Summit

The first ever Hinduism Summit in the EU 130 enthusiastic people attended the was held by the Forum for Hindu Summit in person. Along with them about Awakening and Janajagruti 60 people from around the world attended Samiti at the Mandal in it, by watching the live broadcast over the London, UK today. The aim of the Summit internet. It was announced that the was to foster education about Hindu recording of this unique event would be by bringing forth the unique available on the FHA website in a few days science behind Hinduism concepts and for those that could not attend. practices, and bringing together Hindu leaders across the UK to spread the message The Hinduism Summit had the presence of of Hinduism. many note-worthy from various organisations like UK, Swami This historic event was inaugurated as per Narayan Mandir, Overseas friends of BJP, Hindu tradition by the blowing of the VHP, Swadhyay Parivar, students from the conch, recitation of auspicious verses, National Hindu Students Forum UK, etc. It lighting of an oil lamp and recitation of was characterised by the active participation Vedic mantras by Swamini of the younger generation of Hindus in the Atmaprakashanand Saraswatiji. The UK. It was seen at the Summit that people, spiritual science behind all these actions was young and old, were unified in their zeal explained to the attendees. to understand, live and preserve Dharma.

Arsha Vidya Newsletter - October 2009 23 The media was also represented by the Hindus had the lowest crime rate in the UK; presence of members of Press. this reflected by the Hindu ideology and way of life, which believed in karma and At the Summit, the speakers were honoured how wrong karmic action can lead one to by presenting them ’s spiritual regression. Ana Prodanovic of the Audio and Video CDs on the unique science Spiritual Science Research Foundation behind Hinduism and spiritual practice, and shared about the role of the spiritual the ‘Vishwa Hindu Ratna’ (Hindu Gem of dimension and Saints in all aspects of life. the world) award. This award was Mahesh Pednekar of the Hindu Janajagruti presented to the speakers for their selfless Samiti spoke on knowing and peacefully and dedicated efforts for the cause of protesting denigration of Hinduism Hinduism. concepts and symbols. Dr. Milind Khare of the Forum for Hindu Awakening spoke on There were thought provoking speeches, how to understand, live and preserve PowerPoint presentations and videos on Hinduism in today’s busy times. Hindu practices like visiting a temple and the spiritual science underlying Hindu The Summit concluded with the singing of practices, research on the spiritual an aarati (Hindu devotional hymn) and a dimension, various challenges faced by note of thanks for everyone that helped in Hinduism today such as denigration of organising the Summit. One highlight of the Hindu Deities and Saints, and so on. Summit was the lively question-answer session at the end. The attendees had many Jay Lakhani, the Director of Hindu interesting questions and thoughts to share Academy and Hindu Council UK, spoke and the speakers responded to them regarding the multi-faceted Hinduism and enthusiastically. how anybody is welcome to Hinduism, be it Buddhist, Christian or anyone with any The Forum for Hindu Awakening and other beliefs. Swami Ambikananda are considering Sarwastiji, a disciple of Swami holding such Hinduism Summits in other Venkatesananda and founder of the parts of EU, to propagate the Traditional Yoga Association spoke of her understanding, living and preserving of the acceptance of Hinduism as a conscious spiritual science behind Hinduism concepts choice. Dr. H. V. Satyanarayana Sastry, a and practices. Visit professor and an active proponent of the www.forumforhinduawakening.org and language Sanskrut, spoke about how www.hindujagruti.org for more information.

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24 Arsha Vidya Newsletter - October 2009