Centre of Vedic Culture

"Divya Loka"

founded in 2001

Russia, Nizhegorod oblast

Activities and Events

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The programme included lectures of teachers, masters, and philosophers, yoga workshops and seminars, scientists' lectures, masterclasses on health improvement and self-development methods, creative works.

Our own projects

Advaita Vedanta Congresses and Forums, Moscow, 2008-2012

International Advaita Vedanta Congresses and Forums have been held annually in the Centre for Culture and Arts "Meridian" (Moscow) from 2008 to 2012.

The aims of the Congresses and Forums:

• distribution of humanistic ideals: morality, tolerance, religious tolerance, high culture and ethics

• creating possibilities for respectful cultural and interfaith dialogue of spiritual communities and organisations on the territory of Russia, realisation of joint cultural and educational projects

• assisting cultural cooperation and development of friendly relations between the peoples of Russia and India

Scientific, religious, spiritual organisations, communities, monasteries and yoga centres, masters and yoga teachers from all over the world took part in the Congresses and Forums. All the events were noncommercial and charitable.

Participants of the Congresses and Forums: Swami Vishnudevananda Giri (Russia), Pilot Babaji (India), Yogmata Keiko Aikawa (Japan), Swami Paramanand Ji Maharaj (India), Kailasanathananda Swamikal Theerthapadar (India), Swami Jyotirupananda (India-Russia), Swami

Atmananda Saraswati (India), Madukar (Germany), Cesar Teruel (Venezuela), and others.

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Among the distinguished guests were Sanjay Vedi (director of Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre at the Embassy of India), Sanjeet Kumar Jha (chairman of the Russian-Indian Friendship Society, president of the Association of Indians in Russia and chairman of the Hindu Council of Russia).

Under the aegis of the Congresses and Forums the following conferences were held:

Conference on yoga "The Path of Enlightenment" where the conference participants passed "The Joint Resolution by Masters" - wishes to spiritual seekers.

Conference "The Future of Humankind and Vedic Dharma. Russia and Spiritual Revival of Humankind".

Conference of Masters where the participants signed the document named "Сatechesis of a Sadhu", a set of ethical and moral rules for spiritual practitioners.

International Forum of Spiritual Culture "Era of Unity", Spain, 2013

International Forum of Spiritual Culture "Era of Unity" («Era de Unidad») was held on 11-12 May 2013 in the town of Santa Susanna, Spain.

The aims of the Forum: strengthening interfaith friendship, building interreligious dialogue, realisation of joint spiritual, cultural, and educational projects.

Spiritual teachers and saints, representatives of Hinduism, Buddhism, tradition of Sikhs, and other religions took part in the Forum. The initiative of holding this Forum was highly appreciated by the mayor of the town of Santa Susanna Joan Campolier i Montsant. During the days of the Forum there was an interfaith round table, and representatives of Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism, and Sikhism signed the resolution "New Interfaith Ethics

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for Spiritual People of the 3rd Millennium", which proclaims the development of mutual respect and cooperation between different religions and denominations.

International cooperation

Swami Vishnudevananda Giri lectured at the international congresses Global Future 2045 dedicated to discussing the new evolutionary strategy of humankind.

Swami Vishnudevananda Giri participated in the round table "Dialogue of Faiths" as part of the first Global Future 2045 International Congress in Moscow on 18 February 2012.

Swami Vishnudevananda Giri participated in the round table "Science & Spirituality" as part of the second Global Future 2045 International Congress in the conference hall of the Empire Hotel (New York City) on 14 June 2013.

In July 2013 Swami Vishnudevananda Giri and representatives of Centre "Divya Loka" had several meetings with Trustee of the Council for the Parliament of the World's Religions Ms Phyllis Curott. At the meetings Swami Vishnudevananda Giri presented the text of the resolution "New interfaith Ethics for Spiritual People of the 3rd Millennium" and project of "The World Congress of United Religions". Ms Curott invited Swami Vishnudevananda Giri and Centre "Divya Loka" to take part in the work of the Congress of the Parliament of Religions in 2015.

On 14 July 2013 in Chicago there was a meeting with Executive Director for the Parliament of the World’s Religions Dr. Mary Nelson. Swami Vishnudevananda Giri suggested creating a standing interfaith international body, which would give an opportunity to be heard for representatives of any traditions regardless of their religion and denomination. The parties agreed on further cooperation.

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Participation of Centre "Divya Loka" in regional conferences

Conference "Interfaith Ethics of the 3rd Millennium: Point of View of Spiritual People" took place in Nizhny Novgorod on 14 May 2013. Aims of the Conference: joining efforts to create a tolerant spiritual ethical ground and defend the right to freedom of religion. Representatives of the spiritual movements signed the resolution "Fundamentals of Interfaith Ethics for Spiritual People of the World in the 3rd millennium".

Regional conference "Interfaith Ethics of the 3rd Millennium: Point of View of Spiritual People" took place in Perm on 30 May 2013. Representatives of different denominations of Hinduism and Buddhism participated in the event. The result of the round table was the statement by the participants about their readiness for productive cooperation and signing the resolution "Fundamentals of Interfaith Ethics for Spiritual People of the World in the 3rd millennium"

International academic and research conference "Religious Factor in the Social and Political Life of the Modern Russia: Religion and Law in the State Policy" took place in Moscow on 28 May 2013. Representative of Centre "Divya Loka" I. Y. Kurilenko lectured on tolerance and mutual respect of religions in the practice of Hinduism.

Academic and research conference "View of Traditional Practices of Contemplation and Human's Mental Health" took place in Moscow on 10 and 11 May 2013. Among the conference participants were foreign and local scientists researching Hesychasm, Buddhist meditation, traditions of the East and West, priests, historians, philosophers, anthropologists, doctors and psychologists, who shared their experience and knowledge.

Conference "Constitutional Right to Freedom of Religion" took place in Centre of Vedic Culture "Divya Loka" on 21 August 2013. Among the participants were: A. V. Pchelintsev, Russian honorary lawyer, professor, member of the Council of Experts of the State Duma Committee on Public Unions and Religious Organisations, I. V. Zagrebina, Сhairman of Board of "Guild of Experts on Religion and Law", I. V. Kuris, Grand Ph.D, professor.

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Official meetings of Swami Vishnudevananda Giri

2010, 2013, Nepal Meetings with the President of Nepal Mr Ram Baran Yadav, Vice President of Nepal Mr Parmanand Jha

2012-2013, Russia

Meetings with Ambassador of India to the Russian Federation Mr Ajai Malhotra and director of Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre Mr Sanjay Vedi in the Embassy.

2010, India, the Kumbh Mela At the conference "Yoga in the World", Vice President of Nepal Mr Parmanand Jha is participating.

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2010, India, "Gayatri" University At the festival "Yoga, Culture, Spirituality" with Mahamandaleshwar Swami Somnath Giri (Mahayogi Pilot Baba), participant of Advaita Vedanta Congresses and Forums and International Forum of Spiritual Culture "Era of Unity"

2012, Russia Meeting with Yogmata Keiko Aikawa (Japan), master of yoga and meditation, participant of Advaita Vedanta Congresses and Forums and International Forum of Spiritual Culture "Era of Unity"

2010, Russia Meeting with Swami Paramanand Ji Maharaj, master of yoga and Vedanta, one of Hinduism's world leaders

2013, USA Meeting with Robert Thurman, president of Tibet House, writer, public figure

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2013, Russia Meeting with one of the spiritual leaders of HInduism and musician Ganapati Satchidananda Swami

2013, Russia Meeting with Father Superior Evmeniy (Peristy), representative of Orthodxy

2013, Spain Meeting with Swami Satyananda Saraswati, teacher in Advaita Vidya tradition, Swami Muktananda's disciple

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Friendly meetings of representatives of Centre "Divya Loka"

2013, India Meeting with Swami Pranavananda, follower of the Sivaite tradition

2013, the Netherlands

Introduction to the centre of Vedic culture "Meru" and followers of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

2013, Russia Meeting with Lama Ole Nydahl, master of Buddhist meditation

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2011, France Meeting with representative of Centre of Tibetan culture of Kadampa tradition

2013, Russia Meeting with actor, Buddhism follower, Steven Seagal

2013, Latvia Meeting with pastor Indulis, representative of the World Community for Christian Meditation.