Dear Members of ASNJ  

Although the new executive committee became active on Jan 1, 2007, via this newsletter, this is my first chance to welcome you all. This institution has been in existence for last 26 yrs. and has progressed all along. Fundamental aim of Arya Samaj outside India has been to keep our Hindu heritage alive and make our next generation aware of the sound principles and practice of Hindu Dharma in its pure and original form, while still keeping the needs of today’s world. Slowly but surely, there has been progress in our Samaj as well. I wish to thank all the past presidents for making efforts and contributing towards this mission in their own way.  Today, we have biweekly satsangs, children classes, and yoga classes. We also have kept our culture alive by twice a year cultural programs in which our children present their talent in different ways while staying with in the basic charter of a religious institution.

I believe that there are four ways in which we can make ASNJ more active and productive.

These are:

1. A Sunday school like atmosphere, that provides religious and Hindi education to children in age appropriate ways. For example for young children, more stories, for middle group, more instructive and for our youth, more interactive. We should have a clear mission in mind. We should aim that, when a child graduates high school and has been a part of this organization, he/she should have a clear understanding of the fundamentals of Hindu dharma and be able to sustain in this world where there are too many distractions of different nature. With this in mind, an education committee has been formed and work is underway to achieve this goal. I earnestly request everyone to give this process a real chance.
2. A good Yoga program for adults and children. We also intend to invite experts this summer and have youth camps, which will include yoga and Havana teachings.
3. To have a temple of our own. The Board is actively working in this direction and all of us have to help as well.
4. To have a full time priest, who will be scholar as well? Buying the temple and having a priest are really tied together.

Of course we need to have some social programs as well.

I wish to thank the Board and the executive committee for their efforts and kind cooperation.

The upcoming Holi function in house on March 4 should be a success. Also on May 4 there will be fund raiser/dinner dance program at Chand Palace. 

In closing, I again strongly feel that together we will achieve our goals 

Respectfully submitted 

Ramesh Gupta

  ________________________

Swami Dayanand Saraswati

By

Sachi Sobti, member of Youth Group  

The greatest thing about Swami Dayanand was his determination to spread knowledge to everyone. He ignored the earlier restrictions that discriminated against people on the basis of gender, caste, and wealth. Wherever he traveled in India, he roundly condemned the caste system, idol worship, child marriage and other harmful customs and traditions. He preached that women should have equal rights with men and laid stress on pure conduct in life. He used to say that India had fallen to such a miserable condition precisely because women were not given education but were kept in ignorance. Dayanand was bitterly opposed to also Untouchability. He used to say, "Untouchability is a dreadful curse of our society. Every living being has a soul, which deserves affection; in every human being there is a soul worthy of respect. Any one who does not know this basic principle cannot understand the true meaning of the Vedic religion." He believed that people should throw away all preconceptions that they have about others in the common goal of education. This created a stir among the people. Over the centuries, with the passing of time some wicked customs had crept into Hinduism. These customs stood out prominently and therefore the real power and greatness of Hinduism was dimmed. With the teachings of Swami Dayanand true Hinduism came to shine forth. So it may be said that Dayanand brought about a revolution in the social life of Indians.

Despite the opposition that Dayanand faced because of his radical views, he never wavered from his beliefs. Dayanand used to point out flaws in other religions as he pointed out the flaws in Hinduism. Because of this, he had to incur the wrath of the followers of other religions several times. While he was giving a discourse at a Jodhpur meeting, the relative of a Diwan there placed his hand on the sword and said, "Be careful, don't criticize our religion."   The Diwan even said, "You should be cut to pieces."

Dayanand said, "I shall point out defects wherever I find them. I am not a rabbit to be frightened by the cries of jackals like you;" and he pinpointed the flaws in his religion, too. His tenacity in holding on to his beliefs can serve as an example to us. He followed his dharma regardless of the consequences.

Another admirable characteristic of Swami was that that he never placed blame on others. One of his many enemies created a plot to poison him. They bribed his cook to put poison in his milk. Swami knew what had happened, and decided to talk to his cook. Seeing the blood oozing out of Dayanand's body, the cook could not control his grief. He said," I listened to traitors and mixed powdered glass with your milk. My God, I have committed a heinous sin! Please forgive me." So saying he broke down. Dayanand consoled him with the words, "it was my fate. How are you to blame?" He then placed two hundred rupees in his hands and said, "If the Maharaja comes to know this, you will be in trouble. So go away to distant Nepal and hide yourself. Let this money be with you for your journey." So saying he sent away the Cook to a place of safety.

As we sit here today on Swami’s birthday, let us think what we can learn from him. It was his mission to spread education during a time where only a limited number of people were allowed to be educated. Let us first and foremost, revel in the fact that we are lucky enough to all get such a good education. Secondly, just as swami never wavered from his beliefs regardless of opposition, we should never stop believing something is right just because people tell us it is not. Thirdly, we should blame others for something that has happened to us. In the extreme case of swami was being poisoned of all things, he refused to point fingers and live his last moments in turmoil. Dayanand’s basic ideas that I have enunciated, have served to shape Arya Samaj’s 10 principles. Swami founded the Arya Samaj so that his disciples could follow in his footsteps. Let us take his life as an example and take advantage of the opportunities that we have.

________________________

Dharma As defined by Swami Dayananad

That which inculcates justice and equity, which teaches truthfulness in thought, speech and deed - in a word, that which is in conformity with the Will of God, as embodied in the Vedas, even that I call Dharma. But that which is intermixed with what is partial, which sanctions injustice, which teaches untruthfulness of thought, speech or deed - in brief that which is in antagonism to the Will of God, as embodied in the Vedas, that I term Adharma".

Upcoming Events

On Sunday the 4th of March the Samaj is celebrating Holi with colors of music,poetry and drama. We look forward to seeing everyone there at 3.00pm.

 Friday 4th of MAY Spring Fling an evening filled with Music, Food and Dancing at Chand Palace from 7.30pm onwards. Come celebrate Spring Fling with us and don't forget to bring your friends too. Further details to follow.

Education:

Below is the calendar for Hindi and Cultural/Religious classes up to the end of June. The classes will be 45 minute each for all age groups.

* Havan Days

Contact Information for classes

Donations January-February 2007