Promoting a correct representation of Hindu dharma in US schools

[Guest guest]

Please visit the website http://www.hindu-international.org

 

Parents are requested to participate in the ongoing endeavour to

promote a correct representation of Hindu dharma in the curriculum in

use in US schools.

 

Our World's Story, by Harcourt Brace & Company is a textbook used in

some schools in USA, for example, Fairfax County Public School, VA -

5th grade Social Studies Curriculum.

 

There are many distortions in this textbook which covers the story of

India in 7 pages.

 

A sampler follows; presented as an issue and a response:

 

Issue (Reference: Our World's Story Page 176)

 

 

Hinduism

 

The ideas of the Aryans can be seen in present-day Indian culture and

beliefs. For example, the Aryans brought their language, Sanskrit, to

India. Many Indian languages of today are based on Sanskrit.

 

The Aryans believed that Sansrit was a holy language, the language

spoken by the gods. The Aryans' holiest books, the Vedas (VAY.duhz),

are written in Sanskrit. These four books of sacred writings describe

the Aryan religion.

 

A main belief of the Aryan religion was that people live many lives

until they reach spiritual prefection. This belief that the soul

lives on after death and returns to life in a new body is called

reincarnation. The Aryan thought that those who obeyed the teachings

of Vedas would be reborn into higher social positions. Those who did

not obey them would return as lower life-forms.

 

The Aryan religion developed into the religion of Hinduism. Hinduism

is one of the oldest religions still practiced today. [unquote]

 

Response (Based on Reference: Explaining Hindu dharma - A Guide for

Teachers Pages 8 and 9)

 

The Word 'Hindu'

 

History is mostly guessing, the rest is prejudice. (WILL DURANT)

 

The word 'Hindu' has its origin in Sanskrit literature. In the Rig

Veda, India was referred to as the country of 'Sapta Sindhu', i.e.

the country of seven great rivers. The word 'Sindhu' referes to

rivers and sea and not merely to the specific river called the Sindhu

(Indus), now in Pakistan. In Vedic Sanskrit, according to ancient

dictionaries, 'sa' was pronounces as 'ha'. Thus Sapta Sindhu' was

pronounced as 'Hapta Hindu'; similarly 'Saraswati' was pronounces

as 'Haravyati' or 'Harahwati'. This is how the work 'Hindu' came into

being. The ancient Persians also referred to India as 'Hapta Hind',

as recorded in their ancient classic 'Bem Riyadh'. That is why some

scholars came to believe that the word 'Hindu' has its origin in

Persia. The Greeks who invaded India under Alexander the Great,

dropped the 'H' completely and used the name Indoos or Indus which

later led to the formation of the word 'India'.

 

Some parents of children studying in US schools are concerned at the

wrong notions being taught to young, impressionable minds.

 

Parents participation is the key for success in bringing any change

in the text books used in various grades in the schools all across

USA.

 

Talk and check your child's text book for material covering India and

Hindu Dharma.

 

If the textbook contains factual inaccuracies, distortions,

disjointed and out of context generalizations, individual opinions,

then approach the school teacher and the principal.

Be properly prepared with the material to refute the factual

inaccuracies.

During the meeting with the school principal, ask for a meeting with

the School Board's curriculum committee.

 

Thanks and regards.

 

Kalyanaraman

[Guest guest]

Namaskaaram.

 

I came across an interesting site http://hinduamericanfoundation.org

 

This is a foundation launched recently in the US. It has already conducted

meetings, and awareness campaigns about the misunrepresentations and

defamation of Hinduism. It has already met members of the Senate in the US

to voice their concerns.

 

Hope members would be interested to read this site. And you might be even

able to join hands to promote awareness about our dharma.

 

Narayana Narayana Narayana

 

R.Gopinathan

 

 

 

 

Loka samastaah sukhinah bhavanthu

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