Unique Hindu Baccalaureate Service enters fourth year at Nevada University
April 15th, 2011 - 10:46 pm ICT by ANINevada (US), Apr 15(ANI): Hindu Baccalaureate Service (Dikshant Utsav), held for the first time in Western USA at prestigious University of Nevada-Reno (UNR) in May 2008, enters fourth year on Sunday.
Organized by Indo-American statesman Rajan Zed in collaboration with Indian Student Organization of UNR, it will bless graduating class in the traditional Hindu style according to ancient scriptures, complete with applying tilak (religious mark) on the foreheads of graduates.
Besides keynote address by a Hindu monk, it will also include blessing prayers by Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish, Baha’i, and Native American religious leaders. Well known musician Jim Eaglesmith will chant a kirtan number in Sanskrit with audience following him in the chant.
Starting with ‘Gayatri Mantra’ (the most sacred verse from oldest scripture Rig-Veda) recitation by Rajan Zed and traditional lamp lighting before the statue of goddess Saraswati, patron of learning and the arts; it will include blessing the upcoming graduates with wisdom from Vedas, Upanishads and Bhagavad-Gita-all ancient Hindu scriptures.
Washoe County issued a special Resolution to mark the significance of First Annual Hindu Baccalaureate Service of UNR.
Education in Hindu tradition has been deep rooted; Zed says and adds that after many important universities in ancient India, like Taxila, Nalanda, Sarnath, Amaravati, Banaras, Kanchi and Ujjain; great Indian universities also flourished in medieval period, like Odantapura (745 AD), Vikramasila (810 AD), Somapura (480 AD), Jagaddala (1090 AD). The purpose of this Baccalaureate Service is to root the graduating class in divine spiritual and cultural tradition so that they have a spiritually meaningful life in addition to material success, Zed stresses.
The flagship institution of the state established in 1864, UNR is one of the top 120 universities in America for funded research, which spans issues relating to the environment, renewable energy resources, the life sciences and plasma physics.
The University competes in 19 men’s and women’s sports. Dr. Milton D. Glick is the President.
Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal. (ANI)
- American university holds unique one-of-a-kind-in-the-world Hindu Baccalaureate Service - Apr 19, 2011
- Unique Hindu Baccalaureate Service enters third year at University of Nevada - Mar 22, 2010
- American university holds one-of-a-kind Hindu baccalaureate - Apr 14, 2010
- Hindu Baccalaureate Service in a prestigious American university - Apr 04, 2009
- Gayatri Mantra opened University of Nevada 'Inner-Faith Night' celebrations - Feb 25, 2011
- Nevada Assembly in USA opened with Hindu prayer - Apr 26, 2011
- Nevada Senate in USA opens with Gayatri Mantra - Feb 16, 2011
- Christians-Muslims-Hindus-Buddhists-Jews-Baha'is to dialogue at University of Nevada-Reno - Feb 11, 2011
- Mantras from Rig-Veda read at University of Nevada-Reno "Inner-Faith Night" celebrations - Mar 05, 2010
- Gayatri Mantra read at Baha'i Ridvan Festival in Nevada - May 03, 2011
- Zed urges Hindus worldwide to take vow of charity on Akshay Tritiya - Apr 28, 2011
- Gayatri Mantra opens fundraiser for choreographer's hip surgery in Nevada - Oct 25, 2010
- Hindus urged to take vow on Holi of helping reduce social evils - Mar 16, 2011
- Both Nevada Senate and Assembly in USA to open with Hindu prayers - Jan 29, 2011
- Zed urges Hindus to take Vasant Panchami vow to help a needy child in education - Jan 31, 2011
Tags: american statesman, ancient hindu, ancient scriptures, baccalaureate service, flagship institution, gayatri mantra, goddess saraswati, hindu monk, hindu scriptures, hindu tradition, indian student organization, indian universities, indo american, keynote address, material success, nevada university, rig veda, universities in america, university nevada, university of nevada reno