In a first-China extends invite to spiritual guru

BEIJING: Godless China has invited Art of Living (AOL) founder, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, for a religious leaders' meeting and a satsang near Beijing later this month. This would be the spiritual leader's first China visit.

Sources said state-run China Overseas Friendship Association (COFA) is organising the event on October 24 and 25 and around 400 people from across the country are expected to attend the satsang. They said Beijing gave its go ahead for the event to promote bilateral ties with India and that the invitation is the first of its kind to any Indian religious figure.

"We expect senior businessmen, show business celebrities, medical, educational experts and even psychiatrists to attend the event," said Tang Qiyu, who would host the event at his ashram-like resort for yoga and meditation on the outskirts of the capital. Sources said Tang's efforts made the invitation for the spiritual leader possible.

Tang, a businessman, has invested over $15 million in the resort that offers yoga training facilities. The businessman developed the resort and dedicated it to Sri Sri after meeting him in Bangalore last year.

"There is some change in the Chinese government's attitude towards spirituality. Swami Amolji, a teacher from AOL's Bangalore ashram, recently attended a government-sponsored yoga conference in Beijing," Tang said.

During his Beijing visit, Amolji said he found a strong inclination among the Chinese towards spiritualism. Apart from Amolji, several AOL teachers from Bangalore have visited and trained over two dozen Chinese spiritual teachers in Shanghai and Beijing in the last two years.

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 Diwali With Sri Sri In Gujarat!

Special Events For Diwali 2010

Schedule of events:

Date: Nov. 2, 2010
Event: ‘Annam Brahma’ a gala celebration for World Peace, in which devotees will prepare 5000 different Indian Vegetarian Dishes, followed by ‘Bal Bhoj’.
Timing: 6.30 pm – 9.00 pm
Venue: Sabarmati River Front, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Contact: Pragnesh Shah +91-98250 13713

Date: Nov. 3, 2010
Event: ‘Lakshmi Puja conducted by H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on the occasion of ‘Dhanteras’ followed by ‘Mahasatsang’.
Timing: 6.00 pm onwards
Venue:. Sardar Patel Sports Complex, Saurashtra Uni. Campus, University Road, Rajkot, Gujarat
Contact: Deepak Punjabi +91-9099094149

Date: Nov. 5, 2010
Event: ‘Deepavali’ also known as ‘Deepotsav’ or the festival of lights. On this day H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will conduct ‘Mahalakshmi Yajna and ‘Deepavali Pujan’ for peace & prosperity in the world. This will be followed by ‘Mahasatsang’.
Timing: 6.00 pm onwards
Venue: Vaccine Institute Ground, Old Padra Road, Baroda.
Contact: Vaishali +91-9879307323 / Smita +91-9824083368

Date: Nov. 6 to Nov. 9, 2010
Event: World’s Largest Mega Advance Course with H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
Timing: 6.00 am – 9.00 pm daily. Reporting on Nov.5, 2010 at 6.30 pm
Venue:. Lilleria Party Plot, Sama Savli Road, Baroda.
Contact: Smita +91-9824083368

For the whole Tour Package, please contact: Deepak Punjabi +91-9099094149

We extend a very warm welcome to all of you on behalf of The Art Of Living Family, Gujarat.

~ ~ ~ Rishi Nityapragya ~ ~ ~ Tanuja Limaye ~ ~ ~ Rishi Vidyadhar