By DEVIKA CHIBBER MEHTA
BUENA PARK,CA- “Pure motives can never justify impure or violent action”, These words of Mahatma Gandhi are etched in history.Gandhiji the epitome of peace whose ideals transcend generations, stands out in today’s time of turmoil. Giving Gandhi credit for being the voice of the much-required world peace,
BUENA PARK,CA- “Pure motives can never justify impure or violent action”, These words of Mahatma Gandhi are etched in history.Gandhiji the epitome of peace whose ideals transcend generations, stands out in today’s time of turmoil. Giving Gandhi credit for being the voice of the much-required world peace,
the Jain Center of Southern California, Anekant Community Center and the Indian American Senior Heritage came together on Oct 1 here to commemorate the 148th birth anniversary of the Mahatma.
In a day-long session on ‘Interfaith Expression on Peace and Non-Violence’ the SoCal Community heard the thoughts of motivational speakers, speeches by religious leaders of all major faiths and several popular prayers. The objective of the whole program was to create understanding of peace and promote harmony amongst diverse religions. As per, Virendra Shah President JCSC, “We wish and hope that with the help of Gandhi’s wisdom and essence of all religions, we can build a peaceful world while fostering a culture of nonviolence.” The thought was similarly shared by ACC President Mahesh Wadher on stage.
Carrying forward Bapu’s legacy, seminar co-ordinator Ila Mehta said, “Today our mission is to promote peace awareness, cultivate inter religious harmony, that will be our approach to seek cordial relationship in society. Let us stretch our hands for peace partnership.” She was assisted by Dr Manibhai Mehta in managing the event.
The program commenced with Gandhi’s favourite prayer ‘Vaishnava Jana To’ that was sung by Arvind Joshi.
Next, the most special moment of the event took place when inter faith leaders of so many communities came together on stage and performed the lamp lighting ceremony. They all also individually recited prayers in a show of strength and solidarity.
The moderators Dr Jayesh Shah and Gunvant Mehta then requested noted speakers and valued community leaders to convene the remarkable session.
Dr Satinder Dhiman, Associate Dean, MBA Director and Professor at Woodbury University gave quotes of several leaders who have all praised the Mahatma and explored the moral and spiritual philosophical foundations and context of Gandhi’s approach to leadership and peace.“With his life as his monument Gandhi now belongs to all humanity and his leadership lessons apply to all nations and times,” Dhiman concluded. Another leader who spoke about the teachings of Gandhi was Swami Ishwarananda from Chinmaya Mission, Los Angeles who covered points on Hinduism and peace. “Mahatma was a man of peace and unconditional compassion. It is so difficult for us all to spend even one day without hurting anybody, think about that man who spent his entire life following same principles. Today we have become materialistic, we buy things for people, gift others with expensive items. Stop that, give your word, truth, wisdom, experience, values, education, advice, promise to your loved ones. Focus on your innerself, remember charity begins from home, individual perfection alone can bring social harmony just like Mahatma, let us strive to live peacefully with acceptance and understanding of one another.”
On Buddhism and Sikhism, two noted men, Master Thay Hang Truong (Compassionate service society, Anaheim Hill) and Dr Harvinder Sahota (Cardiologist and inventor of Perfusion Balloon Angioplasty) respectively spoke about the ideologies of one of the oldest and another most recent religion of world.
Following them was Honorary Judge Deborah Sanchez from Supreme Court of California who threw light on Native Americans inspiration of peace- Gandhi. She stated, “He brought people together and revolutionized the idea of struggle through non-violence. One big purpose of meetings like this is same. Gandhi had that unique ability to learn from leaders and turn the teachings into an original way. He learnt from his influencers, experimented with teachings and presented the truth among his followers. Gandhi’s message was his life; let us learn from him.”
Artesia Mayo Ali Taj said Gandhi and his principles are necessary for peaceful co-existence.Jain scholar, Hasendra Shah showed the perfect sense of truth by talking about Gandhi’s biographies and quoting the Mahatma while highlighting the Jain perspective of peace.
Other religious leaders who spoke at were Father Christian Mondor (Senior Catholic Priest of Franciscan Order- Christianity), Dr Rabbi Frank Stern (President Orange County Interfaith Network- Judaism), Dr Muzammil H Siddiqui (Director of Islamic Society Orange County- Islamic), Mark Currie (President of Huntington Beach Interfaith- Bahai) and Maneck Bhujwala (co-founder of Zoroastrian Associations in Northern and Southern California).
All launded the Mahatma as one and asked all to serve humanity.
Lastly but not leastly, the program ended with a Unity song ‘Jyot se Jyot Jagate Chalo’ sung by Dr. Dhiren and Jalpa Buch. A delicious Jain lunch was also served to all attendees during break time.
In a day-long session on ‘Interfaith Expression on Peace and Non-Violence’ the SoCal Community heard the thoughts of motivational speakers, speeches by religious leaders of all major faiths and several popular prayers. The objective of the whole program was to create understanding of peace and promote harmony amongst diverse religions. As per, Virendra Shah President JCSC, “We wish and hope that with the help of Gandhi’s wisdom and essence of all religions, we can build a peaceful world while fostering a culture of nonviolence.” The thought was similarly shared by ACC President Mahesh Wadher on stage.
Carrying forward Bapu’s legacy, seminar co-ordinator Ila Mehta said, “Today our mission is to promote peace awareness, cultivate inter religious harmony, that will be our approach to seek cordial relationship in society. Let us stretch our hands for peace partnership.” She was assisted by Dr Manibhai Mehta in managing the event.
The program commenced with Gandhi’s favourite prayer ‘Vaishnava Jana To’ that was sung by Arvind Joshi.
Next, the most special moment of the event took place when inter faith leaders of so many communities came together on stage and performed the lamp lighting ceremony. They all also individually recited prayers in a show of strength and solidarity.
The moderators Dr Jayesh Shah and Gunvant Mehta then requested noted speakers and valued community leaders to convene the remarkable session.
Dr Satinder Dhiman, Associate Dean, MBA Director and Professor at Woodbury University gave quotes of several leaders who have all praised the Mahatma and explored the moral and spiritual philosophical foundations and context of Gandhi’s approach to leadership and peace.“With his life as his monument Gandhi now belongs to all humanity and his leadership lessons apply to all nations and times,” Dhiman concluded. Another leader who spoke about the teachings of Gandhi was Swami Ishwarananda from Chinmaya Mission, Los Angeles who covered points on Hinduism and peace. “Mahatma was a man of peace and unconditional compassion. It is so difficult for us all to spend even one day without hurting anybody, think about that man who spent his entire life following same principles. Today we have become materialistic, we buy things for people, gift others with expensive items. Stop that, give your word, truth, wisdom, experience, values, education, advice, promise to your loved ones. Focus on your innerself, remember charity begins from home, individual perfection alone can bring social harmony just like Mahatma, let us strive to live peacefully with acceptance and understanding of one another.”
On Buddhism and Sikhism, two noted men, Master Thay Hang Truong (Compassionate service society, Anaheim Hill) and Dr Harvinder Sahota (Cardiologist and inventor of Perfusion Balloon Angioplasty) respectively spoke about the ideologies of one of the oldest and another most recent religion of world.
Following them was Honorary Judge Deborah Sanchez from Supreme Court of California who threw light on Native Americans inspiration of peace- Gandhi. She stated, “He brought people together and revolutionized the idea of struggle through non-violence. One big purpose of meetings like this is same. Gandhi had that unique ability to learn from leaders and turn the teachings into an original way. He learnt from his influencers, experimented with teachings and presented the truth among his followers. Gandhi’s message was his life; let us learn from him.”
Artesia Mayo Ali Taj said Gandhi and his principles are necessary for peaceful co-existence.Jain scholar, Hasendra Shah showed the perfect sense of truth by talking about Gandhi’s biographies and quoting the Mahatma while highlighting the Jain perspective of peace.
Other religious leaders who spoke at were Father Christian Mondor (Senior Catholic Priest of Franciscan Order- Christianity), Dr Rabbi Frank Stern (President Orange County Interfaith Network- Judaism), Dr Muzammil H Siddiqui (Director of Islamic Society Orange County- Islamic), Mark Currie (President of Huntington Beach Interfaith- Bahai) and Maneck Bhujwala (co-founder of Zoroastrian Associations in Northern and Southern California).
All launded the Mahatma as one and asked all to serve humanity.
Lastly but not leastly, the program ended with a Unity song ‘Jyot se Jyot Jagate Chalo’ sung by Dr. Dhiren and Jalpa Buch. A delicious Jain lunch was also served to all attendees during break time.
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