Introduction
The BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu sect
(http://www.swaminarayan.org/) is a global Hindu spiritual and cultural
movement, with hundreds of temples, and millions of people benefiting from
its spiritual, cultural, and social service (http://www.baps-care.org/)
activities. President Clinton visited the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham
Temple in Gujarat a few years ago. The leader of BAPS, His Holiness
Pramukh Swami Maharaj, has been instrumental in bringing together people
of different religions and promoting peace. My personal experience
with BAPS has been great, from attending temple services in Milpitas, California,
and from working with them after the Gujarat earthquake in 2001 (they provided
food and shelter to me - a volunteer).
The Temple Plans
BAPS has a wonderful plan for a
temple in Chino Hills, California, USA. Details of this are at http://www.ChinoHillsHinduMandir.org
The Hate Campaign Against Hindus
Unfortunately, local bigots led
by the newspaper editor and supported by Christian evangelicals have joined
together in a campaign against the temple. They may be supported
by Muslim extremists and Indian Marxists because the propaganda they are
using is the same that is used against other Hindu groups and pro-India
organizations. The website above will provide information on
the mandir, including a Facts and Fiction section. The website for
the opposition to BAPS is at http://chinohills.web.com/hindu_temple_update_2003-08-20.html
Why Should You Care?
This attack on a leading Hindu
movement shows how much anti-Hindu thought has penetrated beyond the standard
Hindu bashers (Islamic fundamentalists, Christian evangelicals, and Indian
Marxists). Every Hindu leader and organization should be concerned
because this hatred will eventually affect all Hindus. As the India
Development and Relief Fund was attacked, any successful pro-India or Hindu
organization can be a target of multifaceted propaganda campaigns.
Please do not write directly to the opposition and do not contact the person maintaining the opposing website. Also, if you respond to the mandir's campaign (http://www.chinohillshindumandir.org/support.html), please be positive about the mandir, not negative on other things. Focus on the positives of the planned mandir and community center, and BAPS itself. The goal is to get the temple permit, not necessarily to protest at this stage.
Action Items
1) Visit the above website to get
informed
2) Forward this email to your friends, family, and co-workers, including non-Hindus.
3) Fill out the on-line letter to the City Council at http://www.chinohillshindumandir.org/support.html and get your friends, family, and co-workers to sign as well.
4) If you know someone living in the Chino Hills area (irrespective of their race or religion), please inform them about this website, the project benefits, the opposition, and how they can help
5) If you know influential people
in Chino Hills, particularly politicians, business or professional people,
and community leaders, please get their support.