 |
|
|
|
January 12th, 2013
06:00 AM ET
Hindu holy book coming to a nightstand near youBy Jordan Hultine, CNN CNN–It’s about to get crowded in your hotel room nightstand. The newest addition could soon be a sacred Hindu text called the Bhagavad-Gita. The Bhagavad-Gita is literally translated as “song of God” and is a discussion between Lord Krishna and his student, Arjuna, on revealing one’s spiritual identity and a relationship with God, says Vaisesika Dasa, founder and president of the Motel Gita project, the group behind the effort. Motel Gita, with the help of a Hindu nonprofit, has distributed approximately 150,000 copies of the Bhagavad-Gita to 1,100 hotels and motels. Dasa said their goal is to place at least 1 million books to, “provide solace to traveling souls by giving them spiritual knowledge.” The idea for the project came to Dasa after seeing the positive effect the Bible has had on hotel guests for many years he said. Dasa partnered with Milan Doshi and Dilip Patel, who has been involved in the hotel industry for more than three decades. They started by distributing Bhagavad-Gitas to hotels in the San Francisco Bay Area. Follow the CNN Belief Blog on Twitter At first they worried guests and hotel owners wouldn’t accept the books, but Dasa said, “we quickly found that prominent motel owners whole-heartedly welcomed and supported this program and that their guests were appreciating finding the Gita.” Support grew from there with the help of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKC) around the United States, Canada and Britain. ISKC is a nonprofit network of more than 500 temples, schools and communities whose members donate money for numerous outreach programs, including the Motel Gita. The group also recruited their members to help deliver the Gitas to interested hotels. There are an estimated 1.79 million Hindus in the United States, according to The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. More than 1 billion around the world, making Hinduism the world's third-largest faith after Christianity and Islam. The Asian-American Hotel Owners Association reports their 11,000 members, predominantly Indian-American, own more than 20,000 hotels in the United States. Dasa said that definitely helps their cause. Hindus make up roughly 80 percent of the population in India with an estimated 974 million believers, according to the The Pew Forum. CNN’s Belief Blog: The faith angles behind the biggest stories Manu Patel is the owner of a Days Inn hotel in Salem, Oregon. He requested the Gitas for his hotel and says the response has been very positive. “We have many customers come to the front desk and ask for a copy to take home,” he told CNN. Jitu Ishwar owns four hotels in Ukiah, California. He said he often sees guests reading the Gitas they found in their rooms while eating breakfast in the lobby. Ishwar said God has given him a lot and this is his way of saying thank you. “Bhagavad-Gita provides depth of knowledge not easily accessible to people in the Western countries. The concept of spiritualism, nature and God described in this holy book should be shared for the benefit of all humanity,” he said. The Gita’s nightstand companion, the Bible, is usually placed in a hotel by The Gideons International. Their members are identify as evangelicals, and according to their mission statement they are “dedicated to saving the lost through personal witnessing and the distribution of God’s Word in more than 190 countries around the world.” The Gideons report they have handed out more than 1.7 billion Bibles around the world since 1908. |
  About this blog
The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke and Eric Marrapodi with daily contributions from CNN's worldwide newsgathering team and frequent posts from religion scholar and author Stephen Prothero.  |
|
|
|
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertise with us | About us | Help | Advertising Practices
Can anyone do this in Saudi Arabia?
Muslims know that they are standing on falsehood. Therefore they are afraid to allow any other religious books in Saudi.
Christians know that they are standing on truth. Therefore, they allow anyone to practice their religion!!
Truth has no fear.
Joh 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Rom 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Uh...who said anything about Muslims? This is a HINDU holy book, and I guarantee you that if you go to India, or any other predominantly-Hindu country, the Christian Bible will be allowed to be distributed like this. It's you Christians and Muslims that are so damned afraid of anyone hearing that there might be an alternative to your faith. Why are you so afraid?
What has Saudi Arabia a muslim nation got to do with Hinduism. You should compare that with India and you will see Bibles freely available in every store on every street in India. Hindus are very tolerant towards other religions. ACtually every college campus worth its name have a church and a temple and sometimes a mosque for their students to workship in. Hotels carry all three religious books Gita, Bible and the Koran for their guests. It is much more open than in the US.
What about this if i go to a hotel room and this book is in my room, i will take it to the front desk and tell them JESUS said I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
Joh 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Rom 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
The truth is that men wrote that into the bible. You have no logical reason to believe what it says.
John 14:6 says that the only way to God is through Jesus.
And yet there is nothing about Jesus in Acts 10:34-35, which says "Then Peter began to speak to them: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him."
Please don't compare one book to other. Both are written in different ages and are different. Just read both and follow what you like. You will be fine. Hindus have thousands of holy books written in different times by different people. In fact, it is a way of life not a religion. It never condemns oany religions. I feel Hindus can accept another few books and make this world into one religion and the name of it is " Humanity". Please be good and help others. this is the best religion one can follow.
Niran
in one sentance you say it is not a religion, then then next sentance you say it is.
By the way, no religion is the best one to follow, religions are the works of men.
@Really
May I suggest a reading comprehension course?
The “religion” Nimran is referring to is one of being good and helping others (not an actual religion).
What about this if i go to a hotel room and this book is in my room, i will take it to the front desk and tell them JESUS said I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
He that says "entereth" and "climbeth" is a pretentious, deluded fool.
Keeping putting them in, and I will keep throwing them out.
Must have dumped fifty by now!
Best thing about the Gideon Bibles you find everywhere ? If your Motel room has run out, you have an almost inexhaustible supply of hsit-wipe !
@TruthX
In a pinch, rice paper can be used to roll spliffs.
OMGoodness! I bet if Christians haven't already been putting bibles in hotel night stands for decades, Indians wouldn't have ever thought of the idea of putting their holy book there! They're only doing it because we have the Holy Bible in hotel rooms. Why can't they think of something original?
Here comes another divider.
Oh you mean like math, science and philosophy?
If your red neck rear end wants to compare cutures, rest assured you will lose.
They are so far beyond you you would have to run backwards to ever catch up.
Lol...what a classic! Christianity is completely a cult that has stolen all its myths, holidays, etc. from previous gods and beliefs and deluded imbeciles like yourself who follow the cult know the least about it.
Why are you guys being so mean?
I'm sorry. Christianity is not a cult. We're over 2000 years old and taught to be loving and forgiving. But, I just know Hindus wouldn't have thought of having their books in hotels if we didn't do it first. I'm sorry to offend! Really!
Really JJ, SOOO many nations are mostly Christian nations, including the U.S. (not 100% but still the majority) How can you call *all* of us a cult?? hehe
@ChristianGirl
Oh so the only thing that prevents a religion being a cult is size and time around? So if Scientology sticks around for another 1200 years and gets a lot more members, it will no longer be a cult?
@hawaiiguest
Let me help her. Christianity is not only very old but is the LARGEST religion on Earth, with over 2 billion believers in Christ. There is NO way a cult like Scientology will ever reach that level because there aren't enough insane people in the world.
If Scientology did reach billions of members then I guess it would be the real Truth... but that will never happen.
Science d**n you! LOL
@ChristianGirl
Spend a bit of time studying religion, and you'll see that christianity, along with all other religions, is indeed a cult. The fact that is has billions of followers, does not make it true.
ME,
1. Scientology is NOT science. Do you know the difference between science and science-fiction?
2. Over 2,000 years now and still 2/3rds of the world does not believe the Jesus legend. It took probably less than 50 years for the theory of gravity to be accepted world-wide... and it is the same for any other proven ideas, eg., mathematics, the telephone, radio, engines, penicillin, etc., etc., etc.
The population of the world at present is a bit over 7 billion.
There are approximately 2.1 billion Christians, which is around 33 per cent.
http://chartsbin.com/view/3nr
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0904108.html
@A Frayed Knot
Nice try! You tried to manipulate my words to make your case sound better. You were right about Christianity being 2.1 billion believers. Islam is #2 with 1.5 billion. But, you're totally missing the point that, in relation to all these tiny religions out there (and cults like Scientology), Christianity is WAY larger (Islam is way larger too). Even in relation to the world's population, 1/3 is gigantic! I just can't see how you can sit there and say 1/3 of the world's populate is whacked. It's an idiotic statement.
@A Frayed Knot
Actually, you're basically saying that much more than 1/3 of the world's population is crazy because I'm assuming you think the same about muslims and jews. I think you need to step back and look at the big picture. You're thinking like an 8 year-old.
ME,
Would you care to know the percentage of the population 1000 years ago (even 500 years ago) who thought that the Earth was the center of the Universe and that the Sun was in orbit around us?
For that matter, less than 250 years ago Benjamin Franklin was roundly castigated by Christians for his discoveries about lightning and the invention of his lightning rod.
"As late as 1770 many religious Americans still felt that, since thunder and lightning were tokens of the divine displeasure, it was impiety to prevent their doing their full work. It took a few decades for the devout to abandon their religious prejudices regarding the use of the lightning rod, but eventually it was demonstrated to all but the most dense that both the "vengeance of God" and the "Prince of the Power of the Air" were forced to retreat before the lightning-rod of a heretic." – A. D. White, A History of the Warfare of Science with Theology & E.T.B.
p.s. An 8 year-old? They're the ones whose Moms tell them, "If everyone is jumping off of a cliff, would you do it too?!"
I have no problem stating that 1/3 of the world's populate is whacked...the actual number is probably greater. It's also a fallacy to say that a religion must be true because so many people believe it.
All revealed religions share many thoughts and philosophies. The Hindu is the oldest and the Muslim is the newest. They all have things in common. god is GOD is god and needs no human to exist and no human to interpert or direct your life. You'll know the truth when your life force rejoins the great web. Everything else, at least from my prospective, is wishing and hoping
What about Mormonism?
satan will do what he can to get people from the truth.
The truth is there is no Satan.
Then why did your god create him, knowing full well the consequences....more rubbish.
You wouldn't know the truth if I knocked you upside the head with it
Bhagwad Gita is to be understood and exercised ....not debated...spiritual journeys are solo not in herds...
That's true of "Green Eggs And Ham, Sam I Am" also.
Folks, is it possible to praise and/or be ambivalent about both – the Bhagavad Gita & Bible?
Without comparing or disparaging the other?
Whatever God/Energy/Spirit that you believe in is in all religions/philosophies.
Pure stupidity to bash each other's religious Bibles...
The one thing almost all religions have in common is the notion that if you believe in any other religion, you will suffer major punishment.
Religions are mutually exclusive. They explicitly reject the others. Not to mention a lot of incompatible details.
Sorry, but the whole "different faces on the same god" thing just fails miserably.
The real world is how it is, no gods necessary.
Not when you realize that all of them were written by men, nothing more.
Jacob
I find it ironic that once a faith becomes dominate, it unleashes terror on non-believers
Then, once it's dominance is lost, they ALWAYS want to negotiate and discuss what "is fair"
All we Non-believers intend to do is to return the treatment we have recieved.
If your faith and been fair, reasonable, modern, and respectfull of non-believers great!
If it hasn't, I suggest you prepare to be judged, not by your imaginary Sky Fairy, but by a mob hell bent on vengance
The scourge of 6000 years of Bul@@it is going to be washed away, and lots of people have some answering to do.
It doesn't matter if you're a 'Believer' or 'Non-Believer.' What's worse than either is being a 'Hypocrite'
A Hypocrite can be found anywhere and everywhere – in and out of religion.
i want to see athiest faces at the great white throne judgment as they bow down and agree that jesus is lord! Texting so unsure how to capitalize.
and is there some reasonable or logical reason to think that will happen? Likely just part of the myth you choose to be fooled into believing.
Only Atheists? What about all the other religions? Isn't it an exclusive club?
How does texting make you unsure how to capitalize?
And the crazy Christians come out to spew their ignorance, arrogance and stupidity for all to see. We poor Jews, atheists, Muslims, etc. will all burn together I guess along with all non-True Christians®. You and baby Jeeeezus have fun!
Quote one line from bible that Jesus said he is God and to worship him.
And I'd like to see the faces of the x-tians who make statements like yours when they get to Tartarus and Cerberus won't let them leave.
Well your fantasies are never going to happen.
Bhagavad Gita: I am exceedingly dear to the wise man; he also is dear to me. (Ch. VII. 17)
New Testament, Bible: He that loveth me shall be loved by my father and I will love him. (John XIV. 21)
Bhagavad Gita: I am the way, supporter, lord, witness, abode, refuge, friend. (Ch. IX. 18)
New Testament, Bible: I am the way the truth and the life. (John XIV. 6.)
I am the first and the last. (Rev. 1. 17)
Bhagavad Gita: I never depart from him, he never departs from me. (Ch. VI. 30)
New Testament, Bible: He dwelleth in me and I in Him. (John VI. 57)
Bhagavad Gita: They who worship me with true devotion are in me and I in them. (Ch. VI. 29)
New Testament, Bible: I in them, thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one. (John XVII. 23)
Bhagavad Gita: Be assured that he who worships me, perishes not. (Ch. IX. 31)
New Testament, Bible: He that believeth in me shall never perish, but shall have eternal life. (John III. 5)
Bhagavad Gita: I am the beginning and the middle and the end of things. (Ch. X. 20)
New Testament, Bible: I am Alpha, Omega, the beginning and the ending. (Rev. I. 8)
Bhagavad Gita: I will deliver thee from all sin; do not grieve. (Ch. XVIII. 66)
New Testament, Bible: Son, be of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven. (Matt. IX. 2)
Bhagavad Gita: What sacrifice, almsgiving, or austerity is done without faith is evil. (Ch. XVII. 28)
New Testament, Bible: Whatsoever is not of faith is sin. (Rom. XIV. 23)
So now we know that at least one of them is liyng. Which one?
and guess who is plagiarizing whom.
Another take is they are accessing a similar transcendent perspective, though from different cultural perspectives in time. If one tradition was inspired at one point in history, why not the other from the same source of inspiration? A silly thought, perhaps, but a thought none-the-less, from wherever its source.
You can look and see which one is older, but that's beside the point.
We concentrate too much on the religion and not enough on the teaching. The finger pointing at the moon is not the moon.
Very nice post, despite the naysayers. I have read the Bhagavad-Gita. Keep a copy next to my bed as a matter of fact. As a devout Catholic, I have found the wisdom therein resonates with the teaching of my faith and confirms for me what is found in the catechism. That God, is constantly seeking, calling, seducing and bringing to Him all creation to His divine mercy and life.
Of course there are similarities, both of them are invented by men. How compatible is the first commandement? how compatible is 'reincarnation'? both fundamental doctrines.
No God is lying. No God wrote anything. God does not write and is only responsible for what is intended – God is not responsible for what people misunderstand and write down hundreds of years after the passing of any messenger/Prophet/Disciple etc.
@JJ I think that's an excellent observation. Why do we strive for this duality which does not exist?
I like music. I like folk music. I like gospel. I like jazz and classical. I like opera. Sometimes I sing. Sometimes I dance. Sometimes I hum.
The Bhagavad-Gita happens to be my favorite religious scripture of all the world's scriptures (I have read most of them). And I am not Hindu or even Indian. When I read it I feel as if I am Arjuna and the lord (in the form of Krishna) is revealing the knowledge to me. Such is the personal connection I feel when I read it. It's actually a very profound book. One of the best translations of it is by Sri Paramahansa Yogananda. Very thorough commentaries. But that's just me.
The Bible written (some 1600 yrs ago)says there was a Creator who created the space, earth & all the living things in a few days. The bible also says the earth is flat and people were punished by the church if they tried to prove the earth was a sphere. 1000 yrs before the bible was written people in India & china already knew the earth was a sphere. Alexander when he invaded India thought he had reached the end of the world & was shocked to hear the earth was not flat.
The Gita (more than 2500 years ago) says something more profound about the Universe creation & end – There is no beginning & no end. U be the judge, which do u think was written by some goat herders. Which would u prefer to read if u had a choice.
I
Pls give the scripture reference that says the earth is flat. Thanks!
No, it doesn't – you goober.
Speaking of the Torah (first five books of the old testament). This doesn't account for the oral history but:
Most modern Biblical scholars believe that the written books were a product of the Babylonian exilic period (c. 600 BCE) and that it was completed by the Persian period (c. 400 BCE).[5]
Change your screen name
Jesus said there are many roads but only one leads to everlasting life all these falls religions that believe in life after death as a spirit are falls easy way to find the true faith are those that dont believe in a spirit surviveing death. These false religions are believing in the teachings of plato look this up.
A bit 'INSECURE' about our religion are we? He he he he he
So all other religions are ridiculous myths and Christianity isn't?
I'd be more interested in what Plato said than Jesus. At least Socrates knew he didn't know all the answers, and so questioned everyone's preconceived notions.
would love to read this text..
People, Bhagvad Gita will truly enlighten everyone and every business major should read this book.It is just fascinating.
Tons of metaphor....people don't like having their brains exercised.
How about reading the only relevant book that teaches love, morals and respect....the bible.
jack
it also teaches ra pe, murder , slavery. It shows your god created the satan that you fear. Rubbish
It was created by men, to control what they thought was unacceptable behavior.
Try putting the book down and join reality.
I am an atheist, but that does not mean that I think any holy text is without merit, even if that merit is cultural perspective. A confident mind should be able to see these things without fear of being swayed or bamboozled by them. It is not impossible to be open to ideas and still apply critical thinking.
I feel like this planet is entirely populated by selfish children. Seriously? Who cares if you believe or not. The idea of reading something just for its alternate perspective seems completely alien to people. God forbid (no pun intended) that we just ignore something we don't like. Instead, we have to go out of our way to take offense to stupid things we know nothing about, like a child after his 15 minutes of fame. People need to grow up. Time to put the big-boy pants on people, you are driving me off-planet.
I don't understand the big fuss. If you like it, seek solace by reading it. To others just ignore it.
This is good, the bible didn't have enough toilet paper
Bahaha I enjoy this comment
SO disrespectful, I bet your mama is SO proud of you
You might be best suited to close that orrifice you crap out of...your mouth that is
The bible is from God hindu is from his enemy.
arrogance meet ignorance.
Best comment yet. Most others are dull and dry.
This book is not the enemy of G-d! I've read a bunch of holy texts from many different cultures and they ALL have the same principles in them. What you think your loving G-d left out telling other cultures how to find him? The path to G-d is thinking right, and acting right- when Jesus said I am the way he was saying Everything “I” think and do is the way to G-d. Jesus did not pray to himself now did he? Jesus message was so simple that most have not understood it. The bibles whole purpose is to teach man to have a right relationship with G-d and that comes only through thinking and acting (IE Jesus could not have used the word I without it including any thought or action that he had ever done or will ever do- right thinking/right action.) This Hindu book also teaches a person to think and act correctly before G-d. The path to G-d is through correct thought and action and this book as well as the bible teaches both those principles.
Don't lose your focus reading thru some of the posts here. Don't spread hate. The simplest thing to do, if you want to be religious, is to follow the faith in which you are born in to. Stay focused, be as sincere as possible, do the best you can. "God", by whatever name or form is laughing reading at all these comments. I am sure God must be thinking how ignorant we all are. You don't really have to go far looking for God. They say God is closer to you than your own skin. His/her essence lies within each and everyone of us. That is exactly what keeps us going everyday.
This is such an utterly false statement. First of all, I am a Christian. But what makes this comment false is no one should follow a religion just because you were born into it. This is rediculous. Like I said, I am Christian, but I have been, atheist, wiccan, and just plain lost, but I was born into Christianity. Went through all the aforementioned phases. I have looked for God everywhere when I felt lost. But only recently found him again in Christianity. As a Christian, I 100% believe in the Bible, Jesus, and God the Father, however, I believe that if a person is looking for God they should not just stay in the religion they were born into, but rather search for what seems right to them. I can say this as anChristian because I know if they are seeking God they will find Him eventually, after realizing the falicies of what they see before truly finding Him in Christianity. God bless.
Pugh, I find it interesting that you oppose his view but did exactly what he recommends.
I suppose I agree with one of the comments made here, pretty much every holy text will end up saying the same thing but varies in context. We can try to stop hopping from one religion to another and instead spend that time knowing and understanding the one we are born in to might yield a fruitful return, life is short as is, where is the time to understand everything that has been written for 1000s of years? But one thing is no brainer, it is easy to distinguish between whats good and whats bad, so making the right choice can take us thru the right path. It is also easy to understand not to disrespect other faiths. To do otherwise through ones life, just wasting their time, ultimately yields nothing. According to Hindu way of life, there is a belief to practice life as per Hindu principles while respecting people from other faiths. We don't believe in converting because Hinduism itself is not a religion. We believe everyone deserves happiness, good health, etc. regardless of religious backgrounds. Sun shines equally on all of us, there is just one earth that we all share, it doesn't make sense to confine prayers to one group of people and leave the rest out! When surroundings are nice, when whole nation is nice and healthy, that is when people who are subset of it will also inherit those qualities.