Olmsted, Ohio
First Full Day in Cleveland
Brae and I walked for a japa session
in this American-dream neighbourhood of expansive yards, fine homes and
swimming pools. We came to a juncture and there met a middle-aged couple who
stopped their vehicle with a rolled down window in such unusually warm weather
for October.
“Buddhist monks?” asked the driver. At
least he didn’t ask, “Hallowe’en characters?” Brae wore a white dhoti
and chaddar and actually looked like he was wearing a Greek toga. I,
myself, was in saffron.
“We are Hare Krishnas,” I replied.
“Oh, yeah, I’ve heard of them.”
“Come to our event at 5 p.m.,” I invited.
He made prior arrangements.
Our arrangement was actually a massive tent
set up like a banquet hall. The ambiance was like that of a temple. Michael and
Paurnamasi had it all so well designed in their yard. The occasion was an
initiation ceremony, so nicely attended by friends and relatives. Michael, my
host, received the Sanskrit name Madhavananda. Hare, who’s from India, received
the name Haripada. His wife, Saumya, is now Sandamini. Shyama, raised in
America, is Shyama Kund, named after the sacred pond at Govardhan, India. And
Andy now has the name Adi Karta. Andy is an ordained Minister with the United
Church.
The priest presiding over the fire arena
was Dayal Nitai, A.K.A. Don Foose, a straight-edge vocalist. We sat together
and he told me he was a boxer for twenty years. “I would wake up in the morning
sore all over my head and have these head aches.”
“I’m glad you’re over this. Congratulations
on your brahminical task for this evening.”
I also want to congratulate the five
initiates.
May the Source be with you!
2 km
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