On March 7, 2010, the Devi Mandir accepted the GReening of Sacred Spaces award.  We would like to express our sincerest thanks to Cecil Ramnauth for leading this project and ensuring its success.  Below is the acceptance speech at the awards ceremony held at the Eastminster United Church.
------------------------------------------------

 
Hinduism and the Environment

Thank you very much Master of Ceremonies, Revered leaders and members of all faith communities, including those from the Devi Mandir in Pickering, Ladies and Gentlemen, Namaste, Seeta Ram, Shalom, Salam, and Good Evening. Much has been documented about what we are doing at the Devi Mandir, but today as Hindus, I was asked to enumerate some of the holy passages of our scriptures that lead us to care for the environment and all of God’s Creations.

At the core of our Hindu Belief System are the laws of Karma and Re- Incarnation. The Hindu therefore must take action on a daily basis (Karma) in order to ensure that he attains “moksh” or the liberation of his soul from the cycles of birth, and death (reincarnation)

At least he tries by his actions that even if he should return to earth he would do so at a higher evolved level until he attains “Moksh” which means “Oneness with God”.  The Hindu therefore is guided to follow “ righteous actions “ or “Dharma “ in everything he does so as to ensure good karma, and thus the final liberation of his Soul.