Hinduism Summit (Hindu Dharmasabha): ‘Forum for Hindu Awakening’ awakens Melbournians to Hindu concepts and issues

On Sunday, 16th May 2010 the auditorium at the Shirdi Sai Baba temple in Camberwell, Melbourne reverberated with the auspicious sounds of conch blowing and Vedic recitations, commencing the much awaited first ever Hinduism Summit (Hindu Dharma sabha) in Australia. Eminent speakers, Mahant Swami Shankarananda Saraswati of the Shiva ashram, Pandit Abhay Awasthi of the Hindu Community Council of Victoria, Shri Bhakta das of ISKCON, Shri Sean Clarke of the Spiritual Science Research Foundation & Shri Rohan Mehta were awarded the ‘Vishwa Hindu Ratna’ award for their selfless service to Hinduism. On this occasion Swami Paramanand Saraswati, President of Yo Veda was also present.

The speakers spoke to an attentive crowd and an on-line audience who viewed the live webcast. Pandit Abhay Awasthi opened the presentations, highlighting the universal Sanatan Dharma. He emphasized how important it is for us and our children to have Dharma education. Shri Sean Clarke inspired the audience to consider spiritual measures in resolving issues facing the Hindu community, through SSRF’s spiritual research video footage showing the power of Saints and subtle negative forces.

Mahant Swami Shankarananda expressed the uniqueness of the Sanatan Dharma and how God is in each and every person. He spoke of the direct message of Hinduism which encourages us to connect to the Self within and have compassion for everyone. Shri Bhakta das shared the principle of how following Sanatan Dharma and Vedic culture is the only sure solution to all our problems in this materialistic world. He also emphasized that if we take one step towards God, He takes 100 steps towards us. Shri Rohan Mehta spoke passionately about the need to stop rampant denigration of Hinduism and proposed practical methods to learn about denigration and stop it. Shri Atul Dighe concluded the presentations with an emphasis on Hinduism education and spiritual measures to overcome issues facing the Hindu community and to experience firsthand the unique science underlying Hinduism concepts and practices.

On this auspicious occasion, Mahant Swami Shankarananda inaugurated a Souvenir booklet on understanding, living and preserving Hinduism.

After various important resolutions were passed at the Hindu Dharma sabha the summit concluded with the speakers answering questions from the members of the press and the attendees, on the direction ahead to understand, live and preserve Hinduism.

This report is an edited version written by the Forum for Hindu Awakening.