GUHS Forum -> GUHS Forum -> Vivekananda Centre Activities
Post Info TOPIC: Vivekananda Centre Activities
Vivekananda Centre

Date:
Vivekananda Centre Activities
Permalink   


Spiritual Retreat in Devon
Let me share my thoughts on the retreat we had in Devon. A total of about 64 people
attended the retreat. We had a good mix of young and old. People from a variety of
sectarian bodies attended. Many ex-students of our Hinduism classes - (who now run
Hinduism classes themselves) became the key operators of the event. All this came
about very naturally - we seem to have uncovered another dimension to our work.  Although
we did not operate a severe regiment, yet a kind of relaxed discipline was maintained
by most. The spiritual elements of the retreat consisted of chanting and meditation in the
mornings and talks on the Life and Teachings of Swami Vivekananda in the evenings;
followed by long question and answer sessions (one went on till about 1am in the morning).
Other activities in the daytime consisted of  long walks (the longest took nearly 4 hours)
on the Dartmoor, rapid recall quizzes on Hinduism etc. Some participants learnt classical
dancing and performed in front of the whole group in the evening. On both the evenings
we had an hour of entertainment provided by the youngsters through music, dance,
poetry or humour. We had sumptuous vegetarian meals, cooked by the ladies.
 
Message imparted:  The adults were told: We only have a few pauses in your lifetimes
when we are away from the daily grind and get an opportunity to take stock of our lives.
Do not be fooled - we will not turn to spirituality after we have discharged our family
duties..... we will just die in the saddle!  To the youth we said, we know that this gender
thing is beginning to bother you. Hold fast, the source of all your strength, the source of
all your purity and power to make progress in educational or spiritual fields come from
Celibacy. To the very young we said, try and develop some daily routines like repeating
the name of God..... or repeating a verse before you take your main meal or before going
to bed.....adopt some ritual in your daily lives that will link you to the spirit.     
 
Let me share some personal observations:-
A bunch of young girls came over and said, "We had never heard of this Vivekananda before;
after hearing about his life story - we love him!" With overflowing emotions and sparkling eyes..
...........surely the Spirit had been invoked!
 
A young father came over and said, "Do you know what I have learnt? The cause of all
my problems has been the fact that I exhibited weakness. From now on I will not allow
weakness to cloud my action".
..........surely Strength had been invoked!
 
One young chap decided that the only way he can draw attention to himself is
if he crushed crisps and scattered them on the beds of the girls...It certainly worked...
He was asked to Hoover the room.
.........surely Humour had been invoked!
 
One gentleman who had driven all the way from Wellingborough -- who loved going
for early morning walks, got up on the final day -- saw that it was raining hard so
decided to go to the kitchen and wash up all the dirty pots and pans of the previous night.
..........surely Selflessness had been invoked! 
 
Another young chap came and said, "The girls are bothering.....what should he do?" We
said: follow Vivekananda's example..call them 'Mammy' and they will bother you no more!
.........surely Practicality had been invoked  : )
 
 
jay (dilip) lakhani
Vivekananda Centre London

__________________
Vivekananda Centre

Date:
Permalink   


Dear Anil (copied to various Hindu bodies)
 
Ref:  Removing Caste System from the GCSE Hinduism syllabus in the UK.
 
I am pleased that you slept over the issue. Your conclusions (at the end of this message)
are in line with mine. I have had lots of positive remarks from a great many Hindu bodies
in the country as well as from many SACRE members and many heads of Religious
Education; but some sections of our own Hindu community is slow to respond.
I am sending this email to them hoping to get their support. 
 
The thing that I have been stressing to our colleagues has been as follows:-
GCSE Hinduism syllabus should not have anything to do with the Caste system as
however hard any good teacher tries (and there are just a handful of such good
teachers in the whole of UK who can portray Hinduism in a fair manner; vast majority
of them are struggling with Hinduism... let alone understand the finer points of the
caste system); teaching of caste system in the classrooms come out as
'hereditary caste system= Hinduism' thus producing a stench that destroys
the validity of  Hinduism. Hundreds of Hindu youngsters, born and brought up in
this country are made aware; for the first time; that Hinduism puts them down,
"You are either upper or lower class human being!" it has told them.
Even more damage is inflicted to Hinduism as:- Thousands of Non-Hindu
youngsters have been introduced to Hinduism as:- 
"A religion that classifies human beings at birth as upper or lower class!"
What a disgusting religion..? Anything else you say about Hinduism is now
just an excuse!
 
I am trying to address this issue as I have to deal with it all the time at
vast numbers of schools, colleges, universities, RE seminars, etc.
 
Some of my Hindu colleagues have shown such lack of common sense on this
issue! Such a lack of sense of perspective! The only thing needed is sense of perspective
(vivek) in thinking about the issue. Vivek.I keep telling them..show vivek...
A sense of perspective.  We need Vivek in every field of life including
religious education......Some want to debate with me quoting scriptures.
Don't they know that we, the living breathing Hindus are the living scriptures?
Hinduism allows us to be that. We have to think for ourselves rationally and
decide what is religion and what is not? Can stratification of society that became
an instrument of massive oppression be real Hinduism? That is the simple question we
have to address.  But we prefer to quote the scriptures!
 
I am personally quite happy to debate the various finer points of the caste
system including how it portrays 'society as a personality with different parts
working in unison'..how wonderful!
And how in a way it caters for the needs of 'different' people in the same
society... people at different levels of spiritual growth.
All other religions whitewash everyone with one set of rules relating to
the whole society. While we had developed such an elaborate system to
cater for different needs!!  How clever!
 
All fine...... But then what did this Caste system ossify into?:-
This obnoxious Hereditary System now parading as Hinduism..The one
that has done so much harm to our nation ....
 
And even here in the UK it crops up in an innocuous manner in the GCSE
Hinduism syllabus for children coming in touch with religion for the first time.
A few of my colleagues continue to think that it fine... "just qualify it"...
"After all, Caste system is presented in some holy books!!".
 
We smile when some Abrahamic religion tells us:
"You have to obey this injunction set out in my holy book else you are doomed
because it is so written".  We, smile at this assertion don't we??
We are so much better!
 
I am trying to address this issue and will succeed. I have asked for support.
The vast majority of Hindu bodies have already sent me letters with something like:-
'Hereditary Caste system in the GCSE Hinduism syllabus is counterproductive"
 
I still await letters from Iskcon, the Hindu Council UK and also the
National Hindu temples of UK. Most of the other Hindu bodies including
many of the Swaminarayan temples and the VHP bodies have already
given full support. The letter should be addressed to the QCA
and posted to me  at 6 Lea Gardens Wembley Middlesex HA9 7SE
 
dilip lakhani
Vivekananda Centre London
 
 

----- Original Message -----
From: ABhanot
 
Sent: Tuesday, February 11, 2003 09:13
Subject: Hereditary caste system


Bimal
 
I have now slept over it and I am swaying towards the opinion that perhaps it is better if it is not at all in the syllabus.
 
It has to be tought in the right and proper manner, which is that it was the basis of a happy society through its unquestionable acceptance by the masses until such time as the influx of a materialistic system and in comparison in those times other parts of the world had a worse system of slavery within this materalistic system.
 
If it is not tought as such then the people who are not able to understand the difference between a spiritual system and a materialistic system will undoubtedly teach it in the wrong way which is harmful to Hinduism.
 
If latter be the case then I would agree with Dilip Lakhani.
 
Above is not the view of Hindu Council UK and is a personal view of mine. Dr Sharma will hopefully form sih opinion and come back to me. I will keep you posted.
 
anil
 

__________________
Vivekananda Centre Activities

Date:
Permalink   

Dear Sir Madam,
I am a primary school teacher working in Scotland.
 I am currently studying Hinduism with my class of nine and ten year olds.
 Could you please tell me if there are any temples in the Aberdeenshire area that we could visit as part of our studies?
Many thanks
Jayne (Stratton)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Jayne
 
We will pass on your email to a few colleagues who operate in Scotland and may
be able to guide you regarding a local temple in Aberdeenshire.
 
In the meantime you are welcome to use
Hinduism for schools site to download and use any material you find
interesting.  The primary schools pages has a link page taking you
to a site where you can do 'virtual worship in a temple'  leave the
speakers on and enjoy the experience.
 
Hinduism for schools at http://www.hinduism.fsnet.co.uk
 
regards
jay lakhani
Vivekananda Centre London

__________________
Vivekananda Centre

Date:
Permalink   

Let me share some of my experiences relating to the theme of
"Interfaith" covered at some meetings in London in the past few weeks.

I was asked to contribute at the 'Faith and Education' meeting set
up by the Home Office and was also asked to give a series of three
talks to groups of Christian Ministers at the London Interfaith Centre
and at the North Thames Ministerial College.

What I said seems to have touched the hearts of some of the participants.
I said the serious challenge we face this century is: Strife in the name of
religion. The challenges of last century where we had strife in the name
of political ideology caused a lot of bloodshed but the challenges we
face now are far more contentious. Religions are far more emotive subjects.
Some religions promise that 'for some finite acts we do here we gain an
infinite reward in the here-after'. The risk-reward ratio is skewed in the
extreme! How do we diffuse the situation?
I told the gatherings: The solution I offer comes from the Hindu tradition.
It is called 'Pluralism'.  Put simply it says:-
"The same ultimate can be thought of an approached in a variety of ways."
Why variety? Because the absolute is same but we are all different hence
our pathways to the absolute will reflect our different aptitudes & starting
points.

The problem with 'Exclusivist religions' is that they mistake their
destination (which is rightfully considered to be absolute) with their paths
and their tools (which are necessarily relative and different).
As the 'absolute' is difficult to grasp due to our limitations,
we go for the next best thing -- We go for the outer form of religions
i.e. the scriptures, the doctrines and even the prophets - and give
them the same valuation and consider them to be Absolute!

I told the meetings if ever any religion claims to have encapsulated
the absolute within its framework of doctrines, dogmas, prophets
and scriptures then by that very process that Religion has become
greater than the absolute!! How naive!

Sounds so easy to take in and yet, many mainstream Christians at
the meetings shuddered at the idea.  It appears that I am taking away the
'absolute status of their prophet'. My response was:
There is no doubt about the greatness of not one prophet but all
prophets of all religions, they are the very foundation stones
- the only links we have with the 'spirit' and yet we have to recognise
that they could only have operated in a 'contextual manner'.
How else can they pass on spirituality to mankind?
This mature understanding is needed by all religions. Once we
recognise this 'contextual element in all religious teachings' our
interpretation of the scriptures and the prophets change. Our views
of other religions change. What is needed is not 'Tolerance of other
religions' but an 'educated acceptance of validity of other religions.'
This becomes possible.

Two objections came up from some of my interfaith colleagues.

(1) One suggested.. that perhaps the way we go about addressing
the issue of strife in the name of religion is to place greater emphasis
on the 'human dimension' and thus indirectly tone down the
'religious dimension'. My response is.... that would be throwing out
the baby with the bath-water.
Religions have lost out to the secular lobby.

(2) Second objection was:
Promoting pluralism in this manner is almost evangelical -surely
that too is dogmatic!!
My response is that I am invoking the element of my religion that
offers the best resolution to the problem we face now. It allows
religions to co-exist without compromise and with full dignity. How can
the validity of one religion be compromised if it accepts the validity of
other religions? That is pluralism.

We have two choices in this matter:
Either the major religions incorporate pluralism within the framework of
their religions and diffuse the situation now or sadly we will be singing
the glories of pluralism only after great many catastrophes.

dilip lakhani
Vivekananda Centre London


__________________
Vivekananda Centre

Date:
Permalink   

 
Though this list is devoted to spiritual matters; from time to time we take
the liberty of posting a little humour ....dilip lakhani  Vivekananda Centre London.
 
 
If you can't change your mind, are you sure you still have one?

The Ten Commandments aren't prefaced with: "If you're in the mood." 

 
Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes. -  M K Gandhi

"You can't build a reputation on what you're going to do."....  Henry Ford

"Don't approach a goat from the front, a horse from the back
or a fool from any side."   ~~-- Yiddish Proverb

Beware that you do not lose the substance by grasping at the shadow.-- Aesop

Minor surgery is when they do the operation on someone else, not you.
 
We spend the first twelve months of our children's lives teaching them
to walk and talk and the next twelve telling them to sit down and shut up.
 
The trouble with being punctual is that nobody's there to appreciate it.  
 
According to historians women used cosmetics in the Middle Ages... and
today women are using cosmetics in the middle ages, too.
 
Who was the greatest inventor of all time?  God was!
He took a rib from Adam and made a loudspeaker.
 
(and in response)
 
Dear Lord I pray
  For wisdom to understand my man
  Love to forgive him
  Patience for his moods
  Because Lord if I pray for Strength
  I'll beat him to death.
 
: )

__________________
Vivekananda Centre

Date:
Permalink   

Dear List
 
Sharing my experiences in the UK...
 
On Thursday, I was invited to Glasgow University to participate as the Hindu speaker
at a Seminar with all faiths called Sharing of Faiths organised by the Glasgow
University Students Union.
 
The Hindu society at this Major University with perhaps 10,000 students is a two
men affair!  Ally a youngster from Singapore and Harish a medical student somehow
manage to operate the Hindu society. The support they have from the Hindus and
from some of the other University bodies appeared extremely poor. We would strongly
suggest to other Hindu student bodies to go out of their way to support these very
dedicated youngsters.   At the start of the Hindu presentation, Ally stepped forward -- without hesitation and with tremendous devotion, recited loudly  a Shiva Stotra....
The union building shook, the audience had no idea what he was going on about - he
just blasted away. What a sight! What love for Shiva! We wish other universities had
such devotees of Shiva. Later on he confided to me, "Sometimes I work late at the
university and have to walk home in the dark, this area is notorious for muggings,
I just repeat, Om namah Shivay and walk on"....... So far so good  : )
 
This Seminar was promoted by the University Chaplain, and the way it was organised
seemed to suggest a kind of hierarchy assigned to faiths. The presentations were
to be in the following fixed format and there was no way this schedule can be tempered
with:- Islam, Christianity, Bahai, Second Christian presentation, and then Hinduism.
This is not the first time we have observed such hierarchy. The Christian lobby seems
to think that good inter-faith relation simply means reconciling the Muslim / Christian divide.
The University Chaplain was in the audience smiling; nodding his approval when the
Muslim speaker made his presentation. What did the Muslim speaker say?.
Well he read out the list of prophets acceptable by Islam starting with Moses and ending
with Mohammed.  We, the Hindus, the Buddhists, or the Bahais sat through this
recitation, listening - we and our prophets are immaterial - they are not even mentioned!
The Muslim speaker emphasised, "The most popular name of a prophet in the Koran is
not Mohammed, it is Moses"  --- See! we are able to accept other Abrahamic
traditions!!  The Christian lobby felt vindicated. The Chaplain seemed very pleased
--- Interfaith in action in Glasgow : )
 
Surely, the Hindu contribution had to respond to such presentations.
Taking the name of my mentor, I let fly....
 
dilip
Vivekananda Centre London 

__________________
Vivekananda Centre

Date:
Permalink   




Dear List
 
Let me share my experiences in portraying Hinduism in the UK.
 
Two contrasting experiences
 
On Tuesday, the Leicester Christian/Hindu forum organised an event focusing
on Interfaith. Interestingly the event was held inside a mainstream church
in the city. The co-ordinator of the event (the Interfaith advisor to the Bishop of
Leicester) said: "In the 110 year history of this church such an event has never
taken place!" The fact that such events are taking place at such venues shows
how rapidly Interfaith ideals are progressing. One of the ideas I offered was:-
 
Religions have to learn to displace Exclusivist claims (incorporating evangelical
ambitions) with pluralism . Pluralism is not a religion. It is a statement of fact that
recognises the contextual nature of each and every religion. The presentation was well
received. The co-ordinator - Dr Andrew Wingate - graciously said that what was
happening in the church now, "i.e. such Interfaith dialogue" had been set in motion in
Chicago 110 years ago, by Swami Vivekananda. What a lovely tribute!
 
 
 
Contrasting experience:-
On Thursday, I was invited to Glasgow University to participate as the Hindu speaker
at a Seminar with all faiths called Sharing of Faiths organised by the Glasgow
University Students Union.
 
The Hindu society at this Major University with perhaps 10,000 students is a two
men affair!  Ally a youngster from Singapore and Harish a medical student somehow
manage to operate the Hindu society. The support they have from the Hindus and
from some of the other University bodies appeared extremely poor. We would strongly
suggest to other Hindu student bodies to go out of their way to support these very
dedicated youngsters.   At the start of the Hindu presentation, Ally stepped forward -- without hesitation and with tremendous devotion, recited loudly  a Shiva Stotra....
The union building shook, the audience had no idea what he was going on about - he
just blasted away. What a sight! What love for Shiva! We wish other universities had
such devotees of Shiva. Later on he confided to me, "Sometimes I work late at the
university and have to walk home in the dark, this area is notorious for muggings,
I just repeat, Om namah Shivay and walk on"....... So far so good  : )
 
This Seminar was promoted by the University Chaplain, and the way it was organised
seemed to suggest a kind of hierarchy assigned to faiths. The presentations were
to be in the following fixed format that cannot be tempered with:-
Islam, Christianity, Bahai, Second Christian presentation, and then Hinduism.
This is not the first time we have observed such hierarchy. The Christian lobby seems
to think that good inter-faith relation simply means reconciling the Muslim / Christian divide.
The University Chaplain was in the audience smiling; nodding his approval when the
Muslim speaker made his presentation. What did the Muslim speaker say?.
Well he read out the list of prophets acceptable by Islam starting with Moses and ending
with Mohammed.  We, the Hindus, the Buddhists, or the Bahais sat through this
recitation, listening - we and our prophets are immaterial - they are not even mentioned!
The Muslim speaker emphasised, "The most popular name of a prophet in the Koran is
not Mohammed, it is Moses"  --- See! we are able to accept other Abrahamic
traditions!!  The Christian lobby felt vindicated. The Chaplain seemed very pleased
--- Interfaith in action in Glasgow  : )
 
Surely, the Hindu contribution had to respond to such presentations.
Taking the name of my mentor, I let fly....
 
dilip lakhani
Vivekananda Centre London

__________________
Vivekananda Centre

Date:
Permalink   

 
Please circulate this message to all Hindu Student Unions.
 
 
I like to share my experiences of portraying Hinduism in the UK. The experience today was
unusual and can best be described as 'Close encounters of the third (unwanted) kind'.
 
When I give talks at Universities, I have observed a very tiny minority of Muslim students
in the audience. They normally ask very sincere questions and are satisfied when
offered straight forward explanations. This afternoon I was conducting a talk on the
Hindu theory of Reincarnation at Kingston University. In the middle of the talk, about
twenty Muslim youngsters walked into the auditorium. The atmosphere immediately
became charged up; all the Hindu youngsters in the audience became nervous-expecting
a confrontation. Nobody wanted to raise a smile even if I made some light hearted
comments!  A very sad sight!  It was clear that the Hindu youngsters were feeling
very intimidated. At the end of the talk the only questions that came, were from
the Muslim contingency. The Hindu guys were too nervous to ask any questions,
- in case Hinduism shows up poorly!
 
The sole purpose of the series of questions that were fired at me was not to learn
about the subject matter. The questions can best be described as an attempt to
overwhelm the speaker by bombarding him with many multiple layered questions
encased in high sounding phrases.
 
I operate under the shadow of the spiritual genius called Vivekananda who thrived
on such encounters and enjoyed quick fire repartee. So, taking a lesson from my
master I responded. In my reply, I deliberately used even more esoteric language,
drawing from many cross disciplines like Cosmology, Psychology, Quantum
mechanics & Theory of Evolution. After responding, I pointedly asked ... Now, have I
not answered all your questions well?  They did not respond... as they had no
idea what had hit them  : )
 
Finally, at the end of the session one of the guys came over to me to complain that Hindus
should not eat plants. -- Reduced to scrapping the bottom to find a flaw in Hinduism!  : )
 
Let me share a few thoughts that arise from today's experience:-
 
There is no doubt that many Hindu youngsters in the Universities are under
a lot of pressure and are being intimidated by such organised youth groups.
 
Resolution:- Only a rational, structured understanding of Hinduism can make
these youngsters feel secure. Proper understanding of their religion is their
only protection.
 
What practical steps can the Hindu youngsters take to make sure that
they are not harassed in this manner?
 
(a) Invite speakers who are thick skinned and well versed in their subjects.
 
(b) Sometimes it may be a good idea to conclude the meeting without a
question and answer session. So the disrupters get a full exposure to
Hindu teachings without them having a chance to disrupt the proceedings.
Hindu teachings are very dynamic and an hour of such an exposure will rattle
and unsettle anyone attempting to demean this religion. They will not want to
expose themselves to such risks again - unless they are gluttons for punishment!
 
Please circulate this information to all Hindu bodies.
 
regards
dilip lakhani
Vivekananda Centre London
http://www.vivekananda.co.uk
 

__________________
Vivekananda Centre

Date:
Permalink   


Earlier postings can be seen at http://www.vivekananda.btinternet.co.uk/veda.htm 
 
SWAMI VIVEKANANDA ON THE VEDAS AND UPANISHADS
By Sister Gayatriprana
part 171
 

PART III, SECTION 7: THE FRAGMENTATION OF THE VEDIC MESSAGE IN INDIA


Chapter 20: Saving India through the Spiritual Inheritance of the Vedas


a) We Must Give Up Weakness and Effeminacy and Learn How to Reduce the Doctrines of Vedanta into Practice


1. Chalk Out an Independent Path from the Europeans and Go Back to the Human-Making Upanishads


In Alwar in 1890, following the swami’s instructions many young men applied themselves to the study of Sanskrit. At times Swami Vivekananda used to teach them himself. And doing so, he told them, "Study Sanskrit, but along with it study Western science. Learn accuracy, my boys! Study and labor so that the time will come when you can put our history on a scientific basis. For now Indian history is disorganized.


We have no chronological accuracy. The histories of our country by the English writers cannot but be weakening to our minds, for they hold prominently before our view the picture of our downfall. How can foreigners who understand very little of our manners and customs, our religion and philosophy, write faithful and unbiased histories of India? Naturally, many false notions and wrong inferences have found their way into them. But the Europeans have shown us how to proceed in making researches into our ancient history. Now it is for us to chalk out an independent path for ourselves in these departments of learning. Study the Vedas and Puranas and the ancient annals of India, and from these make it your life’s sadhana to write accurate, sympathetic, and soul-inspiring histories of the land. Study the life of Shivaji and you will find him a nation-maker instead of a marauder, as the Europeans represent him. We should not be guided absolutely by the histories produced by European minds. What respect can they have for our culture which they do not understand? In point of fact, we have no connected history from the Vedic times down to a period of a thousand years after Lord Buddha. Of course, now a new era is dawning in this respect. But IT IS FOR INDIANS TO REWRITE INDIAN HISTORY. Therefore, set yourselves to the task of rescuing our lost and hidden treasures from oblivion! Even as one whose child has been lost does not rest until he or she has found it, so do you never cease to labor until you have redeemed the glorious past of India in the consciousness of the people. That will be the true national education; and with its advancement, a true national spirit will be awakened.(1)


You have been told and taught that you can do nothing, and nonentities you are becoming every day. What we want is strength; so believe in yourselves. We have become weak and that is why occultism and mysticism come to us - these creepy things. There may be great truths in them, but they have nearly destroyed us. Make your nerves strong. What we want is muscles of iron and nerves of steel. We have wept long enough. No more weeping, but stand on your feet and be true men and women. It is a human-making religion that we want. It is human-making theories that we want. It is human-making education all round that we want….


These mysticisms, in spite of some grains of truth in them, are generally weakening. Believe me, I have had a lifelong experience of it; and the one conclusion that I draw is that it is weakening. I have traveled all over India, searched almost every cave here, and lived in the Himalayas. I know people who lived there all their lives. I love my nation - I cannot see you degraded, weakened, any more than you are now. Therefore I am bound, for your sake and for truth’s sake, to cry, "Hold!" and to raise my voice against this degradation of my race. Give up these weakening mysticisms and be strong. Go back to your Upanishads - the shining, the strengthening, the bright philosophy - and part from all these mysterious thing, these weakening things. Take up this philosophy. The greatest things are the simplest things in the world, simple as your own existence. The truths of the Upanishads are before you. Take them up, live up to them, and the salvation of India will be at hand.(2)


Cross reference to:


Brih. Up., 4.14.4

__________________
Vivekananda Centre

Date:
Permalink   


From: Hindu Society
To: Vivekananda Centre
Sent: Sunday, October 19, 2003 03:36
Subject: Help required in dealing with windbag lecturers


Namaste Dilip Lakhani
 
How are you doing? Hope that everything is going well, especially at Vivekananda
Centre. I've been receiving e-mails from you which I have found very interesting.
I noted with interest your work in trying to have the sometimes negative impression
of Hinduism in educational syllabuses changed.
 
Recently I've come across a couple of situations which in dealing I would like your
advice:
 
1) One of them is related to the university which I attend (King;s). A member of the
Hindu Society (which I am NOT any longer president of) who does Philosophy at King's was annoyed at the Indian philosophy module (which she subsequently dropped,
as a result). According to the member,  the lecturer said stuff like:
 
"the Vedas before the Upanishads were promotive rights that people chanted to try
to make sure they have male children instead of girls. They have arbitary rules like
you cannot use the left hand to do anything or you will get divine wrath upon you"
 
"Moksha is a state that Hindus envisaged because they get tired of life so they want
to escape from it all"  <snip>
 
Maybe I'm being naive or over hopeful, and these lecturers are used to complaints
and are more thick skinned than that, but we feel it would be good experience for us
to initate such a complaint.

2) The other issue was Religious education pre-GCSE. My sister is 13 and on
questioning her she did say that the teacher is quite unsympathetic on her
portrayal of Hinduism, and the textbook I checkjed out reflects this to atleast some
extent. It doesn't dwell too much on caste, but did say a paragraph about
untouchability and how it is banned in modern India. I thought to myself - if it is
OK to portray the bad parts of Hindu society - why was there no such statement
on other religions? (which have faults in their societies, that are linked to their doctrines). For example, the legal status of non-Muslims in Islamic states as dhimmis, or the
Christian persecution of scientists which was linked to Biblical beliefs. Alternatively,
if an account of other religions that does not take the negative aspects, why can the
same not be done for Hinduism, considering the textbooks are for pre-GCSE kids.
 
What are the methods of taking up complaints such as this? Please let me know
because a group of friends including myself really want to give take this up in any
way possible.
 
Please let me know if you have any ideas regarding these 2 situations mentioned
in this e-mail.
 
Thanking you,
Raju Patel
 
Jai Bhavani

==================Response====================================


Namaste Raju ( I am taking the liberty of sharing this email with other youngsters who should be made aware of what is happening in the field of Hindu education). Please feel free to circulate this message to other Hindu societies and groups.


 
I am pleased that what you observed has agitated you enough to react in this manner. You must take steps when you feel that your dignity (or the dignity of your religion) is compromised -- you are looking for answers and if possible,
take corrective measures.
 
It is because the majority of Hindu youngsters have not felt the need to react in this forthright manner that Hinduism continues to be portrayed in such an undignified manner.
 
First, let me say that it is possible to put across any religion or any religious movement in the most unfavourable light using or misusing quotes from that very tradition. It is also
possible to present the weakness of one religion against the strength of a second religion in order to promote the second religion.  This is not new. This is sometimes done for malicious reasons and sometimes this happens due to sheer lack of perspective ('Vivek') exhibited by poor proponents of that religion. To be quite frank, some of our own Hindu
proponents lack this sense of perspective too.
 
How do we correct the situation? There are two ways:-
We take on a defensive stance or an aggressive stance. Hindus have a habit of favouring the defensive stance.....
"Oh, please, please don't show our religion in a poor light! We are not that bad, and other religions have flaws too!!" All the time defensive -- all the time apologetic!
 
When will we be self assured enough to adopt a more aggressive stand?
The reason why we are on the defensive is because we do not really know the value of what we possess.
 
It is a great pity that our own youngsters do not realise the strength of their religion. It is a religion that is best suited to respond to the serious challenge of rational enquiry into religious realms. It is a religion that is in line with the findings of modern sciences
(theory of evolution, quantum mechanics, cosmology etc). It is a religion that insists on experiential validity of religion rather than acceptance of a belief system. It is the religion that offers the most exciting response to philosophic inquisition. This is Hinduism.
But do we know this? No. Do we want to know this? No.
Until we know this how can we take an aggressive stand?
 
We prefer to cringe and wail when we are portrayed in a poor light. The Hindu youth carry out surveys and discover that the most pressing need of the the modern Hindu youth is 'Education in Hinduism.' Do they go about addressing this need in a systematic manner?
No.
 
Until we address the pressing need of providing 'Structured, Comprehensive Education in Hinduism' we will be on the defensive. Make the youth study Hinduism, learn it, teach it, assimilate it, and you will see a dramatic change taking place. These teachings will enter into our society and then into the host society. In just one generation, I promise you, no one will dare present Hinduism in a poor light -- the very idea will appear ludicrous!
This is the strength of our religion.
 
This is not empty rhetoric. I am suggesting the way forward. I am not offering short term easy solutions for thumping the lecturer at King's but suggesting a long term strategy that can transform our own view of our religion thereby effecting the views of others. The very thing (Hinduism) that should make our youngsters proud of themselves is at the moment working against them and making them vulnerable. What are the Hindu
bodies or Hindu youth groups doing to address this need?
Very little.
 
dilip
Vivekananda Centre London  

__________________
Vivekananda Centre

Date:
Interesting Week !!!
Permalink   


The Vivekananda Centre has had a very interesting week.
Let us share some of our experiences.
 
On 22nd October we were invited by Coventry University to participate at a "Peace and reconciliation" talk. We presented Hindu ideas of Religious Pluralism as the key for
resolving the issue of strife in the name of religion. In Coventry we discovered the
Sarada Vedanta Society - a terraced house converted into a wonderful shrine to
Sri Sarada by a dedicated English couple (Joy and Alan Hunter).
 
On 24th October we were invited to do a Religious seminar for about
100 sixth form youngsters (17 & 18 year olds) at Edgware High School.
Some of the most weird ideas were presented by the Muslim speaker suggesting
that the Hindu word 'Brahman' is derived from 'Abraham' and Om read the Muslim
way (right to left) would bring M in the front suggesting Mohammed.
Then came the Christian speaker who seemed to have come straight from the
Bible belt (Cricklewood in this instance) going on and on about how all truth is contained
in just one book - the Bible. When time came to present Hinduism we decided to respond
in a slightly more pointed manner than usual.....at the end of the talk vast majority of
students appeared convinced of the Hindu point of view.
 
25th October was a very unusual day. Perhaps for the first time in the history of
the Anglican Church, a strictly Anglican body had arranged a one day retreat for
its mainly Christian congregation to be led by a Hindu. The theme of the retreat was
silence & meditation. We started the retreat with a quote from Matthew: "If thine eye be
single, thy whole body will be filled with light." That is a definition of meditation: "One
pointed concentration that allows one to untangle the spirit from the mind/body complex."
The retreat had four one hour sessions of guided meditation. At the end of the day the
comments we heard were very heartening. This had been a very extraordinary day that
had been very satisfactory for all concerned. May we have more encounters of this kind.
   
27th October On this day we were invited to address a large meeting of the Metropolitan
Police Authority drawn mainly from Scotland Yard. We focused on the important
contribution the Hindus have already made in professional fields and the even more
important contribution the Hindus will make towards restoring the spiritual health of the
host nation. Overall the week has been very fruitful.
 
jay
Vivekananda Centre London

__________________
Vivekananda Centre

Date:
Email from Turkey
Permalink   

 
Dear Shankara
Namaste
Your email is very interesting. We are forwarding it to to the Ramakrishna
Movement and to our lists.                         jay...Vivekananda Centre London
 
------------------------email from Turkey----------------------------------------- 

----- Original Message -----
From: sankaranatarajan@yahoo.com 
To: Vivekananda Centre
Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2003 01:39
Subject: Re: Namaste,"Happy Diwali" from Istanbul/Turkey


Namaste,
Thank you very much for your reply.
We founded the first yahoo group to unite all real Hindus in Turkey and invite others.Although there are very few real Hindus in Turkey,hundreds of Turks follow profit-oriented heretic groups like Osho,Transcendental Meditation and others,because there is not any authentic organization representing  real Vedic Dharma in Turkey.Our country is a secular,democratic and peaceful european country,and even an office with a priest and translation of Shri Ramakrishna's and Swami Vivekananda's books to turkish language will be a very important support for us.We need your noble help.Our yahoo group is very new so number of our members will increase soon. www.groups.yahoo.com/group/hinduism_turkey
our web site is under construction = www.geocities.com/hinduism_turkey
                                                 
                                                                                 Best wishes.Namaste.
                                                                                 Shankar Natarajan Arya


Vivekananda Centre <vivekananda@btinternet.com> wrote:
----- Original Message -----
From: "Sankara Natarajan"
To:
Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2003 09:10
Subject: Namaste,"Happy Diwali" from Istanbul/Turkey


> We are a group of Turks(hinduism_turkey) who have embraced Sanatana
> Dharma and became Hindus.We invite Ramakrishna Mission to come to our
> peaceful and secular country to enlighten us.We need your
> support.Namaste.
>


__________________
Vivekananda Centre

Date:
RE: Vivekananda Centre Activities
Permalink   

 
Winter Retreat
 
Winter Retreat has been arranged at a country House in Northamptonshire as under:
 
Venue and details can be seen by
clicking  http://www.grendonhall.org.uk/link1.html
 
Dates:  Friday 2nd January to Sunday 4th January.
 
Travel: Grendon Hall  is about an hour's drive from London.
We all make our own way to the retreat place by about 5 pm on Friday
and return on Sunday evening.
 
Theme: The Focus of the Retreat will be 'RajaYoga'
 
Cost:  £55 per person plus VAT = £65
This includes accommodation and all meals.
 
Reserving your Place: This country house can accommodate about 70 people.
By now half the places have been taken. If you are interested then you should
email Krishnabhai immediately at  Krishna.Thakrar@willett.com
 
dilip lakhani
Vivekananda Centre London
 

__________________
Vivekananda Centre

Date:
Talks on Hinduism
Permalink   


Series of three talks on Hinduism by Dilip Lakhani
------------------------------------------
Gita Bhavan Mandir / Manchester.
Date: Saturday 15th November
Topic: Relevance of Hinduism
Time:    7.30 pm prompt
Venue: Gita Bhavan Hindu Temple
           231 Withington Road, Whalley Range, Manchester
---------------------------------------------
University of Manchester
Date: Sunday 16th November
Topic: Findings of Modern Science and Hinduism
Time:  11am - 12.30 
Venue: Renold Building, Lecture theatre C2, UMIST campus
(near Piccadilly Train Station).
----------------------------------------------
University College London
Date: Wednesday  19th November
Topic:  Science and Spirituality
Time:  5 to 6pm
Venue: University College London Room D103 1st Floor UCL Union 25 Gordon St
           London WC1  (nearest stations Euston, Euston Square) 
 
------------Vivekananda Centre London-----------------

__________________
Vivekananda Centre

Date:
RE: Vivekananda Centre Activities
Permalink   


First of a Series of Talks on Hinduism at King's and Imperial Colleges, London
 
'Relevance of Hinduism' (or Why bother with Hinduism?)
at Kings College on Thursday 4th December -Guys campus - from 6 to 7pm.
Venue: Room G4, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, Nearest station London Bridge.
(Directions: London Bridge Tube Station has several exits. It is important to Get the   "Guy's Hospital Exit," as the Venue is literally only about 2 minutes walk from there).
 
Next term we will present a series of Three talks on 'Foundations of Hinduism'
at Imperial - dates to be announced. 
 
The three talks will cover:
 
First talk  (basics of Hinduism)
Dharma: as enquiry into nature of reality.
Concept of God: (pluralism not polytheism). How different concepts of God and different approaches used by different sectarian bodies reflects true spiritual democracy.  
Scriptures: cause of great confusion. Why mythology must be separated from the very powerful philosophic basis to our religion.
Rituals: The need to displace the mechanical, meaningless ones with more rational ones.
 
Second talk (interesting Hinduism)
Reincarnation:  What Proofs? and Why relevant?
Yoga: (not the physical kind) Experiential religion.
 
Third talk (esoteric Hinduism)
Philosophy of Religion: Proof of God and how to answer the question of suffering?
Modern Science and Hinduism: Relationship of Hinduism with theories of evolution cosmology, genetics, and quantum mechanics.
 
These talks will form the backbone of Hindu Education for the Hindu Youth in the West. Let us hope that these talks will mark a turning point in the way we, Hindus view ourselves. It is only after we have done this successfully, can we hope to bring about a change in the way the rest of the world view us. 

 
Vivekananda Centre London
http://www.vivekananda.co.uk

__________________
Vivekananda Centre

Date:
Talk at King's College London
Permalink   











We made a presentation at Kings College London yesterday on the topic, 'Why bother with Hinduism?'. The talk was well received. The venue was packed and extra chairs had to be brought in. We encountered a very lively bunch of students. We said the reason why we have to bother is because Hinduism is the very fabric on which our whole being is set. If this is in dis-repair our whole constitution will suffer. We ignore this issue at our peril. 
 
A young student of philosophy read out a long list of topics in the Philosophy module at
King's where Hinduism is portrayed in the most appalling manner. She had registered her
concerns with the head of the department and has received a very poor response.
 
We explained that our experience with the Religious Education academics suggests clearly that they are very poorly equipped to portray Hinduism.Some even think that it is not even a religion but a mass of primitive traditions loosely woven together and labelled as religion.
 
"How do we defend our religion?" we were asked. We told them, "The only way you can defend something is first by knowing what is it that you defending.  How can you stand up against
misrepresentations unless you know what is the correct presentation?"
 
To address this issue, we are planning a series of three talks at Imperial and (after this very encouraging encounter at King's ...) a similar series at King's at the start of the new term. The series will be called 'Foundations of Hinduism' and will cover the basics as well as the esoteric aspects of Hinduism (incorporating the Hindu response to findings of modern science and philosophy). We have been approached by Cambridge and Kingston for similar talks. 
 
On a lighter note one young lad at King's had asked: "Can we teach a mantra that can let him pull some girls?"  We said, "Sure, we know of a mantra that you must try. The Mantra is called,
'Celibacy'. If you are celibate, your whole being will change; you have now exhibited your
mastery over your animal nature; your self-confidence will ooze out and shine on your face; and of course all the girls will come running ..The problem is that there is nothing you can do about it..you are now a celibate.  : )
 
dilip (jay)
Vivekananda Centre London
 

__________________
Vivekananda Centre

Date:
Swami Vivekananda's birthday
Permalink   

 
Dear Friends
 
Today we celebrate Swami Vivekananda's birthday. The best way to celebrate
is by emphasising what Swami Vivekananda stood for.
 
Invoking Strength. The source of our strength is our spiritual dimension. It is by
focusing on the fact that we are not the mind or the body but the Self -  we invoke
the greatest strength.
 
The tools he would recommend we use are:
 
Buddhi. The best tool to invoke strength is the use of our rational faculties. If
in the name of religion we are offered ideas that defy our common sense then
we must move away from such ideas. Rationality and Religion are not at odds
or have never been at odds. (at some stage religion may ask us to transcend
rationality but that is not the same as accepting or adopting irrational views).
 
Brahmacharya: A tool a very few modern 'gurus' would dare promote.
At best these gurus would say 'as long as you are in a loving relationship with a partner
sex is fine' : ).   Ramakrishna would say, "If you have to, then get married, have
one or two children and then quickly move on to a celibate lifestyle." Who wants to
listen to such an old fashioned message? Today the religion of Indians is not Hinduism;
it is called "Bollywood" - lust set to music. Best way for a nation to drool and fritter
away its strength.
 
Let us invoke these higher ideals of Bal, Buddhi and Brahamacharya in our nation.
 
dilip lakhani
Vivekananda Centre London
 

__________________
Vivekananda Centre

Date:
Details of Talks on Hinduism
Permalink   

 
Series of Talks on Hinduism
Vivekananda Centre London
 
We have planned a series of talks on Hinduism at various colleges. The following dates/venues
have been confirmed. Please circulate this information and encourage the youth to attend.
We will shortly let you have details of further talks being organised at Imperial, Kingston, Brunel etc.
 
Series of Three talks on Hinduism at King's College London
Venue: Theatre 2, New Hunts House, Guys Campus, King's College
(directions: Nearest station: London Bridge Tube Station. There are several exits.
It is important to Get the "Guy's Hospital Exit," as the Venue is literally only 2 minutes walk)
All three talks are on Mondays. Time 6pm onwards.
Date(s)  and               Topics:
2nd February. Topic: Basics of Hinduism ~ Concept of God, ~ Scriptures ~ etc.
9th February.  Topic: Special Hinduism ~ Reincarnation and Raja Yoga
16th February.Topic: Esoteric Hinduism ~ Science and religion ~ Hindu Philosophy 

 
Cambridge University
Date: Thursday 22nd January

Venue: Smith Room, St. John's College, Cambridge
Time: 7.15pm to 8.15pm
Topic: Raja Yoga
 
London
Interfaith Centre
Meant for Christian Ministers from North Thames Ministerial College
Date: Saturday 24th January
Topic: Who is 'Man' and what is his relationship with the 'Cosmos'.
 
London
Date: Sunday 25th January
Venue: Sindhi Centre 230a Kenton Road Harrow
Time: 10.45 to 12.45
Topic: GCSE, A/S and Advanced level Hinduism
 
Leicester
Date:  Sunday 1st February
Venue: Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre Belgrave Road Leicester
Time: 5pm to 6pm
Topic: Relevance of Swami Vivekananda
 
Wembley
Date: Thursday 5th February
Venue: Hindu Council Brent, Cottrell House, Empire Way Wembley
Time: 8pm Onwards
Topic: Swami Vivekananda
 
Bristol Temple
Date: Saturday 21st February
Time: 12 to 1pm
Topic: Hinduism for the Youth
 
 
For further information contact:
Vivekananda Centre London
hindu@btinternet.com
http://www.vivekananda.co.uk

 

__________________
Vivekananda Centre

Date:
e Hinduism Talks
Permalink   



KCL Hindu Society Presents



A Hindu View of the World


By Dilip Lakhani




We are very proud to present this series of 3 talks guaranteed to give a great foundational understanding of the Hindu world-view, by a well-known and very eminent speaker.


TALK 1: AN INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW


Dharma as an enquiry into the nature of reality; concepts of God; roles of scriptures and rituals


TALK 2: DEEPER ENQUIRY INTO SPECIFIC ASPECTS


Reincarnation and Raja-Yoga (not to be confused with yoga as understood in the West) are the main focuses here.


TALK 3: ESOTERIC HINDUISM


The mystical tradition of sages and ascetics spending years in deep contemplation. What ideas did they produce? What were their methods of enquiry? How did their findings correlate with recent scientific findings such as the theories of evolution, genetics, cosmology and quantum mechanics.



Dilip Lakhani is one of the most well-known speakers on Hinduism in the UK, and his talks are always tremendously received. He is a Physicist and has studied at King’s and Imperial Colleges.


Mondays 2nd, 9th and 16th February 6pm – 7pm


Lecture Theatre 1, New Hunt’s House, Guy’s Campus


Free refreshments available at the end



Guaranteed to be a lively and elevating experience – be sure not to miss out.

__________________
Vivekananda Centre

Date:
talks at King's
Permalink   

 
Copied to Hindu groups

 
Subject: talks at Greenwich


> Hello Dilip Uncle,
>
> I must say that your talk yesterday was amazing and everyone from down south
> loved it! >< Deepa may have mentioned the possible talk at Greenwich and she said you are
> ok for the March period (we hope). >< Some of those that attended your talks
thought that it might be appropriate to do a talk along the lines of what you delivered
yesterday.
  
Regards
Krushna

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Krushna at Greenwich and Hindu Society at King's
 
I will be happy to do a talk on  Modern Hinduism at Greenwich (that will cover the same material).
I needed to boost the moral of the Hindu youngsters so I went a bit over the top in exposing
the weakness of other religions (I do not use this style normally, but I felt that the King's crowd needed to see this). I will certainly do a talk at Greenwich in March.Give me a couple of
dates.. Choose the time and date that is most favourable in bringing in large number of youth. Get the youth from the Sakha as well as from other local temples.
 
The series of talks at King's has been the most successful ever. The huge attendance 
and the way these youngsters responded and asked questions makes me feel very proud
of our youth. Both your groups have done a marvellous job. Congratulations. Please contact
some of these Hindu societies to send in delegations at the final talk (16th Feb) at King's next
so they get a feel of how these talks are received.
 
I want you to do me a favour. You youngsters have shown the greatest flare on this issue,
so I am looking to you for this favour. What the Vivekananda Centre is doing is very
important for the Hindu youth. Talks like these should be taking place in all colleges.
I was hoping that I will get prompt assistance from NHSF in promoting further talks at other
colleges across the UK. The manner in which they have responded suggests that they are
struggling with manpower. So I want you acting as Vivekananda Centre to take charge and
co-ordinate all future talks for the Centre at all colleges in the UK. I am sending a copy of this
email to Dharmesh & Shrien of NHSF requesting that they let you have contacts of various
Hindu bodies at various schools and colleges so that you can start planning talks in March
and then from September onwards. (It is best to avoid talks during April to June - unless there
is a very special need). You have attended many of my talks so you are best suited
to promote further talks. I will let you decide the topics, dates, venues etc. Please feel
free to involve other Hindu youth groups or college bodies. Go for it!
 
regards
dilip lakhani
Vivekananda Centre London

__________________
Vivekananda Centre

Date:
Hinduism in the UK
Permalink   

 
Dear List
 
Let us share our thoughts on the activities of the Vivekananda Centre London over the
past month. It has been a very interesting period.
 
Catholic College
One of the top ten Catholic colleges in the UK situated in St Albans invited us to do two sessions of one hour each on Hinduism for their 17 to 18 year old boys. These 150 or so youngsters come from a very conservative Catholic background and one can say safely that they have never been exposed to proper Hinduism. So they got a blast of Vivekananda. After the sessions the deputy head wrote to us: "The boys continued discussing the talks long time after you had left and this has never happened in this school." Miracle! May be, after this experience the Vatican will confer Sainthood on our Vivekananda.  - But then that would be miracle of miracles : )
 
New Classes on Hinduism at Willesden Green Swaminarayan Temple
We have started classes on Hinduism. What a wonderful surprise to see the venue immediately filled to capacity - with a large number of 14 and 15 year olds (majority girls). With great enthusiasm they absorb this structured understanding of their religion. So many cobwebs wiped away - such relief on the faces! We take great care when making presentations to such sectarian groups that they feel comfortable about their own sectarian movement. At the end of these sessions they must feel greater love for their chosen pathway, else we consider our work a failure. They must become even more staunch Swaminarayan than before!
 
North Thames Ministerial College
We were asked to do a couple of sessions for about 30 Anglican and Methodist ministers on what Hinduism says about 'man' and his role in the 'cosmos'. We could not have asked for a better topic. One contentious issue came up when a minister with a strong 'evangelising fever' said:  "Despite your love of Christ; he was really not such a nice chap; you see he tells you guys that either you accept Him or you are lost". Our response was, if you think you have a God given right to convert others then soon you will have someone snapping at your heels trying to convert you. Don't you remember the famous adage: "If you live by the sword, you perish by the sword"  --- after that comment that minister was all smiles, and kept nodding agreement on the Hindu ideas of Pluralism as the probable resolution to how many religions can co-exist without thumping each other. 
 
VHP Celebrating Vivekananda Jayanti in Leicester
We were asked to provide the key note speech. The chief guest at the Vivekananda Jayanti was the head of the Iskcon movement in Leicester. The Hindus have a habit of springing surprises on us in this unusual manner!!  We said in our speech that Vivekananda or the Sri Ramakrishna movement has gone to great lengths never to utter a single demeaning comment about any of the Hindu sectarian movements, though sometimes the converse has not happened! I think only one or two people at the meeting caught the drift. Sometimes we can be a bit naughty  : )
 
The meeting in Wembley, London
We had agreed to give a talk on the life and teachings of Vivekananda. The venue was overflowing -- many youngsters eager to learn of this Modern Grand Master of Hinduism crowed into the Brent Hindu Council venue. The talk went on for nearly one and a half hours. At the end, the questions came; overflowing with love for our mentor. We tried our best but we are sure that we always fall well short of doing real justice to what Vivekananda is all about.
 
Series of Talks at King's college
These series of three talks are still in progress. The last talk brought in over 200 youngsters. To get this many students in for a talk on Religion is very difficult (to put it mildly). These series of talks are generating a great deal of interest and many other student bodies in other UK colleges are trying to set up similar talks. Imperial College has fixed a talk on 19th February and Brunel on 24th February.
Most of these youngsters, in their schools; in colleges or in their workplaces have been exposed to the 'Best of other faiths compared to the worst of their own faith'. At some stage it becomes necessary to redress the balance in order to lift a load off their shoulders. Not that we would not pass very cutting comments about some serious shortcomings we observe in the way Hinduism is practised against what is preached. These talks are generating a lot of interest in the teachings of Swami Vivekananda. We tell these youngsters, if you like what you hear, then know for sure that it has been taken from the teachings of Vivekananda. All the waffle you heard was the personal
contribution of the undersigned  : )
 
jay
Vivekananda Centre London

__________________
Vivekananda Centre

Date:
Events past and present
Permalink   

22nd February Talk at Bristol Temple
This is the only temple we know of in the UK that has huge oil paintings of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda adorning its main wall. About 200 people attended the talk. The question and answer session was particularly lively. One adult asked, "How does Bollywood become an obstacle in your work?." We replied, "The modern Hindu youth cannot be blamed for mistaking Bollywood for Hinduism as that is the only aspect of his 'culture' he has been exposed to. You fritter away the life force of your youth if you continue to expose them to such trivia." 
 
25th February Talk at St Helen's Girls School in Northwood
This is one of the top Girls schools in the country. One of the Hindu girls in the school had asked the school to invite an outside speaker on Hinduism (we suspect) in order to tidy up the image of Hinduism in the school. The material we were asked to cover was 'Hereditary Caste system.'  Most of the schools with a strong Christian tradition use this topic as a stick to beat Hinduism with. We said that the fact that 'people are different and face differing circumstances' means that the way they put religion into practice has necessarily got to reflect this and be contextual -- this is the basis of the term 'Varnasharm dharma.(not Hereditary Caste system).' This is not a sign of weakness of Hinduism but the sign of great maturity of this religion.
 
6th March Sai group in East London celebrates Sri Ramakrishna's birthday
We were invited to give a talk on the life and teachings of Sri Ramakrishna. The key aspects we
emphasised were the special injunctions from this contemporary spiritual master  (a) Celibacy in married life (b) Giving up this inbuilt urge of chasing after 'even more' wealth. When we collect more than we need.....we are literally stealing the bread from the mouths of the less well off ....then we make a pretence of charity by throwing some crumbs back at them!
 
8th March Hanwell Methodist Church
This is the fifth talk we have given in a mainstream church in recent times. We told the congregation, "If a Hindu was to offer such a talk from the pulpit of a church 200 years back he would have been lynched!" But things are changing. The message of Pluralism that the Hindus hold is very valuable one and has to be integrated into other mainstream religions very quickly. We told the audience: Do so, we will not ask for copyrights : )     The reaction such talks produce with Western audience is quite dramatic.
 
10th March Westminster University London
In the audience we discovered two Chinese diplomats who wanted to learn about Hinduism. The question and answer session was very lively. They asked, "Why bother to pray?? We said, "It is not because you want to invoke some supernatural being sitting behind the clouds. It is because the process allows you to access the latent strength that you already possess to come to the fore." They asked, "How do you become spiritual?"  We offered the advise given by Sri Ramakrishna, "The greatest austerity of this age is: 'Adherence to truth' - impose this discipline on yourself. "What you think you say and what you say you must do" .....The diplomats laughed and said, "Impossible to achieve in their present roles....as diplomats they are trained in how not to tell the truth"  : )
At the end of the session a very impressive diplomat said, "The talk was enlightening and he will arrange to give us a red-carpet treatment if we ever decide to visit China."
 
11th March Chatham Grammar School for Girls in Kent.  A day seminar:
About 100 girls aged 17 to 18 attended this seminar. The topic: Why suffering?
The speakers:
Representing Christian tradition Prof. Ralph Norman of Christ Church College Canterbury
Representing Humanist tradition Prof. Richard Norman of University of Kent
Representing Hindu tradition:  Vivekananda Centre London
This was a very exciting encounter. A very prying theme asking for an explanation from two major world religions and of course the secular lobby. The level of pointed questioning took our breath away. These youngsters knew their subject. It was interesting to see how the speakers reacted.
Needless to say that the material coming from Vivekananda's teachings steals the hearts of all such audiences. We said, "Suffering is the tax paid by spirituality in wanting to manifest itself
as a living entity."   Such encounters and interactions with mainstream Christian lobby or the Secular lobby makes us very certain about the key role of Swami Vivekananda's teaching in the modern world. We were perhaps very severe on the Humanist. We said, "Since the advent of quantum mechanics the matter of the materialist has disappeared, but unfortunately the materialists have yet to disappear!
 
Future talks...
 
18th March
Imperial College South Kensington
Chemical Engineering Dept Lecture room 2  Time 6pm onwards. 
Topic: The Face of modern Hinduism -- Swami Vivekananda
 
23rd March
Brunel University Lecture Centre  Time 6pm onwards.
Topic: Science and Religion
 
29th March
Greenwich College
King William Building Rm 016 Maritime Greenwich Campus
Topic: Modern Hinduism
Time 6pm onwards

3rd April Brighton:  Day seminar on Hinduism for
2nd and 3rd year degree students of Catholic college training for
Religious Education
 
jay (dilip)
Vivekananda Centre London

__________________
Vivekananda Centre

Date:
a Talk on Vivekananda at Imperial on Thursday
Permalink   

 
Talk on Swami Vivekananda at Imperial College - try and attend.
Feel free to distribute this information on your mail-list 
 

 
Everything in your inheritance that is life-giving; everything in your background that is strength-invoking; if all of that took on a human form and came in front of you; what would you call it?  You call it Vivekananda.
 
Talk:- Face of Modern Hinduism - Vivekananda
Speaker:- Dilip Lakhani
Date:- Thursday 18th March
Time: 6pm onwards
Venue:- Lecture theatre 2,  Chemical Engineering Department,
Imperial College, Prince Consort Road South Kensington, London SW7
 
 
 

__________________
Vivekananda Centre

Date:
Rough words from a Hindu
Permalink   


Dear List
 
Sometimes we use harsh words against our Hindu youth if, for example we find them promoting Bollywood in the guise of Hinduism. Sometimes we have to thrash the Western Youth if we feel that their attitude towards Hinduism is seriously irreverential. This morning we were invited to speak at two top English schools: St. Olave's and Newstead Grammar schools in Orpington, Kent. We have to thank the recent issue of the 'Hinduism Today' article for generating this invitation. There were about 120 youngsters (mostly English) at this sixth form conference on 'Life after Death.'  They listened to our presentation on 'Reincarnation' but then the manner and calibre of questioning exposed a serious anti-Hindu bias. Taking this into account, our response to the questioning was severe. The Catholic speaker who was to follow-on was visibly shaken up!
 
Let us share some of the material we dished out:-
The idea that there are only two lives:- This and the next ever lasting one; where you either have a barbecue with God for eternity or you are the barbecue, is highly unjust. If God has created this setup then He is a most vindictive person. This system is not only unjust but also creates one of the greatest threats we face in the world today, "Killing in the name of religion."  "What is wrong in taking our own lives and a few other innocent lives (as that is a finite price to pay) for eternal rewards in the hereafter (infinite reward)?" This obnoxious risk/reward ratio springs up from such a theology. It produces 'fanatics' who will produce greater bloodshed than seen in the two world wars. This idea of just two lives: this and next ever lasting one, has to be re-examined in the light of the Hindu teachings of 'reincarnation' where finite actions produce finite results.
 
Of course we had immediate responses like: "Oh, 'reincarnation' is just your belief, we have our own"
We responded, "Yes, you say the same in science: "You are happy with Newton's Laws of gravitation, though Einstein's laws of gravitation give a more comprehensive explanation, you are welcome to live in the past."
 
Then we had an obnoxious question: "What if a person thinks he is a cow?"... no doubt a pun used as a put down the idea of the 'Holy cow' of the Hindus. We replied: "Think about this: Which culture is grander? One that promotes and gives dignity to a gentle animal by giving it a human status or the culture that demotes its women by calling them cows? You have two choices: Either Call the Cow your mum or call your mum the Cow? Which do you prefer?" There was a stunned silence, so we added, I think this reply deserves an applause.....and forced a loud applause. Sometimes we have to rub these points in.
 
These youngsters are not to blame for the serious bias they exhibit against Hinduism. The present education system is in the hands of Religious Education teachers who are themselves seriously prejudiced against Hinduism.This phenomenon becomes very visible when we have such encounters at schools. There were about a dozen RE teachers in the audience, no doubt sitting there, thoroughly stunned!
 
We have told many audiences: "Hinduism holds real treasures that can defuse two of the greatest challenges faced by the modern world. (a) How to resolve the thorny issue of strife in the name of religion and (b) How to revive spirituality through the findings of modern science." In the days to come we will contribute in these fields.
 
jay (dilip)
Vivekananda Centre London

__________________
Vivekananda Centre

Date:
Development after: "Harsh words from a Hindu"
Permalink   

------------------------------Email from St Olave's Grammar School Orpington----------------------------------
 
Dear Mr. Lakhani,
I want to thank you so much for contributing to our RS Conference. Your presentation was fantastic, not only highlighting the Hindu perspective but in addition the use of humour, which is so often lacking at this type of event. Many students, as well as the attending teachers commented that your presentation was in fact the best. In fact in a later 'audience opinion' section of the day, one student said that she had never considered fully this view of life after death, and although already believing in the Hindu belief, your speech had confirmed and strengthened her beliefs, especially in this area.
Thank you for your address. Thank you again for such a key presentation,
Laura

__________________
Vivekananda Centre

Date:
Ch 4
Permalink   


On behalf of the Hindu Council UK, I recently contributed at a meeting on Ch4 Religious
Programmes.
 
The commissioner in-charge at Channel 4 conducted the meeting, he showed clips of the recent religious programmes on Channel 4, including Hajj, Kumbh Mela, Resurrection, Sons of Abraham, Testing God and of course Shariah TV.  He commented that he would have liked more programmes on other religions specially Hinduism, Buddhism but he has not received suitable material from these faiths. I responded to this saying that I had submitted three useful topics for programmes with Hindu themes which the commissioner had rejected outright. They were:-

 
(a) Reincarnation (as a contrast to the Abrahamic idea of  Resurrection)
(b) Hinduism and Modern science (continuation on theme science and religion Testing God)
(c) Religious Pluralism (to resolve the issue of how many religions can co-exist peacefully)
 
The audience warmed up to these topics and many supported the need to explore these themes through a TV programme. At the end of the meeting two production companies have approached us to see if they can develop the first two themes. We will keep you posted on how this idea develops further.
 
Gaining a foothold in the media is essential if we wish to portray and promote wholesome and true Hinduism. So far Hinduism has had a raw deal (Kumbh Mela is only one such example).
 
We are trying to build bridges with the media to address this serious shortcoming.
 
This afternoon CTVC has approached us asking to see if we can participate in of the new programmes they are making on 'Conversions!!'  We have said: Sure, we would like to get involved in such a programme with a Hindu input.  
 
Dilip Lakhani

__________________
Vivekananda Centre

Date:
Sai Documentary
Permalink   

 
Dear List (please feel free to circulate this message).
 
Yesterday on prime viewing time the BBC screened a documentary called "Silent Swami."  The documentary alleged serious sexual misconduct by Sai Baba even suggesting murder to hush up such issues. This message is not attempting to discuss the validity of such accusations or the validity of Sai Baba as a God-man.
 
What we wish to draw your attention to is the serious damage such presentations cause to the overall portrayal of Hinduism in the West. The Western Media seems to take great delight in presenting Hinduism in such poor light. A hundred years ago Swami Vivekananda had said something like, "The amount of mud slung at Hinduism by outsiders is more than the mud at the bottom of the Indian Ocean."  It appears that the supply of this mud has yet not dried up!
 
Our experience of dealing with the media in the West suggests that the BBC continues to promote a strong 'Christian ethos' (this can translate into practice as: 'anything and everything weird about Hinduism should be given airtime while everything dynamic like 'Vivekananda' should be kept under wraps'). The commercial channels like Ch4, we suspect are strongly manipulated by funds from the Middle East paying for a wholesome portrayal of Islam.
 
But 'Satyameva Jayate.'  "In the long term truth always triumphs". It is with the likes of Vivekananda that Hinduism can regain its dignity and stature.  This was the case a 100 years ago and as we are discovering this is still the case today. Ultimately the West has no choice but turn to the teachings of Vivekananda. When they want to diffuse the serious issue of strife in the name of religion or when they want to rekindle love of religion in their own congregation who can they turn to? When they want to reconcile their own religion with rationality or science with spirituality - where is the resolution?   Vivekananda waits quietly on the sidelines.
 
regards jay
Vivekananda Centre London

__________________
Vivekananda Centre

Date:
Gautier in London
Permalink   


Dear List
 
Francois Gautier is in London at the moment and we had an opportunity to hear him make a presentation at Brent Town Hall on Sunday. He is a very unassuming person and very focused in his ideas.
 
Some of the issues he raised in his presentation on how Hindus should protect and promote Hinduism resonates with our own stand and experience in this field. 
 
(a) Hindus themselves are the greatest enemies of Hinduism. They are not bothered about their religion, but then they take the high ground and blame outsiders if they misportray it. He said, "If you do not care for your own religion how do you expect the BBC to care for it? They will continue to portray it the way they like." The Hindus cannot offer a united front even to tackle an acceptable common issue like the plight of the Kashmiri Pandits.
 
(b) "Due to the communications revolution, your religion is no longer safe. It is being wiped away even  from the most remotest corners of India." This part of his presentation is something that is really worrying. We know that in earlier times Indian villages resonated with sounds of devotional music, today these places are blaring away Bollywood music. The danger India faced in earlier times was from other religions trying to overrun Hinduism. The danger now comes from this very 'Secular lifestyle' promoted through very powerful and versatile media. Francois said the only reason why he is concerned is because if 'India dies so dies spirituality in the world'..... These are the exact words used by Vivekananda about a hundred years back. 
 
(c) I asked him, "What drives you to bother with Hinduism?" He replied in his characteristic manner, "Things just kind of fall into place and I end up doing such work."  The real reason that drives him (we suspect) is the sheer exasperation he feels towards the manner in which the Hindus themselves are handling these important issues. He said, "I am not a Hindu so why should I bother with all these things?" We think he bothers because he is very much a Hindu - a real Hindu.
 
jay
Vivekananda Centre London

__________________
Vivekananda Centre London

Date:
Hindus are the enemies of Hinduism
Permalink   

 
Dear Friends
 
As Francois Gautier said in his recent talk in London the biggest enemies of Hindus are Hindus. The Vivekananda Centre has just had first hand experience of this phenomenon. One young man wrote a scathing article about me and the work of Vivekananda Centre in the Asian Voice last week. Normally we would not respond to such 'mud-slinging' by individuals, but as this was done in a very public manner, we had no choice but to defend ourselves.
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OUR RESPONSE IN THE PRESENT ISSUE OF ASIAN VOICE IS AS FOLLOWS
 
This is a response to some critical comments passed by Rahul Suchde in the last issue of ASIAN VOICE. Part of his criticism is addressed indirectly to the work done by myself & the Vivekananda Centre London involved in promoting Hindu education. The only reason why we are bothering to respond is to ensure that this crucial work done by the Centre does not get undermined by such irresponsible comments.

The Vivekananda Centre London helps organise and run many classes teaching Hinduism. Many students have benefited from these classes. Vivekananda Centre has never charged any fees for running these classes. It has worked hard to tidy up the image of Hinduism in the educational system in the UK and continues to interact very robustly with the religious education bodies of this country to ensure that Hinduism is presented in a dynamic and positive light. The work has been commended
by a great many educationalists and Hindu bodies in the country.

In order to respond to the criticisms addressed to me personally let me relate the story of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. He was an educationalist who lived in Calcutta about 150 years ago. He worked selflessly and tirelessly helping all those around him and in return many of the people he had helped used to come up to him and criticise him severely.  He became quite used to this routine and would smile and carry on with his work. One day a person he had never helped walked in to his office and started to criticise him. This was just too much for him. He asked, "Why are you criticising me, I never helped you?"  My response to this young man is that if after letting him attend only half my classes (free of charge of course) he has showered me with these wonderful praises, how much more praise would I have earned if I had allowed him to continue attending the classes?

We do not charge any fees and have the right to reject anyone we find unsuitable. The reason why we ejected this youngster is not because he asked a question but because he "made a statement" that was quite unacceptable. Without going into detail about the statement and the context in which it was made, let us simply say that the statement made us feel sure that this person was 'mentally' unsuited to participate in future classes. We told him that we do not want anything more to do with him and wished him well. It would have been good if he could have wished us well and parted company but the recent comments suggest that he is not capable of grasping this simple idea.

At many colleges where I have presented Hinduism, I have commented that: "If you like what I am saying then know for sure that it has been taken from the teachings of Swami Vivekananda. The portions of my presentations that did not make sense to you were my personal contribution on this subject." In this manner I have ensured that the credit for any positive aspect to our work is acknowledged to be Swami Vivekananda. No doubt these presentations are very self-assured and may sometimes give the appearance of 'arrogance' but this is because they are derived from a dynamic personality who did not stand for any nonsense.

The article 'claims' that I am a hypocrite. If I had allowed this individual to continue to participate in our classes even though I was convinced that he did not fit in, that would be hypocrisy. After I discover that many Hindu student bodies are using Hinduism as a vehicle to promote a Bollywood agenda and I keep quiet (to be on their right side) that can be termed hypocrisy. If I discover that the UK educational bodies are promoting a poor image of Hinduism and do not react in a robust manner so as not to rock the boat, that too would be hypocrisy. But as most people know I have taken a very strong line on all these issues.

I have an agenda. I feel that I have to fight tooth and nail to protect and promote my religion. I have to ensure that before I am finished, Hinduism is placed on a pedestal and revered by the Westerners. It is only if I can accomplish this that the Hindus in India will show appreciation of their own religion.

Let me relate another story about Vivekananda. One day his teacher Sri Ramakrishna asked him, "There will be people who will criticise you even though you will be doing good work in the world - how would you react?" Vivekananda replied, " I will carry on with my work and think that these critics are dogs barking." Sri Ramakrishna smiled and said, "There is no need to go that far."

dilip lakhani
hindu@btinternet.com
Vivekananda Centre London
http://www.vivekananda.co.uk



__________________
Vivekananda Centre

Date:
Contrasting Colours
Permalink   

 
Dear List
 
The work of the Vivekananda Centre continues touching diverse audiences. Let us share two experiences of last week.
 
A major temple in Willesden Green in London invited us to address their congregation. There were nearly a thousand people in the audience. All age groups assembled in a spirit of devotion. The temple paid tribute to our work saying, "Though we are not part of their sectarian movement we have shown concern for their youngsters and have taught them Hinduism over the last year - about 50 youngsters were trained." We told the audience, "It is absolutely essential to expose these youngsters to  'comprehensive' Hinduism. Do not fear that by doing so you will lose them from your 'sampradaya'. In fact they will become the true long term supporters of your movement. Structured and rational understanding of their religion is the best armour you can give them so that they can live without fear and with full dignity in a multi-faith society."
At the final class a very young boy of six came up and offered a little present. We asked, "What is your name?" He gave a broad smile and replied, "Purushotam". Now if Purushotam is happy with us what more can we ask for?
 
The second experience is quite a contrast. An English couple invited us to go and talk to their group that is exploring ideas of spirituality. There were about 20 people who had gathered in their parlour. Mostly middle class English couples with one Muslim lady and one West Indian gentleman. We dished out the teachings of Swami Vivekananda for two hours. We were getting tired but not the audience. Two ladies said that they can listen to such stuff all night. The Muslim lady said she should have brought her husband. The West Indian gentleman said he has never heard anything like this in his life. Vivekananda had poured out such material to the West about a hundred years ago, it seems that the West is just beginning to wake up to this. : )
   
jay
Vivekananda Centre London
 
 
 

__________________
1 2  >  Last»  | Page of 2  sorted by
 
GUHS Forum -> GUHS Forum -> Vivekananda Centre Activities
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse 		Powered by ActiveBoard