and/or www.mantra.com/jai (Dr. Jai Maharaj)
2011-11-06 20:42:52 UTC
Hinduism spreads in Ghana, reaches Togo
IANS
The Pioneer
http://www.dailypioneer.com
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Accra - From just two dozen people in the mid 1970s to 3,000 families
now, Hinduism is spreading in Ghana and has also made its way into
neighbouring Togo.
Hindu worship began to grow in Ghana after African spiritual leader,
Essel ji, was initiated by Swami Krishnanda ji Saraswati into the
Holy Order of Renunciation in 1976, said Kwesi Anamoah, national
president of the African Hindu Temple here.
"Today, there are 2,000 to 3,000 families worshipping all over the
country which is a big increase from the 24 people who participated
in the first-ever training camp in 1976 to become disciples," Anamoah
told IANS.
"We have not achieved this through the winning of souls as other
religions do, but have attracted people into the practice of Hinduism
simply by the lives we lead," he said, adding: "Our lives shine in
the community to attract people."
Christians form nearly 70 percent of the 24 million population of
Ghana while the population of six million in Togo includes nearly 30
percent Christians and 20 percent Muslims.
Anamoah said that the practice of Hinduism as a religion and its
unique philosophy is helping to change the lives of those who have
accepted the faith.
He said the first ever Hindu monastery has been built in Ghana and it
is from here that Hinduism is spreading.
"We do not evangelise like other faiths do, but we have attracted
people because they see how we live our lives as Hindus and come to
make enquiries and then find their way into our folds," Anamoah
added.
He said the monastery annually holds six weeks' training for those
interested to become devotees.
"It is a religion that cannot be explained in simple terms...we do
not go into the streets to talk to people; rather, they are invited
to come and understand."
Anamoah said perceptions about the religion has changed with time.
"We have also been able to change initial perception that Hindu
worshipping was cultural enslavement...," he added.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/pioneer-news/india-abroad/18344-hinduism-spreads-in-ghana-reaches-togo.html
More at:
http://www.dailypioneer.com
Jai Maharaj, Jyotishi
Om Shanti
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poster. The contents are protected by copyright law and the exemption for
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which may or may not have been specifically authorized by the copyright
owner. This material is being made available in efforts to advance the
understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic,
democratic, scientific, social, and cultural, etc., issues. It is believed
that this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as
provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title
17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without
profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included
information for research, comment, discussion and educational purposes by
subscribing to USENET newsgroups or visiting web sites. For more information
go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml
If you wish to use copyrighted material from this article for purposes of
your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the
copyright owner.
Since newsgroup posts are being removed
by forgery by one or more net terrorists,
this post may be reposted several times.
IANS
The Pioneer
http://www.dailypioneer.com
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Accra - From just two dozen people in the mid 1970s to 3,000 families
now, Hinduism is spreading in Ghana and has also made its way into
neighbouring Togo.
Hindu worship began to grow in Ghana after African spiritual leader,
Essel ji, was initiated by Swami Krishnanda ji Saraswati into the
Holy Order of Renunciation in 1976, said Kwesi Anamoah, national
president of the African Hindu Temple here.
"Today, there are 2,000 to 3,000 families worshipping all over the
country which is a big increase from the 24 people who participated
in the first-ever training camp in 1976 to become disciples," Anamoah
told IANS.
"We have not achieved this through the winning of souls as other
religions do, but have attracted people into the practice of Hinduism
simply by the lives we lead," he said, adding: "Our lives shine in
the community to attract people."
Christians form nearly 70 percent of the 24 million population of
Ghana while the population of six million in Togo includes nearly 30
percent Christians and 20 percent Muslims.
Anamoah said that the practice of Hinduism as a religion and its
unique philosophy is helping to change the lives of those who have
accepted the faith.
He said the first ever Hindu monastery has been built in Ghana and it
is from here that Hinduism is spreading.
"We do not evangelise like other faiths do, but we have attracted
people because they see how we live our lives as Hindus and come to
make enquiries and then find their way into our folds," Anamoah
added.
He said the monastery annually holds six weeks' training for those
interested to become devotees.
"It is a religion that cannot be explained in simple terms...we do
not go into the streets to talk to people; rather, they are invited
to come and understand."
Anamoah said perceptions about the religion has changed with time.
"We have also been able to change initial perception that Hindu
worshipping was cultural enslavement...," he added.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/pioneer-news/india-abroad/18344-hinduism-spreads-in-ghana-reaches-togo.html
More at:
http://www.dailypioneer.com
Jai Maharaj, Jyotishi
Om Shanti
o Not for commercial use. Solely to be fairly used for the educational
purposes of research and open discussion. The contents of this post may not
have been authored by, and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the
poster. The contents are protected by copyright law and the exemption for
fair use of copyrighted works.
o If you send private e-mail to me, it will likely not be read,
considered or answered if it does not contain your full legal name, current
e-mail and postal addresses, and live-voice telephone number.
o Posted for information and discussion. Views expressed by others are
not necessarily those of the poster who may or may not have read the article.
FAIR USE NOTICE: This article may contain copyrighted material the use of
which may or may not have been specifically authorized by the copyright
owner. This material is being made available in efforts to advance the
understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic,
democratic, scientific, social, and cultural, etc., issues. It is believed
that this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as
provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title
17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without
profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included
information for research, comment, discussion and educational purposes by
subscribing to USENET newsgroups or visiting web sites. For more information
go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml
If you wish to use copyrighted material from this article for purposes of
your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the
copyright owner.
Since newsgroup posts are being removed
by forgery by one or more net terrorists,
this post may be reposted several times.