Guest guest Posted June 7, 1999 Report Share Posted June 7, 1999 Hi krishNabhaktas, Here is a comprehensive VMS conference report from Gopalakrishna varna from Detroit. I request other attendees to post their impressions. Regards, Vasu ==========0================0==================0================= Subject: VMS conference Date: Mon, 7 Jun 1999 12:14:02 -0700 (PDT) " GOPALAKRISHNA.B VARNA " <bgkvarna To: vmurthy CC: bgkvarna Dear Shri Vasu Murthy, Thanks a lot for all the compliments and your appreciation for the little things we did during the conference. We would be happy to get involved more and more in such events which makes our community strong and healthy. Thanks a lot for the office bearers of VMS for providing us an opportunity to serve Vishnu Bhakthas. We have prepared a small report here. You may kindly go through that and do corrections whatever is necessary to publish in CMS and VMS lists. Thanks once again and hoping to get many more such opportunities. Regards B.Gopalakrishna Brief report of Second Baktha Sammelana of VMS( VISHWA MADHWA SAMMELANA) organized by Michigan Chapter. The second Bhaktha Sammelana of VMS was organized during memorial day weekend in Bharathiya Temple, Troy, Michigan. It was a wonderful experience and the memorial day week end was indeed very much memorable for all the participants. Here is a small report of activities for the benefit of others. The Sammelana was held on Sunday, 30th May. As a prefix to this event, a devotional music concert by Shri Vidyabhushana was arranged on the previous evening, Saturday, 29th May. The concert was highly devotional with the melodious voice of Vidyabhushana and all the devotees are very much delighted with the various 'Devara namas' sung by Shri Vidyabhushan. Though the voice of VidyaBhushana was very much familiar to the crowd through his cassettes, listing to him directly was some thing very much special. Shri Vidyabhushana created a special mindset of devotion in the audience with the chanting of shlokas and prayers. Thus the concert provided a sort of sound base of dedication and devotion for the next day activities. On Sunday 30th May, the Sammelana was inaugurated by Shri Vidyabhushana with Mangalarathi to Lord Krishna. Shri Vidyabhushan chanted few shlokas and sang a Devaranama. He talked few words about importance of Bhakthi and how Bhakti is very much essential for Mukthi. He also narrated about his various activities to promote Bhakthi through Bhakthi Prathistan founded by him. Next event of the day was " Sthothra parayana " in chorus. Shri Gopinath Galagalli led the team. All participants were given a small booklet to follow the chanting. The group started chanting Venkatesh Suprabatha, Venkatesh sthothra, Thaiththariya upanishad, Purusha Suktha, Shri Vishnu Sahasra Nama, Shri Dwadasha sthothra, Sri Dasavathara Sthuthi, Shri Krishnastaka, Shri Harivayu stuthi, Gurusmarane and concluded with Krishnarpana. It was really a wonderful experience to listen to the whole group including the ladies team, chanting the shlokas and sthothras in front of Lord Laxmi Narayana in the temple. The next session was for Bhajans. Shri Vidyabhushana released a Devara-nama Book and an audio cassette. The team from Washington had put a good amount of efforts to bring out a beautiful book containing Devara-nama in English and Kannada. With the help of cassette and the book, all non kannada people can easily learn of Devaranama. The team has also prepared beautiful stickers containing simple but most meaningful messages " naaham kartha- Hari Karhta " and " Vishnu Preranaya- Vishnu Preethyartham " both in English and Sanskrit. All these items were freely distributed to the participants to enhance their Sadhana. Next, the " Sankeerthana Vranda " , a local team of singers, continued devotional session with Bhajans. The last event of the morning session was an open speech by Shri Vasu Murthy on " Survey of Indian Philosophical systems and Madhwa Philosophy " in English. This speech was meant for all the temple audience and general public too. Shri Vasumurthy highlighted the main principles of Madhwa philosophy and explained how it is more relevent and applicable to logical thinking and individual experiences. The supremacy of God, the differences between each and everything in the world, the trueness of existence of world etc can be experienced by every one. Logically also Shri Madhwa provides enough evidences to prove that whatever has been said by other philosophical schools or doctrines are not perfect. The morning session was concluded for the distribution of " Prasad " . The home made food was highly delicious and reminded everyone of the grand lunch of marriages in India. All the participants were extremely happy with the lunch served. Some one was mentioning that the heavy food is going to make every one sleepy in the afternoon session. Thanks to all ladies who spent early morning hours in the kitchen, to prepare variety of dishes. In the afternoon session, we had four lecture sessions and kids program. Shri Muralidhara, president of Michigan chapter led the sessions. The first topic was " Hari Sarvoththamathva " by Shri Gopinath Galagalli who narrated this topic with two shlokas which contains the essence of whole Baghavatha. With his propound knowledge about various scriptures, Shri Galagalli went on describing beautifully how " Harisarvoththamathva " is being explained in Veda, Upanishad, Mahabharatha, Bhagavadgeetha, Sthotras, Keerthanas etc. With many illustrating examples of day to day life, Shri Galagalli's speech was highly impressive and educative and the audience were very curious to listen for some more time. Next we had children's program. It was highly amazing to see a lot of children chanting slokas, singing Bhajans and sthothras. It is worth mentioning few of them, who have impressed the audience very much many of them are less than 5-6 years. Samhitha, Swetha, Mukunda, Sindhoora, Navaneetha, Anagha, Adishesha, Lavanya, Monisha and Sandeepa performed very well. Though all these kids are born and brought up in this country, they all are being well trained by their parents and are getting good exposure of Madhwa culture and heritage. Another attraction of this session was excellent performance of Bharathanatyam by Manasa Muralidhara. The talent of this upcoming artist surely needs special acknowledgment. After a short break, the lecture sesion was continued by Shri Madhusudhan's speech on " Veda apourusheyathva " . Shri Madhusudhan very clearly explained about Vedas, their teachings and how all of them are acknowledging Madhwa Philosophy. It was highly educative and enlightening, to listen to Shri Madhusudhan who had formal education about all the scriptures at his very young age by well-known scholars. The next session was by Shri Jayakrishna about " Brahma Mimamsa " . Shri Jayakrishna explained very clearly in simple terms what is Brahma Mimamsa. He narrated methodically how and why it is very important in our " sadhana " , quoting various scriptures of Shri Jayatheertha, Shri Raghavendra swamiji etc. Jijnasa or inquiry process is very very important in anyone's sadhana and one has to go on educating himself about true meaning of life. He explained that Brahma Jignasa in the madhva school is an open minded inquiry into Brahman without any preconditions or bias about what outcome will be obtained.Shri Jayakrishna explained that Shri Acharya did not start a new cult. Shri Acharya is not for or against any school of Philisophy. Shri Acharya is only for those things which are in Veda and he is againt anything which is non-vedic. Shri Jayakrishna briefly touched upon the first five of Brahmasuthras. Listening to Shri Jayakrishna was highly enlightening. Shri Jayakrishna hails from a higly scholar's family and had formal education about our scriptures by his own brother. The next session was by Shri Aralumallige Parthasarathy. We were very lucky to have Aralumallige Parthasarathy, with us on that day. He had changed his schedule to attend this program to enlighten the devotees about Dasa sahithya. Shri Parthasarathy does not need any introduction to any of us. He is a moving encyclopedia of Dasa sahithya. He is going around the world, propagating and spreading Dasa Sahithya. On this occasion Viswa Madhwa Sangha honored him with the title " Dasa Sahithya Pracharaka " and acknowledged his rich contribution to Dasa Sahithya. Shri Srinivas Bhat read the award and all the office bearers of VMS presented it to Shri Parthsarathy. Next Shri Parthasarathy started his lecture touching upon the greatness of Madhwa philosophy and explained how Shri Acharya Madhwa gave importance to the present life. He also explained about various other great people who started, contributed and enriched the Dasa sahithya. He praised the VMS activities and coined new phra se that VMS stands for 'Vishnu, Mahalaxmi and Sarvadevathegalu'. He concluded his speech with a request to everyone for doing something collectively for propagation of Madhwa siddantha and Dasa sahithya. The last item of the Sammelana was discussion about the future plans and activities. Shri Vasumurhty briefed upon various plans and projects and Shri Sudhendra explained about WEB based activites and the session was concluded. The highlight of this sammelana was that a team of nearly 25 members had come from Washington DC. There are many other guests from neighboring states Ohio, Pennsylvania etc. This is the second function being hosted by Michigan Chapter of VMS. Lot of volunteers helped in hosting the outstation guests and made their stay quite pleasant and homely. Ladies wing took all the care to see that guests were served with the best food. The Michigan team has once again demonstrated their dedication in the service of Vishnu Bhaktas. All credits goes to Smt Nalini and Shri Srinivas Bhat, Smt Geetha and Shri Muralidhara, Smt Shobha Maddur and Shri Suresh, Smt Jayashri and Shri Madhusudhan Smt Anjana and Shri Gopinath, Smt Sandhya Prasanna, Smt Sudha Srinivas, Smt Shobha Manohar and many many others who spared nothing to make this function a grand success. It is our sincere wish and request too that people from other states also start conducting such Sammelana and strengthen the Madhwa philosophy. -- ================================= Vasu Murthy web page: members.xoom.com/vmurthy vmurthy ================================== Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 9, 1999 Report Share Posted June 9, 1999 Hi Gopalakrishna, Your effort in putting together the conference is highly appreciated. I would like to suggest the following corrections to the part where you have summarized my talk on Brahma Mimamsa 1. Spelling is Mimamsa and not Memamsa 2. >important in our " sadhana " , quoting various scriptures of Shri Jayatheertha, Shri Raghavendra swamiji etc Usually the word scriptures is used for Vedas, so you can say works of Shri Jayatheertha, ... 3. .... one has to go on educating himself about true meaning of life. I am not so sure as to what you were trying to say here. 4. ...... start conducting such Sammelana and strengthen the Madhwa philosophy. You should say Madhwa community. Philosophy will not be affected either way by our doing or not doing the conference. ---------- -------------------- " Ganga Sangena Nairmalyam Ratyabdhihi Labhyate yatha | Vacho Vishuddi sidyartham sangamyante Gurorgiraha " || - Jayatheertha Tikacharya in Tattva-Prakashika ( Brahma-Sutra-Bhasya-Tika) " Just as the dirty water joins becomes purified by joining Ganga river, so also for the sake of purification of thought and talk, guru AnandaTheertha's words will be put together " ---------- ---------- RJAY Consultants Inc., Tel: (703)430-8090 Fax: (703)904-8496 Email: jay ---------- ---------- Vasu Murthy <vmurthy VMS Mailing list < > Monday, June 07, 1999 4:49 PM VMS conference report >Vasu Murthy <vmurthy > >Hi krishNabhaktas, > Here is a comprehensive VMS conference report from Gopalakrishna >varna from Detroit. I request >other attendees to post their impressions. > > Regards, > Vasu >==========0================0==================0================= > >Subject: > VMS conference > Date: > Mon, 7 Jun 1999 12:14:02 -0700 (PDT) > > " GOPALAKRISHNA.B VARNA " <bgkvarna > To: > vmurthy > CC: > bgkvarna > > Dear Shri Vasu Murthy, > > Thanks a lot for all the compliments and your appreciation for >the little things we did during the conference. We would be happy to >get involved more and more in such events which makes our community >strong and healthy. Thanks a lot for the office bearers of VMS for >providing us an opportunity to serve Vishnu Bhakthas. > > We have prepared a small report here. You may kindly go through > that and do corrections whatever is necessary to publish in CMS and > VMS lists. > > Thanks once again and hoping to get many more such opportunities. > >Regards >B.Gopalakrishna > > > > Brief report of Second Baktha Sammelana of VMS( VISHWA MADHWA >SAMMELANA) organized by >Michigan Chapter. > > The second Bhaktha Sammelana of VMS was organized during memorial >day weekend in Bharathiya Temple, >Troy, Michigan. It was a wonderful experience and the memorial day week >end was indeed very much memorable >for all the participants. Here is a small report of activities for the >benefit of others. > > The Sammelana was held on Sunday, 30th May. As a prefix to this >event, a devotional music concert by Shri >Vidyabhushana was arranged on the previous evening, Saturday, 29th May. >The concert was highly devotional >with the melodious voice of Vidyabhushana and all the devotees are very >much delighted with the various 'Devara >namas' sung by Shri Vidyabhushan. Though the voice of VidyaBhushana was >very much familiar to the crowd >through his cassettes, listing to him directly was some thing very much >special. Shri Vidyabhushana created a >special mindset of devotion in the audience with the chanting of >shlokas and prayers. Thus the concert provided a >sort of sound base of dedication and devotion for the next day >activities. > > On Sunday 30th May, the Sammelana was inaugurated by Shri >Vidyabhushana with Mangalarathi to Lord >Krishna. Shri Vidyabhushan chanted few shlokas and sang a Devaranama. He >talked few words about importance >of Bhakthi and how Bhakti is very much essential for Mukthi. He also >narrated about his various activities to >promote Bhakthi through Bhakthi Prathistan founded by him. Next event >of the day was " Sthothra parayana " in >chorus. Shri Gopinath Galagalli led the team. All participants were >given a small booklet to follow the chanting. >The group started chanting Venkatesh Suprabatha, Venkatesh sthothra, >Thaiththariya upanishad, Purusha Suktha, >Shri Vishnu Sahasra Nama, Shri Dwadasha sthothra, Sri Dasavathara >Sthuthi, Shri Krishnastaka, Shri Harivayu >stuthi, Gurusmarane and concluded with Krishnarpana. It was really a >wonderful experience to listen to the whole >group including the ladies team, chanting the shlokas and sthothras in >front of Lord Laxmi Narayana in the temple. > > The next session was for Bhajans. Shri Vidyabhushana >released a Devara-nama Book and an audio >cassette. The team from Washington had put a good amount of efforts to >bring out a beautiful book containing >Devara-nama in English and Kannada. With the help of cassette and the >book, all non kannada people can easily >learn of Devaranama. The team has also prepared beautiful stickers >containing simple but most meaningful >messages " naaham kartha- Hari Karhta " and " Vishnu Preranaya- Vishnu >Preethyartham " both in English and >Sanskrit. All these items were freely distributed to the participants to >enhance their Sadhana. Next, the > " Sankeerthana Vranda " , a local team of singers, continued devotional >session with Bhajans. > > The last event of the morning session was an open speech by >Shri Vasu Murthy on " Survey of Indian Philosophical systems and Madhwa >Philosophy " in English. This speech was meant for all the temple >audience and general public too. Shri Vasumurthy highlighted >the main principles of Madhwa philosophy and explained how it is more >relevent and applicable to logical thinking >and individual experiences. The supremacy of God, the differences >between each and everything in the world, the >trueness of existence of world etc can be experienced by every one. >Logically also Shri Madhwa provides >enough evidences to prove that whatever has been said by other >philosophical schools or doctrines are not >perfect. > > The morning session was concluded for the distribution of > " Prasad " . The home made food was highly >delicious and reminded everyone of the grand lunch of marriages in >India. All the participants were extremely >happy with the lunch served. Some one was mentioning that the heavy food >is going to make every one sleepy in >the afternoon session. Thanks to all ladies who spent early morning >hours in the kitchen, to prepare variety of >dishes. > > In the afternoon session, we had four lecture sessions and kids >program. Shri Muralidhara, president of >Michigan chapter led the sessions. The first topic was " Hari >Sarvoththamathva " by Shri Gopinath Galagalli who >narrated this topic with two shlokas which contains the essence of whole >Baghavatha. With his propound >knowledge about various scriptures, Shri Galagalli went on describing >beautifully how " Harisarvoththamathva " is >being explained in Veda, Upanishad, Mahabharatha, Bhagavadgeetha, >Sthotras, Keerthanas etc. With many >illustrating examples of day to day life, Shri Galagalli's speech was >highly impressive and educative and the >audience were very curious to listen for some more time. > > Next we had children's program. It was highly amazing to see a lot >of children chanting slokas, singing Bhajans and sthothras. It is worth >mentioning few of them, who have impressed the audience very much many >of them are less >than 5-6 years. Samhitha, Swetha, Mukunda, Sindhoora, Navaneetha, >Anagha, Adishesha, Lavanya, Monisha and >Sandeepa performed very well. Though all these kids are born and brought >up in this country, they all are being >well trained by their parents and are getting good exposure of Madhwa >culture and heritage. Another attraction of >this session was excellent performance of Bharathanatyam by Manasa >Muralidhara. The talent of this upcoming >artist surely needs special acknowledgment. > > After a short break, the lecture sesion was continued by Shri >Madhusudhan's speech on " Veda >apourusheyathva " . Shri Madhusudhan very clearly explained about Vedas, >their teachings and how all of them are >acknowledging Madhwa Philosophy. It was highly educative and >enlightening, to listen to Shri Madhusudhan who >had formal education about all the scriptures at his very young age by >well-known scholars. The next session was >by Shri Jayakrishna about " Brahma Mimamsa " . Shri Jayakrishna explained >very clearly in simple terms what is >Brahma Mimamsa. He narrated methodically how and why it is very >important in our " sadhana " , quoting various >scriptures of Shri Jayatheertha, Shri Raghavendra swamiji etc. Jijnasa >or inquiry process is very very important in >anyone's sadhana and one has to go on educating himself about true >meaning of life. He explained that Brahma Jignasa > in the madhva school is an open minded inquiry into Brahman without any >preconditions or bias about what outcome will be obtained.Shri >Jayakrishna explained that Shri Acharya did not start a new cult. Shri >Acharya is not for or against any school of Philisophy. Shri Acharya is >only for those things which are in Veda and he is againt anything which >is non-vedic. Shri Jayakrishna briefly touched upon the first five of >Brahmasuthras. Listening to Shri Jayakrishna was highly enlightening. >Shri Jayakrishna hails from a higly scholar's family and had formal >education about our scriptures by his own brother. > > The next session was by Shri Aralumallige Parthasarathy. We were >very lucky to have Aralumallige >Parthasarathy, with us on that day. He had changed his schedule to >attend this program to enlighten the devotees >about Dasa sahithya. Shri Parthasarathy does not need any introduction >to any of us. He is a moving encyclopedia >of Dasa sahithya. He is going around the world, propagating and >spreading Dasa Sahithya. On this occasion >Viswa Madhwa Sangha honored him with the title " Dasa Sahithya >Pracharaka " and acknowledged his rich >contribution to Dasa Sahithya. Shri Srinivas Bhat read the award and >all the office bearers of VMS presented it >to Shri Parthsarathy. Next Shri Parthasarathy started his lecture >touching upon the greatness of Madhwa >philosophy and explained how Shri Acharya Madhwa gave importance to the >present life. He also explained about >various other great people who started, contributed and enriched the >Dasa sahithya. He praised the VMS >activities and coined new phra >se that VMS stands for 'Vishnu, Mahalaxmi and Sarvadevathegalu'. He >concluded his speech with a request to >everyone for doing something collectively for propagation of Madhwa >siddantha and Dasa sahithya. > > The last item of the Sammelana was discussion about the future >plans and activities. Shri Vasumurhty briefed >upon various plans and projects and Shri Sudhendra explained about WEB >based activites and the session was >concluded. > > The highlight of this sammelana was that a team of nearly 25 >members had come from Washington DC. There >are many other guests from neighboring states Ohio, Pennsylvania etc. >This is the second function being hosted by >Michigan Chapter of VMS. Lot of volunteers helped in hosting the >outstation guests and made their stay quite >pleasant and homely. Ladies wing took all the care to see that guests >were served with the best food. The >Michigan team has once again demonstrated their dedication in the >service of Vishnu Bhaktas. All credits goes to >Smt Nalini and Shri Srinivas Bhat, Smt Geetha and Shri Muralidhara, Smt >Shobha Maddur and Shri Suresh, Smt >Jayashri and Shri Madhusudhan Smt Anjana and Shri Gopinath, Smt Sandhya >Prasanna, Smt Sudha Srinivas, >Smt Shobha Manohar and many many others who spared nothing to make this >function a grand success. > > It is our sincere wish and request too that people from other states >also start conducting such Sammelana and >strengthen the Madhwa philosophy. > > > >-- >================================= >Vasu Murthy > >web page: members.xoom.com/vmurthy >vmurthy > >================================== > > > >------ >Congratulations to " INDIE-GRRL, " our latest ONElist of the Week. > >Visit our homepage and share with us how ONElist is changing YOUR life! >------ >nAham kartA hariH kartA tatpUjA karmachaakhilam.h| >taThaapi matkR^itaa pUja tatprasaadhEna naanyaThaa| >tadbhakti tadphalam.h mahyam.h tatprasaadaat.h punaH punaH | >karmanyaasO harAvevam.h vishNOsthR^iptikaraH sadhA || > > " I am not the doer, shri Hari is the doer, all the actions that I do are His worship. Even then, the worship I do is through His grace and not otherwise. That devotion and the fruits of the actions that come to me are due to His recurring grace " >If one always practices to do actions with a dedicated spirit to Hari, in this way, it pleases Vishnu. > --- Quoted by Sri madhvAchArya in GitA tAtparya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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