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A conference to shape future of Hinduism in USA
More than 300 Hindu religious leaders have registered for the meet beginning August 12, reports Lalit K Jha.
Hindu religious leaders from across the country are meeting for three days in New Jersey this week to deliberate on issues confronting the community in the United States of America.
Christened Dharma Summit 2005, it is probably for the first time that heads of all Hindu religious institutions, associations and intellectuals are coming together on one platform to discuss how to shape the future of Hinduism in the country.
The conference general secretary, Ved P. Chaudhary, said more than 300 Hindu religious leaders have registered for the conference beginning August 12. Few Hindu leaders from too have been invited, he said.
"It would be who's who for Hinduism in America," Chaudhary told HindustanTimes.com. "Objective being to unite Hindu community and plan its future in the U.S," he said.
Among the prominent issues confronting the one million strong communities in the U.S.A, Chaudhary said is how to impart "spiritual and cultural" education to the next generation Hindus, and remove misperceptions about the faith from the society in order to maintain the dharmic traditions with dignity.
The religious leaders, during the conference would not only exchange their thoughts and ideas, but also share experiences and come out with a solution to the problems facing the community, he said.
Prominent among those to attend the Dharm Summit 2005 are Dayananda Saraswati from the Arsha Vidya Gurukul, Pannisylvania; Satguru Bodhinatha, Hindu Monastery of Kauai Hawaii; thinkers Ved Nanda and David Frawley; and Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula.
Organizers further devoted one day to discuss issues confronting management of temples in the U.S, training of priests and the possibility of holding poojas in English as an effort to attract the secind generation Hindus to temples.
With number of temples in the U.S. increasing to about 700, Chaudhary said management of Hindu places of worship was coming out as a major problem for the community. "We need to find a long-term solution for it," he said.
Stating that accomplishments of the new generation in schools, colleges, and universities are commendable, he said, the younger generation, however, do not relate to temples and gurudwaras the community has enthusiastically built.
"They tend to feel that these institutions hold no relevance in their lives. There is urgent need to change this attitude," he said.
Chaudhary felt the religious institutions must focus on the needs of the new generation by organizing activities for them and present correct and positive aspects of Hindu traditions like yoga, meditation, religious tolerance, non-violence.
The young generation, he observed, unlike the first generation do not have opportunity to learn about traditions from grandparents, aunts, uncles, and older siblings, or festivals and neighborhood celebrations. In stead, he said: "They learn distorted version of Hindu faith, culture and traditions from their teachers and textbooks in schools and colleges."
