Proceedings of the 18^th Arya Maha Sammelan

on August 1^st at Royal Albert Palace, Fords, New Jersey

Inauguration

The program was inaugurated by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, President of the New Jersey Medical Society. He reminisced about the grand bicentennial of Swami Virjananda that was celebrated in his hometown of Mathura. He urged Arya Pratinidhi Sabha to take a resolution to improve the shabby condition of the Birjanada Paathshaala in Mathura, where Swami Dayanada got his knowledge and inspiration about Arya Samaj.

Shri Upendra Kurvila, the deputy speaker of New Jersey General Assembly, urged everyone to become an ambassador of Hindu dharma at the local level by joining the local community in various celebrations and participating in politics and social activities at the local level. He said that we should write to the local governments about proclaiming the month in which Diwali falls as Diwali month. He also informed us about the heritage language law in New Jersey through which our Hindi and language teachers can be certified to offer accredited courses to the children. Last but not the least he urged every Hindu to feel proud of his heritage.

Keynote Address

The keynote address was given by Dr. Balbir Acharya, Head of the Swami Dayananda Chair at Mahrishi Dayananda University in Rohtak, Haryana. Balbirji reiterated that Vedas are the oldest books known to humanity, the word Veda is derived from Vid, to know, to be, to attain and to think. He said that one should balance Paara, spiritual knowledge with Apaara, worldly knowledge. After giving an overview of the glory of the Vedas he explained why we need to pass this Vedic heritage to our youth, because it teaches us to grow and rise higher and not go lower, Udyaanam Te Purusha, Naa Vyaanam. He went over the Yama and Niyams. He advised us to remove the rigidity of the teachings and make them simple practical and palatable to youth. Every Samaj should have a school for children attached to it. Arya Samaj is the R&D lab of Hindu dharma, but we should work on Bhakti and surrender to God. The services should be made interesting and informative for youngsters. We should make an effort to correctly portray Hindu dharma in college and school curricula and Sanskrit should be taught. Finally we are fortunate that we have this heritage of yoga and knowledge and we should pass it on to our children by practicing it our daily lives.

We met again after a break for a session moderated by Sri Luv Verma. Dr. Vidya Bhushan Gupta highlighted a few elements of the Vedic culture that should be passed on, love of truth, eclecticism, moral and family values, egalitarianism, social consciousness and global worldview. Adarniya Pundit Ram Lalji reiterated the Vedic values of Dhritih, Kshama, Damo, Asteyum, Shauchum, Indriya Nigraha and Akrodhah. He said that values have to be inculcated form cradle to grave. A child becomes well rounded and knowledgeable when he is taught by mother, father and the teacher. Maatrimaan, Pitrimanna, Aachaaryavaan Purusho Vedah. Punditani Bharati Ramsamooj, the principal of the east West Music Academy, emphasized that the parents have to teach values by example. She said that every Samaj should have a youth program that should include sports, swimming, and music. The youth from different programs should interact. The parents should not get caught up in their own professional growth but should teach through Bhajan, Bhaasha and Bhesha. The gist of the session was that we have to show and not tell. We cannot continue to gloat over what we were but have to work on what we are and what we can become by following and practicing Vedic values. We have to empower children by letting them teach younger children and to do Seva by volunteering with them in the hospitals.

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM - Lunch

1:00 PM

Post lunch session was started by Pundit Shreedharji from Houston. His subject was history and evolution of religion. He defined religion as religare, to unite and dharma as eternal truth. He urged us to use the term Hindu dharma instead of Hinduism because it is universal and much more than a mere point of view. It is not based on a person but on principals. He defined it in the form of a pneumonic: H for humanism, I for integrity, n for noble, d for divinity and u for universal understanding and love. He traced the teachings of all religions to Vedas.

Jai Aggarwalji said that Hinduism consists of philosophy and rituals. One without the other is useless. He said that the entire manifestation is worthy of worship. Religious activity assumes many forms in Hindu dharma. Entire creation is sacred and rituals are a binding force. He summarized the basic tenets of Hindu dharma and called yoga as the lynchpin of Hindu dharma.

Jai ji was followed by Dr. Sudhir Ananda, professor of pediatrics at UCLA and author of Essence of Hindu dharma and who is God? He said that it is difficult to align popular Hinduism as it is practiced to day with Vedic values because the former is based on Puranas. The Vedas are not history centric but the names in the Vedas are metaphorical and their message is universal andnot tribal. He asserted and gav evidence form the Vedas that there is but on God. He said that 41 mantras in the Vedas assert that God is Ek or one. The most important of these is Na Tasya Pratimaa Asti Yasya Naam Mahad Yashah. God does not have nay shape and does not reincarnate. Vedas promote rational spirituality, trust and faith in truth. He advised everyone to look at every ritual with a critical eye and to accept it only if it makes sense and reject if not. Vedas encourage us to believe in believable beliefs and not have belief in unbelievable miracles. Even God follows the laws of the physical universe that he created.

At 3 pm Swami Sampurnaananda, from Siddha Yoga Peetha of Kurukshektra spoke briefly. Swamiji has an Ayruvedic pharmacy also. He emphasized family values. The children live the values we live, and, therefore, we should live what we want children to live. We should teach them to learn to earn what earn but also to live nicely after they learn to earn. Only an enlightened person can give light to others. We cannot teach children what we do not practice. Only a Vrati can have an Anuvrati child. He said that a child needs soul food as much as he needs physical food. He made an interesting statement that there should be harmony between an 8 year old and 60 year old in the family. A child should be taught according to his developmental level and should be made to feel good and big when asked to do something.

Professor Ved Shravah emphasized that we have to become learned ourselves before we can teach. He advised us to move out of our limited sphere to the mainstream Americans. For that we have to give our message in American English. He said that we should make two libraries and research centers, one in India and in America.

At 3:45 PM Dr. Bhushan Verma presented about DAV Sanskrit School and Montessori schools in Houston. Sanskriti school teaches children from 7-16 and the Montessori school for the younger children. They emphasize 5 values of ahimsa, Satya, Vivek, Seva and prayer. The highlights of the program are parental participation, structured curriculum, punctuality and discipline. Their motto is Vidya Dharmum Sarva Dhanum Pradhaanum. Please contact Dev Mahajan ji and Bhushan Verma ji for details.

Mrs Jaiwanie Devi Lakhnath from Arya Spiritual Center talked about Veer Dal camps that the center has been holding for the past 20 years. A team of parents and pundits does flag raising, Yoga, Sandhya, Havan and arts and crafts. The concept has extended to other Samajs. She wants to spread it throughout the country.

After the break, Dr. India. Saxena, a gynecologist, talked about women’s health issues, such as cancer, osteoporosis and heart disease. The take home from this talk was taking calcium and vitamin D beginning the menopausal age, regular screening for breast and colon and cervical cancer.

August 2^nd Program

The program started with a Bhajan by Mrs. Sushma Kumar, Isoupnisad by Neel Velani and a Bhajan by Sushila and Anand Etwaru.

9:15 AM. The Message of Satyaarth Prakash

Dr. Balbir Acharya talked about the message of Satyaarth Prakaash. He gave the history of the book. He said that Swamiji was the first person to declare that foreign rule is worse than self-rule. He said that there are 14 chapters in the book. God is one but has many names. Second and third chapter talks about teaching children. Yama and Niyama have been stressed. 4^th with marriage and family life. 5 and 6^th chapter with political life. 7-8 about creation. The last 4 chapters are interfaith dialogue. He emphasized that everything we do should be reasonable and just. He talked about logic and how to do Praanayam. The book is comprehensive and includes instruction about spirituality and social life. He advised that there should be some discussion about this book before and after any conference.

Dr. Rajinder Gandhi asked what should be done about Sikh’s objection that criticism of Guru Nanik in Satyaarth Prakaash. Balbirji said that there should be an interfaith dialogue and conflicting information from both Guru Granth Sahib and Satyaarth Prakaash should be deleted.

9:45 AM

Dr. Rajinder Gandhi presented what Hindu Collective Initiative and Educators Society for Heritage of India are doing to correct misrepresentation of Hindu dharma in school textbooks in India. He also talked about the work of the DHARMA Association of North America in bringing together and empowering practicing Hindu teachers of Religion in the US academic centers.

He was followed by Nachiketa Tiwary from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad who said that the problem of stereotyping of Hindus has to be solved from county to county level. He also informed the gathering about the Hindu Mandir Executive Conference. According to him Hindu Mandirs in the USA will face the problem of sustenance, strength and leadership in the future which can be solved by networking. He suggested that the Hindu population in the USA may decline in the future unless we have an intergenerational dialogue and teach basic Hindu doctrines to our younger generation. He recommended that we should celebrate some of the functions such as baby shower at the Mandirs and give them the touch of a Hindu Samskaar.

10:30 AM

Mr. Madan Goel, the Deputy Director of DAV schools in Rajasthan was welcomed.

The Message of Vedic Scholars from India

Swami Sampurnaananda said that scriptures have been written for humans because humans have vivek, or ability to discriminate between right and wrong. He recommended everyone to read Srimad Dayaananda Prakaash and Satyaarth Prakaash. The former describes the circumstances under which Swamiji wrote and said what he wrote and said. Swami Dayaananda wrote in Satyaartha Prakash that whatever is good in any religion should be accepted and what is not good should be rejected. He also narrated a story of a dhuniya who asked Swamiji how can a person who is devoid of money, Vidya and strength get salvation to which Swamiji replied that anyone who performs his assigned duty honestly can achieve salvation. He said that one should strive for spiritual progress as well worldly success.

Swami Pranavananda, head of Gautam Nagar Gurukula in New Delhi and founder of 7 gurukulas in India (including one at Kartarpur, the birth place of Swami Virjananda), spoke about Arsha method of teaching in Gurukulas that was recommended by Swami Dayananda. He teaches the 24 granths accepted by Swami Dayananda as true scriptures in his gurukulas. He recommended that one should read Rishi’s Rigveda adi bhashya bhumika to understand Rigveda, Samskaar vidhi for a cultured life and Satyaartha Prakaash for doctrine. He emphasized family values and explained the idea behind yagyopavita (yagyopaveetum parmum pavitrum and Agne vritepate vritum charishyaami). He also explained the meaning of the 6^th mantra of Yajurveda. He ended by urging us to acquire and promote Vidya after acquiring material wealth.

Dhram Pal Shastri from Meerut, in 5 minutes, forcefully and humoursly advised the gathering that we should reflect on what we hear in the meeting and try to adopt the teachings in our daily lives.

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Lunch

1:00 PM -2:30 PM

Group discussion in 3 breakout sessions

Role of women in Hindu dharma – The summary of the deliberations of this group were presented by Mrs. Devi and Mrs. Gurdial

How do women align the societal values with the Vedic values and be nurturing

How do we reconcile our own needs with those of the family and the temple?

Issues faced by women

Language issue, children do not want to talk in Hindi

Women groups in Samajes

Racism and discrimination because we re a visible minority

Practicing Vedic values – the summary of the deliberations by this group were presented by Mr. Luv Verma.

Perception of God – First principle of the Arya Samaj summarizes the Vedic view of God.

Ethical living – Do not do to others what you do not want to be done to you.

Law of action and reaction (karma)

Balancing personal good with social good

Be rational in beliefs because religion is not magic

Public Funding for Non-profit organizations

This group was led by Mr. Vijay Chopra and Vijay Bhalla. Mr. Mahajan also gave valuable insights. The gist was that we can apply for public and private grants for non-religious social programs through our 501.1.3 C organizations. Membership can be pooled through Arya Pratinidhi Sabha. For example, we can open a Montessori School under the auspices of our temple but cannot use the money for religious activites but we can use it for improving or buying a building.

Sunday 3^rd August, 2008.

After the usual Yoga, Havan and Bhajan, the Sammelan was brought to its conclusion by vote of thanks by various representatives from different Samjas thanked the Sammelan organizers for the excellent work done to put the whole program together and for the excellent food and the hospitality shown to us all.

The 19^th North American Maha Sammelan has been scheduled for Vancouver BC Canada.

The Sammelan was brought to its conclusion with the Shanti Path.

Some Glimpses for the Conference….