Hazare, Pachauri spoke at the meet.
By Deepak Chitnis
WASHINGTON, DC: The international edition of the Encyclopedia of Hinduism was launched at a day-long event yesterday at the University of South Carolina (USC).
The encyclopedia, which also has an Indian edition that was launched in 2010 by the Dalai Lama, contains over 7,000 articles and 1,000 full-color photographs and pictures. It covers the history of Hinduism as well as elements of Sikhism and Jainism. The encyclopedia has been in various stages of development for about 25 years.
“Indian cultural and spiritual traditions offer some of the most universally applicable insights, truths and teachings,†said Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, president of the Divine Shakti Foundation and the Managing Editor of the Encyclopedia of Hinduism. “[This encyclopedia] brings together – in a format comprehensible to people of all cultures, all religions, and all walks of life – the depth and breadth of this ancient yet timeless heritage.â€
Present at the event was social activist Anna Hazare, who was recently present at community events in New York, Maryland and Delaware, as well as Nobel Peace Prize-winning environmentalist Rajenda Pachauri. Both men, in addition to being chief guests, also spoke at the event.
In addition to launching the publication, the event was also used for discussing the legacy and importance of Hinduism around the world. The list of guests included: KL Sheshagiri Rao, Chief Editor of the Encyclopedia of Hinduism; Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, Founder of the India Heritage Research Foundation and President of India’s Parmarth Niketan Ashram; Hal French, distinguished professor emeritus at USC; and Meera Narasimhan, Ph.D., professor and chair of USC’s Department of Neuropsychiatry and Vice-Dean of USC’s School of Medicine.
Hinduism is the world’s third most widely practiced religion, with an estimated one billion followers. It trails only Islam (1.6 billion) and Christianity (2.2 billion).
To contact the author, email to deepakchitnis@americanbazaaronline.com