Author:
Publication: Hinduism Today
Date: August 17, 2005
URL: http://www.hinduismtoday.com/hpi/2005/8/17.shtml
Hindu Groups Meet to Shape the Future
of Dharma in North America
(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 summit 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 religious 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 Hinduism 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 Temple, 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.