Fw: Vedanta in the Third Millennium

[Guest guest]

The following report from Frank Parlato came to the Vivekananda Centre London

 

- Frank Parlato

Frank Parlato

Friday, June 29, 2001 07:49

Vedanta in the Third Millennium

 

fyi...

Vedanta in the Third Millennium:

Here is a link to a partial list of the press generated for the Vedanta in the Third Millennium Conference

articles

 

Also photos of the event: www.parlato.org/v3m

 

Additionally, this is the article filed with India tribune, India Post, India Abroad, Hinduism Today, Press Trust of India.

regards Frank

 

Historic "Millennium" Conference brings senior Ramakrishna monks and devotees together in rural Michigan

by Frank Parlato, Jr.

Ganges Mi: 108 years after Swami Vivekananda came to Chicago and introduced Hinduism to the West, the monks of his order gathered in a small, rural town in Western Michigan, named, propitiously, after India’s most holy river - Ganges - to usher in the new millennium.

Billed as "Vedanta in the Third Millennium," the three day conference attracted nearly 800 followers from around the US. It was among the largest assemblies of senior monks of the Ramakrishna order in the history of the West. Swami Chidananda, chief organizer of the event, and abbot of the order’s Chicago ashrama, said, "This most sacred, historic, epoch making and thrilling event, was the first of its kind in the USA."

All told, sixteen Swamis attended, and the event attracted considerable US media attention. It began on Friday evening, June 22, when the Swamis, dressed in ochre robes, gathered together at the 110 acre Vivekananda Monastery and Retreat in Ganges. Assembling in "Millennium Hall," the Swamis sat on chairs in a semi circle, facing their audience, with a backdrop of the seal of the Ramakrishna order, and larger than life-size photographs of Swami Vivekananda, and Sri Sarada Devi, known to devotees as The Holy Mother.

The mood was expectant, the conference, from the onset, steeped in the traditions of the oldest monastic order in the world. Swami Guatamananda, abbot of the Chennai ashrama, and guest of honor, began by lighting the lamp. Then Swami Chidananda sang a Sanskrit invocation. After introducing the Swamis, Swami Chidananda spoke:

"The whole universe is full of God consciousness. To realize that one has to hold onto Vedanta. The means are Yoga and spiritual practices. This allows the inner divinity - now in a dormant state - to sprout up. Once you become aware of your spiritual identity, you will become really happy and peaceful in this life. Suffering comes only from not knowing the Self."

During the three-day conference, the devotees kept a well-regulated schedule. At 5:15 AM meditation began, followed at 600 A.M. with Arati. 7:30 was breakfast. By 9:00, they were in Millennium Hall to hear lectures by each of the Swamis sequentially. In between discourses, devotional Bhajans were performed by Dr. Ram Bala and his group, as well as breaks for meals and free times - which enabled many to meet the Swamis, individually, amidst the lush and spacious monastery grounds. At 6PM, they returned to arati, and meditation. Dinner was at 730, followed by evening lectures and informal meetings.

Dr. Asha Master M.D. from Fulton, Il., said she was "thrilled" to see the swamis. "This is a great step in my spiritual life," she said. "My quest is to be where these master are."

Anjali Shete, 29, a computer programmer from Farmington Hills, MI,. agreed. She told the Detroit Free Press. "I'm extremely excited just to be able to physically see all the swamis and to listen to their talks and see everybody in their own spiritual journey. This is a great privilege."

Arundhati Kale came from her home in Houston, Texas, in order to have "the holy company and feel the vibrations. It’s peaceful and joyous."

Over the three-day conference, the monks discussed Vedanta’s role in society. However, personal spiritual instruction and practical guidance was the main emphasis.

Swami Brahmarupananda of Washington, D.C., spoke of how technology can effect both tremendous good and enormous evil. "It reinforces the age-old truth that we are all interdependent; we are all one," he said. "Technology is value-blind, though. A sense of good and bad is not inherent in technology. That's why our beliefs assume a greater importance in the new millennium."

A number of Christians also attended. Bill Rhodes and Chris St. John, both from Holland Michigan, are members of the Episcopal church. They said they found the teachings similar to Christian teachings. "We are taught to be good stewards of the land and resources," St. John was quoted in an article for the Associated Press..

On Saturday evening, Swami Chetanananda, head of the St. Louis monastery, and an author of several books on the life of Sri Ramakrishna and his disciples, presented a slide show with rare photographs of Ramakrishna and his environs.

In order of presentation, below are listed the titles of lectures and the Swamis who delivered them:

.."Vedanta and the Ramakrishna Mission" Swami Gautamananda, (Chennai;)

"Vedanta in the West: Past, Present, and Future" Swami Chetanananda, (St. Louis)

"Our Inheritance Is A Door Awaiting Us" Swami Atmarupananda (Ridgely Manor)

"Truth Is One But Sages Call It By Various Names"Swami Aparananda (Berkeley)

Unity In Diversity" Swami Shantarupananda (Portland Ore.)

"Vedanta In America"Swami Tathagatananda (N.Y):

.."Practical Vedanta: Its Future In The West" Swami Prapannananda (Sacramento, CA)

Application Of Vedantic Principles"" Swami Sarvadevananda (Hollywood CA)

"Ancient Values in a Technological Age""Swami Brahmarupananda" (Washington D.C.)

"Sri Ramakrishna's Message For The New Millennium" Swami Prabuddhananda (San Francisco)

"Vedanta and the Modern Age" Swami Pramathananda (Toronto)

"Where Are Vedantic Roots?" Swami Tyagananda (Boston Ma.)

"Vedantic Wisdom: Way To Real Happiness" Swami Chidananda (Chicago)

Overall, the reaction to the event among was favorable.

Mithilesh Mishra, who teaches Hindi at the University of Chicago, said "From a purely Indian point of view, if anytime there is a gathering of truly holy men and women - that gathering itself is of great spiritual significance. Even if the Swamis didn’t talk, even if they just stayed for three days in silence, people would find it very uplifting, very inspiring."

Janet Poole, of Naples, Fl., was raised a Protestant and considers herself a Christian. She attended the event "partly out of curiosity,"’ but found herself "tremendously impressed" by the Swamis.

"I'm just discovering all about it, and it's fascinating what I'm learning," Poole was quoted in the NY Times.

On Sunday morning Swami Guatamananda gave the "valedictory" address, enumerating five spiritual principles which he hoped would define find widespread acceptance in the next millennium:

1. Rationality: the courage to find truth against all superstitions, books and organizations.

2. To find God in all human beings and render dedicated service to God as man.

3. To believe in a God of love and give up all fear of Him

4. To give up undue sense pleasures which make us slaves to the body.

5. To make the goal of life: the realization of God. "Wisdom and loving service should be the hallmark of the perfected man."

Swami Guatamanada urged the attendees, among whom were medical doctors, engineers, businessmen, and college professors, to turn their minds toward God and spend more time on spiritual causes. "Success has to be tempered with spiritual life," he said.

As the conference neared conclusion, Swami Guatamananda invoked the blessings of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother, and Swami Vivekananda upon the assembled devotees, and, he said, upon all humanity throughout the next millennium.

"In the final analysis, the worshippers had a rare opportunity to see sixteen swamis, who are living the life spoken of by the sages and prophets of all religions." Ms. Poole said. "I think the mood here has been one of fulfillment."