Assemblies at school near the Vedanta Centre London

October 18, 2001

Let me share an interesting experience.

The Ramakrishna Vedanta Centre in UK is in a town called

Bourne End in Buckinghamshire.

I was fortunate enough to be able to conduct two school assemblies

at the Local English school in Bourne End, Buckinghamshire.

The first assembly was on Tuesday - I was asked to address

300 students (14 to 18 year olds). I focused on the pluralistic

feature of Hinduism and how this enables all religions to co-exist

without compromise and with full dignity. This morning I conducted

the second school assembly for about 400 (11 to 13 year old)

students on the theme of 'character' being the most important

asset one can possess. These assemblies are attended by

the teachers too.

I do not think the school children had ever been exposed to Hindu

teachings. (I suspect that most of the teachers had very weird

ideas regarding what Hinduism may involve).

When I first went to the school on Tuesday - the headmistress

seemed not too bothered to talk to me - most of the teachers

seemed apprehensive - but today the magic had started.

As soon as I entered the school building, I was met by a smiling

head-mistress. Some of the teachers came over to thank me

for my contribution at the first assembly. I have been asked

to conduct assemblies at the school on a regular basis.

It is through such assemblies that I am able to impart

the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna to the youngsters of

the host nation.

Very few realise that when I am asked to talk Hinduism - I actually

present a bit of 'Sri Ramakrishna / Vivekananda'. That is what

grabs the attention of the audience. Then I sit back and

watch the magic unfold : )

It is great fun to watch how the 'old man' operates.

All this happens by the grace of our Sri Ramakrishna!

jay (dilip)

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