Date: 31 Aug 2009
Part 36 - CRIMES AGAINST INDIA- by Stephen Knapp This is the thirty-sixth in the series (previous parts available on request) Extract from the book ‘CRIMES AGAINST INDIA and THE NEED TO PROTECT ITS ANCIENT VEDIC TRADITION’ by : Stephen Knapp. - www.Stephen-Knapp.com In the previous chapter we found what are own created problems are hindrance to our progress. It is indeed these faults (of our own) that are giving us a bad name as a Hindu nation. It is we the citizens of Bharat that can help to eradicate these hurdles. In the current chapter below it highlights how we can help and be a great nation once again…(My Comments)… Hindus Must Stand Strong for Dharma One of the most important things we can do to start showing what is actually the Vedic tradition is to be willing and ready to stand strong for it. All followers of Vedic Dharma should be educated in the philosophy enough to be able to answer questions of all kinds regarding the philosophy, at least to cover the basics. These should be answered in a quick, concise, and effective manner, regardless of whether they are criticisms or simply asked by those who are misinformed but sincerely interested. In this way, we can show that the Hindu tradition is not some shallow philosophy or a bunch of ancient myths or superstitions, which is exactly what some non-Hindus think. We have to show them that this is a profound way of life that has been descending down through generations for thousands of years. And that it contains deep insights and spiritual knowledge that has been found no where else and which has been a guiding light for all of humanity. But to do that all Hindus must be properly educated in their culture. No one should be too timid to be able to correct various misconceptions that some people may have, or to address their criticisms of the culture. Defending Vedic Dharma should be accepted as a collective effort for each of us. If we do not defend Dharma in the world, then ruin to you and society is automatic, either gradually or quickly. Dharma means the universal spiritual truths that maintain balance in the world. Without that, imbalance and deterioration will surely follow. Regular workshops should be held in temples or even in homes so Dharmists or Hindus can practice being prepared with the proper information and response. If this is done in a group setting with others involved, this could be quite fun, entertaining, educational, and certainly bolster pride in their own culture and invoke the courage to defend it whenever the need arises. If someone asks you questions about Vedic culture, then suddenly you become a representative for the whole Dharmic tradition and everyone else who is a Dharmist/Hindu. Then you and all Vedic Dharmists will be judged not only by your response, but also by the depth of your answer, as well as your attitude. An example of what I mean is when I was in Siliguri , India back in 2003 when I was on a lecture tour. I, along with some of the elders from a local Hindu organization, attended a press conference. The press from the local newspapers started asking various questions. I thought they were simple enough, but the questions were not answered in an uncomplicated manner. The elders started getting worked up by the questions and the lack of understanding of the press, and then members of the press also started getting aggravated. Emotions started running high with misunderstandings all the way around. Then I got up to speak and made a simple introductory statement and then took questions. I answered each one directly and briefly. As I did so, I could see members of the press become quiet, possibly because I was a Westerner and they wanted to hear what a non-Indian had to say about Vedic culture. But I could see their heads nodding up and down in a positive way. Then, as they were taking notes, they said, “Yes, these are the kind of answers we wanted to hear. We can use this in our reports.” So they were satisfied. And a positive press report was published in the next day’s paper. So, when it comes to who will speak for Hinduism, we all must be ready to speak for it, but we must be educated to know what to say. We also need to know how best to handle the press and media. This is one of the reasons why I have written and supplied so many books, such as Vedic Culture: The Difference It Can Make in Your Life and The Power of the Dharma or The Secret Teachings of the Vedas, and many other. Another example of what I am talking about is that at a conference in Houston in July of 2006, I met one Westerner who had put a slide show together on Hindu/Vedic culture and had shown it at a school and three churches, Catholic and Methodist. These were for people who were sincerely interested. However, the teachers at the school told him that they had asked the parents of some of their Indian students if they would like to give a presentation on India and Hinduism. However, the parents responded that they did not know enough about their own culture to give such a talk. So here was an opportunity wherein Indians could give a correct understanding of what the Vedic tradition is all about in a friendly environment, but they could not do it. This should not be the case. Sometimes it is plain to see that Western, non-Indian Hindus, those not born into the tradition but have enthusiastically adopted it, have more pride and knowledge of the culture than many Indian Hindus. This should be a source of inspiration for Indian-born Hindus, and they should use such people for speaking engagements. We have many of these kinds of bold and inspiring speakers in my organization, called The Vedic Friends Association [www.vedicfriends.org] who can lecture and have written books on the dynamics of Vedic culture. Anyone can contact them to schedule talks and check out their books. Furthermore, if the parents do not know enough about Hindu culture and do not have enough pride or care to teach their children properly, or at least enroll them in classes at a local temple or Balgokulam, then with all the emphasis on conversions displayed by the monotheistic religions, that Indian Hindu family will no longer be Hindu in about two generations. However, I’ve talked to some Indian Hindus who have said it would take only one generation for the sons and daughters in that family to lose their Hindu faith. This is a reason why in many areas strong Hindus may be disappearing. There is a solution to this, and that is to make sure Hindus are educated in their own culture enough to know how and why they should pass it along to the next generation. WHAT IS VEDIC CULTURE A simple explanation of Vedic culture is that the Vedic tradition is a spiritual path and a way of life. It is a process by which we understand how to be better human beings, how to realize our spiritual nature, how to recognize that spiritual essence in each and every living being, how to understand our relationship with God and the universe and all other living entities, and how to live according to that relationship. It is the most dynamic means of elevating the consciousness of humanity and society available today. It is also a means of understanding our spiritual connection with each other. By having respect for everyone’s spiritual identity, we can perceive that my contribution to your well-being is an automatic contribution to my own existence. Thus, we all work together toward attaining a clean mind and pure heart. In this way, by working together, society at large is in a state of constant improvement. That is one of the goals of the Vedic way of life, and all those who seriously follow it. So who should be afraid to repeat this? It is quite a simple explanation. In this way, we can all become Vedic ambassadors and share with people the basic understanding of what is Vedic culture and some of the many benefits it has provided for thousands of years and what it can do for us today. But that starts with making sure we have the proper education and the answers to provide when we need them. (to follow next topic, The real meaning of Sanatan Dharama…) (P170) © Extracts re-produced with the kind permission from the Author - Stephen Knapp. TO KNOW MORE IN DETAILS INTERESTING NARRATION, PLEASE READ in the book ‘CRIMES AGAINST INDIA and THE NEED TO PROTECT ITS ANCIENT VEDIC TRADITION’ www.Stephen-Knapp.com The book is wonderfully narrated with a number of historical facts which is an eye opener and urgent need to protect the Vedic Dharma and the Hindu Nation. The book is available from Amazon. 000000000