[Peptobismol]

Sri Vaisnavism outside India

Srirama Ramanujacharya (Sydney, Australia)

Srirama Ramanujacharya was born into orthodox Jewish family in Isreal. He studied Judaism, Christianity and Islam in Jerusalem and his interest in eastern mysticism led him to India. He studied advaita in Rishikesh and Sanskrit in Benares. He spent some time in South India studying Tamil, Sri Vaisnava theology and liturgy as well as astrology and yoga.

Srirama Ramanujacharya was first ordained as a priest in the Sri Vaisnava tradition. Later in 1990, he became the first westerner to be confirmed as Acharya (Spiritual perceptor) by the Jeeyar of Sri Perumbudur.

An engaging and provocative public speaker, he serves as an advisor on Hinduism with the New South Wales state government. Apart from managing his "mutt" (spiritual center) in Sydney he also conducts religious services for the local Hindu community.

Working with yoga and new age groups the acharya conducts spiritual workshops in Australia and America (California). Fluent in Tamil, Sanskrit, Hindi, Arabic and Hebrew, he had translated and written commentaries on Sri Vaisnava literature such as

* Andal's - Tirupavai (Tamil)
* Pillai Lokacharya's - Srivacana Bhusanam (Tamil)
* Ramanuja's - Gita Bhasya (Sanskrit)
* Vishnu sahasranamam (Sanskrit)

2005 write up on the acharya in the Malaysian Star Newspaper

http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/stor...5&sec=features
Sydney Mutt website

http://www.srimatham.com/


Sri Renganathar Temple (Kajang, Malaysia)

Situated in an obscure town in Malaysia, perhaps, this is the only temple in the Asia-Pacific region that follows the pancaratra agama tradition of Sri Vaisnavism.

Administered by Head Priest, Ramanuja Muniandy, the temple caters to the spiritual needs of local Hindus. Apart from religious service, the temple also conducts social and charitable activities.

Temple website

http://srirenganathartemple.org/malaysia/