June 27, 2006
First Hindu Mandir Executives Conference (HMEC)
Hindu Mandir (Temple) Executives representing
57 temples from more than 20 states of US, Canada and Caribbean Islands converged
in Atlanta to attend the first ever Hindu Mandir Executive conference (HMEC),
from June 23rd through June 25th. They traveled from as far as British Columbia
in Canada, Hawaii, California, Florida, and the heartland of America, with
a mission to nourish, protect and sustain Hindu Dharma in America.
The executives represented a wide cross-section
of the Hindu community; from a young second generation Mandir president from
Augusta, Georgia, to an elderly lady representing a Hindu Mandir in North
Carolina. These attendees who numbered over 110, were physicians, scientists,
businesspersons, homemakers, engineers, etc. besides being temple executives
with deep commitment to fulfilling the spiritual and social needs of Hindu-American
community. The group was diverse in terms of age, race, generation, national
origin, as well.
In the Conference Mandir executives deliberated
on the evolving social, religious, cultural and spiritual needs of 2.5 million
strong diverse and vibrant Hindu-American community. In the concluding session
of the Conference, the delegates passed the following resolutions unanimously
for consideration of their temple's boards.
On the Hindu Unity
We, the Hindu Mandirs of Americas, hereby declare that all Hindus stand as
one regardless of the panthas (path), sampradaya (tradition), or country of
origin. We are all members of one proud Hindu family, which is one billion
strong. All Mandirs stand united as one, even though our specific traditions
may not be identical, and our spiritual paths are diverse. We, hereby, resolve
solemnly to dedicate ourselves to the common good of Hindu community worldwide.
On Hindu Seva Divas (Hindu Service Day)
By declaring this solidarity with the international Hindu family we resolve
to dedicate ourselves to community Seva (service) that is fundamental to our
Dharma. The Hindu Mandirs of Americas, hereby resolve, that all the Mandirs
in Americas will celebrate annually a common day of volunteer service, called
the Hindu Seva Divas whereby all Hindu Mandirs will take leadership role in
organizing community service activities in their respective local areas. The
Hindu Seva Divas shall be held on the first weekend in October every year.
On Education on Text Books
As Hindu Mandirs in Americas, we resolve to help meeting the educational needs
of our children and youth so that they develop into confident Hindu-American
citizens. In this regard, we the Hindu Mandirs in Americas, gravely note the
serious deficiencies and gross distortions in school textbooks in the US about
Hinduism, its culture and traditions resulting in embarrassment, discrimination
and other social problems for our youth. We, hereby, resolve to take leadership
role in our respective school districts in getting these distortions in textbooks
about Hinduism corrected as soon as possible.
On Zero Tolerance for Desecration of Hindu
Mandirs
Hindu Mandirs' Executives of Americas strongly condemn targeted vandalism
(hate crime), wanton destruction and desecration of Hindu Mandirs any where
in the world. The Hindu Mandirs shall not remain quiet in view of increasing
frequency of targeted attacks on Hindu Mandirs throughout the world. We shall
oppose, by all lawful means, such dastardly malicious acts of vandalism and
intolerance directed against any Hindu Mandir.
The conference was facilitated by Vishwa Hindu
Parishad of America.
Contact Details
Gauranga Vaishnav
vicharak@gmail.com
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Please also view the following URL for some
coverage of the event.
http://www.himalayanacademy.com/taka/past/2006/June/June_26_2006/index.shtml
