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By Jaganmohini Devi Dasi<\/strong><\/p>\n During the time, when inter-religious and intra-religious war is intimidating mankind across the globe and with several nations joining hands for civil and nuclear wars to curb religious violence; at realistic level, a humanistic approach through inter-faith dialogue appears to be a ray of hope to minimise any religiously motivated violence. Recently, they decided to have their first training program for their west zone chapter in India. As I am overseeing a CC of URI in the west zone, I was informed about their plans of YLP training program in an informal meeting held in the month of July. During that time, there was a proposal to take the youths to places of worship on the third or final day as part of outreach. I also shared our thoughts about Lord Chaitanya’s pivotal role in initiating inter-faith dialogue during his time and that how relevant it was now. Around the time I was told, URI had immensely recognized the unique contribution of my spiritual master H.H. Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami in promoting inter-faith dialogue and remembered the global assembly gathering at ISKCON, Mayapur in his honour. At the end of our discussions, when I was requested to coordinate the visit to any Hindu or ISKCON temple, I accepted the latter. Additionally, I suggested that instead of general visit to the temple, an outreach inside the temple will benefit the youth much more. As they had planned for more NGO visits on final day, it was no sure if they would prefer an outreach over a quick general darshan. The dates for their training program were originally planned for Aug. 15th, 16th and 17th. With their last day coinciding with Janamasthami, the busiest time at ISKCON, Juhu, a half day outreach was not possible. After coordinating with H.G. Mukunda Madhava dasa, Vice President of ISKCON, Juhu, we(including URI west zone chapter) tentatively planned the ISKCON visit for August 15th during the first half of the day, though this was not suitable for the participants, as it was the first day of YLP training program.<\/p>\n Later, just a week before Janamsthami, I received a call from the regional coordinator of west zone, Ms. Qutub Jahan informing us that YLP training program has been postponed to Sept. 4th, 5th and 6th and I was requested to reschedule ISKCON visit to Sept. 6th, if it was possible. In case of problems, the option was to visit any other famous Hindu temple in Mumbai. It was as if the Lord wanted it on His appearance day only. Because the date was now coinciding with Lord Vaman’s appearance day, while earlier it was Janamasthami day. Subsequently I coordinated with H.G. Mukunda Madhava dasa and we planned a three hour structured outreach for the youth leaders. They accepted it and left it to me to handle the ISKCON visit. Incidentally Sept. 6th also happened to be part of World Holy Name day celebrations(Sept. 5 to Sept. 15) and I was given to understand that inter-faith dialogue was one of the important agenda of the celebrations and so overall it was encouraging.<\/p>\n There were a total of 25 college youths consisting of boys and girls from western India practicing different religions, and many were Muslims. Along with them there were youth coordinators from UK, US and India. The group of 30 arrived at ISKCON, Juhu in a bus on Sept. 6th around 10 am. Almost all were visiting ISKCON for the first time. H.G. Suradas, (ISKCON, Kharghar, TP), who was present near the lobby entrance at that time, welcomed the URI youth entourage. They had a brief chat with prabhuji and later we proceeded for the darshan of Deities Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Rasabihariji, Sri Sri Gaura Nitai and Sri Sri Sri Sita Rama Lakshman, Bhakta Hanuman. As it was decided to return back for bhog arathi, we took a quick darshan. Subsequently we visited Srila Prabhupada’s quarters. We could spend quality time here. The team was divided into three batches with a guide for each. The youth and coordinators felt blissful after touring Srila Prabhupada’s rooms and wanted to relax quietly here. They were also happy to receive dry prasadam here. H.G. Vraja Sundari mataji (good wife of H.G. Mukunda Madhava dasa) played an excellent host at Srila Prabhupada quarters. We are very much thankful to her. H.G. Mukunda Madhava Dasa (Ph.D) commenced his presentation on the theme, They wanted to spend more time around the building, they loved the paintings displayed on the floor and the girls wanted to click few snaps besides the gopis painting. Soon the time flew fast and we rushed back to temple room for a quick look of dioramas on the either side followed by bhog aarthi darshan. They also looked around minutely the marvellous marble architecture and wanted to know more about it. The coordinator, Qutub, a Muslim had specifically asked me then, if they could watch the aarthi lamp being offered to Lord and so we planned for bhog aarthi darshan. Several Muslim youth were happy to take aarthi on their face.<\/p>\n It was time to leave, as they had an NGO visit after lunch. While departing, everyone expressed their intense satisfaction that they had derived after visiting ISKCON temple. They thanked us profusely for coordinating the entire visit and are looking forward to visit again next time. Hare Krishna! During the time, when inter-religious and intra-religious war is intimidating mankind across the globe and with several nations joining hands for civil and nuclear wars to curb religious violence; at realistic level, a humanistic approach through inter-faith dialogue appears to be a ray of hope to minimise any religiously motivated violence. In this regard, for nearly two decades, the dedicated international Inter-faith organization, United Religions Initiative (URI) has been engaging people from varied background to bridge religious and cultural differences and thus work together for the good of their communities and the world.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13123","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13123","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=13123"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13123\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13188,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13123\/revisions\/13188"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13123"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13123"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13123"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nIn this regard, for nearly two decades, the dedicated international Inter-faith organization, United Religions Initiative (URI) has been engaging people from varied background to bridge religious and cultural differences and thus work together for the good of their communities and the world. Besides, keeping the future generations in mind, it had initiated youth leadership program (YLP) sometime back primarily to train youth in order to grow as leaders in the interfaith movement further shaping them as youth ambassadors of peace. Lately, to meet this objective, YLP had been organizing customised, culture sensitive training programs in different parts of the world.<\/p>\n
\nAfter that it was interaction and seminar time and we proceeded accordingly and assembled in the seminar room. Mr. Abdul Rashid, the creative tailor who had been stitching embroidered and designer outfits sometimes thematic for the Deities for last forty years made himself available to interact with the youth. Being from a Muslim background, quite a few questions were asked especially by Muslim youth including from the west zone coordinator, who is also a Muslim. They were curious to know, the reaction of his family, extended family and that how he continues to practice as a Muslim in the midst of temple environment. They also specifically asked him about his practices during Roza period or fasting month. Abdul from his side did a marvellous job, by the mercy of Sri Sri Radha Rasabihariji and Srila Prabhupada. He narrated at length about his humble beginning as a small tailor when he had first met Srila Prabhupada and how Srila Prabhupada encouraged him to sew outfits for the Deities during late 70’s. Impressed by his stitching seva for the Lord, Srila Prabhupada requested him to continue the seva forever and that all his needs would be taken care. This way, he resolved to follow Srila Prabhupada and serve the Lord through his expert skills. And yes, he did face quite a bit of hurdles and opposition from his family and his community, but that by Lord’s grace; one after another they were resolved. He added, still he never failed to practice as a true Muslim by the cooperation of temple community. Regarding roza fasting, he said, the temple gives him early break, so that he can keep up with all the required rituals to be practiced during Ramadhan period. The Muslim youth were so impressed with his dedication to serve the Lord and simultaneously practice as a Muslim, that few asked him, if he had any opportunity to get the darshan of Lord.
\nTo which he replied, ‘I have never revealed this to anyone till now, but this is the first time I am speaking about this. When I visited Vrndavan once during Kartik, in my dream I saw the Lord in the swing with Srimati Radharani.’
\nFor a moment, all of us became spellbound after hearing this. It is indeed unusual to hear from a silent humble tailor about his ecstatic vision, but this was very encouraging to all the believers inside the room. As mentioned earlier, this was the first visit for many to ISKCON and Lord had indeed showered His special mercy over all through this brief but significant interaction with Mr. Abdul Rashid, which boosted their faith in Lord, especially in Sri Sri Radha Krishna. This paved way naturally to hear something receptively about real Peace through the lens of Bhagavat Gita and other scriptures. It was seminar time now.<\/p>\n
\n‘Peace: A Perspective from Krishna Consciousness’. It was like presenting one of the best working models for following Peace in the world. As I am normally very particular and generally prefer a customized approach of presenting such lessons, even inside the temple, I must say prabhuji did an excellent job. The presentation covered was precisely within the framework of URI’s preamble and purpose. There was no proselytization or coercing with regard to chanting Hare Krishna mantra.
\nHe highlighted on the urgent need for a Peace model among religions through the powerful quote of William J. Brennan, the American Judge.
\nThe quote: ‘Religious conflict can be the bloodiest and cruellest conflicts that can turn people into fanatics.’
\nPresenting diverse grades of conflict and identity, prabhuji could vividly present the application of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbhakam’ in the current context. Further he clarified the relation between religion and spirituality through the example of relation between Engineering\/Technology and Science. Quoting essential Peace verses from Bhagavat Gita, prabhuji gradually raised all to appreciate ‘Real Love to God’, its characteristics and as a sure panacea to bind all religions together. Subsequently, he introduced Lord Chaitanya as a teacher-student who practiced Real Love and distributed it to all. Through the photographic slide showing Lord’s Jharkhand’s pastimes with animals, he introduced what it means to awaken consciousness of pure love at spiritual level. Subsequently he drew a brilliant analogy of Srila Prabhupada achieving similar feat through free distribution of pure holy name among the hippy community who were supposed to be living in lower consciousness at Bowery, New York in 1966. Srila Prabhupada was thus introduced as a true messenger of God and as a result how it was possible to bring together people from diverse religions, culture, traditions, race, countries, and profession all under one umbrella house ISKCON. He added further with the help of photo slides, how ISKCON has also grown to become one of the popular societal group which serves the society through schools, environment protection like organic farming, cow protection, food for life program, hospitals to name a few.
\nThe seminar was followed by questions and answer session.
\nWhile the holy name of God was introduced, we planned for a sound meditation on maha-mantra after the seminar. So this way they could get opportunity to hear the mahamantra. After giving a brief introduction on mantra meditation, Srila Prabhupada’s japa was played in the background all were requested to close their eyes and meditate on the sound of japa for five minutes. It had a calming effect on all and they felt refreshed. Later Prabhuji distributed dry prasadam and Srila Prabhupada’s book, ‘Civilization and Transcendence’. Some preferred Hindi copy and so they received the book as per their choice.<\/p>\n
\nWe are extremely grateful to H.G. Mukunda Madhava dasa, Vice President of ISKCON, Juhu for his most significant cooperation and contribution towards the success of URI India’s YLP’s first outreach program in the ISKCON temple.
\nWe thanked Sri Sri Radha Rasabihariji and Srila Prabhupada and my spiritual master for giving us this special opportunity to serve URI’s YLP group and showering Lord’s special mercy over the full group. We realized everything happened by Their will suddenly and that indeed Their plans are inconceivable.<\/p>\n
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By Jaganmohini Devi Dasi<\/strong><\/p>\n