VSK TN
RSS Sarasanghachalak Mohan Bhagwat inaugurated 5th
International Conference of Elders of Worlds Ancient Cultures and Traditions
was inaugurated today at the Ganapathi Sachchidananda Ashrama in Mysuru this
morning. The conference is organized by International Centre for Cultural
Studies, an RSS inspired organization. The conference will go on till 4th
February, 2015.
International Conference of Elders of Worlds Ancient Cultures and Traditions
was inaugurated today at the Ganapathi Sachchidananda Ashrama in Mysuru this
morning. The conference is organized by International Centre for Cultural
Studies, an RSS inspired organization. The conference will go on till 4th
February, 2015.
The theme of the conference is ‘Universal Well-being’ and
is aimed at sustaining nature, culture and communities. Elders of nearly 40
countries and 73 different cultures from across the globe are participating in
this conference. The call of the conference is ‘Children of the Mother Earth
Unite’.
is aimed at sustaining nature, culture and communities. Elders of nearly 40
countries and 73 different cultures from across the globe are participating in
this conference. The call of the conference is ‘Children of the Mother Earth
Unite’.
RSS Sarasanghachalak Mohan Bhagwat’s delivered the
keynote address on the occasion. Following is an extract of his address:
keynote address on the occasion. Following is an extract of his address:
“Universal Well-being, sustaining nature,
culture and communities is the theme of this international conference. These
worlds are universally accepted and also popular. But it seems that the world
is yet to realize that there can be no way unless this is universal. If one
believes this, we will strive for the universal well-being. Universal consists
of many things apparently but they are all inter-related. The state of one
thing affects the state of every other thing in the universe. This is what our
ancient tradition tell us and is also what the modern science has discovered,
that everything is connected. An event at one place has its ramifications at
remote places in the universe.
culture and communities is the theme of this international conference. These
worlds are universally accepted and also popular. But it seems that the world
is yet to realize that there can be no way unless this is universal. If one
believes this, we will strive for the universal well-being. Universal consists
of many things apparently but they are all inter-related. The state of one
thing affects the state of every other thing in the universe. This is what our
ancient tradition tell us and is also what the modern science has discovered,
that everything is connected. An event at one place has its ramifications at
remote places in the universe.
The world has strived to achieve universal
good through a contract scheme during the last 2000 years i.e. I benefit you
only of you benefit me and if you don’t benefit me I will destroy you. When
there is a contract, diversity is an inconvenience and uniformity is most
favored. The living of diversity together is not on the basis of contract but
on the basis of acceptance. Modern concept of life suggests that we need to
tolerate each other. But our ancient traditions with vast experience said that
we need to accept each other not tolerate. Utility is not the basis for
acceptance. Different traditions look different but they are one.Oneness is the
absolute truth and the permanent reality. Our tradition say we need to sustain
everything, accept all nature and every other traditions.
good through a contract scheme during the last 2000 years i.e. I benefit you
only of you benefit me and if you don’t benefit me I will destroy you. When
there is a contract, diversity is an inconvenience and uniformity is most
favored. The living of diversity together is not on the basis of contract but
on the basis of acceptance. Modern concept of life suggests that we need to
tolerate each other. But our ancient traditions with vast experience said that
we need to accept each other not tolerate. Utility is not the basis for
acceptance. Different traditions look different but they are one.Oneness is the
absolute truth and the permanent reality. Our tradition say we need to sustain
everything, accept all nature and every other traditions.
The ancient traditions of the world must have
gone through the experience of living together by accepting each other. This
universe is one whole organism and not different parts. Hence well-being is
universal and everybody has to take care of everyone else and everything else.
gone through the experience of living together by accepting each other. This
universe is one whole organism and not different parts. Hence well-being is
universal and everybody has to take care of everyone else and everything else.
Just like the way a devotee visiting the Shri
Vaishno Devi cave which is narrow, he/she cannot leave a part of their body
aside and continue the darshan. The whole body has to go along to have a
darshan. Similarly, the universe is a single organism and to have universal
well-being we need to co-exist as one. We need to develop the attitude of
acceptance. Diversity is to be celebrated and not to be opposed. No one should
be subjected to persecution and discriminated against because of their
different attires or different ways of worship and dissimilar traditions. All
this must co-exist together and find a way to take everybody along with us.
Vaishno Devi cave which is narrow, he/she cannot leave a part of their body
aside and continue the darshan. The whole body has to go along to have a
darshan. Similarly, the universe is a single organism and to have universal
well-being we need to co-exist as one. We need to develop the attitude of
acceptance. Diversity is to be celebrated and not to be opposed. No one should
be subjected to persecution and discriminated against because of their
different attires or different ways of worship and dissimilar traditions. All
this must co-exist together and find a way to take everybody along with us.
This conference is not a one-off event
organized due to temporary enthusiasm. It is a continuing process where people
come together to seek sustenance of ancient tradition and ways to cohabit. This
is the 5thsuch conference and contacts have developed, there has
been an increase in representation of various communities. Due to this enhanced
participation, there is an awareness about the need to sustain ancient cultures
today. We need to find ways to utilize this awakened awareness. The coming
together of the ancient traditions can provide the basis for the well-being of
the universe. The ancient traditions are an experience and we need to re-live
this experience through acceptance and not through a contract. Our lives are
not for our selfish interests. It is for the contribution towards universal
well-being.
organized due to temporary enthusiasm. It is a continuing process where people
come together to seek sustenance of ancient tradition and ways to cohabit. This
is the 5thsuch conference and contacts have developed, there has
been an increase in representation of various communities. Due to this enhanced
participation, there is an awareness about the need to sustain ancient cultures
today. We need to find ways to utilize this awakened awareness. The coming
together of the ancient traditions can provide the basis for the well-being of
the universe. The ancient traditions are an experience and we need to re-live
this experience through acceptance and not through a contract. Our lives are
not for our selfish interests. It is for the contribution towards universal
well-being.
I exhort you all to apply your mind and
translate the conclusions into deeds and seek ways to find universal
well-being. I wish you all the best in your efforts in realizing this goal in
this gathering of elders. I assure you of all the support of Sanathan Bharat in
sustaining the ancient culture and traditions.”
translate the conclusions into deeds and seek ways to find universal
well-being. I wish you all the best in your efforts in realizing this goal in
this gathering of elders. I assure you of all the support of Sanathan Bharat in
sustaining the ancient culture and traditions.”
Earlier on Sunday morning, an attractive procession of
the delegates from the world over in their ethic attire was held in Mysuru near
the Royal Palace area. It was well received by the public of the city.
the delegates from the world over in their ethic attire was held in Mysuru near
the Royal Palace area. It was well received by the public of the city.
Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji presided over the
inaugural event. Shri Datta Vijayananda Swamiji also graced the dais. RSS
Sarsanghachalak Mohan Ji Bhagwat delivered the keynote address. The event began
on an auspicious note with the chanting of the Vedic mantra ‘Sangha Chadvam,
Sangh Vadadvam….’ and lighting of the lamp by the elders of different cultures.
inaugural event. Shri Datta Vijayananda Swamiji also graced the dais. RSS
Sarsanghachalak Mohan Ji Bhagwat delivered the keynote address. The event began
on an auspicious note with the chanting of the Vedic mantra ‘Sangha Chadvam,
Sangh Vadadvam….’ and lighting of the lamp by the elders of different cultures.
The welcome note was delivered by President of ICCS,
Shri.Shekhar Patel. He upraised the gathering on the aim of the conference
which was to discuss and deliberate on ‘Globalization, Technology and
Leadership’ and its impact on the ancient cultures and traditions of the world.
Shri.Shekhar Patel. He upraised the gathering on the aim of the conference
which was to discuss and deliberate on ‘Globalization, Technology and
Leadership’ and its impact on the ancient cultures and traditions of the world.
Following the welcome note, Elders of these various
traditions lead the gathering in prayers of their culture. They also explained
the meanings of their prayers. Extract of few of those who lead the prayers is
below:
traditions lead the gathering in prayers of their culture. They also explained
the meanings of their prayers. Extract of few of those who lead the prayers is
below:
- Elder from
Lithuania said they worship agni which call ‘Ugnis’. India their
motherland. - Eia
Erkashi from Roba tradition spoke about how they worship nature. - Gilbert
Saenz, an elder from Oklahoma, representing the Choctaw Nation tradition
from present USA spoke about the importance they give to nature in their
culture. - Elder from
Krygyz culture spoke about their prayer which says the nature of their
ultimate god. - The elder
from Hungarian native tradition said that their ancestors are from Bihar
in India. - Budhri
Tathi, an Elder from the native tribe in Bihar spoke about their prayer to
their gods and goddesses for the well-being of their tribe and all people. - Elder from
Slovenia said India is like their mother and we both are like brothers and
sisters. He also chanted the Gayatri Mantra. - Tabby from
Germany, a representative of the pre-Christian German tradition sung their
confession prayer which invokes the various gods. - Kenya
elder from the Khamba tradition spoke about their prayer for humanity,
well-being of all and the divinity of everything in nature. - George
Ngatai, from Maori culture of New Zealand recited a traditional Maori
prayer. He spoke about the Kiola tradition where ‘kio’ means well and ‘la’
means being. - Yezidis
representatives spoke about the nature of their prayer and the
similarities with the Hindu culture. Their prayer was about their worship
of Fire, Earth, Water and Wind. - Andras
Kereszty from Mojova tradition of Hungary spoke about importance of love
in their tradition. His prayer was about love of each other and universal
well-being. - Ista Pulu,
from Arunachal Pradesh recited a prayer to their gods asking for good
health and happiness. - Reinaldo
Estepa from the native tradition of Columbia led their prayer which asks
for peace, tranquility and well-being of one and all. He gave an
introduction to their culture.
Dr.Yashwant Pathak, coordinator of ICCS
expressed solidarity with the sufferings of the Yazidis.
expressed solidarity with the sufferings of the Yazidis.
Param Pujya Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamy Ji addressed
the gathering. He said that he was happy to see people from various countries
at one place. Witnessing their prayer, attire and knowing their culture was an
experience he said. When people usually travel to a city, they only see a zoo,
a museum or a tourist place. But people need to know the habits, culture and
traditions of the local people and try to know more about them.
the gathering. He said that he was happy to see people from various countries
at one place. Witnessing their prayer, attire and knowing their culture was an
experience he said. When people usually travel to a city, they only see a zoo,
a museum or a tourist place. But people need to know the habits, culture and
traditions of the local people and try to know more about them.
He also spoke about the aim of life which is the
well-being of each and everyone and not simple go after personal salvation
only. We should gain from each other’s experience and learn from different
cultures. More such conferences should be conducted so that we get to learn
from various traditions. Our native traditions and cultures are a must in
today’s world to safeguard our identity.
well-being of each and everyone and not simple go after personal salvation
only. We should gain from each other’s experience and learn from different
cultures. More such conferences should be conducted so that we get to learn
from various traditions. Our native traditions and cultures are a must in
today’s world to safeguard our identity.
Shri. Pradyumna, Mysore Nagar Sampark Pramukh extended
the vote of thanks at the end of the inaugural session on behalf of ICCS and
other organizers.
the vote of thanks at the end of the inaugural session on behalf of ICCS and
other organizers.
Shri. Ravi Iyer of Vishwa Vibhag, Prant Sanghchalak M
Venkatram, Prant Saha Karyavaha BV Shridhar Swamy, Prant Pracharak Mukunda,
senior RSS pracharaks Mai Cha Jayadev, Chandrashekhar Bhandary, Samskara
Bharati National Organizing Secretary Pa Ra Kirshnamurthy, Vishwa Vibhag’s Shri.
Ram Vaidya and other prominent social –religious enthusiasts were present on
the occasion.
Venkatram, Prant Saha Karyavaha BV Shridhar Swamy, Prant Pracharak Mukunda,
senior RSS pracharaks Mai Cha Jayadev, Chandrashekhar Bhandary, Samskara
Bharati National Organizing Secretary Pa Ra Kirshnamurthy, Vishwa Vibhag’s Shri.
Ram Vaidya and other prominent social –religious enthusiasts were present on
the occasion.