North (East) and Central Asia

Russia

In the lead up to the New Year holiday season, Dada Sudakhar undertook a lecture and seminar circuit of Irkutsk in Siberia, Almaty and Pavloda in Kazhakistan, and Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan. Many people learnt meditation, asanas and kiirtan.

Around 250 people attended the two main regional conferences in Siberia and the Far East, preceded by public lectures and seminars. Many came in contact with Ananda Marga and two new units were started. A new meditation hall was constructed in the master unit in Far East Russia.

Mongolia

AMURT is actively serving poor people, distributing food, clothes and blankets to poor families. In September AMURT organised a medical camp and treated families in a poor area of Ulaanbaatar.

A guesthouse for tourists with 24 beds was started in Ulaanbaatar. It will operate as an income generation project and will train teenage girls from the children's home.

Lotus Children's Center

Download the December 2009 issue of Lotus News, the newsletter of the Lotus Children's Center

Didi Ananda Kalika has been running the Lotus children's home and school for almost 15 years now. She was recently honored for this work by receiving the Order of Australia. The Governor General of Australia presented it to Didi, and she was also interviewed by ABC Television in Australia. The Ching Hai organisation also gave an award to Didi along with a $10,000 prize for the home.

Korea

Ananda Marga has organized several RAWA concerts in Korea. Dada Shubhacintananda performed Prabhat Samgiita at a Ching Hai conference, which was translated into 15 languages and broadcast on Suprememater.tv. Dada Bhavottarananda taught Prabhat Samgiita, kiirtan, meditation and yoga to 15,000 children in a summer holiday camp. Didi Ananda Arpana gave public lectures in three cities. Dada Cittarainjanananda organized several children camps and fasting camps at the master unit.

Japan

With the help of Didi Sarvajina and Dada Vijiitatmananda, meditation and yoga seminars were held in Tokyo, Kyoto and Fukuoka.

Hong Kong and Macau

Dada Gunamuktananda is giving regular talks on meditation at the University of Hong Kong and yoga studios around town. He also visited Macau in early December, speaking at the House of Portugal, Yoga World, a drug rehabilitation center, and the University of Macau Department of Psychology.

Taiwan

After the typhoon in southern Taiwan, an AMURT/EL team of 30 volunteers including went to the affected area and assisted with the cleanup operation of shops and offices, etc.  About 50 relief packages were donated and food was distributed to hundreds of victims. Trauma counseling was also give to local children.

A very successful AMURT/EL disaster relief training was held in Ananda Suruci in October. The trainers came from Haiti and Norway and presented an interesting, effective and inspiring program.

Service activities in Taipei are proceeding on a regular basis, with visits to the Sing-Long Senior Citizen Center, the Ai Ai Elder's Care Center and the School for Mentally Challenged Children in Lin-Kou. Hundreds of people are benefitted by the sharing of stretching exercises, asanas, singing of devotional songs, kiirtan, meditation and satsaunga. We have received appreciation letters and inspiring comments from all institutions. Lunch boxes are distributed to more than 200 homeless in Taipei. Service work is also happening at every city in Taiwan.

Other activities in Taipei: 37 weekly asanas classes, several weekly meditation classes, 2 weekly philosophy classes, and 4 weekly group meditations. Classes are also given to blind people and to youth in the jail. NHE/Gurukul Study Circle is running consistently twice a month, and there are also regular farmer’s club and music club meetings.

In July, 200 people attended a Prout lecture at the College of Social Sciences, NTU, which included a video conference with Dr. Ravi Batra.

More recently a public speech given on Rajadhiraja Yoga was attended by 150 people.

Hong Kong Sectorial Autumn Conference 2009

Held from 9-11 October at beautiful Ananda Suruci, Taiwan, the latest retreat was an inspiring gathering of nearly 250. The Taipei margiis worked hard to make this conference a success: from the classes, RAWA evening and kiirtan all the way to the delicious food!



An inspiring Akhanda Kiirtan in the early morning of the first day was followed by the opening ceremony which started off with a beautiful song on the theme of the conference, “Namaskar”. Our guest representative Ac. Shantatmananda Avt. inspired us to become ideal human beings and to build up our Cosmic Family. Dada Shubhaniryasananda, Didi Ananda Rashmika and Tapeshvar welcomed all to the conference and emphasized the devotion and grace that brought us together. 

The lectures and workshop during the seminar were on various subjects covering many aspects of Ananda Marga philosophy and practice: Dada Shantatmananda gave a devotional lecture and shared his insights, wisdom and experiences with Baba on the spiritual path. Simultaneously with the morning lectures, separate programs for beginners were held by Dada Karunamaya and Liila. Around 20 new people were introduced to Ananda Marga practices, the concept and importance of guru, service and the science of kiirtan.

In the afternoon workshops on AMURT/AMURTEL by Dada Unmantrananda, Kiirtan by Didi Ananda Gunamrta, Master Units by Dada Yukteshananda and Priyadarshi, and Prout by Jiivandeva and Dada Rasabuddhananda. There was also a workshop on farming practices.

While parents and guardians were engaged in classes and collective spiritual practices, their children had a great time in the Children's Camp. Play, drama, stories, songs and lots of fun. They wished the conference would happen more often and last much longer!

Many brothers and sisters enthusiastically participated in the Kaoshikii and Tandava competitions. Full of energy and zeal the dancers showed their inspiration for these spiritual dances. Carushiila came first out of the sisters' side, while Tapesh managed to win both dances for the brothers.

Several acaryas filled the first evening with devotional stories. They shared their experiences with Baba in the romantic atmosphere of the candle-lit meditation room. Sweet kiirtan and the inspiring stories filled the devotees hearts and increased their longing for the Divine.

A wonderful RAWA program was held on the second evening, with participation from artists from all over the world. Three native songs by a Taiwanese aborigine deeply touched everyone's heart, and reminded all of the beauty of our cultural diversity and the need to protect it. Anima from Taichung performed a dance to the Shiva Giiti. Songs, interactive kiirtan and even a rap interlude showed the diversity of the spiritual musical expression and creativity of margiis and acaryas. The last performance of the evening was a drama written by Tapesh. The acting by margiis from the Taipei Music Club, the songs, the stage setting and AV effects showcased the talent, creativity and dedication of this group and was much appreciated by all.

The RAWA program was immediately followed by a 9-hour Akhanda  Kiirtan throughout the night. During the closing ceremony several new margiis commented on the irresistible attraction of the kiirtan that night, leaving them with only a few hours of sleep yet full of inspiration and energy. Right after the kiirtan a very clear and inspiring video of Baba's speech was shown, with subtitles in both Chinese and English. Many margiis commented on how much they valued the video this time. 

The next Sectorial Conference will be 3-5 April 2010.