In a celebration of India with its roots in the old Festival of Arts at Boutwell Auditorium that, like the Alabama School of Fine Arts, was originally orchestrated by Mrs. Edwin A. “Bill” Rose, Supervisor of Speech Arts of the Birmingham Public Schools, the religion of India was highlighted at the Hindu Temple and Cultural Center in Pelham. The Hindu religion dates back 5000 years in the archeological record and since time immemorial in the scriptures known as the Vedas and Upanishads.
It is quite a complicated tangle of rituals and mythological figures that divide the world into light and dark and good and evil, carry the world on their backs, elements of earth-air-firewater-ether, and so on.
But the most important principle, in contrast to other religions, is not to hurt anybody, and to make recompense for grievances, taking personal responsibility, instead of asking forgiveness from God alone (and Bishop Michael Hill of England stressed those same precepts at the Church of the Advent).
Getting rid of attachment, ego, emotion – through mental training and meditation – is the key.
Transforming our physical coordinates into eternity and immortality is the goal, similar to religions more familiar to the majority.
For more information go to http:// www.bhamhindutemple.org/ 200 North Chandalar Drive, Pelham, AL 35124 (205) 621-1155
