New Kauai Aadheenam Yagam Fund

July - August - September 2005 Newsletter

Throughout history, the Maheshvara Puja (feeding of devotees) has been an important religious and cultural event. Sivakumar and Lavanya Saravan were inspired to carry on this tradition by opening the Kauai Aadheenam Yagam Fund, HHE endowment #61. The purpose of this fund is to provide healthy vegetarian meals for visiting pilgrims at the Hindu monastery on Kauai during the annual mahasamadhi observance for the monastery's founder, Gurudeva, Satguru Sivaya Subramuniayaswami, and at other festive times, such as Satguru Purnima.

Sivakumar shares the story of how he and his wife were inspired to create this fund: "My wife Lavanya and I would not be where we are today without Gurudeva's loving guidance that transformed our lives. After Gurudeva's mahasamadhi in 2001, we were thinking of what we can do on the mahasamadhi day every year as a way of remembering all that Gurudeva had done for us, often in mysterious ways. Gurudeva had touched our lives and given new meaning to our existence, and we were looking for a way for that love of Gurudeva to flow to all devotees who will come to pray at the Iraivan Temple. The idea of creating a fund that will pay for an annadanam, "gift of food," on his mahasamadhi day each year came to our minds.

We quickly wrote to Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, Gurudeva's successor, asking for his blessings. We subsequently learned from Bodhinatha that there had always been a tradition of performing annadanam in the Kailasa Parampara and that our paramaguru Sri Yogaswami called it a yagam. Hence, the name for the fund was born. As we researched further, we learned that Rishi Tirumular had written about annadanam in his Tirumantiram, calling it Maheshvara Puja. Tirumular has mentioned that the things given to Lord Siva's devotees are verily the oblations to Gods and ancestors. Gurudeva always ensured that the pilgrims to Kauai Aadheenam were treated well and provided with food whenever possible, and he always made everyone who came into contact with him feel very special. We hope that through the Kauai Aadheenam Yagam Fund this spirit of Gurudeva will live for centuries to come. We hope that everyone who has been touched by Gurudeva or enjoyed a meal at the monastery will contribute generously to this fund."

Creating a Fund Is Simple and Easy

There are no fees or percentage taken to open an endowment with HHE, and the fund proposal can occur by phone or e-mail in less than an hour. The minimal amount required is $5,000, [as of February 2011 the minimal is $10,000] or a monthly payment plan can be arranged. This $5,000 is needed before the principal can begin earning interest and paying grants to the beneficiary. Currently the annual grant is based on 4% of the endowment's principal. For example, a principal of $5,000 typically generates a yearly grant of $200, $10,000 earns $400 and $100,000 generates $4,000.

Orphanages are popular beneficiaries, and many of funds that benefit orphanages have reached over $20,000. The children at the Indian orphanages supported by HHE are receiving about $800 each year, or Rs. 36,215. The Tirunavukkarasu Nayanar Gurukulam orphanage in Sri Lanka (fund #12) was totally destroyed during the December 26, 2004, tsunami, so the Rs. 89,268 grant for 2004 was life-saver for the 42 boys. This is one example of how the sixty-two HHE funds are making an impact with needy institutions worldwide.

Giving to a Fund Is Even Easier

You can help needy institutions by giving to one or more HHE funds on the web by going to www.hheonline.org. Donations are safe and secure, whether you live in the USA or other countries. Make a one-time donation or sign up for a recurring donation. For more information, call Sannyasin Shanmuganathaswami at 1-808-822-3012, ext. 244 or e-mail hhe@hindu.org

July To September Endowment Contributions

MISSION STATEMENT

Hindu Heritage Endowment is a publicly supported, charitable organization recognized as tax exempt by the IRS on April 22, 1994. Employer ID 99-0308924. Founded by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, its philanthropic mission is to provide secure, professionally managed financial support for institutions and religious leaders of all lineages of Sanatana Dharma.

PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS

Halbert/Hargrove, Investment Counsel; Sonoda & Isara, LLP, CPA. HHE is a member of the Council on Foundations, an association of more than 2,000 foundations which interprets relevant law and management and investment principles, and of the National Committee on Planned Giving, the voice and professional resource for the gift planning community.

I want to participate. Where should I Send My Donation?

You may send your gift to an existing fund, create a new Endowment or request information through the address below.

Donations may be made online at www.hheonline.org or use the HHE tear-out card in the HINDUISM TODAY magazine to join our family of benefactors who are Strengthening Hinduism Worldwide. Thank you.