UniYatra Blog

Kyoto Monkeys (Kukurizaru at Yasaka Koshindo Temple in Kyoto)

2005-10-22T16:14:00.000-05:00

At Yasaka Koshindo Temple, near Kiyomizutera, we stumbled across a small shrine. Hanging outside were strings of stuffed items, and inside were the same items with words written on them. We discovered that these items were supposed to be monkeys are intended to help you eliminate some kind of desire. You write the desire you wish to disgard on the monkey (much like you write a prayer on an ema) and hang it in the shrine.

The following is the text of a handout about Kukurizaru from Yasaka Koshindo Temple in Kyoto:

Yasaka Koshindo Temple

Koshin-san (Shomen kongo (the blue warrior), one of the Buddhist guardians) likes good people. Therefore, divine favor is given to them. But he abhors bad people. Therefore, punishment is given to them. His wish is that everybody will become a good person. That is why he has an angry face so that humans will not have a wicket heart. He aids those who try with all their might to be a good person.

Kukurizaru (The Hanging Monkey)

The Kukurizaru is a monkey which has its hands and feet tied together and cannot move. It is said that the monkey is an animal very like man, but after all it is an animal that simply acts upon its will or desire. If you go to a zoo, you can see that a monkey just plays about as it likes. This figure is compared to the desire in man, and in order that "desire" can not come out it is tied by Koshin.

In order to have one of your wishes granted by the monkey, you should get rid of one of your desires.

When you put in the effort to fulfill your wish, your desire tries to come out and prevent it from coming true. So you must put your desire in the monkey and Koshin will help you control it. Therefore, if your desire tries to come out and you do a bad thing, or you lose the willto keep up your effort as though the monkey in you is playing about you should remember Koshin's angry face. You should warn yourself that "You will be punished" and you should control your desire like a hanging monkey. If you do a good thing the hanging monkey will help you as a servant of Koshin. If you feel a desire coming on, you should put your hands together, pray to Koshin, and recite the Buddhist sutra:

"ON DEIBA YAKISYA BANTA BANTA KAKAKAKA SOWAKA"

If your monkey gets dirty or old you should replace it with a new one. And, if you do not need it anymore, please sent it back to Koshindo.

Writer: Emi Kitagawa (Kyoto Saga University of Arts, Department of Tourism Design)
Email: b103901@kyoto-saga.ac.jp
Editor: Eleanor Robinson (Kyoto University)

Below are two pictures of the hanging monkeys with (I assume) desires of which people wish to rid themselves (sorry, a bit blury):

What in the World is This? (4)

2005-09-20T22:03:00.000-05:00

I took this picture during a trip to India in 1991. Can you guess what it is?

Here's a hint: I took this picture while inside, looking up. And it allowed me to sleep comfortably at night.

Give up? It's a mosquito net.

During that trip many years ago was the first time I had ever seen such a thing. Heck, now you can find them at places like Pier 1 (perhaps for more decorative purposes?) and maybe even at camping stores.

Effective? Yes indeed!

TrueCrypt: open-source encryption software

2005-09-19T12:54:00.000-05:00

I have been looking at applications that support file and folder
encryption on Windows-based computers. The ideal application should be
reliable, should be easy to use, should support multiple encryption
methods, should run and mount automatically when a configured removable
device (e.g., a USB Flash Disk or a mobile USB hard drive) is activated,
and should run self-contained (no software installation needed on the
host system).

Conclusion: Among the many free and commercial offerings, most appear to
offer solid, basic file and folder encryption. I am most impressed by
TrueCrypt, a free open-source disk encryption application for Windows
XP/2000/2003. TrueCrypt is easy to use, runs in a self-contained,
auto-mounting mode, supports a wide variety of encryption options
(including cascading options), and has good documentation and user
support via its forum web site.

Caveats: All solutions I found require administrator rights on the host
computer; so using these solutions on systems you have control (e.g.,
can install software on) should work fine, but they may not work well in
Internet Cafe's or on lab computers were user access is restricted.

For installation details, please see this document.

Gadgets: USB Flash Disk

2005-09-17T18:50:00.000-05:00

Flash Disk, USB flash disk, flash drive, thumb drive? Any of these terms sound familiar?

If you haven't tried one, you'll be amazed by the small size, simplicity and usability of these devices. You can plug a USB flash drive into just about any computer and use it just like a floppy disk (just faster, more reliable, and with larger capacity).

Maybe you are interested in the technology behind these devices?

For over two years I have been using a variety of flash disks from SANDISK, their 128MB version, 256MB version, and 1 gigabyte version.Right now, a great price point is the 1GB SANDISK Flash Disk. The 1GB model was originally priced around $300, but you can find them now for under $80.

USB flash disks do have some limitations, though. They do not last forever and can, especially after being used for a while, fail or corrupt information you store on them. My USB flash disks have failed twice. The first time, I lost several files; they just disappeared after I tried to copy some files to it. The second time, I lost a large email archive I had stored. No warning, no errors, just *gone*.

So, think carefully about how you use a USB flash disk. One of its most convenient uses is to carry critical files with you when you go back and forth from home to the office or when you are travelling. As much of a pain as it is to make backups, save the information on your USB flash disk regularly and often. I use a free program called SyncBack. It can either backup or synchronize the files on your USB flash disk (or any other disk for that matter).

Also, remember one of the most important points of using removable storage devices: when you are done, stop the device from Windows before disconnecting it. A quick, illustrated how-to can be found on this How To Remove A USB Device web page.

You can scope out the features and performance of different USB flash disk models in the ArsTechnica "Son of the USB 2.0 Hi-speed Flash drive roundup" article.

If you are looking for something else to do with your USB flash disk besides store files, check out Portable Firefox and Portable Thunderbird. These hacked versions of your favorite Firefox and Thunderbird will run completely off the USB flash disk -- convenient when you're traveling or wanting to check your email with your own email client at an Internet Cafe.

In a future post, I will write about options for encrpyting information on your USB flash disk or other storage device.

UniYatra Interesting Links: World Food Program "Food Force" Game

2005-09-17T15:55:00.000-05:00

The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) has produced a free, entertaining, and educationnal game called "Food Force". The premise: a major crisis has developed in the Indian Ocean, on the island of Sheylan. We’re sending ina new team to step up the World Food Programme’s presence there and help feed millions of hungry people. Downloads (200MB+) are available for PC and Mac.

For other links of interest, including Cuke Skywalker and Darth Tader in... "STORE WARS: THE ORGANIC REBELLION" and "Ashes and Snow", please see the UniYatra Group Interesting Links page.

UniYatra Interesting Links: "Store Wars"

2005-09-16T22:02:00.000-05:00

Cuke Skywalker, Obi Wan Cannoli, Princess Lettuce, Chewbroccoli takes on Darth Tader in... STORE WARS: THE ORGANIC REBELLION. More information can be found in the Store Wars Press Release.

This Macromedia Flash movie was created by Free Range Graphics; they also produced:

Japan: Rain Drain

2005-08-31T17:40:00.000-05:00

I was tempted to make this a "What in the World is This?" piece, but the answer would have been a bit too obvious.

In the US, we use gutters that guide rainwater all the way down to the ground and (hopefully!) away from the house.

I am fascinated by the "rain drains" in Japan: decorative and functional (I assume).

Hindu Symbolism in Miyajima

2005-08-16T17:13:00.000-05:00

Ameeta and I found these unusual statues in Miyajima, Japan. They are unusual because the statues represent Hindu gods, something generally not seen in Japan.

Professor Phyllis Larson notes that the characters read かんぎてん (kangiten) and the first two both mean joy or pleasure. Apparently this refers to religious joy. In my Japanese dictionary there is a reference to a religious person who receives the sutra with joy and protects it. In another dictionary, the word is listed as a Buddhist term that refers to heaven in the Jodo sect. The first dictionary also said that the top half is always an elephant, and the lower, human. But clearly this is a sign of Buddhist origins in Hinduism, don't you think?

Other details on this include:

Ganesh Worship in Japan by Satish Purohit:

Scholars commonly date the presence of Ganesha in Japan with the age of Kukai (774- 834), the founder of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism. The centrality of the worship of Ganesha or Vinayaka or Kangiten, as he is popularly called in Japan, is a distinguishing feature of this cult. The doctrines, rituals and beliefs of the sect have a number of parallels with the cult of Ganpatyas, to which belonged saints like Gajanan Maharaj of Shegao, Maharashtra.

China, the land through which the Elephant-headed divinity entered Japan has Ganesha Sculptures dating back to the fourth century, which surprisingly predates any depiction of Ganesh in India. Both the lands recognize Ganesha as having converted to Buddhism.

Ganesha’s most popular form in Japan is the dual-Vinayaka or the Embracing Kangi. Two tall figures, elephant headed but human bodied, male and female, stand in embrace. The female wears a jeweled crown, a patched monks robe and a red surplice.

One definition of kangiten is:

Also read Kankiten. Also Shouten/Shouden 聖天. Abbreviation of Daishoukangiten 大聖歓喜天. The elephant-headed Indian deity Ganesa, who is also sometimes called Nandikesvara, Ganapat or Vinayaka. A son of Siva still worshipped as a deity who foils obstacles to ones actions and grants good fortune to new beginnings. He appears in the *Ryoukai mandara 両界曼荼羅 as an elephant-headed deity called Binayakaten 毘那夜迦天. In China and Japan he came to be revered under the the name of Kangiten. Although in texts, two, four and six-armed forms are mentioned, in Japan Kangiten is usually shown as a pair of two-armed, elephant-headed deities in embrace. Images of Kangiten are rare and many are kept as secret images in temples and shrines. Many are small, and made of metal because his ritual involves pouring oil over the images. The ritual associated with Kangiten was secret and was part of other ritual observances, such as the goshichinichi no mishuhou 後七日の御修法 . In popular worship he signifies conjugal harmony and long life. There is an iconographic drawing of Kangiten in Touji 東寺, Kyoto, by Chinkai 珍海 (1091-1152).

Hokaiji in Kamakura contains a kangitenimage in its Kangiten Hall

At the southeast corner of the Temple grounds or on the right of the main hall stands a small structure, in which the statue of Kangiten (Nandikesvara in Skt.), an ICA, is enshrined. The statue with 152-centimeter height, made during the first half of the 14th century, is unique in that it has two elephant faces on two human bodies hugging each other. Originally, Kangiten was a god of Hinduism and was later employed by Buddhism. In Japanese folklore, Kangiten is believed to invite a conjugal affection and bless couples with children. Unfortunately, the statue is not on public display and the feretory door is always closed.

Kangiten can also be found at Gumyo-ji in Yokohama:

And, although not ordinarily on view to the public, the temple has a Buddhist statue called the Kangiten. This Buddhist image, which is originally a Hindu Deity, is carved in the unusual form of a man and woman embracing each other. Incidentally, if reservations are made for five or more people, it is possible to have a shojin Buddhist-style meal at the temple, consisting of purely vegetarian fare, without meat, fish or eggs. On such occasions, visitors are given the opportunity to see the Kangiten.

Finally, this book (which I have not yet read) contains a chapter on Hinduism in Japan: Ganesa : Unravelling an Enigma (ISBN 81-208-1413-4). Thanks to Google Scholar, the following exerpts relate to kangiten in Japan:

Ganesa is called Shoten (noble god), Daishoten (great noble god) and Tenson (venerable god) in popular parlance in Japan. [...] He is an important diety in the mantrayana (esoteric) school of Japanese Buddhism. [...] Shoten is also quite popular in the non-esoteric sects. In 1979, Ganesa was being worshipped in as many as 243 temples in Japan. [p. 163]

In Japan, Ganesa is known generally by three names: Binyakaten, the generic appellation Binayaka meaning Vinayaka, Shoten (Aryadeca) and Kangiten. His other names are Ganabachi or Ganapati and Ganwha (Ganesa). [...] The third epithet Kangiten applies to a unique type of Ganesa evolved in China and Japan known as the double (two-paired). Kangiten is a god of happiness; or joy who brings prosperity and promotes well-being. Thus, the Japanese Ganesa, like the Indian prototype, is both a vighnakarta, obstacle creator and vighnaharta, obstacle remover, in his tantric form he radiates happiness, joy. [p. 164]

Is a "Tontine" a viable retirement investment?

2005-08-13T17:09:00.000-05:00

ODE Magazine summarizes an article in the September 2004 issue of Prospect Magazine on the renewed interest in "tontines" as a retirement vehicle. Excerpting the ODE Magazine article:

A tontine [...] is a kind of annuity insurance where a group of people raise capital and then benefit from the interest. If one person dies, his or her share is divided among the remaining members. An example. Let's say 100 65-year-old men and women form a tontine. Everyone makes a one-time contribution of 5,000 dollars and the total sum is invested at three percent interest. Each member benefits from the annual interest earned. When someone in the group dies, there are fewer people sharing the accrued interest. When 25 percent of the original group remains -- let's say 20 years later -- the situation changes. The remaining capital is distributed in fixed amounts for another 10 years among an increasingly small group. In the past, tontines were occasionally associated with fraud and murder. But those problems can be easily avoided now by reliable financial oversight and anonymity for members.

In researching tontines, I found some basic background in the Wikipedia entry for tontines. I also ran across this article on the history of annuities. It doesn't provide much new information but does have some useful background. I also found more information on Aegon's Web Site (out of the Netherlands), including:

Tontine plans are linked pure endowment savings contracts, with a tontine bonus structure. Policyholders can choose from several funds in which to invest premiums paid. When death occurs before maturity, the tontine plans pay a death benefit equal to the premiums accumulated at 4% compound interest, subject to a minimum of 110% of the fund value during the first half of the contract term. This death benefit is charged on a yearly risk premium basis. The amount of death benefit that is charged for is equal to the total benefit paid to the policyholder, plus any un-recouped acquisition costs. When death occurs, the balance in the investment account is not paid out to the policyholder's estate, but is distributed out at the end of the year to the surviving policyholders of the specific series (a new series starts at the beginning of each calendar year) to which the deceased policyholder belonged. On survival to the maturity date, a benefit equal to the fund value, inclusive of tontine bonuses, is paid out. This is subject to a minimum of the premiums paid, provided the Mix Fund was chosen for investing premiums.

I'm curious if anyone knows of companies in the US that offer tontines?

IECC: Intercultural Email Classroom Connections, A History

2005-03-31T17:38:00.000-06:00

Expanding access to electronic mail is a powerful tool for bringing us into more immediate contact with partners from other cultures. There is growing interest at local and national levels in the US and abroad to promote intercultural education and to develop a "global perspective."

When we encounter an unfamiliar culture, we tend to rely on what others have told us, on our imagination, and on our perceptions to develop a picture of the culture. Communication through global networking, however, can help by putting us more in control of discovering first-hand information about people from other cultures and by allowing students to become more active creators of their own learning experiences. Through a global education, we learn to recognize, accept, and integrate in some way that which is culturally different.

In 1992, Professor Bruce Roberts, Professor Howard Thorsheim, and I struggled to find partner classroom for our e-mail projects. While we were pleased with the success of our initial e-mail partnership efforts with the two Japanese schools, we were eager to expand our partnerships to include classrooms in other countries. Realizing that our difficulty finding partner classes abroad for e-mail exchanges must not be unique, in October, 1993, we created IECC as free service to help teachers link with partners in other countries and cultures for e-mail classroom pen-pal and project exchanges.

Although our primary intent was to assist college and university faculty in building classroom e-mail partnerships, we were pleasantly surprised to also see a great deal of interest at the K-12 level.

Initially, we named the mailing list "International E-Mail Classroom Connections" but soon realized that the word "international" did not accurately represent the intercultural nature of the links people were making within the United States: rural schools linking up with city schools and Chicago suburban schools connecting with schools in the southwestern U.S., for example. In March, 1994, in response to tremendous growth and a recognition of the multiple purposes for which the mailing list was being used, we renamed the IECC mailing list "Intercultural E-Mail Classroom Connections" and split it into three components: IECC, IECC-PROJECTS, and IECC-DISCSUSSION. In January, 1995 we also added a branch of the IECC focused on higher-ed (IECC-HE) and in April, 1995 one devoted to student-generated surveys (IECC-SURVEYS). Finally, in February, 1999 we added IECC-INTERGEN, an intergenerational linking component, to the IECC project.

Because of the popularity of IECC, the time required to maintain the system and respond to inquiries from subscribers was becoming unmanagable. In 2001 we agreed to transfer IECC to Teaching.com, who now runs IECC service at www.teaching.com/iecc.

From its creation in 1992, IECC distributed over 28,000 requests for e-mail partnerships. At the time of its transition, IECC counted 7200 teachers in 79 countries as subscribers.

While Bruce, Howard, and I continue to be interested in appropriate applications of technology in education, our efforts have turned in other directions, some of which you may be reading about later on this blog!

I'll sign off from this entry with a quote computing colleague Dan Boehlke made several years ago that, even with the massive changing in computing and communications, is still entirely relevant:

It is a given that networks may connect computers to each other. The connection of computers is insignificant, when compared to the ability of a network to connect people to each other, building a global community. Networks are for people.

Upcoming Events - upcoming.org

2005-03-30T17:53:00.000-06:00

I just ran across a site called Upcoming.org. Registered users can enter events. Registered or not, you can search by metro area, by venue, or by person. Coolest of all, you can subscribe to event lists via RSS (for easy incorporation into your RSS Reader or as a Bloglines.com subscription) or iCal.

I've subscribed to the RSS Feed for Northfield, MN. You can also view a web site containing the Events in Northfield, MN.

Northfield: Joseph Mbele Book Signing: Africans and Americans: Embracing Cultural Differences

2005-03-20T13:37:00.000-06:00

Joseph Mbele, author of the will be reading from signing copies his just-published book "Africans and Americans: Embracing Cultural Differences" at River City Books on April 11, 2005 at 7:00 PM...

Time: Monday, April 11, 2005 7:00 PM
Location: River City Books
Title of Event: Joseph Mbele-Africans and Americans: Embracing Cultural Differences

You can also visit the River City Books announcement or order the book online.

What in the World is This? (3)

2005-01-09T10:44:00.000-06:00

Every Shinto Shrine I have visited in Japan has a place for these. What in the World is This?

The answer:

These are called ema. Visitors to Japanese shrines purchase these small wooden tiles from official vendors in front of the shrine. The ema are often decorated on the front with an image related to the shrine or to the animal associated with the Chinese calendar.
People then write a wish or prayer (onegai koto) on the back of the ema and hang them on stands near the shrine (as pictured here).

Most ema are shaped like what you see in the pictures that follow, though there can be some variation. A "standard" size ema, perhaps six inches wide by three inches tall and half an inch thick, costs about ¥500; some larger ema might cost as much as ¥1000.

You might be interested in more information about Shinto.

Here are a some examples of designs on the front of an ema:

Below are some examples of people's "onegai koto":

And this is an example of how the ema are hung near the temple:

Japan: Signs: Watch for Suspicious Behavior

2005-01-09T09:58:00.000-06:00

We found these signs in several Tokyo train and subway stations.

Note: During a November 2004 trip to Japan, Phyllis Larson, Ameeta and I took several pictures of Japanese signs and billboards to use as reading resource materials in St. Olaf's Japanese language classes. This posting is one in a series of these sign. For more information or for higher-resolution images, please contact me.

What in the World is This? (2)

2005-01-03T20:16:00.000-06:00

Yes, we saw trees all over, in the cities and rural areas, with wrappings like what you see in the picture to the right? What in the World is This?

The answer:

Actually it is a "tree protector" of sorts. The ideas is that insects that start crawling up a tree trunk will get caught munching on the rice straw (not quite sure if that's what it's made of, but...) before bothering the tree itself. At some point, the people caring for the trees will remove and burn these mats, effectively preventing the tree from insect infestation. Pest control, of a natural, chemical-free variety. Cool, huh?

Japan: Beautiful Sites

2005-01-02T16:10:00.000-06:00

During our November, 2004 stay in Japan, we were fortunate to have a clear view of My. Fuji (Fuji-san) in Hakone:

and of some beautiful scenery in Kyoto; sadly our pictures don't reflect the true beauty of the fall momiji (maple) leaves changing colors:

Japan: Tsukiji Train Station Billboards

2005-01-02T10:00:00.000-06:00

The public transportation system in Tokyo is like nothing I've seen anywhere else. Many subway stations are built as part of underground malls, sometimes extending several blocks in many directions.

We found it interesting to observe the distinct character of various stations, often reflecting aspects of its neighborhood. Near the Edo-Tokyo Museum, also home to several sumo stables and arenas, you find billboards about sumo wrestling. You don't need to imagine the advertising you might see at the station near the Tsukiji Fish Market!

Note: During a November 2004 trip to Japan, Phyllis Larson, Ameeta and I took several pictures of Japanese signs and billboards to use as reading resource materials in St. Olaf's Japanese language classes. This posting is one in a series of these sign. For more information or for higher-resolution images, please contact me.

Challenges of managing a religiously sensitive environment

2004-12-31T16:59:00.000-06:00

Anant Ramachan writes in a Star Tribune Op-Ed Piece about how we can manage and implement environments that are sensitive to people of a variety of religious backgrounds.

In his article, he responds to criticism of St. Paul Region's Hospital for removing a Christian cross from the hospital's chapel. He succinctly summarizes Region's Hospital's challenge by writing: "The motivation is not necessarily concern to avoid offense, but to offer a space that could be meaningfully utilized by people of different religious commitments."

He suggests four solutions, ones that we can easily generalize to all sorts of situations: 1. cease offering any sort of religious accomodation; 2. offer all sorts of religious accomodation; 3. all people of all religions to make desired accomodations; and 4. accomodate needs without including items or symbolism that may make a person from another religious background uncomfortable.

Read through his article and arguments. What do you think? Please post your followup comments.

What in the World is This? (1)

2004-12-31T16:08:00.000-06:00

We found this item hanging from the ceiling of a traditional building in Takayama, Gifu-ken. What in the World is This?

The answer:

It is a ball of rice straw (?) constructed once a year and hung inside sake shops. It is a symbol that represents a sake shop, particularly in the olden days. The one in this picture, from an old style street in Takayama, Gifu Perfecture, is huge, maybe five feet in diameter.

Travel: Kyoto Maiko

2004-12-31T16:06:00.000-06:00

During Ameeta's and my trip to Japan last November, we spent a couple of days sightseeing in Kyoto. What we did not plan was to share this experience with the throng of Japanese who also decided to make Kyoto their sightseeing destination for an extended Japanese Labor Day weekend.

In any case, we started our touring on the eastern side of Kyoto, taking a bus out to Kiyomizu-dera. We were fortunate to have a beautiful, cool, fall day; the momiji (maple) leaves were prime for viewing, so we enjoyed strolling from one site to another in that area.

As we were climbing up to Kiyomizu-dera, we were surprised to find ourselves following two maiko maiko up the steps.

While it is not uncommon to see an occasional individual or small group of people (usually women) wearing traditional Japanese kimono walking around town, we had not seen anything like this before.

As the day progressed, we ran into several other pairs of maiko. They were happy to oblige having their picture taken with any number of tourists, Japanese and non-Japanese alike, but did not desire to interact or converse.

Wearing traditional Japanese geta, they walked very slowly. So we were surprised when we later saw (and tried to follow) another maiko, this time solo, perhaps running to work. Amazing how fast a person can navigate through a crowd of people wearing geta.

Removal of cross from hospital chapel is sign of inclusion, not political correctness

2004-12-30T18:07:00.000-06:00

by Anantanand Rambachan

St. Paul Pioneer Press Op-Ed Piece, Posted on Sun, Dec. 26, 2004

Columnist Joe Soucheray takes issue with St. Paul's Regions Hospital over the decision to remove the cross from its chapel ("What is a chapel with no cross?" Dec. 19).

While one can understand Mr. Soucheray's disapproval of the hospital's action, we also need to be cognizant of the new needs and context to which the hospital is responding.

Our country is the most religiously diverse nation on earth, and our state is rapidly reflecting this reality. Minnesota is home to all of the world's major religions. The story of their arrival and establishment here is now a part of American religious history, and their places of worship have added to our religious geography. Our classrooms, work places, playgrounds, shopping centers and health facilities are some of the important places where we encounter our new neighbors of different faiths and where we are presented with challenges that seek wise and considerate responses.

Many hospitals have traditionally offered sacred spaces to their patients and families. People of faith experience the need, when dealing with suffering occasioned by illness and death, for wisdom, strength and healing through prayer, worship and meditation. They also wish to express gratitude for the blessings of life, and freedom from pain. Hospitals are places where human beings experience uniquely and intensely the duality of life and death.

In religiously homogenous communities, it is expected that such sacred spaces will reflect the symbol and mode of worship of a single tradition and hence the cross and pews in the Regions chapel. Since people of many faith traditions are using our hospitals, it is commendable that a hospital recognizes this fact and seeks to respond by catering to the needs of multi-religious patients and their families. This is the context in which I see the decision of Regions Hospital. The motivation is not necessarily concern to avoid offense, but to offer a space that could be meaningfully utilized by people of different religious commitments.

The desire to pray and worship at significant moments in life is a heartfelt need by people across traditions and not a "game" as sadly construed by Mr. Soucheray.

Hospitals in religiously diverse locations are faced with a variety of options when it comes to providing a traditional sacred space. First, hospitals may decide that the challenges are too complex and cease offering such a space. Such a decision, however, will be a negation of the importance of faith and the religious needs of those for whom the hospitals care. The solution to dealing with multireligious needs is not to cease responding to these needs. A second option, obviously uneconomical and impractical, is to provide a separate space for each community. A third is to allow each community using the space to have their own symbols. Some people, however, will find it uncomfortable and overwhelming to pray in a place where the symbols of other traditions are planted. A fourth option involves the attempt to have a single space that could be utilized by people of different traditions. This is the preference that Regions Hospital seems to be pursuing. It is not without complications, but may be the most promising of possibilities.

One of Mr. Soucheray's principal contentions is that the Regions Hospital place of prayer is designated as a chapel and that a cross in a chapel is entirely appropriate. While few will argue with this, it is also true that the fact of our religious diversity is transforming our religious vocabulary and resulting in a more inclusive use of some traditionally faith-specific terms. Some of our colleges and universities, for example, have Hindu and Muslim chaplains. On the occasions when I offer a prayer to open a session of the Minnesota Senate, I am designated as the chaplain for the day. Language is dynamic and malleable, and the meanings of words change to reflect new social realities. We may also have to search creatively for new words to reflect the shared elements of our religious lives.

The religious symbols of Christianity do not necessarily offend people of other faiths. At the same time, we recognize that living in a multi-faith community requires us to respond compassionately to the needs of our neighbors of other faiths, and this sometimes involves learning to share common sacred spaces.

Rambachan, of Apple Valley, is a member of the Hindu tradition and professor of religion at St. Olaf College in Northfield.

You may also look at the published article.

Japan: Merry Christmas

2004-12-25T09:53:00.000-06:00

We found this sign advertising some kind of Christmas Toy at the top of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Center tower in Shinjuku in November, 2004. It's advertising something called a "Papekko-Pet Christmas Version"

Just Food: Now Open!

2004-12-16T17:21:00.000-06:00

Just Food: Northfield Community Co-Op opened its doors to the public December 15, 2004.

Just one day before, after a mad scramble to finish cleaning and stocking shelves, Just Food invited co-op members to a store preview. Northfield.org has great coverage as well as a photo gallery of pictures from the preview.

In a nutshell, what do you need to know?

Just Food offers all sorts of natural and organically grown foods, from produce to soy milk, a variety of vegetarian fare. Yes, even "healthy" junk food. As much as is feasible (which may not be too much during the Minnesota winter time!), Just Food purchases from local producers.

The most common question I hear about the co-op is, "Do I need to be a member to shop?" No, the store is open for everyone. No need to be a member; no need to volunteer time; no need to bring a broom and clean floors.

Just stop by for a look. I hope you enjoy the look of the store, the selection within, and the helpful people throughout. If you do join, you become an owner of the co-op, can be involved in owner decisions, and eventually will receive a patronage refund (some amount of money back based on how much you purchase).

Where in the World is Integrity?

2004-11-01T17:12:00.000-06:00

Bruce Roberts, Craig D. Rice, and Joe Smith have just published "Where in the World is Integrity?"

For people concerned that integrity is a missing or fading value in the world today, Where in the World Is Integrity? shares inspiring examples as seen and told by ordinary people. The authors encourage people not only to observe the many acts of integrity around them but also to discuss what they have observed with friends, family, and colleagues. In addition, this book helps readers discover the hidden dynamics that sustain integrity and provides suggestions for encouraging integrity in our lives.

As one of the authors of this book, I encourage you to comment back to this posting with your thoughts, reactions, constructive criticism, and even stories of people who you find inspiring by their living their every day lives with integity.

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2004-11-01T09:51:00.000-06:00

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