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Welcome to HSC @ The University Of Iowa
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Est.
2/17/98, HSC strives to provide opportunities to learn about the Hindu heritage
through various activities & events.
Page
last updated on Oct. 11th 2003.
HSC is an international forum that provides opportunities to learn about Hindu heritage through various activities, events and projects. HSC presents ample opportunities for self-development at the spiritual and professional level.
We accomplish the above through:
- Campus Study Groups
- Classes and Symposia
- Seminars, Lectures & Workshops
- Celebration of Festivals
- Conferences and Camps
- Leadership Workshops
- Sport & Travel Activities
- Publication & Distribution of Literature
- Various Projects
- Collaboration with other campus and community organizations
One out of every six persons born on this earth is Hindu. Mark Twain said, "In religion and culture India is the only millionaire." And yet, so many of us know very little about this great culture and heritage!
HSC represents the first and only North American and international attempt by students and young professionals like yourself to explore, discover & experience the immense treasures of the time-tested knowledge and wisdom of the great Hindu culture. Indeed, we have within our grasp the vast philosophical, spiritual, social and scientific tools of the Hindu System. Let us learn to use them for achieving excellence in personal life and to enrich our community, our environment and our world.
As Hindu students, we often feel isolated and lost within ourselves because of our upbringing in a dual culture Hindu and Judeo-Christian. We try to reconcile our own sorrows and imperfections as human beings in a variety of self-defeating ways. And we usually go through this confusing internal struggle alone. It is precisely to assist you with this spiritual, emotional and identity needs that the HSC was born. Let us help you and help us to help others.
HSC derives its inspiration from the Sanatana (eternal) Dharma. The VISION of HSC emerges from great realizations like:
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: The entire creation is one family
Ekam Sat Viprah Bahudha Vadanti: Truth is one, sages call it by various names
Sarve Api Sukhina Santu Sarve Santu Niramayah: Let everybody be happy, healthy, and blessed
GOALS OF HSC
- Provide opportuntites to learn about Hindu heritage and culture
- Foster awareness of issues affecting Hindus
- Provide SEVA (service) to the community
MISSION
STATEMENT
From the most ancient times, the people of the world have been searching for pleasure, for meaning, for the cause, for the origin and for destiny. These quests are often called 'scientific queries', and through these queries we discover two things: the world of matter or the unconscious and its laws and principles and, second and more importantly, the world of the conscious, or the inner nature of being, and its nature, laws and principles.
Of these two worlds that are discovered, one is the world of matter and the other is the world of the spirit. One cannot exist without the other. Therefore harmonizing these two domains has been the goal of people from all ages. The Hindu sages have contributed the most towards discovering these worlds and also towards the process of harmonizing them. The vast wisdom that has been stored up by these sages, often referred to as Hinduism, is the Sanatan Dharma: meaning the eternal laws and principles of being. If one were to ask what the Hindus have to give to the world, the answer would be these stored up treasures.
In the Ganga of this ancient Hindu civilization, thousands of Rishis as well as organizations and individuals have offered their wisdom, wealth, labor and their entire life to millions. HSC is a new stream in this river. It is a part of the continuity to keep the vital force of the Hindu ideals and ideas alive and to live and help society and the people apply these principles according to the age and situation.
As it has in the past, Hindu Dharma is finding its expression through different channels or organizations every day and every moment. Currently there is a wave of Hindu awakening in the world. The so-called Hindutva (Hinduness) movement is part of this bigger and continuous effort from the past. The usage and the appreciation of the Hindu ideas are increasing in the world, especially in the West in the fields of health, management, psychology and sociology. Hindu ideals form the base of the environmental and human rights concerns. More and more people are trying to adopt the 'natural' way of living, which is the basis of the Hindu culture.
HSC is a humble offering from all of us, the self-conscious Hindus, to the world for the promotion and cultivation of the great Hindu heritage. But more importantly, for our own future generations, we today have a great responsibility to keep our rich culture from being forgotten or misunderstood. We must also rediscover the principles of our culture and reformulate the ways to express these principles for every new age; HSC has already undertaken this responsibility.
For centuries people in India have reformed and modified the ways of expressing and applying these principles to their life. Ashrams, maths, schools, organizations, temples, cultural centers have worked for ages to keep the dynamism of this Hindu civilization vibrant. How about us today, in America?
Swami Vivekananda, at the end of the last century came to America and presented Hindu Dharma to the world. Why did he cross seven seas just to come here? There was a purpose behind it. This purpose was that America, 'the land of liberty' would act as an impetus to truly understand and spread the message of the sages. And this is exactly what is happening. America has helped in many different ways to rediscover the wisdom of the east by being open to experiments and by giving new meanings to this age-old wisdom. HSC has joined in to continue the work Swami Vivekananda started over 100 years ago. Therefore, we, being in America, have an added responsibility. As part of one of the most affluent communities in the US and Canada while carrying the treasures of the most ancient civilization, we are poised to make a major contribution to the world of tomorrow. We have an obligation to our ancestors to make 'the science of spirituality' available to all.
The world of today needs the wisdom and experience of the Hindu system. We believe in: 'Vasudhaiva kutumbakam': the entire creation is one big family. Let us resolve that we will give as much as we can, to this noble cause, to realize this highest goal. We should not live like the animals and the trees, which probably don't know of even their own existence! We want to live for a purpose, with a mission higher than mere acquiring of wealth. We are born to leave a mark behind. That's why our role in the world is naturally leadership.
Ultimately, as Hindus, our world mission is: 'Krinavantu vishwam aryam': We will make the world nobler. But there exists another world: the world of ignorance, the world of destruction, the world of violence, the world of disorder, the world of oppression and suffering, the world of death. Thus, we in HSC always pray: 'Asato ma sadgmayo, tamaso ma jyotirgamaya, mrityormam amritam gamaya. Om Shantih shantih shantih': "Lead me (by giving knowledge) from the unreal (apparent) to the real; from darkness (of ignorance) to light (of knowledge); (and) from death (sense of limitation) to immortality (limitless, liberation). OM Peace! Peace! Peace!
You should join HSC because ...
- Explore and experience the universal and eternal principles of Sanatana Hindu Dharma and to express yourself.
- Enhance your knowledge about our rich philosophy, culture and arts.
- Network throughout the world and make friends who will last a lifetime.
- Gain valuable leadership experience.
- Serve the community.
- Visit exciting places while you attend HSC events all over North America.
- To have Fun! and to learn something.
HSC is a non-sectarian forum for all. HSC welcomes all students, academicians and individuals of any nationality, race and ethnic group who subscribe to the objectives and programs of HSC.
If these exciting opportunities sound like what you've been looking for then become a member today and join with the thousands of others who have benefited from this great movement. HSC membership displays your support (moral and financial) for this great cause. Through your support HSC will continue to grow and will continue to provide this unique forum and service to thousands like you today and many thousands more tomorrow throughout the world. Click here to become become a HSC member and do all this fun stuff.
Here, are the projects anticipated by HSC
- Seva
(service): Community
Service Project: One basic Hindu teaching is that 'Seva is the best dharma'.
HSC strongly believes in Mahatma Gandhi's words: "Service to man
is service to God". To help the underpriviledged we have the following
activities: Coin-project to collect change to support needy children,
Clean a Temple, soup kitchens for the homeless, Adopt-a-Highway, disaster
relief, support-a-child etc.
- Hindu
Women Project (HWP): This project creates opportunities for Hindu
women around the world to understand their environment, address their
concerns and issues and help them to realize their unique potential through
discussions, networking and support from various sources. The goal of
the HWP is to create strong and confident women who have a deep sense
of pride in their Hindu heritage.
- Community
Action Network (CAN): This project finds ways to address issues affecting
Hindus around the world, be it bigotry, defamation, violence or discrimination.
CAN activities include Political Awareness Campaign, American Hindus Against
Defamation (AHAD) and Kashmir Awareness.
- Global
Hindu Electronic Network (GHEN): The Hindu Universe at is the largest
and the best site on authoritative Hindu related information in the world.
This numerous award winning site links people to information on Hindu
heritage, including philosophy, culture, society, history, scriptures,
arts, temples, books, daily news, discussion groups, chat areas, question
& answer and much more. Also visit the Free India site at www.freeindia.org
to know more about India.
- Global
Hindu Youth Activities Network (GHYAN): This project is an international
collaborative effort between the youth and student organizations in the
United States, Britain, India and South Africa.
- SAMSKAR:
This informative and exciting quarterly newsletter provides news, views,
and information on philosophy, scriptures, social issues and much more.
- Educational Tour of Bharat (ETOB): Guided group tour in collaboration with the Hindu Heritage Center to see places of pilgrimage & culture, historical places and unique natural beauty of Bharat (India).
Statement of Purpose: We invite everyone, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or other social background to take part in HSC activities. The more diverse the perspective, the better.
Preamble: We, the members, do hereby agree to constitute a Hindu Students Council chapter at the University of Iowa, and a part of the international organization of the HSC. We agree to abide by the following rules and regulations in order that our purpose be realized to the fullest extent.
Article
1: Objectives of the Hindu Students Council
Section 1: HSC is a non-sectarian international forum for the education and promotion of the Hindu cultural and spiritual heritage. Students, Faculty members and all others academicians are welcome to join. HSC also provides opportunities for non-academic individuals to work and identify closely with the objectives and programs of HSC.
(Under Construction...)
For HSC MEMBERSHIP of your local Iowa Chapter, Please email me with your following details asap. Your Name, Major, College Year, Address, Phone and Email. You'll receive a confirmation email soon. Thank you.
Hindu dharma is world's oldest living dharma (religious philosophy and way of life). It is over 8500 years old. It is tolerant, resilient and peace loving. The root of Hindu dharma lies in the Indian subcontinent, in the Indus (Sindhu) valley which had 300 advanced settlements as early as 5000 BCE. Hindu dharma is also called Sanatana Dharma or Eternal Dharma. Hindu dharma has no founder, the word Sanatana implies that it always existed. Acceptance of different modes of worship.
The 4 Stages of Hindu Life are ...
1) Brahmacharya Ashrama: This stage begins when a child enters school at an early age and continues until he or she has finished all schooling. The goal is to acquire knowledge, build character and learn to shoulder resonsibilities.
2) Grhastha Ashrama: This stage begins at marriage. In this ashrama an individual pays three debts (service of God, serving sages and saints and to ancestors), and enjoys good and noble things in life in accordace with Artha-Kama-Moksha.
3) Vanaprastha Ashrama: After the responsibilities of Grahastha ashrama are complete (when one's children have reached adulthood) one enters this ashrama. This is known as ascetic or hermit stage of life. In this stage one gradually withdraws from active life and begins devoting more time to study of scriptures, contemplation and meditation.
4) Sannyasa Ashrama: This ashrama is the final stage of life in which an individual mentally renounces all worldly ties, spends all of his or her time in meditation and contemplation and ponders over the mystries of life. In ancient times one wouldpart company with one's family and become a mendicant AUM the most sacred symbol in Hindu dharma. Aum (OM) is the sound of the infinite. Aum is said to be the essence of all mantras, the highest of all matras or divine word (shabda), brahman (ultimate reality) itself. Aum is said to be the essence of the Vedas. By sound and form, AUM symbolizes the infinite Brahman (ultimate reality) and the entire universe. A stands for Creation. U stands for Preservation. M stands for Destruction or dissolution. This is representative of the Trinity of God in Hindu dharma (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva). The three portions of AUM relate to the states of waking, dream and deep sleep and the three gunas (rajas, satva, tamas). The three letters also indicates three planes of existence, heaven (swarga) earth (martya) and netherworld (patala). AUM represents all the words produced by the human vocal organ. A is produced by the throat, U & M by the lips. In Vedas, AUM is the sound of the Sun, the sound of Light. It is the sound of assent (affirmation) and ascent (it has an upward movement and uplifts the soul, as the sound of the divine eagle or falcon.
Hinduism's 10 Great Observances
1)
Patience, firmness and stability (Dhruti)
2) Forgiveness (Kshama)
3) Self-control and contentment (Dama)
4) Not to steal or conceal, or be selfish (Asteya)
5) Cleanliness, purity and honesty (Saucham)
6) Control over senses and sexual energy (Indriya Nigraha)
7) Right knowledge of the scripture (Dhee)
8) Material and spiritual knowledge or study (Vidya)
9) Truth (Satya)
10) Absence of anger (Akrodha)
First Debt to God that can be repaid by dedicating one's life to the service of God - this is done by : - Service to all mankind - Reverence for elders, teacher - Practice of non-violence, truthfulness, respectfulness - Obeying scriptural injunction - Protection of the Earth - Vegetarianism or Purity in Diet - Moderation/Simplicity - Non-interference - Universality - Peace Second Debt to sages and saints that can be repaid by - Reverence and and service to saints, sages and gurus - Transmission of the scriptural teaching and cultural heritage serving the society and poor, without expectation of returns. Third Debt to one's ancestors can be repaid by raising one's family in accordance with the moral and ethical principals of dharma.
Based
on the principle of progressive evolution of soul. Doctrine of four ends forms
the basis of individual and social life of a Hindu. The four Ends are
- Dharma: Righteousness and good moral and ethical practices in accordance with the scriptures. Includes all duties -- individual, social and religious
- Artha (Wealth): Not an end in itself but basic necessity, one must earn enough wealth in order to raise a family and maintain a household. Wealth must not be for hoarding but for sharing with those who are poor, handicapped or less fortunate. Dharma and Artha must be coordinated in order to earn decent living while recognizing that artha is not an ultimate end of Hindu religious life
- Kama: Denotes the wants and desires of body and mind in the form of desires, passions, emotions and drives. Satisfaction of genuine human desires such as art, music, savory food, sports, conjugal love, filial affections, clothes, jewelry etc. are not supressed but must be satisfied in a controlled fashion. Through controlled satisfaction of genuine desires and passions, an individual becomes free from kama. Freedom from sensual desires and passion is necessary for attaining moksha and is made possible by the proper coordination of dharma, artha, and kama.
- Moksha:
Freedom from cycle of birth and death. To make an individual a better
person, so that he/she can live harmoniously in this world and seek union
with God.
The truth (Ultimate Reality) is one, Sages call it by different names - there is one God, (Supreme Reality) perceived differently. Supreme Reality - Brahman has two aspects, transcendent (impersonal) and immanent (personal). In the impersonal aspect Brahman is without attributes (nirguna Brahman). In personal aspect (saguna Brahman) the God is creator, preserver and controller of the universe. Saguna Brahman is worshipped in male and female form. Hindu Deities represent various perceptions of a one God. Hindus believe in monotheistic polytheism, rather than polytheism.
1)
Truth is one, Sages call it by different names - Rig Veda.
2) All Mankind is One Family.
3) Hitopadesha, Subhashita Ratna Bhandagare
4) Law of Karma - As you sow, so shall you reap
5) Mahabharata, Shantiparva That mode of living which is founded upon total
harmlessness towards all creatures or [in case of genuine necessity] upon
a minimum of such harm, is the highest morality Mahabharata, Shantiparva.
Whenever there is a decline of virtue, God incarnates Himself on earth to
uphold righteousness
. Harmony of religions: All true religions lead to the same goal. Revere
all great teachers and prophets of all religions, respect their teachings
as the same eternal truths adopted to the needs of different peoples at different
times. Hindus do not seek to convert.
· Incarnation: Whenever righteousness declines and unrighteousness
rises, God incarnates himself on earth to restore righteousness.
· Non Violence: Non-violence, non-injury and non-killing (Ahimsa).
· Doctrine of Karma: Belief in the doctrine of Karma and rebirth.
Ignorance viewed as cause of bondage.
. Unity of Existence: All things and beings are the manifestation of
one Supreme Being. When the mind is transcendent through spiritual experience,
the Universal spirit is seen as the sole essence of the universe.
· Dharma: Righteousness and good moral and ethical practices
in accordance with the scriptures. Includes all duties -- individual, social
and religious.
· Humanism: Equality of all human beings, regardless of caste,
color and creed. Respect and reverence for womanhood.
· Atman: Essence of all living things and beings is Atman, infinite
and eternal, unchanging and indivisible. True nature of the individual is
the Atman, which is one with the underlying reality of the Universe. There
is but one being, one reality "Thou art That".
· Reality: The Supreme Reality (Brahman) is both formless and
with forms, impersonal and personal, transcendent and imminent. The supreme
reality becomes manifest in various aspects and forms, and is known by various
names. There are various ways by which individuals, in accordance with his/her
temperament can realize God.
· Moksha: Freedom from cycle of birth and death. To make an
individual a better person, so that he/she can live harmoniously in this world
and seek union with God.
· Authority: Non-reliance on a single book. Has many sacred
writings Vedas, Upanishads, Brahma sutra, Sutras, Bhagwad Gita etc.
Advaita
Vedanta--non-dualistic form of Vedantic philosophy
Agamas Shaivite--scriptures
Agni Vedic--sacred fire
Ananda--bliss
Anna--food
Aranyaka Vedic--forest texts
Artha--pursuit of wealth
Aryan--people of spiritual values
Asanas--yogic postures
Ashram--state or stage of life
Atharva Veda--fourth Veda
Atman--the Divine Self
Avatar--incarnation of God
Ayurveda--Vedic Medicine
Bhagavad
Gita--scripture of the avatar Krishna
Bhakti Yoga--Yoga of Devotion
Bhuktis--planetary time periods, minor
Brahmacharya--control of sexual energy; state of life of learning and purity
Brahma--form of the Hindu trinity governing creation
Brahman--the absolute or ultimate reality
Brahmanas--Vedic ritualistic texts
Brahmins--people of spiritual values
Brihaspati--Vedic God of the ritual, the planet Jupiter
Buddha--ninth avatar of Vishnu
Buddhism--non-orthodox form of Vedic\Aryan teaching founded by the Buddha
or enlightened one
Chakras--nerve
centers of the subtle body
Charvakas--materialistic philosophers of ancient India
Cit--consciousness
Dashas--planetary
time periods, major
Dharana--yogic concentration or attention
Dharma--teaching or religion; honor or status
Dhatus--bodily tissues in Ayurvedic Medicine
Dhyana--meditation
Doshas--biological humors of Ayurvedic medicine
Durga--the Goddess as the destroyer of demons
Ganesh--elephant
faced God who destroys all obstacles
Gayatri--Vedic chant for awakening the soul
Grihastha--householder stage of life
Gunas--prime qualities of nature
Guru--spiritual teacher
Hanuman--the
monkey God
Hatha Yoga--Yoga of the physical body
Hinduism--modern name for the Vedic teaching
Homa--Vedic worship, Fire offerings
Hum--great mantra of Agni and Shiva
Indra--Vedic
God of being or life
Ishwara--the cosmic Creator
Itihasas--Hindu epics
Jainism--non-orthodox
form of Vedic/Aryan teaching emphasizing non-violence
Jnana Yoga--Yoga of Knowledge
Jyotish--Vedic Astrology
Kailas--the
world mountain
Kali--the dark form of the Goddess
Kali Yuga--dark or Iron Age
Kalki--tenth avatar of Vishnu
Kama--pursuit of desire
Kapha--biological water humor
Kapila--great Hindu sage, founder of the Sankhya system of philosophy
Karakas--planetary significators
Karma--Law of Cause and Effect
Karma Yoga--Yoga of Work or Service
Kashmiri Shaivism--Shaivite philosophy of medieval Kashmir
Ketu--south node of the Moon, dragon's tail
Krishna--eighth avatar of Vishnu
Kriya Yoga--yoga of technique
Kshatriya--people of political values
Kundalini--serpent power, power of subtle body
Lakshmi--Goddess
of prosperity and beauty; consort of Vishnu
Lalita--Goddess of bliss
Laya Yoga--Yoga of absorption into the sound-current (nada)
Mahabharata--epic
story of Krishna
Mahavakyas--great sayings of Vedantic knowledge
Mahayana--great vehicle, northern school of Buddhism
Manas--mind or emotion
Mantra--spiritual or empowered speech
Manu--Vedic original man, founder of human culture
Marmas--sensitive bodily points used in Ayurvedic treatment
Maya--illusion
Mayavada--doctrine that the world is unreal
Meru--the world mountain
Mimamsa--ritualistic form of Vedic philosophy
Moksha--pursuit of liberation
Nada--the
sound current of the subtle body
Nadis--nerves of the subtle body
Nataraj--Shiva as lord of the cosmic dance
Nirvana--liberation, the state of peace
Niyamas--yogic observances
Nyaya and Vaisheshika--Hindu philosophies; two of the six systems
Pancha
Karma--five Ayurvedic purification methods
Parashurama--sixth avatar of Vishnu
Parvati--the consort of Shiva
Patanjali--main teacher of classical Yoga system
Pitta--biological fire humor
Prakriti--great Nature, matter
Prana--breath or life force
Prana Yoga--Yoga of the life-force
Pranayama--yogic control of the breath
Pratyahara--yogic control of mind and senses
Puja--Hindu worship, flower offerings
Puranas--Hindu mythological texts
Purusha--pure consciousness, spirit
Radha--consort
of Krishna
Rahu--north node of the Moon; dragon's head
Rajas--quality of energy or agitation
Raja Yoga--integral or royal yoga path of Patanjali
Rama--seventh avatar of Vishnu
Ramayana--epic story of Rama
Rasayana--Ayurvedic rejuvenation methods
Rig Veda--oldest Hindu scripture; Veda of chant
Rishis--ancient Vedic seers
Rudra--terrible or wrathful form of Shiva
Sama
Veda--Veda of song
Samadhi--absorption, bliss
Sankhya--Vedic philosophy of cosmic principles
Sanskrit--Vedic and mantric language
Sannyasa--stage of life of renunciation and liberation
Santana Dharma--the eternal teaching; traditional name for the Hindu religion
Saraswati--Goddess of speech, learning, knowledge and wisdom
Sat--being
Sattva--quality of truth or light
Sautrantika--Buddhist philosophy of the momentariness of all things
Savitar--Vedic Sun god as the guide of Yoga
Shakti--the power of consciousness and spiritual evolution
Shankara--the great philsopher of non-dualistic Vedanta
Shiva--form of the Hindu trinity governing destruction and transcendence
Shudras--people of sensate values
Shunyavada--Buddhist philosophy that everything is void
Sita--consort of Rama
Skanda--the war God
So'ham--natural mantric sound of the breath
Soma--Vedic God of bliss
Srotas--channel systems used in Ayurvedic medicine
Surya--Vedic Sun God or god of the enlightened mind
Tamas--quality
of darkness and inertia
Tantra--medieval yogic and ritualistic Indian texts
Tara--the Goddess in her role as savior
Upanishads--Vedic philosophical texts
Vaishyas--people
of commercial values
Vak--Divine Word, the Goddess
Vanaprastha--hermitage stage of life
Varna--Social Value or Class
Vata--biological air humor
Vedas--ancient scriptures of India
Vedanta--Vedic philosophy of Self-knowledge
Vedic Science--integral spiritual science of the Vedas
Vijnana--intelligence
Vijnanavada--Buddhist philosophy that consciousness alone exists
Vishnu--form of the Hindu trinity governing preservation
Yajna--sacrifice,
sacred ritual
Yajur Veda--Veda of ritual or sacrifice
Yamas--yogic attitudes
Yantra--geometrical meditation designs
Yoga--techniques of developing and integrating energy
Yoga Sutras--classical text of Patanjali on Yoga
Yogi--practitioner of yoga
Yugas--world-ages
Copyright © 2002-03 HSC @ Iowa. All rights reserved.