A 25-year quest to document and present one of the world’s oldest living traditions, with contributions from over 1000 esteemed scholars from across the world, will come to fruition Monday, Aug. 26, when the Encyclopedia of Hinduism is unveiled at the University of South Carolina.
Hundreds of scholars, dignitaries, Hindu families, students and the public will converge on the university’s campus to witness the release of the much anticipated and definitive 11-volume guide conceived, compiled and produced by the India Heritage Research Foundation and published by Mandala Publishing. It was conceived, blessed and inspired by Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, president of Parmarth Niketan Ashram in India and founder of the India Heritage Research Foundation, and has come to fruition with the dedication and commitment of Sadhvi Bhagawatiji, president of Divine Shakti Foundation and managing editor of the encyclopedia.
Among the speakers at the conference will be Anna Hazare, an Indian social activist known as the Mahatma Gandhi of the 21st century. The daylong conference will feature some of most prominent Indian scholars, who will discuss the significance of the encyclopedia and the richness and diversity of Indian culture that binds more than 1 billion people worldwide.
“The Indian cultural and spiritual traditions, encompassed within the religion known as ‘Hinduism’ offer some of the deepest and most universally applicable insights, truths and teachings. Unfortunately, these tend to be misunderstood in the West. The Encyclopedia of Hinduism brings together, in a format comprehensible and accessible to people of all cultures, all religions and all walks of life, the depth and breadth of this ancient yet timeless heritage,” Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji explains.
The Aug. 26 event is the launch of the international edition (English) of the Encyclopedia of Hinduism. The Dalai Lama launched the Indian edition in April 2010 in Rishikesh, India. a sneak peak was given recently also at Manav Seva Mandir (Bensenville, Ill). The publication will be available on Amazon.com and other renowned bookstores as well as most libraries in America. Proceeds from the book sales will be used for the massive Ganga and Yamuna River Clean Up Projects that the Ganga Action Parivar and Yamuna Network are engaged under Pujya Swamiji’s vision and leadership.
To read more please vist:
http://www.sc.edu/news/
