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Befriending a Stranger

Published

10 years ago

April 24, 2015

ihar

HOUSTON: The 29th annual Houston Interfaith Thanksgiving service was held on Thursday, November 21 at the Houston’s Rothko Chapel in the museum district. Every year, an independent committee selects a new topic for the representatives of various religions to reflect on through their religious worldview.

This year’s topic was “Befriending the Stranger”. Representatives of 9 religions were invited. With great professionalism and faith, representatives presented various references from their scriptures s supporting the idea of befriending strangers.

Vahishta opened with a powerful note that befriending each individual is core to the Zoroastrian belief system. Dr. Sulekh Jain of the Jain community gave an example of his lifetime experience, referring to a doctor in Iowa who never judged or hated another individual in 36 years! Representatives of Christianity and Islam shared how their traditions welcome strangers.

The Hindu community was represented by Dr. Bharath Srinivasan and Dr. Jayakumar Srinivasan of Arsha Vidya Satsanga. Introducing verses from The Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavatham and Ayurveda, Dr. Bharath stated that the Supreme Being, all pervading and simultaneously within us, is the strangest of all. Befriending that will eliminate all walls of fear and prejudice of all external strangers. Therefore, it is critical to become familiar with the stranger “inside” us.

Dr. Jayakumar Srinivasan, started off with a powerful opening that India, the source and home of Hinduism, has never been afraid of welcoming strangers. A prosperous Hindu civilization existed in India long before the world knew Islam or Christianity. India provided a safe haven for Jews and Zoroastrians when they were persecuted in their homelands. India provided rich opportunities for trade by opening up to Arab and European traders who in return brought invasions, economic exploitation, and their native religions to India. He added with anguish that this magnanimous gesture has been exploited by aggressive religions. Leaders of Abrahamic religions visiting India openly encouraged their followers to complete the unfinished proselytizing campaign. This led to the ongoing massive movement of “befriending the natives” – even through lies, deception, and coercion.

Dr. Jayakumar appealed to all religions not to proselytize and destroy human diversity. He thanked organizers for their unwavering commitment to diversity. He concluded with a deeply moving statement “I seek your cooperation to create a world where no culture, not even a small tribe, is threatened for survival. Please befriend us this way.”

As a fitting end to the series, Bryan Blakeny of Baha’i faith said, “When you expose a prism to white light, it splits to several colors. Each religion could symbolize one color of light, but the true source is well beyond that single color. It is source of light that we need to learn and understand and not the color of light or the lamp”.

After the presentations, speakers and attendees exchanged ideas with each other. Garland Pohl, one of the organizers, agreed that religious freedom is not to be misused and offered to organize dialogs on this topic.

Press Release: http://www.indoamerican-news.com/?p=22053
3-minute Interfaith-talk at the invitation of the Rothko Chapel : http://vimeo.com/81292510#t=49m50s

articles

Re-evaluation and identification of some Yogini sculptures from Silchat Gurgi, Rewa district of Madhya Pradesh

Published

3 days ago

July 20, 2025

ihar

About the Article Author - Shivam Dubey

Shivam Dubey is a dedicated PhD scholar at Nagpur University, specializing in Ancient Indian Culture and Archaeology. A postgraduate from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai (2016), he has since developed a dynamic career spanning field archaeology, prehistory, conservation, museology, numismatics, and heritage studies.

His research focuses on ancient Indian temple architecture, art, and iconography, particularly related to the Kalachuris and Central India. Shivam has contributed to several major projects, including serving as Chief Archaeological Officer for the Sirpur Heritage Impact Assessment in Chhattisgarh.

He has presented over 25 papers at national conferences, authored more than 19 peer-reviewed publications, and written 11 books and booklets. His notable fieldwork includes the Tripuri Excavation, Buxwaha and Devgarh Explorations, and surveys across 18 districts of Madhya Pradesh. Recent initiatives include documentation in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, Raisen’s Great Wall, and museum development at Nainagiri.

His acclaimed work at Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, under ASI Jabalpur, was globally recognized and listed among the top ten discoveries by Heritage Daily. Shivam has worked with institutions like the Indian Archaeological Society, ASI, Madhya Pradesh Tribal Museum, and Prarang, while actively promoting heritage awareness through platforms like the G20 Summit and Heritage Pathshala.

articles

Date of the Mahabharata War (3162 BCE): A Study of Evidence and Methodology

Published

3 days ago

July 20, 2025

ihar

About the Article Author - Vedveer Arya

Vedveer Arya is a senior officer from the Ministry of Defence, currently serving as the Additional Financial Advisor and Joint Secretary in the Department of Defence R&D, Ministry of Defence (Finance), New Delhi. He is a distinguished member of the Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS), having joined in the year 1997.

In addition to his role in the Ministry of Defence, Arya is also recognized for his expertise in chronology, history, and Sanskrit studies. His passion for epigraphic research has led him to become a meticulous researcher with profound insights into the chronological history of ancient India. Arya has conducted comprehensive studies of various ancient Indian epigraphs, critically evaluating the chronology proposed by colonial historians and their followers. Furthermore, he has contributed to the exploration of the scientific achievements of ancient India.