A bird's eye view into the culture of India
Saba Naseem
Issue date: 4/10/09 Section: News
The Hindu Student Council hosted an Exhibition on Hindu culture and the dharmic traditions of India Monday, April 6 to Thursday, April 9.
Hindu civilization is one of the most ancient civilizations of the world. Over the millennia, the Hindu culture evolved philosophies, religions, sciences, arts and architecture, contributing to almost every imaginable field of human endeavor, according to the program.
HSC was formed in 2006 after students realized the "ignorance about Hindu Dharma."
"Unfortunately, after so many years, people still hold the concept that Hinduism is only about cow worshipping, castes and the worship of gods with thousands of hands," said Jiger Patel, president of HSC. "We want to remove such misconceptions about Hinduism."
Other goals of the HSC are to provide opportunity for Hindus and non-Hindus to learn about Hindu heritage and culture, to foster awareness of issues concerning Hindu Dharma, to provide the Hindu view on a multi-religious platform and to serve the community.
Hindu Dharma, a term interchangeable with Hinduism, is a righteous way of life based on the accumulated wisdom of great sages, Vedas, Upanishads and Agamas. Basic concepts such as Dharma, Karma, Ahimsa, Samsara, and Moksha are inherited from various dharmic traditions like Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism which all came from Hinduism, according to the program. Hindu Dharma gives freedom to perceive and approach God in different ways.
Hinduism originated in India and remains most common there, but its influences are seen around the world.
"One of Hinduism's teachings is ahisma (non-violence) which has brought a change in the 20th and 21st century that history will never forget," Patel said. "This teaching was strictly followed by Mahatma Gandhi and many people after him who strove to achieve freedom in different parts of the world."
Hindu civilization has also contributed to the world of mathematics by inventing the concept of zero and the decimal system.
Colorful posters lined the Union Lounge and the Multicultural Center, describing the beliefs, contributions and culture of Hinduism.
"We hope that this exhibition has enhanced knowledge of students at the UA," Patel said. "In this world of globalization, if the West is able to understand the eastern religion of Hinduism, we believe that a bridge of mutual acceptance of the great traditions of the East and West can be built."
Hindu civilization is one of the most ancient civilizations of the world. Over the millennia, the Hindu culture evolved philosophies, religions, sciences, arts and architecture, contributing to almost every imaginable field of human endeavor, according to the program.
HSC was formed in 2006 after students realized the "ignorance about Hindu Dharma."
"Unfortunately, after so many years, people still hold the concept that Hinduism is only about cow worshipping, castes and the worship of gods with thousands of hands," said Jiger Patel, president of HSC. "We want to remove such misconceptions about Hinduism."
Other goals of the HSC are to provide opportunity for Hindus and non-Hindus to learn about Hindu heritage and culture, to foster awareness of issues concerning Hindu Dharma, to provide the Hindu view on a multi-religious platform and to serve the community.
Hindu Dharma, a term interchangeable with Hinduism, is a righteous way of life based on the accumulated wisdom of great sages, Vedas, Upanishads and Agamas. Basic concepts such as Dharma, Karma, Ahimsa, Samsara, and Moksha are inherited from various dharmic traditions like Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism which all came from Hinduism, according to the program. Hindu Dharma gives freedom to perceive and approach God in different ways.
Hinduism originated in India and remains most common there, but its influences are seen around the world.
"One of Hinduism's teachings is ahisma (non-violence) which has brought a change in the 20th and 21st century that history will never forget," Patel said. "This teaching was strictly followed by Mahatma Gandhi and many people after him who strove to achieve freedom in different parts of the world."
Hindu civilization has also contributed to the world of mathematics by inventing the concept of zero and the decimal system.
Colorful posters lined the Union Lounge and the Multicultural Center, describing the beliefs, contributions and culture of Hinduism.
"We hope that this exhibition has enhanced knowledge of students at the UA," Patel said. "In this world of globalization, if the West is able to understand the eastern religion of Hinduism, we believe that a bridge of mutual acceptance of the great traditions of the East and West can be built."
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