Language English
CHAPTER 6: DISCUSSION OF THE SURVEY RESULTS
6.3. Discussion of Objective Two: A review of print-based formats available through reformed Hindu organisations
6.3.1. Available Print-based publications
Printed formats containing religious and cultural information would serve the needs of devotees and could also make it easier for the reformed Hindu organisation concerned to disseminate and preserve information essential to the teachings of that organisation.
Objective two sought to ascertain the print-based formats that were available.
6.3.1.1. Review of question 2.1.
Print-based publications
All the organisations surveyed produced some form of printed matter for distribution. The fact that the print-based formats were well-received amongst the devotees is crucial as it indicates that devotees are prepared to accept the print-based formats. Library services, could therefore, be well-used by devotees once they were established since devotees have been exposed to print-based formats of information and have responded well to this format.
Since many publications came from India devotees had to subscribe in their personal capacities for these publications. This complicated the process for the interested devotees who wished to subscribe as they now had to fill in forms and post money orders to India.
Three reformed Hindu organisations preferred that devotees subscribe directly to India for magazines and order other literature through the headquarters based in India. This saved on manpower and clerical work.
Subscription to these publications are negatively affected by the fact that the editorial committees sit in India and the reformed Hindu organisations in South Africa played little or no role in the subject matter offered through these publications.
However, South African Hindus do research and produce papers locally. The Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa and the South African Hindu Maha Sabha had academic papers in their collections. Other organisations housed papers that were presented at conferences and at special functions.
Distribution methods varied from organisation to organisation. Whilst free literature was available through many reformed Hindu organisations, there were also those items that were sold to devotees. The sale of these items was seen as an income for the organisations.
However, profits were minimal as the service was also seen to benefit the individual devotees. The free publications that were distributed were in the form of sponsored leaflets and brochures, booklets containing religious information (often also sponsored), book marks and other tokens.
Devotees who attended sathsang regularly were given the printed material free as it was not considered fair to ask for donations since devotees had already made contributions of prasad and monetary donations after aarti. There was one organisation that distributed free literature acquired through the international headquarters to interested individuals who may in the future wish to become devotees of the organisations.
The Radha Soami Sathsang of South Africa and the Vedanta Centre South Africa were the two reformed Hindu organisations that chose to post literature in the form of newsletters and invitations to their devotees. Many representatives of other reformed Hindu organisations
found that postage was too expensive, and that there were no personnel available to carry out the tasks required for posting items.
Control of printed material
All the reformed Hindu organisations did have editors, editorial boards or committees or editors-in-chiefs. At least eight organisations relied on the international headquarters for publication of magazines. But local newsletters, invitations to local functions and other less important printed material was published locally. Control of the contents of the locally printed material was overseen by senior members, and special committee members who made up the editorial committees. Those reformed Hindu organisations that did publish printed material regularly, set up special editorial committees when the need for such committees arose.
Unpublished information
When visiting religious leaders, Indian religious academics and other specialists visit the country, they often visit local branches of the reformed Hindu organisations or give lectures and special sathsangs held at community halls and other large venues. These talks and lectures are then video-recorded or audio-recorded by individuals of the reformed Hindu organisation concerned and stored for later use. These recordings contain information essential to the Hindu religious and cultural practices. Such unpublished information will contribute to the archival collections and make good article content for the printed formats.
Religious heads and senior members often delivered talks and discourses at sathsangs that had been researched, or that referred to knowledge acquired through special training and meditation. Even regular devotees were sometimes given the opportunity to speak about a given topic at the weekly sathsang. The handwritten or typed pages of the speakers' notes were simply stored away.
6.3.1.2. Review of question 2.2.
The contents of publications with regard to languages used, translations of articles written in Indian vernacular languages, the use of transliterations and explanations are discussed below.
Contents of publications
English was the language in which talks and discourses were delivered and was the preferred medium of communication by devotees at most of the reformed Hindu organisations. The use of English overcame language barriers as the local Hindus generally spoke English only or English and one Indian vernacular language. Printed formats of information were also written in English to make it easier for devotees who could not read and write the Indian vernacular languages.
Reformed Hindu organisations that undertook outreach programmes in areas where Africans resided saw a need to have religious and cultural literature translated into isiZulu. Although there was one reformed Hindu organisation that had published religious and cultural literature in Afrikaans, there were a few organisations that had embarked on programmes to attract people who spoke a variety of languages. It was hoped that very soon in the future there would be publications in languages spoken in South Africa.
The use of translations, transliterations and explanations is a common feature in the publications where quotes or entire articles were written in any of the Indian vernacular languages. Eight organisations published material that included the original text, transliterations, translations and explanations. Although only the spiritual heads of three organisations gave oral explanations and commentaries, most interviewees did state that questions and answers as well as oral explanations were given of any published material.
This was seen as an important method of providing information to devotees because devotees asked the questions they wanted to and the answers that were given were relevant to the devotees.
Philosophy, religion, values, ethics, art and culture were included in the subject content of many publications. It was disappointing to see that only three reformed Hindu organisations published material concerning children's literature and stories. This was an indication that children were not well catered for in the print-based formats.
The contents of many of the magazines was limited to spiritual, religious and philosophical topics and lacked information about traditional art forms, references to Indian literature of the past and the present, historical information on India and scientific developments of the
ancient world, Indian crafts, ancient Indian games or great architectural buildings in India.
The researcher expected far more information on these subjects since all aspects of Indian life begins and ends with dedication to God. and all art forms are intricately woven with religion. So many more aspects of Hindu life could be explored in the magazines of the reformed Hindu organisations to improve the knowledge of devotees. Books on the subjects mentioned above were available in many of the collections belonging to the reformed Hindu organisations.
6.3.1.3. Review of question 2.3.
The use of repackaged information in publications offered by the reformed Hindu organisations are discussed below.
Repackaged information
Stillwell (2001, p. 40) describes repackaging as the "selection of appropriate materials, re- processing of the information in a form that can be readily understood, packaging the information, and arranging all these materials in a way appropriate to the user...**. Such repackaging has not been used in the publications of the reformed Hindu organisations.
Information from religious sources were quoted in the original language and transliterations as well as translations were offered. All the ancient texts were cited as sources of information for repackaging: the Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Ithihasa, Puranas. and literature on the eighteen sithas or saints of the south of India (Thevaram).
Literature issued by the headquarters (in India) and written and edited by the same headquarters included a lot of information that had been repackaged.
Six reformed Hindu organisations used literature written by the founding guru/ saint or swami. These teachings, stories and little anecdotes had been told and retold many times in the past. Such information was often published in English only as the publications went out to many international branches. Although three reformed Hindu organisations used repackaged information from Indian literature, this information was not purely religious in nature. Philosophy, spiritual guidance, ethics, values and other relevant information was repackaged for consumption by devotees through the publications. Information relating to the arts: music, song and dance were included in a few publications.
The Indian Academy of South Africa was the only organisation, included in the survey that made use of international and national news agencies and websites for relevant information to be repackaged for their publications. Information available from the news agencies and websites were adapted for re-use in the publications of the organisation.
Information that originated in India was used by 18 of the organisations surveyed. This could be understood in context of India being the birthplace of the Hindu religion and the birthplace of almost all the saints and reformers of the Hindu faith. India is still accepted as the Motherland by Indians living in other parts of the world, including South Africa. Sri Lanka and Pakistan (both of which were a part of ancient India) were also listed as countries where repackaged information originated. London, England; the United States of America;
Mauritius and Singapore were also listed as places where repackaged information originated.
The places mentioned above are places were senior religious leaders live. Information offered by the leaders but has been adapted for use by the local Hindus. It must be noted that these places have a high population of educated and wealthy non-resident Indians (NRIs), and have well established centres of Hindu religion.
Non-print media, such as CDs, were also repackaged for use by 18 reformed Hindu organisations. Songs and music were adapted for local devotees. The CDs contained religious songs and chanting of mantras with a few explanations. Printed material was repackaged as non-print media such as DVDs that had cartoon versions of the religious texts such as the stories from the Ramayan, and stories about Hanuman. ISK.CON has an interactive DVD Bhagavad-Gita as it is. Video cassettes and VCDs contained Hindu religious information, talks from religious leaders, or had recordings of celebrations and religious festivities.
6.3.1.4. Review of question 2.4.
The authors of publications offered by the reformed Hindu organisations are explored below.
Authors of the information
Religious leaders and academics were the original authors of the religious texts used and quoted by reformed Hindu organisations. Saints, rishis. gurus, and swami were widely listed as being authors of documents used by the organisations. These individuals are held in great
esteem by Hindus, especially those who seek religious guidance. The religious leaders belong to various schools of ideology and philosophy.
Reformed Hindu organisations often used texts and documents written by the founders of their organisations and the works of authors with academic credentials. The works of authors who received their knowledge through higher divine power was acknowledged by 13 reformed Hindu organisations. Such knowledge came from long periods of deep meditation and living as hermits or through interaction with other individuals who had such powers.
This knowledge has to be disseminated to devotees for their spiritual growth.
6.4. Discussion of Objective Three: Identification and analysis of interpersonal