How do we portray Hinduism to the university community?

Shankar Vasudevan & Devshree Joshi

Don’t have a cow!

What is Vishwaas?UNSW Hindu SocietyFormed in 2006Over 150 current membersObjectives:

To create an environment where like minded people can interact and discuss Hinduism

To increase awareness and understanding of Hinduism, and inspire fellow youth

To provide a platform for individuals of any religion or background to explore Hinduism in a fun, interactive and non-threatening manner

What we doActivities include:

Weekly discussion groupsCelebration of religious festivals such as Holi,

Diwali & NavaratriTemple trips & BushwalksCultural events & performances

CHYK Garba & Bhangra NightCultural Night

Vegetarian BBQsO-week & International night market food

stallsSporting events such as inter-uni cricket &

soccer tournaments

Vishwaas ProductionsPerforming arts branch of Vishwaas

Runs outside the uni-society itself Combines students & alumni from various

universitieswww.youtube.com/vishwaasproductionsGandhi: The Power of One (August 1st, 2009)

Raised $8500 for the Medical Student Aid Project (MSAP) of UNSW

The Legend of Asoka (coming July 31st, 2010)

Challenges we faceAttracting new membersSustaining the societyPromoting Hindu ideals & beliefsBalancing religious & non-religious

activitiesPutting Hindu values & concepts into action

Challenges we faceAttracting new membersSustaining the societyPromoting Hindu ideals & beliefsBalancing religious & non-religious

activitiesPutting Hindu values & concepts into action

Attracting new membersStereotypical perceptions of who we are:

“Cult”, “Exclusive”, “Hypocritical”, “Secular”

“I’m not really religious. Will I fit in?”“Why should I join? What’s in it for me?”

How we deal with it?Ongoing challengeTalk to them & explain what we doAny experiences to share?

Challenges we faceAttracting new membersSustaining the societyPromoting Hindu ideals & beliefsBalancing religious & non-religious

activitiesPutting Hindu values & concepts into action

Sustaining the societyEncouraging new members to get involved

Coming to eventsTaking an active role in the society

Motivating existing members to continually participate in our events

Sustaining the society financially (Uni students don’t always like to spend!)

Sustaining the society (cont.)How we deal with it?

Different avenues of promotion (email, website, FB, word-of-mouth)

Building a network of friends “I’ll come to this event because my friends are

coming”Limit costs incurred for members

Discussion groups are free!!!Discounted prices for members

Challenges we faceAttracting new membersSustaining the societyPromoting Hindu ideals & beliefsBalancing religious & non-religious

activitiesPutting Hindu values & concepts into action

Promoting Hindu ideals & beliefsHow do we educate others, when we

ourselves are not completely knowledgeable?Different opinions & teachings that have

been passed downNo set text or curriculum that we follows

Different levels of knowledge & interestHow do we cater to everyone

Promoting Hindu ideals & beliefs (cont.)

How we deal with it?More of a discussion than a class

Utilise the collective knowledge of a group rather than 1 individual

Less intimidating for a new memberEveryone gets a chance to lead discussion

Guest presenters (e.g. Br Gopalji from CHYK)We do our research, learn and pass on

knowledgeVariety of discussion topics

Hindu concepts (Karma, Dharma), mythology (Ramayana, Mahabharata), meditation, festivals, rituals, prayers, idol worship, etc.

Any experiences to share?

Challenges we faceAttracting new membersSustaining the societyPromoting Hindu ideals & beliefsBalancing religious & non-religious

activitiesPutting Hindu values & concepts into action

Balancing religious & non-religious activitiesDigressing from our core aim as a society –

Hinduism!Catering to all types of people and viewsIncorporating *Hinduism* into our events

How we deal with it?Discussion groups are on-going since start of

societyAddress *Hinduism* throughout our events

(Diwali) & discussion groups (Holi)

Challenges we faceAttracting new membersSustaining the societyPromoting Hindu ideals & beliefsBalancing religious & non-religious

activitiesPutting Hindu values & concepts into action

Putting Hindu values & concepts into actionFinding ways of applying Hinduism in

today’s worldHow we deal with it?

Widespread issue (beyond Vishwaas alone)Find effective ways to incorporate rituals into

our eventsVolunteer work – help everywhere we can

(Help at the Temple, soup kitchens)Charity work – give back to the community

(Vishwaas Productions and Vishwaas Foundation)

Dealing with people and situationsAny experiences to share?

Hinduism: Taking a holistic approach

As Hindu youths today:

Set of values and beliefs

A rich & vibrant culture

A way of life

A set of principle guiding us in how we live and behave

Path of realisation:

Bhakti yoga (path

of devotion)

Jnana yoga

(path of knowledg

e)

Karma yoga

(path of action)

Looking aheadContinue the growth of Vishwaas every

yearKeep the core of our activities focused on

Hinduism and Hindu cultureLearn, share, educate and growHelp our in every way we can: as students,

alumni and members of the communityWith HYA: Organise interactive sessions &

forums with other uni Hindu societies With HYA: Help us teach the others – day

where we learn about Indian mythologies & the meaning of our festivals.

Questions & comments

Thank you!