First-ever Dharm Sansad held in North America Dharm Sansad — Dharm, only way to attain moksh By Kalyani Giri With the serenity of sylvan greenery swaying ethereally in the gentle breeze, the Arsha Vidya Peetham, Swami Dayananda Saraswati’s rustic niche in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, felt like a piece of heaven. Amidst the almost celestial setting, Hindu religious and spiritual leaders of the western hemisphere along with several community representatives gathered for the historic first ever Dharm Sansad, a summit meeting held under the auspices of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) of America. Presiding over the event was the visiting working President of VHP Bharat, Shri Ashok Singhal. The forum was the brainchild of Dr. Mahesh Mehta, a Past President of VHP of America. "My inspiration to organize Dharm Sansad is the natural outcome of 25 years of work done by VHP of America. We feel that a guiding body of Dharm gurus will facilitate the process of establishing relevant traditions for Hindus in this part of the world," said a dedicated Dr. Mehta who was ably assisted by Shri Vimal Sodhani in coordinating the event. Community representatives were also invited and accorded the opportunity to voice their concerns on social, cultural and religious issues relating to people of their community -- in return, Dharm gurus offered insightful advice and guidance. Stressing the value of the Dharm Sansad, VHP of America’s President, Dr. Yash Lakra, said, "Dharm Sansad shall be wholly autonomous. We shall be their foot soldiers." Community representatives put forth their concerns involving a wide spectrum of relevant issues: o How to minimize apathy among parents in the spiritual development of their children. o To strenghten the fabric of family structure by way of family counselling in troubled times, rendered by individuals trained by Dharm gurus. o Social issues such as pollution of the environment, drug abuse, animal slaughter, intoxication, crime and violence that needed to have the Hindu perspective. o To instill pride in our Hindu identity and to stop being apologetic for being Hindu -- to express assertiveness and aggressiveness in a positive way. o Not to accept defamation of Hinduism. o To establish common principles for rituals and practices and to determine places of pilgrimage in North America. Cloistered together for a closed session with Dharm gurus, Swami Dayananda Saraswati -- who had originally assisted in mapping out the constitution of VHP formed in Bharat in 1964 -- urged gatherees to officially and legally affiliate their organizations to VHP and make it the voice of Hindus. The Swami went on to suggest the creation of a handbook of standardized rituals and traditions, also incorporating sanskars common to the Sikh, Buddhist and Jain communities too. Swami Chidananda Saraswati of the Parmarth Niketan in Rishikesh also endorsed the VHP, citing the Dharm Sansad a "think-tank for the future," "We need to promote unity among us. The Dharm Sansad is going to be the realize-station of universal peace," he predicted. Shri Ashok Singhal was disapproving of elements wilfully trying to convert those of Hindu faith. "To take away the religion of a man is a mortal sin. We need to welcome into our fold, the converted, and we need a multi-media way of putting an end to conversion ," said Shri Singhal. He cited the idealogy, Vasudhaiva Kutambakam, as an example of basic conceptual differences -- according to the Western way of thought, the world is a market. To the Hindus, he said, the world is a family. At the suggestion of Swami Dayananda Sarawati, an annual membership due of $150 was agreed on. VHP was urged to prepare a draft of the Hindu handbook, including in its pages, daily prayers, rituals performed at birth, marriage and death and other common-to-all basic rituals. Addressing the joint concluding session of Dharm gurus and community representatives, Brahmacharini Aparnaji, of the Chinmayananda Mission in Miami, eloquently advocated the need for parents to tutor their children with love and patience. "Knowledge is not taught, it is caught. We have to set a good example for our children," she said. Swamini Meera Devi of Barsana Dham conveyed on behalf of her guru, Swami Prakashanand Saraswati, his regrets at being unable to attend, then went on to welcome gatherees to Barsana Dham. "Consider Barsana Dham a place of pilgrimage," she said. The next Dharm Sansad is expected to be held at Barsana Dham, Austin, Texas, in August 28,29 1999. Swami Sharadananda, sishya of Swami Satchidananda of Yogaville, said that her guru would without any hesitation endorse VHP. "Do it soon, he would say," she laughed. Shri B.K. Modi, who is expected to take care of VHP interests outside of Bharat, beseeched all Hindus to embrace one temple. "Some money must be devoted to Dharm to clear the way for moksha," he said. Shri Modi has also sought a grant of consultative status with the United Nations Organization (UNO) Economic and Social Council on the grounds that VHP’s aims and objectives are in full conformity with the mission of the UNO. The matter is under advisement. Shri Ashok Singhal informed gatherees that VHP conducts tours for youth who wish to visit India and see places of historic importance. He went on to add that Bharat would be safe in the hands of the mahatmas. "In time to come, our Hindu gurus shall lead the world as they live in service of others." Swami Dayananda Saraswati urged all Hindu religious and spiritual organizations, temples and satsang groups with a consistent agenda to associate with or affiliate themselves with VHP. Other resolutions of the Dharm Sansad include the preparation of a handbook on sanskars for all Hindus. Also, VHP of America is to rewrite and publish the history and heritage of India for the future generations to imbibe an undistorted, factual account of India’s history. Luminaries attending the event included Swami Vidhitatmanandji, Swami Akhileshji, Swami Muruganandaji, Swami Amarnathanandji, Swami Satyanand Manavatavadiji, Shastri Mukundprasadji, Yogi Hari and Dr. Dilip Vedalankarji, to name a few. Also present were delegates from Gayatri Pariwar, Yogi Harbhajan Singh Khalsa, Hare Krishna Movement, etc. The hospitality extended to guests at the Arsha Vidya Peetam was exemplary [Kalyani Giri is a freelance journalist residing in Houston, Texas. She attended and covered the Dharm Sansad at the invitation of the VHP of America.] http://www.hindunet.org/vhp_america Sincerely yours, A Karsevak