Message of Peace on 9/11 from Hindu American Seva
Source: www.hinduamericanseva.org to come to America addressed the first World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, WASHINGTON, DC, September 11, 2010: saying: (Press Release) “As Hindus, we believe in what Mahatma Gandhi repeatedly “Brothers and Sisters of America. It fills my emphasized, the Vedic statement ‘Ahimsa heart with joy unspeakable to rise in Paramo Dharmah’ meaning non-violence is response to the warm and cordial welcome, the foremost duty, to the extent that it which you have given us. I thank you in supersedes all other duties,” emphasizes the name of the most ancient order of Anju Bhargava today, September 11. She is monks in the world; I thank you in the a key member of Hindu American Seva name of the mother of religions, and I thank Charities and also a member of President you in the name of millions and millions Obama’s Advisory Council on Faith Based of Hindu people of all classes and sects.” and Neighborhood Partnerships. This year, 9/11 even more significant. Based Explaining the value of ahimsa, Sri Swami on the lunar calendar, it happens to be the Dayananda Saraswati said, “A human being, Hindu holy festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, as any other living organism, has an instinct when Hindu Americans across the world to survive. Being endowed with free will observe festival through prayers, as a thinking he/she can recognize the same day of the birth and renewed remembrance instinct in all living beings; a value is born: of Ganesh, the remover of obstacles. For the ahimsa. Therefore, the Vedas state that not Hindus, it is a day to take fresh spiritual hurting is the primary value. All others, like resolve and pray for inner spiritual strength non-stealing, non-cheating and so on, are to attain success in all undertakings. This derivatives of ahimsa because each one of observance and prayer for the removal of them would hurt the victim. If people obstacles is especially relevant now as the practice, with care, ahimsa, abiding peace country faces difficult challenges ahead. and harmony will prevail in the world.” Hindu places of worship and spiritual Increasingly, Hindu Americans and people centers will also invoke these values of all faiths are remembering other things through prayers and service, such as that happened on September 11 and also YogaSeva as a way of healing. And, in altered the course of history, but for the honor of the 9/11 Day of Remembrance and best. Service, Hindus will organize service projects to strengthen their communities Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha movement and build stronger bonds, and offer prayers started in South Africa on September 11, for peace. HASC is continuing to partner 1906, the launch of the modern Non-Violent with Corporation for National and Resistance Movement, which inspired Community Service to organize the Hindu America’s Civil Rights movement. American Call to Service (seva), bringing It was on September 11, in 1893, that Swami together members of the dharmic religions Vivekananda, the first Hindu saintly leader (Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain) and collaborating with all faiths.
22 Arsha Vidya Newsletter - September 2010