Author: user

Friends Event: Free will and Destiny in the Bhagavad-gita

Posted on November 26, 2011February 15, 2025 by user

Friends Event: Free will and Destiny in the Bhagavad-gita

Leicester Friends Event

Saturday, 26 November 2011 – 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre

Rothley Street

Leicester LE4 6LF

A talk by Anuradha Dooney of the Oxford Centre For Hindu Studies

In this talk Anuradha will explore questions about free will and destiny as she finds them discussed in the Bhagavad-gita. How much choice do we really have in life, and how much is dependent on our birth, gender, status etc. Are we ruled by karma, Krishna, or our own desires.

These questions of free will and fate are universal, arising from a need to know how our lives are shaped and the value of our decisions. Krishna and Arjuna’s dialogue in the Bhagavad-gita comes to surprising conclusions. In the Hindu Samkhya tradition, the three gunas, or ‘threads’ of sattva, rajas and tamas weave together reality around us. They ‘colour’ our vision of ourselves and others, the choices we make and how we act in the world.Through visual and interactive exercises this presentation offers a fresh opportunity for self-reflection and challenges us to take responsibility for who we are and what we become in life.

Organiser:

Friends of the OCHS – Leicester

lf@ochs.org.uk

Bridges and Barriers report launched at Lambeth Palace

Posted on November 25, 2011September 27, 2020 by user

Bridges and Barriers report launched at Lambeth Palace

Friday, 25 November 2011

The OCHS ‘Bridges and Barriers to Hindu-Christian Relations’ report, compiled by Dr Jessica Frazier, was launched at the Hindu-Christian Forum (HCF) at Lambeth Palace on 23 November.

The Hindu-Christian Forum was hosted by the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams. The event was introduced by the Chairs of the HCF: The Ven. Richard Atkinson, Archdeacon of Leicester, and an OCHS scholar, Ramesh Pattni, Interfaith Chair of the Hindu Forum of Britain. It was addressed by Andrew Stunell MP, Sri Shruti Dharma Das Ji, Baroness Richardson, and Lord Popat.

The report, funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government and compiled by the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, was consistently praised by all on the panel and was the basis of the Forum’s discussion. The Archbishop described the report as a ‘very creative and stimulating piece of work, which provides an enormous resource for reflecting on how dialogue can be pursued, and how at the grassroots level it is to be understood and worked with.’

Speaking of a recent visit to Bangalore, Williams described a day of dialogue with religious leaders from a variety of Hindu traditions as ‘a deeply enriching experience, a day in which we were able to speak simply and directly about our traditions. We were able to say together at the end of that conversation a number of things about our mutual respect and the understanding that we sought.’ The attendees at Lambeth Palace echoed this very sentiment.

Nehru Centre Event: How to Understand the Bhagavad-gita

Posted on November 21, 2011November 9, 2020 by user

Nehru Centre Event: How to Understand the Bhagavad-gita

Nehru Centre Event

Monday, 21 November 2011 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Nehru Centre

8 South Audley Street

London, W1K 1HF

A talk by Dr Nicholas Sutton of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies.

The Bhagavad-gita is widely known as one the main sacred texts of the Hindu tradition but precise understanding of the message it conveys remains elusive, as is demonstrated by the widely differing interpretations of its meaning. In this talk, we will consider the ways in which the Gita seeks to offer a reconciliation of differing concepts, including Yoga, Samkhya, devotion and dharma and is able to emerge with a coherent revelation that is central to the contemporary Hindu tradition.

Organiser:

Nehru Centre – London

nehrucentre@btconnect.com

Leicester Friends Annual Gala Dinner

Posted on November 19, 2011October 5, 2020 by user

Leicester Friends Annual Gala Dinner

Tuesday, 22 November 2011

19th November 2011

FOCHS Leicester – The City Rooms

Our Leicester Friends of the OCHS (FOCHS) hosted a gala dinner on 19 November to celebrate the achievements and milestones of the OCHS and the Leicester FOCHS.

The lively night began with a reception for guests to meet and mingle.

The programme kicked off with a short presentation about the OCHS after which Shaunaka Rishi Das, Director of the OCHS, expressed his appreciation and gratitude for the Leicester FOCHS who have worked tirelessly since their incorporation in 2008 to support the OCHS by organising fun events including golf tournaments, sponsored temple walks and hikes.

Nishad Shah, the Sales head of the NRI banking team from Barclays, the main sponsors for the evening, gave a short speech which touched on the need for Hindu studies in today’s world.

The High Sheriff of Leicester, Resham Singh Sandhu, then went onto emphasise the importance of community and service in today’s world.

Anuradha Dooney, tutor from the OCHS then said grace in Irish and Sanskrit after which a delectable meal was served.

After dinner the keynote speaker, Alpesh Patel of tradermind.com, floored the audience with an intelligent, engaging, entertaining and inspiring talk. The OCHS’s Nick Sutton responded.

The MC for the evening was Kamlesh Purohit (BBC) who kept the group entertained through the night.

Friends Event: Human Rights and Right Humans

Posted on November 5, 2011November 9, 2020 by user

Friends Event: Human Rights and Right Humans

Birmingham Friends Event

Saturday, 5 November 2011 – 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Meeting House of the Society of Friends

1 Hamlet Street

Hall Green

Birmingham, B289BG

A talk by Anuradha Dooney of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies.

Human rights discourse is increasingly at the heart of all moral debate. In this talk we will draw from selected Hindu narratives and philosophical ideas and consider what their perspectives on morality and human rights contribute to the global debate.

Organiser:

Friends of the OCHS – Birmingham

bf@ochs.org.uk

Amitabh Bachchan and Karan Singh become OCHS Patrons

Posted on November 1, 2011November 9, 2020 by user

Amitabh Bachchan and Karan Singh become OCHS Patrons

Tuesday, 1 November 2011

Renowned actor, Mr Amitabh Bachchan is taking a leading role in support of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies.

Mr Bachchan was invited to the OCHS Patrons Council following his highly successful visit in May 2011 where he delivered the Distinguished Ford Lecture, with Prof. Rachel Dwyer. On inviting Mr Bachchan, OCHS Governor Lord Dholakia said that his presence on the Patron Council, ‘would underline the contribution of the arts to the development of Indian culture and thought through the centuries.’

Mr Bachchan said the OCHS is ‘a sure means of enhancing the study and propagation of Hindu Culture, resulting in better understanding.’

Another recent inductee is Dr Karan Singh, an MP in India’s Rajya Sabha and President of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, among many other distinctions. Dr Singh spoke at the OCHS in May 2011 on the relevance of Indian thought in the modern world.

The OCHS Patrons Council comprises distinguished honorary members who have made a significant contribution in public service and to public discourse. Patrons support the Centre by publicly aligning themselves with the goal of developing the study of Indian thought and culture at the highest levels of academia.

BBC report on Mr Bachchan’s visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14008513

Nehru Centre Event: Literalism, Steam Engines and the Vedas: On the Interpretation of Hindu Sacred Texts

Posted on October 20, 2011November 9, 2020 by user

Nehru Centre Event: Literalism, Steam Engines and the Vedas: On the Interpretation of Hindu Sacred Texts

Nehru Centre Event

Thursday, 20 October 2011 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm

8 South Audley Street

London, W1K 1HF

Dr Rembert Lutjeharms

How do we understand and apply the teachings of centuries-old texts today? How do we make their teachings, grounded in a social structure that no longer exists, relevant in our modern world? How do we interpret these ideas in the light of contemporary science? In recent decades, the interpretation of sacred texts has become not just the pursuit of a few scholars and theologians in the academies and religious institutions but have become the focus of public debate. How do Hindu sacred texts relate to this discussion? What do Hindu sacred texts teach, and how do we understand what they convey? This talk will examine the nature of Hindu sacred texts and explore the way Hindu theologians throughout the centuries have viewed these texts, how they thought they should be read and understood and how their ideas are relevant for Hindus today.

Dr Rembert Lutjeharms from Brussels, Belgium, is the Librarian at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies.He was awarded his BA and MA in Oriental Studies from the University of Ghent, Belgium, and successfully completed his D.Phil. in Theology at the University of Oxford in 2010, focusing on the theology of the sixteenth-century poet and literary critic Kavikarnapura. His research interests are Sanskrit poetry and poetics, early Vaisnava history, and Sanskrit hermeneutics. He is also an editor of the Journal of Hindu Studies, published by Oxford University Press.

Organiser:

Nehru Centre – London

nehrucentre@btconnect.com

(020) 7491 3567

Friends Event: One-Day Course

Posted on October 15, 2011November 9, 2020 by user

Friends Event: One-Day Course

Leicester Friends Event

Saturday, 15 October 2011 – 9:30am to 5:30pm

Cost: £50 including lunch

For more information and bookings contact Ramila Chauhan on 07801 241296 or lf@ochs.org.uk

Session One: The Origins and History of the Hindu Religion

In this session we will first look at different views on the origins of the Hindu religion, noting the importance of the Vedas and the significance of the ancient culture of the Indus Valley. We will then explore the way in which the history of India has had an influence on its religious culture, noting in particular the impact of foreign invasions and foreign rule.

Session Two: The Hindu Scriptures

In this second session we will begin by considering where authority lies in establishing Hindu teachings, with particular emphasis on the authority and status of sacred texts. We will then conduct a brief overview of the identity, content and teachings of those scriptures that are accepted and revered by the majority of practising Hindus, noting the role they play in the religious and cultural life of the Hindu community.

Session Three: Hindu Religious Philosophy

Here we will focus on the doctrines espoused within the Hindu religious tradition, noting in particular the varying interpretations of Vedanta. Whilst Shankaracharya teaches the absolute identity of individual soul and the Supreme Brahman, devotional Hinduism maintains a clear distinction between God and humanity, and in this session we will be looking at how it is that a single religious tradition can embrace variant religious doctrines.

Organiser:

Friends of the OCHS – Leicester

lf@ochs.org.uk

07801 241296

OCHS alumnus awarded

Posted on October 1, 2011November 9, 2020 by user

OCHS alumnus awarded

Saturday, 1 October 2011

In January, Exploring the Bhagavad gita: Philosophy, Structure and Meaning a new book by OCHS alumnus, Dr Ithamar Theodor, was named a Choice Outstanding Academic Title for 2011.

Every year in their January issue, Choice a magazine representing the 35,000 libraries who are part of the American Academic Libraries Association, publishes a list of Outstanding Academic Titles that they reviewed during the previous year.

‘Theodor writes with a fine mind and a great heart, both of which are essential for delving into this ancient work’s profound teachings,’ Choice magazine commented in its review.

Theodor’s book presents the full text of the Bhagavad Gita in a new translation, divided into sections, and accompanied by in-depth commentary. It aims to make the Gita accessible and understandable to a wide variety of modern readers.

Friends Event: Yoga and Hinduism

Posted on September 24, 2011February 15, 2025 by user

Friends Event: Yoga and Hinduism

Leicester Friends Event

Saturday, 24 September 2011 – 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Jalaram Community Centre

Narborough Road

Leicester LE3 0LF

Today many millions of people in the Western world and in India practice some form of Yoga. It is well known that Yoga originates in India but the relationship with Hindu religious teachings is frequently misunderstood. In this talk Nick Sutton will consider the relationship between Yoga and Hindu teachings and show how Yoga should properly be understood as an expression of Hindu spirituality.

Organiser:

Friends of the OCHS – Leicester

lf@ochs.org.uk