麻豆约拍

Good Morning. 听Yesterday the Hindu celebration of Diwali was hosted in homes, temples, community centres, and even whole streets up and down the country. Well, having said Hindu, it is also celebrated by Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists, Muslims, and Christians in India, and is a public holiday in countries as far flung as Nepal, Thailand, Bali, and Singapore. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

听

It has become an important event in the Houses of Parliament, and is becoming as popular as the gunpowder plot celebrations, with its splendid fireworks and lamps, and may be more meaningful for this country as well.

听

At Guy Fawkes we celebrate the defeat of the jihadists of the day. In the other we join with another tradition to renew our commitment to dharma, to doing things that will nurture our relationships, our community, and our environment. Both use light as a symbol, through bonfires and through placing rows of lamps in our windows, and both appeal to our sense of right, and of what is best for our society.

听

The rows of lamps are to light the path of Lord Rama and his wife Sita who are returning to their kingdom after years of exile, adventure, and struggle. Rama has just defeated Ravana, the scallywag who stole his wife, and who represents our tendency to take rather than give. Rama personifies dharma, and acts, at great personal expense, even to the extent of losing his wife, for the benefit and betterment of others.

听

Dear Lord Rama, in this 21st century <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Britain our national celebrations and stories are changing, developing - and we celebrate many. Pray guide our thoughts so that our sense of public good is based on non-violence, and what is best for our society is recognised in the dharma of our actions. Hare Krishna