HSC Weekly Prayer/Discussion Meetings
Time: Wednesdays, 9-10pm
Location: TBA
The Yale Hindu Students Council invites you to attend its weekly
prayer/meditation seminars. These sessions, while having a prayer
component, are themed and will address issues pertaining to Hinduism.
The purpose of these seminars is primarily educational, and they are
open to the public. We wish to provide a forum for cultural and
religious exchange and lively debate on the role of the Hindu religion
in our lives. Over the course of this year, we hope that participants
will seek to answer questions such as:
- How does being Hindu affect one's outlook and day to day actions?
- What does being Hindu really mean? Is it okay if I don't pray or know anything about the religion even though I call myself a Hindu?
- Is being Hindu compatible with my thinking about science, politics, and society?
- What is "truth"? Who defines what "truth" is and how is it attainable?
Format: Opening meditation and prayer (5 minutes), presentation on the
theme (15-20 minutes), discussion (15-20 minutes), and closing prayer (5
minutes).
The organizers of these seminars do not claim to have any form of
expertise in the themes chosen. Indeed, we aim to create an environment
where people can develop answers to their questions through discussion
and introspection. HSC hopes to host academics to speak on these issues,
answer our questions, and/or facilitate discussion.
Fall Semester
2009 Topics: To Be Announced
2007-2008 Fall Topics:
10/16 - Sanatana Dharma/Vedanta/Hinduism: Origins, Definitions, and
Popular Religion
10/23 - The Meaning and Significance of the Upanisads
10/30 - "Why a Hindu Accepts Christ and Rejects Churchianity," by Swami
Abhedananda
11/6 – The Third Annual Diwali Pooja
11/13 - Gender and Hinduism
11/20 - Symbols in Hinduism – The meaning and mythological roots of
emblems and sacred objects from various branches of Hinduism.
11/27 - Meditation, Yoga, and Concentration – Lecture by guest speaker
12/3 - Science and Hinduism – Vedanta, Evolution, Science, and "Truth"
Caste, Culture, and Socialism
Buddha, Buddhism, and Hinduism