Transcript Essentials of Hindu Dharma - Hindu Mandir Executives` Conference

Session 6a
Social Services – Hallmark of Hindus
Manava Sevaye Madhava Seva:
Toledo Case Study
Dr. Sudershan Pasupuleti
Hindu Temple Of Toledo
September 11-13, 2009
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Hindu Mandir Executive Conference
September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD
Manava Sevaye Madhava Seva
• “The Lord dwells in the hearts of all beings, O,
Arjuna, causing them by his illusive power, to revolve,
in accordance with their nature, as if they are mounted
on a wheel of the body.” --- Bhagwad Gita.
– Therefore, helping (serving) other human beings (Manava
Seva) is a way of serving and worshipping God (Madhava
Seva).
• In other words, any service to Jeevatma is service to
Paramatma (Narayana), hence it is Narayana Seva.
– When one gives of oneself in a spirit of Dana, one is not only
relieving the suffering of another, but engaging in an act of
spiritual self-upliftment (renunciation of selfish
attachments).
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Hindu Mandir Executive Conference
September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD
Religion a powerful influence in life, isn’t it?
• I keep asking one question to myself:
– Why am I the way I am today?
– One thing clear in my mind is my upbringing in a “Hindu Family”.
• I am not an expert in Hindu religious scriptures to quote and
elaborate on what Vedas, Puranas, Bhagwad Gita, Ramayana,
Mahabharata, etc. say but I learned through my socialization and
practice of Hindu faith.
• Hindu religion is rich in philosophy that guides our life on day-today basis. The following quotes from the scriptures reflect a gist of
that rich philosophy and how Hindu religion views service/charity.
• The scriptures underscored the importance of Seva/Service to
mankind:
– through dāna (charitable giving),
– not only for the betterment of the lives of those suffering, and
– but also for the giver's own spiritual well being.
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Hindu Mandir Executive Conference
September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD
Hindu Dharma Emphasizes…..
Our context
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Service to our faith community and service to larger community is --- service
to mankind.
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We, as a community, are very engaged with our community we live in by
contributing to various ongoing social and outreach activities in the city.
– The Hindu community is active with 450 families (about 2500 population) within
and outside.
– Our larger community is Toledo, a medium-sized city with 300,000 population.
– It is pretty diverse community in both ethnic and religious respects.
– The town is confronted with unemployment, crime, school drop outs, abused and
custody children, homelessness, and health disparities.
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Hindu Mandir Executive Conference
September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD
Types of Service/Seva Activities
• Our service/seva activities I see in two categories:
1. Service to our faith community members
2. Service to larger community we live in
• Our service activities within our community include:
• Helping elderly persons (giving rides to attend temple, special
arrangements for worship and Lord dharshan, and serving food, etc).
• Community lunch on every Sunday after religious service.
• Organizing pilgrimages and tours for elders and youngsters
• Organizing educational service and camps for community children
• Celebration of festivals and cultural and social events
• Visits and potlucks for community building
• Helping new families in move-in and move-out process
• Providing assistance (financial and in-kind) in fire, storm, etc.
• Visiting our members when they are sick and offering support
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Hindu Mandir Executive Conference
September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD
Manava Sevaye Madhava Seva through Hindu
Community to Toledo Community (1)
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Feeding the homeless
• preparing and feeding about 60 persons on every Sunday morning.
Giving gifts and clothes to Displaced Children
• to celebrate Christmas.
Feeding homeless families with children
• during the “Thanks Giving times.
Fundraising and donating nonperishable food items
• for Northwest Ohio Food Bank to ensure food supply to soup kitchen in the
town.
“Interfaith Hunger Awareness Event”
• sponsor, support, and participate in every year.
Interfaith Blood Drive
• helping in in the community.
Volunteering for Service Organizations including Metro Parks, Zoo, etc.
• Donated more than 1000 hours a year.
Scholarships to college-bound high school students.
Two temple and one in collaboration.
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Hindu Mandir Executive Conference
September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD
Manava Sevaye Madhava Seva through Hindu
Community to Toledo Community (2)
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“Habitat for Humanity”
• Sponsor, support, participate in build program through Multi Faith Council of
Northwest Ohio.
fundraising for families in crisis
• Organize for natural calamities, other difficult situations in local community and
in India.
“Free Medical Screening and Counseling Camps”
• Organize for homeless people.
Annual fundraising event for ASHA
• Organize for India projects.
“Faith Gardening Program”
• Participating in to increase Seva opportunities for children and elders” on the
temple premises and donate food to Food Bank and soup kitchens.
Time and Effort
• Annually several thousands of dollars and hours of time contributed by
community for charity and in service of others.
Starting an elective course, annual lecture and workshops on Hinduism in
collaboration with The University of Toledo.
• Starting from 2009-10 year
Hindu Mandir Executive Conference
September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD
Insights from our experience…
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Since we see God in every human being, our view of service should be
free from any egoism, attachment, and expectation.
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Treat human person with dignity and kindness.
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Encourage men and women to be service-oriented, serving the
humanity in crisis and need is considered greatest virtue in Hindu
tradition.
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Since what we do is learned by our children, parents and grand parents
need to be role models for our children.
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Building our community through our service activities is a great way;
please try to create more opportunities for bringing our community
together for a cause.
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Undertake incremental steps to initiate and institute Seva activities
because they build and reflect the character of our community.
“Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavanthu! Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavanthu!
Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavanthu!
Om Shanti Hi… Shanti Hi… Shanti Hi.
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Hindu Mandir Executive Conference
September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD
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Backup Other Quotes from Scriptures (translated)
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“There is none other who does great good than the one who removes
the hunger of those in a difficult situation, helpless, weak, and
disturbed”.
- Mahabharata XIII.59.11.
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“He who feeds a stranger and tired traveler with joy attains infinite
religious merit.”
- Mahabharata XIII.7.7
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“Acts of sacrifice, charity and austerity should not be abandoned, but
should be performed because sacrifice, charity and austerity are the
purifiers of the wise”,
- Bhagwad Gita 10.5.
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“Even for the ill-minded, a fondness of giving makes one feel great.”
- Ramayana II.
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“Help, support, charity, gifts, protection, and rescue are all virtues that
embody the grace of God.”
- Ramayana II.
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“ Of the divisions in one’s moral duties, sacrifice, study, and charity form
the first.”
- Chandogya Upanishad.
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“Give. Give with faith. Do not give without faith. Give with sensitivity.
Give with a feeling of abundance. Give with right understanding.”
- Taittriya Upanishad.
Hindu Mandir Executive Conference
September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD