03/03/98 - 1665

Dharma Journal 3-1-98

USA (VNN) - The Electronic Newsletter of the Sanatana Dharma Student Association (The Hindu student and faculty organization of the University of Wisconsin)

Announcements

1) Hinduism in Academia. We are proud to present a talk by Yamini Liu, a Ph.D. candidate in South Asian Languages and Literature, detailing the deplorable depiction of Sanatana Dharma and Hindu culture that is presented in most Western academic institutions. This fascinating and crucially important talk will take place Sunday, March 15th at 6:00 p.m., in Union South. Call Frank (608) 288-0266.

2) There will be no meeting on March 8th due to Spring Break. Have fun everyone!!

3) Great American Meatout. On March 20th, millions of people worldwide will give up meat-eating for a day (if not forever). For a free kit on how to make the transition to a healthy and positive vegetarian alternative, or how you can help with Meatout activities, please call: 888-ASK-FARM.

Cool Web Sites

The following are two web sites run by organizations dedicated to the elimination of discrimination and bigotry towards Hindus. We urge you to check them out and support their important work.

Hindu Religious Freedom Foundation:

http://www.tropicmall.com/hindu/

Hindu Anti-defamation Site:

http://www.hindunet.org/anti_defamation/


CD Review

Ravi Shankar Chants of India

Ravi Shankar is, without doubt, one of this century's greatest performers and popularizers of Indian Classical music. As a result of the decades long career of this sitar maestro, literally millions of people world-wide have been introduced to the beauty of traditional Indian music. His latest masterpiece is Chants of India. Produced by George Harrison (of Beatles fame), this album is a compilation of traditional Sanskrit mantras sung and recited to melodies and instrumentalization composed by Pandita Shankar. Additionally, there are four original compositions created by Ravi Shankar himself. All the pieces are moving and soothing to the ear. As an aid to meditation, an introduction to fine Indian music, or as an opportunity to simply hear a master at work, Chants of India will fulfill your highest acoustic expectations. **** FM



Editorial

All American Hindu

As a non-Indian, who has also been a practicing Hindu for the past twenty years, I have always been welcomed with open arms and made to feel very comfortable in any Hindu temple I have ever visited - and I've visited a lot! That a "Westerner" would be attracted to the beauty, the profoundity, the sheer joy of Hindu culture would never surprise a Hindu who knows her or his religion very well. Indeed, for millennia Europeans have ventured to India searching for her ancient wisdom.

Interestingly, the only confusion I have ever experienced regarding my choice of spiritual paths came from several fellow non-Indians. I remember being at one of our meetings several months ago and having someone approach me with the following statement: "Great program...but several of my friends were wondering...how in the world did a Mexican get involved with a Hindu club?", he asked in an incredulous tone. After first explaining that I was of Puerto Rican - not Mexican - origin, I then attempted to answer his query by explaining the nature of Hinduism - as a religion.

Like Christianity, Islam and Buddhism, Hinduism is one of the more important of the world's religions. Also like these other world faiths, membership is not determined by geographic origin. An ethnicity is the result of the genetic and cultural antecedents of which an individual is composed. A religion, on the other hand, is a set of beliefs, creeds and experiences that an individual consciously accepts. The two are far from synonymous. While being Indian - or American, Russian or Swedish for that matter - is an ethnicity, being Hindu is a matter of religious choice.

Furthermore, contrary to what many in the West may believe, 1) not every Indian is a Hindu. There are quite a few Indians who are Christians, Muslims or atheists. Conversely, 2) not every Hindu is an Indian. I am a case in point, as are many of still other nationalities. In the last twenty years, I have had the privilege of meeting English Hindus, French Hindus, African Hindus, Chinese Hindus... even a few Mexican Hindus. Sanatana Dharma is a path, a culture and a way of life that is open to all sincere seekers, regardless of nationality, ethnicity or race.

It is with this truth in mind that we founded the Sanatana Dharma Student Association at the University of Wisconsin-Madison a year ago. Rather than being just another ethnic enclave on just another college campus, we have dedicated ourselves to the vision of Sanatana Dharma - Hinduism - as a vital and immensely relevant world religion with much to offer our damaged Earth, and our sincerely searching fellow humans. Together, let us preserve, practice and share the universal beauty of Dharma with all - even if they're Mexican. fm

Letters

From: "Vasudev" <vmahavis@umich.edu>
To: "Frank Morales" <fmorale1@students.wisc.edu>
Subject: Re: Dharma Journal 2-20-98
Date: Sat, 21 Feb 1998

Hi there! I'm Vasudev from the Hindu Students Council at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and I would like to congratulate you and your team for starting this highy informative electronic newsletter. My organization has also started a similar weekly newsletter named "Sandesh". The Hindu Students council was formed about 8 years ago I and ever since we have been promoting Hindu culture and its heritage on campus. This year we have several activities planned and among those we have launched a project named "Hinduism 2000". Which is about collaborating with Hindu clubs/societies established in universities around the world which would serve as a platform for the exchange of ideas and further understanding the demographic factors that effect Hindus in the various institutions. We hope that through such a collaboration we could plan several activities such as campus visits, conferences, cultural activities etc. We are planning to stage a conference in the year 2000 to mark the turn of the century where representatives from universities around the world would take part in this mega event. To make this possible its our goal to reach out to many universities as possible and set the proper protocols between the organizations and form a united family. If you wish to be part of this collaboration please write back to me with an official statement that your organization wishes to be part of this program. Your reply is greatly anticipated.

Thank you,

Vasudev Mahavisno
Executive Officer PR Department
Hindu Students Council



Appeal

As a Hindu student organization the primary function of which is educational, we need literature of any kind about Sanatana Dharma to share with our members and friends. If you have any books, magazines, pamphlets, C.D.s, cassettes, or anything at all - either new or used - that you can give us, please send them to:

SDSA c/o Frank Morales
1128 Morraine View Drive, #305
Madison, WI 53719

Thank you!

Frank Morales - Advisor/Editor
fmorale1@students.wisc.edu
(608) 288-0266