Author Archives: Melissa Moy

no anchors/links Written by Michele Moritis: May 26, 2003 Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, a Vedanta[i] teaching center with the only temple in the United States dedicated to Lord Daksinamurti, rests at the bottom of a forested valley hugged by the Poconos … Continue reading →

Written by Anne Lariviere: May 3, 2005 In Manhattan, religious communities abound, as evidenced by the multitude of churches and synagogues which line the city’s streets. These obvious beacons of religion may lead tourists to believe that New York is … Continue reading →

Written by Anjali A. Mehta May 2, 2005 One of the primary objectives of the “Hinduism Here” course, offered at Barnard College of Columbia University, is to investigate and explore the “historical, theological, social, and ritual dimensions of ‘lived Hinduism’” … Continue reading →

Written by Anne Lariviere April 10, 2005 Here Ammachi, “Beloved Mother,” is shown hugging one of her devotees. As you can see, Amma’s following is not uniquely South Asian, but rather she attracts an international following. On Tuesday nights, when … Continue reading →

Written by Anjali A. Mehta April 10, 2005 Born into the world with a glowing smile on her face rather than tears—this is how devotees of Mata Amritanandamayi Devi describe the beginnings of their guru’s life and her immediate possession … Continue reading →

Written by Jamie Berk: May 5, 2003 My interest in the youth membership of the America Sevashram Sangha was sparked during my first visit to Jamaica, Queens. This idea of “the youth” came up frequently in informal conversation with various … Continue reading →

Written by Alvino Sarran June 25, 2003 Introduction At the corner of a cramped street in the Jamaica section of Queens, nestled between a muddy park and small cemetery, stand two brick buildings, side by side. Blending into the surrounding … Continue reading →