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World Hindus to chart the way into 21st century
World Hindus to chart the way into 21st century
DURBAN, South Africa - Hindu priests and scholars
from around the globe will chart the way into the
21st century for one of the world's oldest
religions at a four-day conference opening in
Durban on Friday.
"It's the first time in the world that Hindu
scholars, swamis (priests) and saints are coming
together to address the theme: Hinduism -- vision
for the 21st century," organising official Krish
Gokool said on Thursday.
"It's also the first time a gathering of this
nature is organised by a committee not affiliated
to any political or other organisation. It has the
blessing of all major Hindu organisations in South
Africa," he said.
The conference, which President Nelson Mandela is
due to address on Sunday, will also welcome South
Africa's almost one million Hindus back into the
international Hindu community after decades of
isolation caused by apartheid.
The religion, centred on India, has more than 730
million adherents worldwide.
"Hindus in South Africa have had very little
contact and communication with the international
Hindu community in the past. This conference will
help us to reach out internationally for guidance
and spiritual upliftment.
"We're re-seeking the past glories of Hinduism
which people all over the world have enjoyed,"
Gokool told Reuters.
One of the conference highlights will be Mandela's
address to up to 40,000 Hindus at Durban's
Chatsworth Stadium. This is expected to be one of
the biggest single gatherings in the history of
Hinduism on the African continent.
A spokeswoman in Mandela's office, Priscilla
Naidoo, told Reuters the president's presence
underlined his commitment to affording all
religions in South Africa equal status.
Gookal said the conference was expected to
formulate resolutions to standardise modern
interpretations of Hindu scriptures and chart the
way forward.
"We have had a lot of technological, scientific
and other developments in the world and we need to
keep pace with the minds of the youth.
--
opinions are mine only.
The known is finite, the unknown infinite; intellectually we stand on
an islet in the midst of an illimitable ocean of inexplicability. Our
business in every generation is to reclaim a little more land.
-- Thomas H. Huxley
