Hindu Dharma Samudaya, a religious organisation, yesterday launched a handbook for spiritual practices. The handbook contains basic prayers and mantras of Hindu dharma that help followers of the religion develop core human values.

The handbook has prayers and mantras, written both in Sanskrit and romanised script. The meanings of the prayers and mantras are simplified, with explanations in English and lhotshamkha.

Launching the book, the education minister, Lyonpo Thakur Singh Powdyel said that the country’s identity is rooted deep in spirituality. “As culture is one of the main pillar of Gross National Happiness, this book will promote the values of GNH among the Bhutanese youth,” he said. The minister said that the principles of the handbook would help change behaviour of youth in the desired direction.

The handbook was initiated by Pandit Dr PL Norola, a member of the religious body. He said that the handbook also contain the importance of healthy life through spirituality practices. “For example, breathing exercise is a spiritual practice that creates positive energy to overcome certain diseases,” he said.

The president of Hindu Dharma Samudaya, Dasho Megh Raj Gurung, said that the value-oriented book is expected to balance our thought with spirituality and modernity.

This handbook was compiled by Pandit Dr PL Nirola and Pandit Narayan Sikdel. Source: Kuenselonline