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Hindu University of America A Unique Dimension of Hindu Thought and Traditions

Hindu University of America A Unique Dimension of Hindu Thought and Traditions. Session 7A Worship Practice and Priest Welfare. Roles and Training of Priests Master of Divinity Program at Hindu University Abhinav Dwivedi Vice President, HUA HMEC-2009, Sept. 11-13, 2009.

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Hindu University of America A Unique Dimension of Hindu Thought and Traditions

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  1. Hindu University of AmericaA Unique Dimension of Hindu Thought and Traditions Session 7A Worship Practice and Priest Welfare Roles and Training of Priests Master of Divinity Program at Hindu University Abhinav Dwivedi Vice President, HUA HMEC-2009, Sept. 11-13, 2009

  2. Priests in North AmericaCurrent status • Priests are principal custodians of Dharmic traditions, who are vital for keeping the traditions alive and easily accessible to all. • So far in N.A. the needs are mostly met by bringing qualified priests from India. • Smaller communities meet their needs by some one learning on his/her own the required minimal set of priestly activities.

  3. Priests in North America-2Current status • NEED: As more non-Hindus get exposed to Sanatan Dharma, many would like to know more about Hindu way of life ,and how the lofty philosophies ( Tatva Darshana) are integrated in the daily life through various rituals. A qualified priest should be able to help non-Hindus in this quest. • NEED: As the interfaith dialogues increase, a qualified Hindu priest must be able to provide correct perspective of Hindu Darshana and rituals to the people of other faiths– both to the sympathetic and hostile. • NEED: Community and temples must create a culture where the best priests are employed at the temples, are well respected, well treated, and are provided for their worldly needs.

  4. Priestsin North America-3Current status • NEED: Qualified priests must be able to converse with the Hindu children growing up in N.A. at the level, and in the language ( lingo) they can understand, and fill the gap which parents may not be able to do. • NEED: If required priests should be able to go to churches ( and like institutions) and to schools and talk on Hindu Dharma in a manner the audience can understand and appreciate. • NEED:Go to Hospital-hospice Centers and provide comforting prayers to patients and the family.

  5. Priests - Expectations • Well versed in Hindu scriptures– Key Upanishads, Mahabharat, Ramayana, Bhagavad Gita, some popular puranas,.. • Working knowledge of Sanskrit, and religious texts in original • Well versed in the philosophic concepts, and their application in daily life through rituals at home, in the temples, during festivals, through sanskaras, etc.

  6. Priests – Expectations-2 • Well versed in the rituals of… -- Temples: various schools, deities, traditions -- Sanskaras: Stages of pre- birth to post-death -- Yagna, Havan, Vrata, Festivals.. -- Katha and Vyakhyaan: Ram Charita Manas, Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavatam, Satya Narayan Katha and Bhajans. • Ability to articulate Meaning and explanation in English and in one of the Indian Languages (Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telgu, Punjabi etc.) to Hindus, non Hindus and to children.

  7. Roles of Priests • Major areas • Rituals ( Karma-kand) • Education (moral/religious/spiritual) • Spiritual counseling

  8. Roles of Priests-2 • Rituals • Related to pujas, festivals and Samskaras (within and outside of the temples) • Maintaining Sanctity and holiness of the activities • This role is performed satisfactorily by most, but not all, priests coming from India

  9. Roles of Priests-3 • Education • For children, lay-Hindus, and non-Hindus • Spokesperson for interfaith dialogs • Community representation in religious and spiritual matters • Interpretation and explanations of rituals, history, stories and concepts • Temple Management needs to facilitate training of priests to improve Performance of this role.

  10. Roles of Priests-4 • Spiritual Counseling • Dharmic guidance in decision making for a house holder • Support during depression, bereavement periods etc. • Illnesses, Chaplin’s role in hospitals • Temple Management needs to facilitate training of priests to improve Performance of this role.

  11. Roles of Priests-5 • Education & Spiritual Counseling Roles are largely absent (some times filled in by learned and concerned community members, or other organizations…) • Traditionally not performed by priests in India • Not yet actively supported by temple management in N.A.

  12. Training of Priests PRIEST TRAINING PROGRAM AT HUA

  13. Training of Priests • Hindu University has evolved an academic program for Priests training • Advanced Diploma and Master of Hindu Divinity programs. (M.H.D degree) • Overall focus is on enhancing the priests’ abilities to function more efficiently in the N.A. society. • Make their stature/status in the society and their profession improve by providing proper training and certification (compare with how a Christian priest, Jewish rabbi or Muslim Imam is respected in their community) • Attract younger generation into this profession.

  14. Priests Training Programsummary Four groups of courses • Hindu Tradition: Four courses (12 credits) • Principles of Hinduism, Basic Hindu Scriptures, • Basic Jyotish, Principles and Practices of Yoga Meditation • Sanskrit: Two courses (6 credits) • General: Three courses (9 credits) • Public Speaking and Communication Skills • Spiritual Counseling (including social and psychological counseling) • World Major Religions (and community diversities)

  15. Priest Training Programsummary-2 • Rituals:Four courses (12 credits) • Sanskaras, Festivals and Pujas, Rituals in different Sampradayas, Field Practice.

  16. Priest Training programsummary-3 • Course on World Major Religions • Sanatan Traditions: Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Abrahamic Traditions: Islam, Judaism, Christianity • Course coordinated and run by HU • Rituals in different Sampradayas • An overview of unique features of different Sampradayas (other than the one the priest has training in). Credits/waivers for previous training and experience given.

  17. Role of Temple Management • Encourage, support and fund priests to enhance their capabilities through training provided by HUA • Encourage, support and fund so that education and spiritual counseling activities can be undertaken by priests. • Create an environment wherein the priests are treated with respect and reverence in community.

  18. HUA- in nutshell WHAT IS HUA?

  19. HUA- in nutshell-2 Many Programs and courses available to Temples for systematic and authentic, understanding and education of Sanatan Dharma for their communities -- Degree and non-degree courses -- Master and doctoral degree programs -- Conference, Symposia, seminars, Lecture series,…

  20. HUA- in nutshell-3 • Only university outside of Bharat known to be exclusively devoted to teaching and research in all areas of Sanatana Dharma, Culture, languages, philosophies, practices, including Buddhist, Jain, and Sikh traditions. • Authorized by the State of FL. 501 (C) 3, non-profit org. • Large # of affiliations with other institutions, both in USA and India. • Guided and shaped by BOD made up of eminent persons. • Large # of adjunct faculty of diverse expertise See hand out folder for details! Contact HUA: 407-275-0013 staff@hua.edu visit www.hua.edu

  21. Dhanyavaad! • Hindu University Of America 113 S. Econlockhatchee Trail Orlando, FL 32825 USA 407-275-0013 ( Voice) 407- 275-0104 ( fax) staff@hua.edu www.hua.edu

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