recovered and dedicated herself to spur concrete action to provide compulsory education for young people worldwide. The Nobel Peace Prize contender explained that she does not want to take revenge on the man who shot her, because this would put her on the same level as the attacker. By contrast, she hopes to convince the man who tried to kill her on the importance of education, specially of providing education opportunities for girls and planning a different future for all. This teen has demonstrated the value of forgiving enemies. The person who lives thinking of retaliate fills his spirit of revenge; has his heart full of anger and is always restless with his mind constantly burning of hatred. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Indian saints have classified the nature of human beings in three broad groups-'Sattvika', 'Rajasika' and 'Tamasika'. Sattvika people are wise, sincere, generous and non violent. As such they have an altruistic mentality and render disinterested (non-motivated) service. Rajasika people are egoists. However they are active and do good to others with the motive of getting a return of their actions for self-aggrandizement. They won't tolerate harm to themselves. They have got the spirit of taking revenge. Tamasika people are indolent, out and out egoists and of violent temper. They are indiscriminate in their pursuit of enjoyment, they completely disregard the interest of others and will do anything to fulfill their selfish desires. So ,'Sattvika', 'Rajasika" and 'Tamasika' people vary in their tastes, habits and nature.

Śrīla Bhakti Dayita Madhava Mahārāja :
“Realistic Solution for Diverse Humanity”
Speech at a ‘Spiritual Summit Conference’ 
1968 Calcutta - Sree Chaitanya Gaudiya Math
http://www.sreecgmath.org/scgmtimes/scgmsbdm.php

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

UK ANNOUNCES CONSULTATION OF CASTE DISCRIMINATION LEGISLATION

TORY MINISTER BACKS OFF PLEDGE
TO END CASTE DISCRIMINATION

www.independent.co.uk - Landmark legislation to ban caste discrimination in Britain is being deliberately thwarted by the Conservative equalities ministers in charge of getting it on the statute book, a leaked document indicates. Discrimination on the basis of caste was outlawed in April as part of the Equality Act, after Business Secretary Vince Cable secured a last-minute amendment. 
The Act was supposed to mean the estimated 400,000 Dalits - so-called untouchables - who live in the UK would have legal protection from discrimination by other Hindus. The issue of caste discrimination divided the Coalition, with Liberal Democrats supporting the addition to the legislation and Conservatives opposed.

Equalities minister Helen Grant in a letter to the Hindu groups opposed to the legislation urges them to submit evidence against the law to an ongoing consultation “as we remain convinced” legislation is unnecessary. Liberal Democrat Lord Avebury said: “It's entirely improper that the minister who's supposed to be implementing the legislation - and initiating the consultation - is making it clear she's opposed to the whole process.” 
Meena Varma, director of the Dalit Solidarity Network UK, said: “Until this legislation is passed, the thousands of Dalits who say they are discriminated against will have no recourse to justice. Grant's tactic seems to be to kick the whole thing into the long grass until five years have passed and the Government can scrap the legislation.”

The UK Government has just published their long anticipated timetable for its consultation and implementation of caste discrimination legislation under Equality Act 2010. Hinduism - Sanatana Dharma - is like a Banyan tree which gives shade to all. Birth-based discrimination and heartless treatment of individuals and group of people which was developed in Hindu society with the passage of time as socially sanctioned practices, are in grievous violation of old Vedic teachings and philosophy. There are professional inclinations and innate tendencies, but Scripture does not support the caste system by birth. The Gaudiya Vaishnava sampradaya within the broad Hindu family of faiths, unequivocally opposes a birth-based caste system, and strongly condemns the use of such a system to discriminate against any person or group, and firmly believe that no one should be denied any kind of opportunity on the basis of his or her birth or caste or race. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Real advanced persons will never complicate their minds with social and caste distinction. This is merely a system people get attached to who have no qualifications, but want to claim a superior position over others in the name of birth. What is the use of having a big prestigious name when your qualities don’t support it? Those who are truly self-realized will never submit to this false claim, but rather defy and challenge those people who are trying to create trouble in society by this type of caste consciousness. ... Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur was responding to a challenge of the smarta-brahmanas regarding how somebody can become a brahmana. ... He cited all the qualifications and all the quotes from the scriptures to prove it. Then all of them understood they had been very expertly defeated and realized that what they had believed about things like caste distinction and birth rights was not true.

Śrīla Bhakti Aloka Paramadvaiti Mahārāja :
“Sato Vritteh”
(Following in the Footsteps of Previous Acaryas)
“Qualifications for Mercy”
http://vrinda.vaisnava.hu/officebap/satto-english.pdf
http://www.vedic-wisdom.org/

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

SECOND WORLD HINDU SUMMIT (WHS)

WHS - HARMONY AND TOLERANCE
DOMINATED BALI HINDU SUMMIT

- As many as 500 Hindu leaders and scholars from more than 21 countries called for enhancing tolerance during the Second World Hindu Summit (WHS), held in Bali last month. “We happily announce to the world that harmony and tolerance shall prevail and that acceptance is the basic principle of our relationship, with our brothers of same faith or with our brothers of the different faiths. Hindu believes in one world, one God Supreme, and one World Family. There are no boundaries or borders in Hindu Dharma. We are all one, we share the same fate and destiny,” the summit declaration said. A similar tone was expressed by the newly elected president of the World Hindu Parisad, Ida Pedanda Gede Ketut Sebali Tianyar Arimbawa.

Tianyar Arimbawa called on Hindus to enhance tolerance. “We are calling for all Hindu devotees to always be respectful to each other and accepting of different faiths,” the Hindu high priest said. Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono addressed the assembled leaders in a speech to the opening ceremony of the 35th Bali Arts Festival, attended by WHS participants. “I urge Hindu devotees from all around the world to always embody a harmonious and peaceful life,” he said. 
He also urged Indonesians across the archipelago to maintain tolerance. “We should firmly refuse any forms of violence committed in the name of a specific religion or identity because that is simply not consistent with our values and character as a nation that respects pluralism,” he said, stressing the nation's motto of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity).

The Second World Hindu Summit held in Bali last month discussed many contemporary issues including tolerance, the environment, health, science, human rights, and globalisation. Summit participants discussed increasing cases of intolerance around the world, and this is a crucial issue because tolerance is the key for creating a peaceful life. Lack of tolerance makes us sectarian and that spirit - that makes us support only the religious group which we belong to and motivates us to forcibly convert others to our belief - only has brought turmoil and unrest in the world. Instead of criticizing and being intolerant of others, why not glorify their values and strengths? (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Guru Maharaj, His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Promode Puri Goswami Maharaj. His behavior is the absolute example of a Vaishnava. Of a Vaishnava's nature, there are four main qualities. First quality is humility. His humility was excellent. No one can compare with him. He is an example of humility. For that reason other Vaishnava were attracted to him. It would always be a nice connection. And then his tolerance. Amongst the Vaishnavas communities, societies, there are so many problems. But he was not one of these problems; he never engaged in discord. He was always in his mood, his divine mood. He felt it this tolerance. He never criticized any soul, no one at all. I never heard any criticism to others. Instead of criticism his nature was to glorify. He made a habit of glorifying the devotees.

Śrīla Bhakti Bibudha Bodhayan Mahārāja :
Interview on 20 May 2001 
Interviewed by Gourapriya Das (RVN)
Translated by Anuradha Dasi
http://bvml.net/SBBBM/index.htm
Sri Gopinath Gaudiya Math - http://www.gopinathmath.com/

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

REPORT DRAWS ATTENTION TO HINDU HATE CRIMES

INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS
VIOLATIONS DIRECTED AT HINDUS

www.religionnews.com - Last month, with the release of their ninth annual report, members of the Hindu American Foundation are pushing policymakers to take action against international human rights violations directed at Hindus. The four countries the report categorized as egregious violators - Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Pakistan - are all Muslim-majority countries. Samir Kalra, author of the report, titled “Hindus in South Asia and the Diaspora: A Survey of Human Rights” said the foundation included countries in which the plight of Hindus is largely overlooked. The impact of the report, he said, is twofold: It gives a voice to Hindu minorities and educates officials in the U.S. and worldwide.

The 2012 report cites Bhutan, Sri Lanka and the Indian state of Jammu as countries of serious concern, while Fiji, Saudi Arabia and Trinidad and Tobago as countries where conditions for Hindus have improved. Kalra said the problem is that many of these nations sanction discrimination, creating “an atmosphere of intolerance at the top, which trickles down.” Kalra said he’s concerned the U.S. government hasn’t taken more notice of this persecution, adding that human rights often take a back seat to geopolitical issues. But he hopes the foundation’s report works to create a link between the two issues. Kalra, who urged members of Congress to sign the recommendation, said it is important that the FBI track these numbers so the issues behind these incidents can be addressed.

“When you hear about Hindus targeted for wearing a ‘bindi’ or ’tilak’ or Sikh boys and men living in fear of attack simply because they wear a turban, it’s time to say enough is enough and take action. Groups from India aren’t the only ones targeted for their faith, but I can tell you the Indian-American community is deeply disturbed by what is going on,” said Rep. Joseph Crowley, D-N.Y.  Hindu American Seva Communities (HASC) has repeatedly expressed concern over xenophobia against Hindus, as well as Muslims and Sikhs. The FBI’s Advisory Policy Board is scheduled to discuss a congressional recommendation to update its Hate Crime Statistics Act.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

People who show their love for their own religion by hating all others will spiritually stagnate and cause disharmony and quarrels between those of their religion and those of others. Someone may be a kind, generous, and devout person amongst those of his own culture, while ready to howl, insult, hate, and do injury to those of another. This is love of the lowest level, similar to the way a dog may love its master and will show it by snarling at anyone else. Only those individuals and dry forms of religion that are bereft of real spiritual knowledge look at all others with hate and suspicion. Only when one’s consciousness becomes mature does this form of fanaticism or immature enthusiasm subside. Then real love and respect for all will naturally emanate from that person.

Dr Stephen Knapp (Śrīpad Nandanandana dasa) :
“Toward World Peace: Seeing the Unity Between Us All”
http://www.stephen-knapp.com/toward_world_peace_ebook.htm
http://www.stephen-knapp.com  -  http://www.stephenknapp.info/

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

HISPANIC EMPLOYEES SUE TARGET FOR DISCRIMINATION

TARGET SAYS SORRY FOR 'MULTI-CULTURAL'
TIPS USED IN NORTHERN CALIF. WAREHOUSE

www.bbc.co.uk - After three Target employees sued the company for discrimination, including the distribution of “multi-cultural tips” noting the “differences among Hispanic employees,” the company says it never meant to offend. The three employees who filed suit, Robert Gonzalez, 58, Bulmaro Fabian, 58, and Pedro Garcia-Ayala, 36, worked at a Target Distribution Warehouse in Woodland, Calif., about 15 miles northwest of Sacramento. 
The three men are of Mexican descent, according to the lawsuit, and were employed as warehouse workers “in manual labor positions, while Caucasian employees held nearly all management positions.” Ilija Cvetich, the attorney for the plaintiffs, declined to comment on behalf of his clients.

The three men seek unspecified punitive damages for harassment, failure to prevent harassment, age and race discrimination and retaliation. According to the suit, “The Caucasian Target managers regularly used racial slurs while addressing plaintiffs and other Hispanic employees on the warehouse floor, including, but not limited to: “You got to be Mexican to work like this.” - “What the hell, I'm already sweating like a Mexican.” - “Only a Mexican can work this hard,” and “Only a 'wet-back' can work this hard.” 
They also allege the company provided its distribution warehouse managers with a four-page document that describes “demographics of the Hispanic community” and their “cultural differences,” according to an exhibit in the lawsuit.

Three former Hispanic employees are suing Target Corp. for discrimination and retaliation, citing a training document reminding managers that not all Hispanics eat tacos and burritos, dance to salsa or wear sombreros. The lawsuit alleges that Caucasian managers at a warehouse in Woodland regularly used racial slurs when addressing Hispanic workers. It cites a document featuring common stereotypes and tips on how to manage Hispanic workers. A Target spokeswoman wouldn't comment on the lawsuit itself but says the company was sorry for the content of the document. This whole world does not belong only to certain race of people but to human society at large. Actually, we are all guests on this planet because everything belongs to the Supreme Being.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

As previously explained, in the materialistic state of consciousness one thinks, “I am an American or Russian, Catholic or Protestant, white or black. I am loyal to my country and countrymen. I work for my homeland. Everyone else is different.” This type of consciousness is established in the individual to the degree to which he or she is in the bodily concept of life. The bodily concept of life, thinking one is the body, means to focus on these designations. But real life, seeing beyond the illusion that we are only bodies, is to be without designations. When we realize that we are all spiritual beings, that our souls are all the same in nature, character, quality and identity, then we will begin reaching a level of reality. This is the only way there can be any real unity between us all.

Dr Stephen Knapp (Śrīpad Nandanandana dasa) :
“Toward World Peace: Seeing the Unity Between Us All”
http://www.stephen-knapp.com/toward_world_peace_ebook.htm
http://www.stephen-knapp.com  -  http://www.stephenknapp.info/

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

BOMB BLASTS AT BUDDHIST MECCA IN BIHAR, INDIA

BOMB BLASTS AT MAHABODHI TEMPLE
WHERE BUDDHA ATTAINED “MOKSHA”

http://india.blogs.nytimes.com - Nine low intensity bombs went off within fifteen minutes early Sunday morning inside the Mahabodhi temple complex, a Unesco World Heritage site, and one of the holiest sites associated with the life of Buddha in Bodh Gaya in the northern Indian state of Bihar. Four explosions occurred inside the temple complex, three others shook a nearby monastery and an eighth exploded near a statue of Buddha. Two other bombs were defused, said authorities.
The blasts injured two Buddhist monks, one from Myanmar and the other from Nepal. The injured monks are being treated at a local government hospital, according to the local authorities.

Around 200 people were on the temple premises when the blasts took place in succession around the complex, according to local residents. No deaths have been reported. “After the first blast, the temple was engulfed in black smoke,” said Rakesh Kumar, who runs a coffee shop outside the temple complex. “I saw such a panic near the temple for the first time,” Mr. Kumar added. “It was really terrifying. I am grateful that Lord Buddha saved us.”
The Mahabodhi temple complex is the site where Buddha is believed to have found enlightenment under a peepul tree, several years after leaving his kingdom and meditating in the forests of Gaya area. Hundreds of thousands of Buddhist pilgrims visit Gaya every year from Japan, China, Myanmar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and several other countries.

We had already warned about it in our post of June 30, 2013. And the authorities feared that this would happen. A series of small bomb blasts rocked the world famous Mahabodhi Temple premises in Bihar, India’s spiritual town of Bodhgaya Sunday, injuring at least two monks. Mahabodhi Temple is the place where Lord Buddha, is understood to have attained “moksha” (enlightenment). In 2002, the temple was declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO. Bodhgaya attracts hordes of pilgrims from China, Japan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and other South Asian nations. Insofar as intolerance grows, these facts will occur again and again.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

As we look back through history, there have been so many fights and wars between people of different cultures. There have been divisions drawn between Hindus and Muslims, Catholics and Protestants, Jews and Arabs, blacks and whites - the focal points of fierce battles.  In this way, due to some feeling of patriotism to a country, idea, concept, or race, one may think that a certain group of people are “my people,” or “my group or class,” based on the relationship with the body and family and national traditions.  However, as long as there is this feeling that those related to this body are “my kinsmen, my blood relatives, my countrymen,” that everyone else is a foreigner, or inferior, that I do not care for those people; then there cannot be unity or peace in the world.

Dr Stephen Knapp (Śrīpad Nandanandana dasa) :
“Toward World Peace: Seeing the Unity Between Us All”
http://www.stephen-knapp.com/toward_world_peace_ebook.htm
http://www.stephen-knapp.com  -  http://www.stephenknapp.info/

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/