Dharma Summit concludes in New Jersey

[Guest guest]

17 August 2005

 

Hindu Groups Meet to Shape the Future of Dharma in North America

 

Dharma Summit Concludes in New Jersey

 

1. Hindu Groups Meet to Shape the Future of Dharma in North America

ved.chaudhary@g...

 

NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY, USA, August 15, 2005: (Press Release from

Dharma Summit 2005, prepared by Beth Kulkarni.) For the first time in

North America, 400 participants representing more than 80 Hindu

temples and religious organizations came together for a Dharma Summit

on August 13-15, 2005. The most respected heads of various religious

groups who addressed the summit held at Rutgers University over the

weekend included Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati of Arsha Vidya

Gurukulam, Saylorsburg, PA, Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami of the

Hindu Monastery in Kauai, and Gurudev Chitrabhanu ji of Jain

Meditation Center, NY. Also, two of the most respected heads of

religious orders in India - Swami Chidananda Saraswati ("Muniji") of

Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh and Dr. Pranav Pandya of Gayatri Pariwar,

Haridwar - came to attend and address the summit. Sri Sri Ravishankar

sent his personal message that was displayed with a video clip.

 

The theme of the su mmit was: "The Future of Dharmic Traditions in

North America." The concern that many young generation Hindus in USA

are not learning and maintaining Hindu traditions was clearly evident

throughout the conference that brought together presidents and boards

of trustees of many temples, Devalayas, spiritual institutions, and

organizations together with many intellectuals and committed volunteer

leaders from throughout the USA. The rich mix of swamis,

intellectuals, temple trustees and youth leaders provided a unique

opportunity to exchange different viewpoints, thoughts and ideas and

share experiences on how to impart spiritual and cultural education to

future generations. They also discussed the serious problem of

distortion and misinformation about Hinduism and India prevalent in

schools, colleges, and in the media. The overall coordinator of the

conference Dr. Ved Chaudhary was successful in bringing under one roof

persons of various ages and backgrounds to discuss items of common

interest.

 

A workshop was organized by the Hindu University of America which is

starting a program to train Hindu priests to meet the expressed needs

of temples in the USA for priests who can communicate with the younger

generation and with the interfaith community. Legal aspects, media and

interfaith relations, successful temple management practices, and

financial resource development were key issues discussed with much

sharing of ideas.

 

One of the significant aspects of the Summit was the inclusion of the

younger generation on various panels and in all aspects of the

program. Dr. Ved Chaudhary referred to HSC as his right hand and his

left hand. HSC General Secretary Nikunj Trivedi spoke about the ways

in which local temples and religious organizations and HSC can work

together to meet the needs of college students. The souvenir issue of

the Dharma Summit, edited by Swami Jyotirmayananda Puri, was packed

with messages from spiritual and religi ous leaders, insightful

articles from intellectuals, and information of interest from

sponsors.

 

Dr. Preeti Soni performed the inaugural prayer dance in classical

Kathak style for Devi Saraswati. Heads of Sampradayas recited prayers

for world peace before the tasty, all vegetarian food was served by

the BAPS Swaminarayan temple in Edison. Talks and discussions among

spiritual leaders, board members, youth and intellectuals and

networking time made this a very activity-packed weekend. Perhaps most

important aspect was the panel discussion on "The Path Forward:

Actionable Recommendations for Follow-up Activities" moderated by Dr.

Sudhir Prabhu. A plan of action was proposed to follow up on the

insights and recommendations generated in the earlier sessions.

 

The positive experience of this conference resulted in overwhelming

demand for a collective initiative that will allow all Hindu religious

organizations to work together to shape the future of Hinduis m in

North America, raise awareness of issues, and provide a platform for a

united Hindu voice. Together they will address issues such as

promoting changes to enhance the participation of the new generation,

correcting biased and distorted views of Hindu traditions in

educational institutions and the media, improving temple management,

developing resources, enhancing the role of the temple, and helping

the temples and religious organizations to reach out to the larger

community with voluntary services (seva) and education.

 

The various Hindu temples and religious groups that participated in

the conference included: Arsha Vidya-Vedanta Gurukul, PA; Arya

Pratinidhi Sabha America, BAPS-Swaminarayan Temple, Barsana Dham, TX;

World Gayatri Pariwar; Greater Baltimore Temple; Hindu Monastery,

Hawaii; Hindu University of America; ISKCON; Sadhu Vaswani Center;

Sringeru Vidya Bharati Foundation; Sri Venkateshwara Temples in

Bridgewater, NJ and Pittsburg, PA; Sri Meenakshi T emple, TX; Sri

Ganesh temple in NY; and Vraj Dham, PA. Other Hindu groups included:

Educators Society for the Heritage of India, Gayatri Pariwar, Hindu

American Foundation, Hindu Intl Council against Defamation, Hindu

Society of NE Florida, Hindu Students Council, Hindu Swayamsevak

Sangh, Hindu University of America, Jain Associations in North

America, Swadhyay Pariwar, US Hindu Alliance; VHP America., American

Institute of Vedic Studies, The Vedic Foundation, Vedic Friends

Association; and others.

 

 

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