{"id":116589,"date":"2025-11-15T15:45:07","date_gmt":"2025-11-15T14:45:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/?p=116589"},"modified":"2025-11-15T15:45:07","modified_gmt":"2025-11-15T14:45:07","slug":"gurukula-observes-interfaith-week-with-respect-curiosity-and-devotion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/?p=116589","title":{"rendered":"Gurukula Observes Interfaith Week with Respect, Curiosity and Devotion"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Radha Mohan Das<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n \"Gurukula
\n <\/a>
\n<\/figure>\n
\n

\n National Interfaith Week provided a wonderful opportunity for the children
\n of Gurukula \u2013 The Hare Krishna Primary School to deepen their appreciation
\n of other faith traditions while grounding their learning in Vaishnava values
\n of respect, empathy, and unity. Across the school, students took part in
\n meaningful visits, thoughtful discussions, and inspiring encounters that
\n broadened their perspectives and strengthened their commitment to harmonious
\n living.\n <\/p>\n

\n The Borehamwood Baptist Church<\/strong>\n <\/p>\n

\n The Jagannatha Class enjoyed an enlightening trip to Borehamwood Baptist
\n Church, where the children showed exemplary respect and inquisitiveness.
\n Building on their prior research into Christianity, they explored the key
\n principles of the Baptist tradition and reflected on the similarities and
\n differences with their own Vaishnava practice.\n <\/p>\n

\n Guided by the priest, the students then performed a lively dramatisation of
\n the parable of the 
\n Good Samaritan<\/em>
\n , complete with Biblical-style costumes and even a model horse.\n <\/p>\n

\n \"\"\n\n <\/p>\n

Jain Centre in Bushey<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n The Baladeva Class travelled to the SRMD Spiritual Centre in Bushey, where
\n they were warmly welcomed into a vibrant and peaceful spiritual space. The
\n children listened to inspiring stories about their Jain guru, took part in
\n yoga and meditation, made delicious vegetarian sweets, and observed a
\n beautifully performed arati ceremony.\n <\/p>\n

\n Throughout the visit, the children reflected carefully on the connections
\n between Jainism and Vaishnavism, discovering shared values such as
\n non-violence, compassion, and simplicity.\n <\/p>\n

Core principles in common<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n The Baladeva Class also examined how major religious observances share core
\n principles. Although each tradition has unique practices, the students saw
\n clearly that there are far more similarities than differences.\n <\/p>\n

Special visitors<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n Just before Interfaith Week, the Gurukula warmly welcomed Mr Barry Shooter,
\n a practicing member of the local Jewish community and a leading member of
\n the Bushey Interfaith Forum.\n <\/p>\n

\n Later they also welcomed an Imam, Mr Zafar Ahmad, who shared insights into
\n Ramadan and answered the children\u2019s many thoughtful questions.\n <\/p>\n

\n \"\"\n\n <\/p>\n

\n For both guests, respectful and sincere curiosity demonstrated Gurukula\u2019s
\n commitment to nurturing open-minded, spiritually grounded learners.\n <\/p>\n

\n Finally, Radha Mohan Das led a special session on the true purpose of
\n Interfaith Week. He emphasised that understanding other faiths is not only
\n informative but essential for cultivating peace\u2014both within the school
\n community and in the wider world. His message beautifully reinforced the
\n Vaishnava principle of seeing unity within diversity.\n <\/p>\n

\n Gurukula Recognised for Its Global Outlook<\/strong>\n <\/p>\n

\n During the most recent Ofsted inspection, Gurukula\u2019s dedication to
\n interfaith respect and global understanding was clearly acknowledged. The
\n HMI reported:\n <\/p>\n

\n
\n \u201cPupils use their deep-rooted religious beliefs to develop perseverance,
\n empathy and respect. The school successfully ensures that pupils have a
\n global outlook. They have many opportunities to study other religions,
\n lifestyles and beliefs that are different to their own.\u201d
\n <\/em>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\"GurukulaBy Radha Mohan Das National Interfaith Week provided a wonderful opportunity for the children of Gurukula \u2013 The Hare Krishna Primary School to deepen their appreciation of other faith traditions while grounding their learning in Vaishnava values of respect, empathy, and unity. Across the school, students took part in meaningful visits, thoughtful discussions, and inspiring<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[94],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-116589","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-testing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116589","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=116589"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116589\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":116591,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116589\/revisions\/116591"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=116589"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=116589"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=116589"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}