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Why to Follow Vedic Path?
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Mission of BSNA: Mission of BSNA: Advantages Advantages of Following Vedic Cultureof Following Vedic Culture
Brahman Samaj of North AmericaNorth East Regional ConventionHoliday Inn, Edison, NJ
4 December 2010
Om SharmaPresident, Brahman Samaj of North America 1
BSNA is for service to all and disservice to none
Our goal is to serve the humanity(according to ancient Brahman paramparaa)
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NeNeeed to d to talktalk about Vedic Values about Vedic Values There is a lack of clear understanding of Vedic
culture and its advantages due to ignorance/agyanNa hi gyanen sadrisham pavitramih vidyate
Tatswayam yog sansidhah kaalenaatmaane vindati
Api chedasi paapebhyah sarvebhyah paapkrittamah
Saram gyanplaven aiv vrijinam santrishyashi
Some Hindus who moved to the West either disregard their own culture or exhibit confusion - perhaps due to Western attitude and misunderstanding of Vedic values
Efforts on trying to demean Vedic culture and promoting serious misunderstandings against it
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What is Vedic Culture/Values?What is Vedic Culture/Values?
Vedic culture, Sanatana Dharma or Hinduism is not merely a religion but more of a spiritual path, way of living, an outlook on life and a complete philosophy
It is an eternal nature of the universal soul
Vedic culture encompasses various aspects of life: Spirituality and Philosophy (knowledge and experience) Religion and Rituals (practice and procedures) Arts and Culture (expression of developed internal
qualities)
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What is Vedic Culture?What is Vedic Culture?
Vedic culture is the most profound tradition and is one of the foremost and oldest of all spiritual paths
Most social advancements, scientific observations, religious customs, and spiritual philosophies can be traced back to Vedic culture
Indeed, it offers the loftiest and most complete spiritual understanding found anywhere, without which the world would lose its connection to its earliest roots
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What is Vedic Culture?What is Vedic Culture? It is the eternal nature of the soul and it
recognizes that there is one Supreme Being with no beginning or end, the unlimited Absolute Truth, which can be manifested in many forms
The Vedic tradition recognizes that the individual soul is eternal, beyond the limitations of the body, and that one soul is not different from another
Aryans (who have clear consciousness toward God) followed the Vedic system
Ar=clear or white; ya=God; also ya= Yadu (Krishna)
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What does Vedic Culture Offer?What does Vedic Culture Offer?
It offers more insights into life and its purpose, especially the spiritual aspects, than any other culture
Spiritual democracy - The Vedic path offers personal freedom for one to make his/her own choice of how he/she wants to pursue their spiritual approach, and what level of the Absolute Truth he or she wishes to understand
The Vedic system is a path that upholds a code of conduct which values peace, happiness and justice for all
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Maintaining Vedic CultureMaintaining Vedic Culture
Vedic culture is under constant attack
Such attacks are not only from those of other religions who would like to see the demise of the Vedic way of life but also from the lack of sincerity and the complacency of those who consider themselves followers of the Vedic path but are not serious about it
A cohesive strategy and leadership is needed to preserve Vedic culture
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Who Should Provide Leadership?Who Should Provide Leadership?
Brahmans must play a major role in upholding Vedic values
Characteristics of a Brahman are
Shamo damastapah shaucham kshantih aarjavam aiv cha
Gyanam vigyanam aastikyam brahmkarma swabhavajam
Actions need to be taken at both the organizational and personal levels
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Actions to be TakenActions to be Taken Community and temple leaders need more training in Vedic
knowledge and organizational skills
Communities need to become culturally united as a large Hindu family
Develop programs that go beyond regional distinctions and bring people together in a way that focuses on their unity in Vedic heritage
Develop programs to provide exposure to the depths of Vedic philosophy that will actually attract anyone who is really searching for the means to perceive their spiritual identity
Hindus should participate in the Vedic "samskara" ceremonies. These ceremonies or practices mark various stages of life in connection with the Vedic purpose of making spiritual progress
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Actions to be TakenActions to be Taken
Parents must be educated in the importance of Vedic knowledge in order to be able to pass this along to their children
Wealthy, educated and knowledgeable Hindus should take responsibility to protect Vedic culture
We all need to become ambassadors of Vedic culture
The Vedic culture has to be taken outside the temples to the people and congregations
The global Vedic community should be welcoming those who are from outside of the Vedic tradition, and wish to join and participate in Vedic ways
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Concluding ThoughtConcluding Thought I am leaving you with the thought that you should
think thoroughly about your own level of spiritual growth, lead a righteous way of life, seek help from scriptures and act accordingly
As in the Gita, Shri Krishna said after giving the secret knowledge to Arjuna;
Iti te gyanam aakhatam guhyaadguhyataram mayaa
Vimryshyaa aitat asheshen yethechchhasi tatha kuru
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