Category: Friends

Friends Event: Tasmai Shri Gurave Namaha – the idea of the Guru in Hinduism

Friends Event: Tasmai Shri Gurave Namaha – the idea of the Guru in Hinduism

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Friends Event: Tasmai Shri Gurave Namaha - the idea of the Guru in Hinduism

Saturday, 1 October 2016 – 6:30pm to 9:00pm

Jalaram Community Centre (opp Jalaram Mandir)
85 Narborough Rd, Leicester LE3 0LF

A talk by Tushar Shah of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies

Hinduism pays great reverence to gurus as spiritual instructors,  guardians,  role-models,  counsellors,  mediators, and even embodiments of the divine. In this talk, we will explore how the notion of the guru has developed throughout history. Then, by looking at various case studies, we will discuss what role modern gurus play today in the development of Hinduism as well in people’s lives.

Organiser: 
Friends of the OCHS – Leicester
Friends Event: The Boomerang Effect: Karma, Causation, and Rebirth

Friends Event: The Boomerang Effect: Karma, Causation, and Rebirth

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Friends Event: The Boomerang Effect: Karma, Causation, and Rebirth

Birmingham Friends Event
Saturday, 23 July 2016 – 7:00pm to 9:00pm

​Meeting House of the Society of Friends
1 Hamlet Road Hall Green
Birmingham B28 9BG​

A talk by Dr Ramesh Pattni of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies

A major concept that distinguishes Indian philosophy from European philosophy is karma. Karma can be regarded as the application of the law of cause and effect – that all actions have consequences that will affect the doer of the action. So stated, it might seem that the law of karma is nothing other than the law of universal causation, according to which every action or event is caused. Clearly the two laws are related, though the precise nature of this relationship needs reflection. In this talk we look at this nature of karma and its relationship to ideas about causation from some of the Hindu philosophical systems. We also consider some implications of the law of karma and reincarnation in the spiritual context of the idea of liberation.

Organiser: 
Friends of the OCHS – Birmingham
The Boomerang Effect: Karma, Causation, and Rebirth

The Boomerang Effect: Karma, Causation, and Rebirth

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Friends Event: The Boomerang Effect: Karma, Causation, and Rebirth

Leicester Friends Event
Saturday, 2 July 2016 – 6:30pm to 9:00pm

Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre
Rothley Street, Leicester LE4 6LF

A talk by Dr Ramesh Pattni of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies

A major concept that distinguishes Indian philosophy from European philosophy is karma. Karma can be regarded as the application of the law of cause and effect – that all actions have consequences that will affect the doer of the action. So stated, it might seem that the law of karma is nothing other than the law of universal causation, according to which every action or event is caused. Clearly the two laws are related, though the precise nature of this relationship needs reflection. In this talk we look at this nature of karma and its relationship to ideas about causation from some of the Hindu philosophical systems. We also consider some implications of the law of karma and reincarnation in the spiritual context of the idea of liberation.

Organiser: 
Friends of the OCHS – Leicester
How can Hindus Engage with Other Religious Traditions?

How can Hindus Engage with Other Religious Traditions?

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Friends Event: How can Hindus Engage with Other Religious Traditions?

Leicester Friends Event
Saturday, 2 April 2016 – 6:30pm to 9:00pm

Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre
Rothley Street, Leicester LE4 6LF

A talk by Dr Brainerd Prince of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies

We live in religiously diverse societies. One way to gain recognition and create space is to resort to name calling, violence, and conflict. But Hindu communities have always lived with diversity. So, how can contemporary Hindus engage with other religious traditions even as they strive to hold their own in our multicultural societies.

Organiser: 
Friends of the OCHS – Leicester
lf@ochs.org.uk
Hindu Approaches to Childhood

Hindu Approaches to Childhood

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Friends Event: Hindu Approaches to Childhood

Birmingham Friends Event
Saturday, 19 March 2016 – 7:00pm to 9:00pm

​Meeting House of the Society of Friends
1 Hamlet Road Hall Green
Birmingham B28 9BG​

A talk by Brainerd prince of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies

With the global effort to protect the rights of children, have we lost a healthy understanding of the role of the family as the centre of a child’s social structure? How can Hindu approaches to children and particularly their relationship to parents offer a corrective to other modern notions – is there a Hindu contribution to the current debate on child rights?

Organiser: 
Friends of the OCHS – Leicester
lf@ochs.org.uk
The Great Goddess in Hinduism

The Great Goddess in Hinduism

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Friends Event: The Great Goddess in Hinduism

Leicester Friends Event
Saturday, 5 March 2016 – 6:30pm to 9:00pm

Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre
Rothley Street, Leicester LE4 6LF

A talk by Silje Lyngar Einarsen of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies

The emphasis placed on goddesses and the divine feminine makes Hinduism truly unique among the world religions. Not only does the feminine dimension permeate Hinduism in various forms—from the concept of prakṛti in Sāṃkhya philosophy to rural village goddesses—but the Goddess is also proclaimed as the highest reality in the monistic Śākta traditions. This talk will examine ways in which the divine feminine has been viewed in Hindu traditions.

Organiser: 
Friends of the OCHS – Leicester
lf@ochs.org.uk
Living with Diversity Today

Living with Diversity Today

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Friends Event: Living with Diversity Today

Leicester Friends Event
Saturday, 6 February 2016 – 6:30pm to 9:00pm

Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre
Rothley Street, Leicester LE4 6LF

Rev Tom Wilson, Director of St Philips Centre, and Shaunaka Rishi Das of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies

A public conversation to explore the issues and promote an open discussion. Leicester is one of the most diverse cities in Britain. How could people with such different cultural, religious, and culinary habits ever be truly British? Can British people really support Indian cricket? Three generations later and we ask similar questions of Eastern Europeans, Russians, and Somalians. How deep is our multiculturalism? Where does diversity start? What are the barriers? To help us focus on these issues, drawing from experience, and from Hindu and Christian literature.

Organiser: 
Friends of the OCHS – Leicester
lf@ochs.org.uk
Humility in the Gita

Humility in the Gita

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Friends Event: Humility in the Gita

Birmingham Friends Event
Saturday, 23 January 2016 – 7:00pm to 9:00pm

​Meeting House of the Society of Friends
1 Hamlet Road Hall Green
Birmingham B28 9BG​

A talk by Shaunaka Rishi Das of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies

The Bhagavad-gita is a conversation that takes place on a battlefield, just prior to a conflict that ends in death and misery for most of the participants. Its a strange text therefore in which to find humility emerging as one of its important principles. In fact humility is the basis on which Arjuna, one of the most valiant of the warriors present, finally decides to participate. In a modern context where Hindus complain that they can be too humble, too compliant, and seen as weak – and urge more assertive and agressive action – we examine the Gita asking why humility, and what does humility mean in the context of the Gita.

Organiser: 
Friends of the OCHS – Birmingham
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Hindus

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Hindus

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FOCHS Event: The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Hindus

Leicester Friends Event
Saturday, 16 January 2016 – 6:30pm to 9:00pm

Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre 

Rothley Street, Leicester LE4 6LF



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

Once again the New Year heralds hope for improvement in all areas of our lives. We all know we are capable of great intention and noble goals, yet behaviour often falls short of the plan. This talk does not promise to ‘Change Your Life’ or ‘Make you Happy’, but it does offer insights from characters in Hindu sacred texts who seem to get it together in difficult circumstance. How might a particular characteristic of Prahlad, Pariksit, Narada, Queen Kunti, and Valmiki, amongst others, help us today? This personal selection of ‘habits’ is certainly no definitive list, but aims to provoke reflection, and further discussion for drawing up your own list.

Organiser: 
Friends of the OCHS – Leicester
lf@ochs.org.uk