Hindu Leaders Meet at Shri. Ashtalakshmi Temple arranged by Hindus of Greater Houston
Acharya HH Sri Chinnajeeyar Swamiji Calls for Unity and Oneness: Hindus of Greater Houston Embrace Shared Heritage.
The Greater Houston Hindu community and organizational leaders came together in a spirit of unity and solidarity, for an audience with Acharya His Holiness Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji at Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple, under the auspices of the Hindus of Greater Houston on Aug. 5.
The Swamiji delivered messages of love, compassion, and inclusivity, inspiring attendees to transcend barriers and embrace unity.
The leadership team at Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple set the stage for the meeting in highlighting the goals of promoting service and the values of peace and harmony in society. The emcee for the afternoon was Dr. Ranganath Kandala, who communicated the essence of unity and togetherness clearly.
Jeeyar Swamiji laid special emphasis on nurturing a sense of oneness and unity within the Hindu community, fostering a deeper understanding of their shared cultural heritage.
Among Swamiji’s significant suggestions was the idea of collectively celebrating important national events, such as International Yoga Day and India’s Independence Day. Such united celebrations would not only demonstrate the collective strength and dedication of the Hindu community toward preserving their cultural roots but also underscore their commitment to inclusivity.
Swamiji proposed a united walkathon, designed to forge stronger bonds among the Hindu communities in Houston and its neighboring areas. This initiative aimed not only to dismantle barriers but also to promote a spirit of togetherness and collaboration in pursuit of shared objectives.
In his discourse, Swamiji highlighted that the Vedas, the sacred texts of Hinduism, serve as a testament to inclusivity, respect, and understanding for all living beings. The teachings of the Vedas leave no room for discrimination, serving as a compelling call to action for attendees to treat everyone with equality and compassion.
In this context, he deplored the radical movement in some parts of the U.S. where Hindus are stigmatized by enacting anti-casteism laws. Caste discrimination is antithetical to the Vedic concept which extolls all beings, not only human beings. The Sanatana Dharma respects humans, animal, the nature, and all creations.
Through a poignant analogy, Swamiji eloquently illustrated that just as distinct organs possess unique functions, they collaborate harmoniously to sustain life. Similarly, he encouraged the Hindu community to embrace diversity and acknowledge the value of different races, cultures, religions, castes, and creeds working in unison for the greater good.
Citing the upcoming installation of a 90-foot Hanuman statue at the temple premises in Houston, Swamiji pointed out that the statue is aptly called “Statue of Union.”
In Hyderabad, India, Swamiji installed a giant statue of Sri Ramanuja, an icon of “equality,” specifically banishing the concept of casteism.
Born on November 3rd, 1956, in Andhra Pradesh, India, HH Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji stands as a visionary spiritual leader of the Sri Vaishnava Vedic tradition. His life’s mission revolves around disseminating Vedic wisdom and instilling a deep commitment to its core values. With a global following of millions, Swamiji’s teachings transcend religious, caste, and creed boundaries, underscoring the universal essence of love and unity. Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swami strives to promote harmony and peace while following two principles, “Worship your Own, Respect All ‘’ and “Serve all Beings as Service to God ‘’. Sri Swamiji was also awarded the Padma Bhushan award by the Government of India in the field of spirituality in January 2023.
The gathering of Hindu community leaders, orchestrated by the Ashtalakshmi Temple and the Hindus of Greater Houston, epitomized unity and togetherness within the community. As the Hindu community in Greater Houston continues its journey, they will steadfastly cherish their shared heritage, celebrate collectively, and collaborate harmoniously to foster a more united and improved society, guided by the profound teachings of HH Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji.
The Hindus of Greater Houston have been proactive in organizing various events, social gatherings, and religious celebrations to nurture a sense of unity and fortify the bonds among their members. Leading this community-driven endeavor are individuals like Thara Narsimhan and Vijay Pallod.
Their leadership warmly welcomed attendees, highlighting the importance of collective growth and harmonious coexistence.
-Rajesh Gopinath
