The Sambodh Society, Inc. A Non-Profit Organization for the Teaching of Vedanta and Meditation and the Sambodh Center for Human Excellence

Transcription

1 The Sambodh Society, Inc. A Non-Profit Organization for the Teaching of Vedanta and Meditation and the Sambodh Center for Human Excellence Under the Spiritual Guidance of His Holiness Swami Bodhananda Saraswati Spiritual Director and Founder ANNOUNCE A SEMINAR ON Hindu Dharma for the 21st Century October 1-4, 2009 (Thursday - Sunday) at the Sambodh Center for Human Excellence (SCHE) P.O. Box 248, 6363 North 24 th Street, Kalamazoo MI Website: Phone: (269) ; Fax (269) indiaink@charter.net Background Our Hindu children and grandchildren are growing up in America without the benefit of intrinsic knowledge of their parents and ancestors Indian culture, its traditions and belief systems. As a result many grow up without strong roots in their religious tradition, suffer low self-esteem as members of a religious minority in the land of their birth, lack strong identity with the Indo-American community, and falter in their commitment to abiding Hindu values. These conditions inhibit second- and thirdgeneration Indo-Americans from realizing their full potential and from significantly contributing to the countries that nurture them. Everyone becomes a loser in the process. One reason, among many, for our children s uprootedness and alienation from their mother-culture is due to Indo-American parents individual and collective inability to articulate and communicate those cherished values and religious practices which they themselves hold. American Hindu children grow up in a cultural environment with religious beliefs, social customs and family values radically different from what they experience in their homes. The dichotomy between our native traditional culture and that of our adopted country causes Hindu parents and their offspring enormous strain, conflict and distraction. These second- and third-generation Indo-American children 1

2 question the sanity and rationale of Hindu beliefs and practices: our praying to a diverse array of Gods; our offering prostrations to and propitiating deities; and our elaborate, time-consuming, and expensive rituals. They argue about the greed of religious leaders, criticize India s caste system, decry arranged marriages, shun vegetarianism, scoff at frugality, and forego the traditional practices of showing respect to their elders and teachers. Hindu parents have no ready or studied answers to such questioning. Our children have limited or no access to learned, practicing scholar-saints to whom they can direct their questions and clear their doubts. Soon frustrated, they become indifferent, scornful, or outright rebels. The generation gap between immigrant Indo-Americans and their progeny becomes an unbridgeable culture gap, and we lose a generation. Is it too late? We think not: it is time for action a collective community response. In the United States the Indian community has tried to address religious and cultural continuity by building Hindu temples. Over 800 or more such temples exist today in this country with virtually one temple being built each week. Predominantly offering traditional ritualistic services replicating the manner and methods of India, our temples are doing little to address the challenges that we have enumerated above. To address these issues, The Sambodh Society, Inc. sees the need for a seminar which we now propose here: Hindu Dharma for the 21 st -Century Apart from our own ignorance, another problem in communicating our practices and cultural values to our Hindu children is the scholars and Hindu leaders inability to interpret those beliefs and values to the needs of the times and to communicate them in a contemporary idiom. This task of interpretation cannot be the work of one individual. It must be a collective effort of many inspired practitioners, community and religious leaders, swamis, saints and scholars. Ultimately, such efforts will initiate an education for our Hindu temples in America and Indo-American parents. The results will be a leadership capable of addressing the needs of our youth and future generations. Action Plan The Sambodh Society Inc. and the Sambodh Center for Human Excellence are planning a four-day seminar and workshop on the topic of Hindu Dharma for the 21 st - Century. The seminar will hold eight one-hour presentations on eight foundational pillars of Hinduism identified by His Holiness Swami Bodhananda Saraswati on the basis of his observations and discussions with Hindu scholars, parents, grandparents, and youth living in America. A two-hour panel discussion will follow each presentation. 2

3 The Sambodh Society, Inc. is inviting eminent scholars and innovative thinkers, to present papers and lead panel discussions on the following themes: 1) Sanatana Dharma; 2) Varnashrama Dharma; 3) Karma Siddhanta and Reincarnation; 4) Hindu Rituals and Temple Worship in the Modern Era; 5) Gurus, Teachings and Ashrams; 6) Scriptures and their Interpretations; 7) Caste Conflict and Coalition in Hindu Society amidst the Specter of Conversion; 8) A Hindu-Framework for Interfaith and Science-Spirituality Dialogues. This seminar is proposed as a discussion among scholars and seminar participants with regard to these eight pillars of Hinduism, during which speakers will provide a comprehensive view of contemporary Hinduism, presenting relevant data from both India and America and articulating how various shifting circumstances and the problems outlined above impinge upon Hindu families residing in America and subsequent generations of Hindus. Seminar speakers will receive a set of prepared questions based upon the pillars of Hinduism identified in this document for the purpose of preparing for the panel discussions. We request that you submit your responses to these questions in advance of the seminar. Following the seminar, The Sambodh Society, Inc. will publish both a CD of the lectures and a book incorporating all of the presentations and panel discussions. We see the seminar and the book as an important first step in interpreting and disseminating Hindu beliefs and practices to our Indo-American community which reflect their unique circumstances, enable the living expression of these timeless values, and thereby convey these values to the world. Finally, as a result of this effort, we are hopeful that the scholarly presentations and discussions will provide both a framework and serve as an impetus for future seminars at SCHE focused upon related themes and their practical application. Just as the European Renaissance of the 14 th -century began with the reinterpretation of ancient Greek and Roman culture, so, too, will a global renaissance begin with the interpretation of the deeply spiritual Hindu culture and tradition. We believe that the Vedantic tradition of Hindus will become a beacon for the 21 st -century and that American Hindus will play a leading role in the cultural and spiritual global renaissance. Topics for Presentation and the Panel Discussion (i) Sanatana Dharma: This session will be devoted to the discussion of the eternal universal values taught in the Vedas, Smritis, Puranas, and Darshanas by the enlightened masters of India. In all ages, these values have been transmitted and sustained as Hindu culture. They have been interpreted in the light of modern 3

4 science and social theories, and they reflect the egalitarian and practical aspirations of individual Hindus as well as their community. Included is the Vedantic relational understanding of God, the world, and the individual, which leads to a meaningful life and purposeful action. What application does this knowledge have to our everyday lives? How does the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta, the bedrock of Hindu dharma, reach our Indo-American population over the generations? How is Sanatana Dharma sustained by Indo-Americans without the broad-base support of the surrounding culture? How can Sanatana Dharma add value, depth and perspective to contemporary American culture? These ideas and questions will comprise the focus of this session. (ii) Varnashrama Dharma: Apart from the awareness of Hindu beliefs and universal human and spiritual values, individuals and communities also have to know how to apply those beliefs and values in an ever-changing landscape of events and outcomes. Their application must also accord with one s temperament, training, and age, as well as incorporate the needs of the community and a culture s stage of technological development. How are we to apply dharma in our personal day-today practice? How are Hindu practices affected by the Western lifestyle? And how do they remain relevant and alive for Indo-American Hindus and their children? These are the challenges that will be addressed in this session. (iii) Karma Siddhanta and Reincarnation: These two ideas have been part of Hindu beliefs and have been burnt into the Hindu DNA since time immemorial, though later Hindu reformers, like Basavanna and Guru Nanak, rejected those theories. Buddhists and Jains also accept these two theories. Presently, karma-siddhanta and the theory of reincarnation are part of popular Western imagination and the frequent subject of their psychological and scientific investigations. What do these theories mean? What are their implications for life, a changing worldview, and a deepening awareness that enhances life s quality? What are their implications for Hindus residing in the West, whose ideas are being discovered, adapted, adopted, and, alternately, denounced by a predominately Christian culture? These themes and questions will be examined in this session. (iv) Hindu Rituals and Temple Worship in the Modern Era: Hindus invoke God's presence in murtis or idols, and we offer our service to these spiritually-charged icons installed in our Hindu homes and temples. This practice has become the central theme of modern Hinduism. An elaborate science and tradition has evolved around and supports the construction of temples, carving images from stone, metals and wood, installing those images with mantra and rituals, and offering daily and occasional ceremonial pujas. Although, over the ages, the worship of many Gods has been greatly misunderstood India s varieties of 4

5 deities have also been of great fascination to non-hindus. The ordinary devotee, the curious onlooker, and even the indifferent or neutral participant, regardless of their degree of interest, would like to understand the meaning and purpose of deity worship. Some venture to explore the effectiveness of these Hindu practices. This session will focus first upon Hindu praxis, identifying those rituals which modern Hindus see as basic: as individuals, for families, and for their communities. Then, how do Hindus understand their practice of idol worship, its meaning, and its relevance to their lives? Having examined these two areas, it is possible to identify ways in which parents might to respond to their children s questions about the practice of idol worship as well as to those who have little understanding or limited exposure to these ancient and viable religious practices. This session will grapple with the basic questions Hindu parents seek most to answer: Why idol worship, and, what (if any) is its relevance to modern life? (v) Gurus, Teachings and Ashrams: Another tradition which is central to Hinduism is the institution of gurus and ashrams and the unbroken flow of their role in teaching the ultimate value of life. During the Muslim and British rules, when Hinduism was under tremendous pressure and all visible structures of Hindu culture were wantonly destroyed, it was the ashrams and wandering gurus who kept the Hindu faith aflame among the common folk in the villages and cities. They not only lived religion but also taught and inspired others by their practices. But for these heroic, selfless gurus and wandering ascetics, Hinduism would have been forever lost to us. This session will look at the historical as well as the contemporary significance of the guru and the ashram in the preservation and propagation of Hindu culture. How can and does this pillar of Hinduism effectively incorporate into a culture where ashrams are scarce, where gurus tailor themselves for Western seekers, and immigrant Hindus seek to insulate themselves from Western influence? What other challenges do ashrams and gurus in the West face? How might gurus and ashrams be of greater help to Hindu parents and families living in America and assist in sustaining a Hindu way of life? (vi) Scriptures and their Interpretations: A revealed scripture is the heart of any religion or faith. The adherents intuitively connect with the revelations of the scripture, intellectually interpret, and emotionally imbibe those teachings, and modify their individual and collective behavior accordingly. Without this rock foundation, life becomes a ship tossed in the storm of unpredictable events. Faith is the anchor, and values are the compass for this ship of life. But a literal interpretation of scripture is dangerous and potentially leads to blind faith and sectarian violence. Scriptures ought to be studied by people of balanced and pure minds. Scriptures are to be lived both personally and as a community. From that wisdom gained in practical living, scriptures are to be interpreted according to the 5

6 needs of the times, and, this kind of interpretation is one of the most important tasks for a dynamic community. Great scriptural interpreters arose in India, like Shankara, Ramanuja, Madhva, Vallabha, Vivekananda, Swami Dayananda, Mahatma Gandhi, Sri Aurobindo and others. This session will focus upon several interrelated questions of import, considering both Hindus in India as well as their counterparts abroad: What scriptures are foundational to Hinduism in modern times? How do we (and how are we to) interpret scripture for our times? Finally, what are the parameters of interpretation that are to assist us in facing modern challenges, including those challenges that Hindus confront living in the West? (vii) Caste Conflict and Coalition in the Hindu Society, and the Specter of Conversion: The prevalence of caste divisions based upon accident of birth and caste discrimination are relics from the deep and long past of the Hindu society. Caste divisions are slow to dissolve, and they continue, in some form. So, too, the resultant caste-based conflicts for power and wealth. In a multi-caste society like the Hindu society, we can expect dynamic shifts and rainbow-caste coalitions, as in the recent trend whereby high-caste Hindus have joined hands with Dalits for class/caste-based reservations on economic considerations, squeezing the middle class. Caste-based social divisions also affect Indians living in the United States. Western stereotypical perspectives of caste as the hallmark of Indian culture embarrass Indo-American youth, negatively affecting their cultural identities. Evangelical, monotheistic religions that convert Hindus have exploited the caste division in Hindu society causing a drastic and traumatic rupture in a people s sense of history and self. What special problems has this system created for Hindu parents raising children in America? For inter-religious marriages and conversions that occur as a consequence of marriage? This presentation will take a critical look at this age-old intractable problem, as it was, as well as the current state of affairs, including the effect upon Indo-American parents, their families, their identity, and their faith, along with a diagnosis and prognosis. (viii) A Hindu Framework for Interfaith and Science-Spirituality Dialogues: In the modern global village, we find people of different faiths, languages, traditions and customs mingling in common spaces: in families, the work arena, leisure-time facilities, on every street, and in every suburb of developed societies. Our Hindu children are exposed to all cultures and faiths of the world. During this age of global integration, the time for conflict, extermination, and/or forced conversion is waning. Ours is the age of conversation versus conversion, consensus versus conflict, and global initiatives versus isolation and retreat. Hindu Dharma, and its capstone, Advaita Vedanta philosophy, provide an inclusive worldview, an allembracing culture of coexistence amidst (and, in spite of) difference and dissent. We believe that Hindus of all generations, living in India or abroad, have a 6

7 significant role to play in the unfolding of this global drama because this Hindu worldview will be more effective for creating interfaith conversation and even for integrating modern science with spirituality. Preserving our Hindu heritage and responding to the changing circumstances of increasing globalism is of significant import. How can Hindus draw upon their philosophy and tradition of non-violent co-existence to create a framework and regime for dialogue and global conversation? Can we help the world in discovering a common ground for collective action to protect both the planet and human civilization? Are there special problems or boons to this discovery process associated with such a diverse culture, religious, racial and global amalgam as is the United States of America? These challenges will be the inspirational theme of the final session. SEMINAR SPONSORSHIP We invite you to sponsor a one or more sessions, or the entire seminar (11 events). A session is either one of the 8 Topical seminar presentations or the special events, including the Inaugural Lecture, Keynote Speech, Valedictory Lecture or one of four Panel Discussions following the sessions. Sponsorship of any single Session (for themes, see pp 4-7) $1,500 Sponsorship of multiple Sessions $1,500 each Sponsorship of 8 Sessions: 4 Lectures and 4 Panel Discussions $12,000 We are also inviting various sponsorship levels as follows: Chief Patron, Patron, Benefactor and Donor. Seminar Sponsors will be recognized in the Commemorative Book and during the Inaugural Session of the Seminar, invited to attend all events and given priority seating. Chief Patron - $12,000 Patron - $10,000 Benefactor - $5,000 Donor - $1,000 Sponsorship of Seminar Participants is also available. See Registration Fees, below. FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO HELP (but cannot attend the Hindu Dharma Seminar) This Seminar is a major landmark for the cause of Hindu Dharma in America. The Sambodh Society, Inc. invites those who wish to support our efforts by pledging a minimal amount of $151 to help us to spread the good word about the Seminar and its proceedings. Appreciation of your support will be recognized in the Hindu Dharma Seminar Commemorative Book, and we will send you a copy of the same. We will also offer CDs of the Seminar Proceedings at a discount rate. For donations of $251 (or multiples thereof), we will send a copies of the Hindu Dharma for the 21 st -entury Seminar Proceedings either to you or to a public libraries of your choice. See our Order Form: REGISTRATION For Registration and Seminar fees see: and follow the registration instructions. A registered participant is entitled to attend all Seminar events, receive seminar materials 7

8 and a copy of the Seminar Commemorative book, and is entitled to order the seminar proceedings CD at a discount rate through Sambodh Publications, when they become available. Vegetarian meals and refreshments are also provided for registered delegates. REGISTRATION AND DELEGATE (PARTICIPANT) FEES Registration may be conducted on line via using PayPal or by regular mail. Individual Delegate Non-Profit Delegate Students Delegate $151 - per day; $451 - full 4-day seminar $101 - per day; $351 - full 4-day seminar $51 - per day; $151 - full 4-day seminar SEMINAR COMMEMORATIVE BOOK AND ADVERTISEMENT COSTS SCHE will publish a pre-seminar Commemorative Book. The book will include Swami Bodhananda Saraswati s comments on all eight of the Seminar themes, invited speaker information, the Seminar schedule, names of all Seminar and Commemorative Book Sponsors, sponsored advertisements and well-wishes, and information about The Sambodh Society, Inc., the Sambodh Center for Human Excellence, its U.S. headquarters, and other Sambodh organizations and ashrams. We invite your sponsorship of the Commemorative Book may place advertisements according to the following sizes and rates: Back Cover page - $500 Inside Cover page - $250 Single page - $150 Half page - $75 Quarter page - $40 The deadline date for submitting print-ready advertisements and/or well-wishes for the Hindu Dharma Seminar Commemorative Book is July 31, All advertisements should be print ready in both MSWord and.pdf formats. FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO HELP (but cannot attend the Hindu Dharma Seminar) This Seminar is a major landmark for the cause of Hindu Dharma in America. The Sambodh Society, Inc. invites those who wish to support our efforts by pledging a minimal amount of $151 to help us to spread the good word about the Seminar and its proceedings. Appreciation of your support will be recognized in the Hindu Dharma Seminar Commemorative Book, and we will send you a copy of the same. We will also offer CDs of the Seminar Proceedings at a discount rate. For donations of $251 (or multiples thereof), we will send a copies of the Hindu Dharma for the 21 st -entury Seminar Proceedings either to you or to a public libraries of your choice. Order Form: forthcoming. SEMINAR PUBLICATIONS Sambodh Publications (USA) plan to publish the Seminar Proceedings in various electronic and print formats (CD, DVD, book) and make them available to seminar participants as well as to the general public. Copies of the Proceedings will first be made available to seminar participants at a special seminar discount rate and can be ordered at the seminar itself. Advance Orders will be made available at the time of the seminar. Information for ordering on line, via Sambodh Publication will be made available in the near future. 8

9 PAPER SUBMISSIONS Aside from the major presentations by invited speakers, those who are interested in presenting papers at the seminar may send an abstract of their paper (maximum 500 words) focused upon any of the eight themes mentioned in the Hindu Dharma for the 21 st -Century Prospectus [see above, pp.4-7]. The deadline for submission is July 31, Those short listed for paper presentation will be contacted by August 15, 2009 and are requested to send full papers by September 15, Please your abstract to: GUIDELINES FOR AUTHORS Page Format: Page Size: 8.5x11 Margins: Top/Bottom: 1 inch Left/Right: 1 inch Spacing: Single-spaced Justification: Fully justified. Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt. Page Limit: maximum 20 pages (including References & Appendices) or 8000 words. AUTHOR INFORMATION The title of the paper should appear on the first page, centered and written in bold. Author's name, title, affiliation, address with , phone and fax number should appear below the title. Immediately below this information, include an abstract of 200 to 250 words. DIACRITICAL MARKS To ensure clarity, please avoid hand-written symbols, words and notations. If the Devanagari alphabet and diacritical marks for Romanized Sanskrit words are utilized in your paper, please use the Sanskrit 2003 font. Download at: REFERENCES Reference citations within the text should consist of the author's last name and date of publication, including punctuation, enclosed within parentheses. If several citations are needed, separate them with semi-colons, and list the citations alphabetically. If two or more works by an author are published during the same year, distinguish them by placing a, b and so forth after the year. Use et al. for works by more than two authors. Format examples: Reference citation in the body of the paper: The initial skepticism raised by Arjuna is a typical example of how moral conflict arises in times of crises when in our ordinary intuitive moral thinking we rely on utilitarian principles (Agarwal, 1989). Reference of Edited Volume: 9

10 Agarwal, M. M. (1989). Arjuna's moral predicament. In B. K. Matilal (Ed.), Moral dilemmas in the Mahabharata (pp ). Shimla: Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidas. Reference of Book: Newberg, A., & D'aquili, E. (2001). Why God Won't Go Away: Brain Science and Biology of Belief (pp ). New York: Ballentine Books. Reference of Journal: Ablondi, F. (1996). Schlick, Altruism and Psychological Hedonism. Indian Philosophical Quarterly, 23 (3&4), Internet Source: < Visited on date. Papers should be prepared in accordance with the above instructions and submitted electronically in MS Word format to SUBMISSION DEADLINE September 15, 2009, postmarked no later than 6:00 p.m., EST SUBMITTING YOUR QUESTIONS ON THE SEMINAR THEME Send your questions, related to any of the eight seminar themes, to the by 15 th September, Your questions will become the basis for the panel discussions. From the array of questions received, the HDS Organizing Committee will select 120 questions, along with the HDS panel member responses, for publication in the post-seminar source-book on Hindu Dharma for the 21 st -Century. IMPORTANT DATES Abstract submission July 31, 2009 Commemorative Book advertisement print-ready submission and full payment July 31, 2009 Seminar Sponsorship August 1, 2009 Early-bird Registration (20% discount) deadline August 20, 2009 Final submission of full paper September 15, 2009 Seminar Participant Registration September 20, 2009 TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATIONS For directions to the Sambodh Center for Human Excellence, see Information on motels/hotels in Kalamazoo in the Kalamazoo area is forthcoming. SAMBODH POSTAL ADDRESS The Sambodh Society, Inc. P.O. Box 248 Kalamazoo, MI SEMINAR VENUE ADDRESS Sambodh Center for Human Excellence N. 24 th Street Kalamazoo, MI Ph: (269)

11 PAYMENTS FOR REGISTRATION, SPONSORSHIP & COMMEMORATIVE BOOK Payments by check: to The Sambodh Society, Inc. sent to postal address (above) On-line Payments: may be made from the Sambodh Society, Inc. website homepage: or by the direct link: using the yellow donation button found at the very bottom right-hand side of the page). SEMINAR CONTACT Ruth Harring, Ph.D., Seminar Coordinator (269) (H) (269) (O) SPEAKERS and RESOURCE SCHOLARS Major Addresses: HH Swami Bodhananda (Presidential address) Prof. Arvind Sharma (Inaugural lecture), McGill University, Montreal, Canada Eight Pillars of Hindu Dharma, Lecturers & Panelists: HH Swami Bodhananda Saraswati Dr. Sripada Raju, East Lansing, MI Dr. Sunder Hattangadi, Battle Creek, MI Prof. Nancy Auer Falk, (Ret.) Kalamazoo, MI Dr. Gopal Singh, Kalamazoo, MI Prof. C. A. Reddy, East Lansing, MI Smt. Renu Malhotra, Ann Arbor, MI Dr. Sudhakar Kulkarni, Lansing, MI Cybelle Shattuck, MA., Kalamazoo, MI Shashi Karve, M.B.A., East Lansing, MI Panel Discussion Moderators: Gopal Singh, Ph.D., Kalamazoo, MI C.A. Reddy, Ph.D., East Lansing, MI Renu Malhotra M.B.A., Ann Arbor, MI Vivek Subramanian, East Lansing Lakshmi Subramanian, East Lansing, MI Ruth Harring, Ph.D., Kalamazoo, MI Cybelle Shattuck, M.A., Kalamazoo, MI SEMINAR WEB-LINKS and DEADLINE DATES REGISTRATION, FEES and PAYMENTS: Early-bird Registration Deadline (20% discount): August 20, 2009 Seminar Registration Deadline: September 20,

12 ON-LINE PAYMENTS VIA PAYPAL: Use the yellow donation button found at the very bottom right-hand side of the page. TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATIONS Kalamazoo MI area motels/hotels area: Anil Patel (269) Directions to the Sambodh Center for Human Excellence: SEMINAR SPONSORSHIP Gopal Singh, Seminar Chair: (269) Kalamazoo, MI Vivek Subramanian, (517) East Lansing, MI Sarla Puri, (616) , Grand Rapids, MI Sponsorship Deadline: September 28, 2009 SEMINAR CONTACT GENERAL INFORMATION Ruth Harring, Ph.D., Seminar Coordinator (269) (H); (269) (O) POST SEMINAR PUBLICATIONS Advance and Seminar Participant Order & Special Discounts Contact: Ruth Harring (see info above) GUIDELINES FOR INVITED SPEAKERS and CALL FOR SUBMISSION OF PAPERS Abstract Submission Deadline for Invited Speakers and Other Presenters: July 31, 2009 Short-list for Paper Presentation: August 15, 2009 Full Papers for both Invited Speakers and Other Presenters: September 25, 2009, 6:00pm (EST) PANEL DISCUSSION QUESTION SUBMISSION FORM Submission Deadline: September 25, SAMBODH POSTAL ADDRESS The Sambodh Society, Inc. P.O. Box 248 Kalamazoo, MI SEMINAR VENUE Sambodh Center for Human Excellence N. 24 th Street Kalamazoo, MI Ph: (269) SEMINAR ORGANIZING COMMITTEE Gopal Singh, Ph.D., Chairperson Pradip Sagdeo, Ph.D., President, SCHE Ruth Harring, Ph.D., CEO, SCHE Sree Aswath, Columbus, OH Sangeetha Menon, Ph.D. (NIAS, India) 12

13 SEMINAR ORGANIZING COMMITTEE Chair: Gopal Singh General Coordinator: Ruth Harring Publicity/Promotion: Pradip Sagdeo Finance: Gopal Singh, Vivek Subramanian, Sarla Puri, and Rashmi Juneja Accommodations/Travel: Anil Patel Commemorative Program: Ruth Harring Meals: Kumud Patel Audio Recording: Paul Janson Video Recording: Frank Jamison Hindu Dharma Post Seminar Source-book: Sangeetha Menon THE SAMBODH SOCIETY, INC., TRUSTEES Swami Bodhananda Saraswati (President) Dr. Uma Deperalta, MD (Vice President and Treasurer) Ruth Harring, Ph.D. (Vice President and Secretary) SCHE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Pradip Sagdeo, Ph.D., President Ruth Harring, Ph.D., CEO Nancy Hayes, M.A., LLP, Vice President Tarun Gupta, Ph.D., Treasurer Cybelle Shattuck, M.A., Secretary 13