"dharmo rakshita rakshatah":
protect your dharma AND your dharma protects you.
The concept of Dharma is "correct action". It means to live in whichever way is necessary to be in alignment with the essence of life and its rhythmic manifestations of nature. Maladies form and karmic contracts bind when the soul lives out of accordance with this Dharmic or Natural Law. To "learn the Dharma" means to educate oneself on how to get back into the Dharmic Flow of Life to once again live in tune with the way things were meant to Be.
Within the Vedic Tradition, it is customary for a Teacher to educate their disciples in nature, perhaps under a big tree, often referred to as "Yog Vedant Forest Academy," away from the normalcy of life, propounding the Great Mysteries to eager and willing disciples (followers of the Dharma). Such students have the potential to eventually evolve to great heights becoming inspirational beacons for others. This dissemination creates a chain-reaction of positivity that benefits people, animals, the environment, farming practices, society, culture, and of course, renews faith in the deeper spiritual tradition of life.
At our Eco Ashram, Swastigram, at the foothills of the Himalayas, it is our aim to provide the eager and willing students of life with what is required to benefit oneself, others, and the environment, to once again live an enlightened life in harmony with the Natural and Dharmic Law.
Within the Vedic Tradition, it is customary for a Teacher to educate their disciples in nature, perhaps under a big tree, often referred to as "Yog Vedant Forest Academy," away from the normalcy of life, propounding the Great Mysteries to eager and willing disciples (followers of the Dharma). Such students have the potential to eventually evolve to great heights becoming inspirational beacons for others. This dissemination creates a chain-reaction of positivity that benefits people, animals, the environment, farming practices, society, culture, and of course, renews faith in the deeper spiritual tradition of life.
At our Eco Ashram, Swastigram, at the foothills of the Himalayas, it is our aim to provide the eager and willing students of life with what is required to benefit oneself, others, and the environment, to once again live an enlightened life in harmony with the Natural and Dharmic Law.
Developing an Authentic Vedic University
The Vision of the Foundation is a Vedic University. It is seeking to develop educational, health related and environmental programs and projects that raise awareness and inspire practical positive change and improvement in the area by creating and offering materials, courses and appropriate knowledge, with related activities based upon the ancient Vedic Philosophy and perennial wisdom for implementation in today's world under the Guidance of HH Sri Swami Purna Ji Maharaj (Professor Dr Swami Purna). The Vedas, of course, comprise the most comprehensive holistic value system dealing with all aspects of life and nature and form the bedrock of Indo-Aryan civilization. They offer a platform for education that harmonizes the current world concerns with ancient wisdom and robust education, training and learning for a successful way of life for all.
The concept of the Vedic University was inspired by Swamiji and many of the activities are dedicated to the
transcription and the publication of authentic Teachings and knowledge in the original Sanskrit. They are based upon the traditional Vedantic universal philosophy that embraces an understanding of Sanskrit, the Vedic texts, respect for nature and the environment, the Ayurvedic health tradition, meditation and yoga as part of everyday life. The activities of the University include educational research and training, the publication of unique educational materials, discourses, seminars, courses on traditional educational curricula including medicine, as well as health, yoga, stress management, philosophy and spiritual awareness, education and responsibility for self with emphasis on a proactive and preventive approach.
The overall intention in India is the twinning of this project with the international activities of the Foundation in the USA and Europe where the priorities are education and health, as well as environmental awareness that can serve as a profound legacy for present and future generations. A world class university that includes a medical faculty and with research capability would be established. This would attract professors, experts, teachers and leaders in their respective fields, to educate and teach beyond the usual recognized courses. Groundbreaking areas that are the need of the time, priority topics with educational and practical life implications for the world as a whole would be taught. This would enable recognition along with such institutions as Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, MIT etc listed in the World's University Rankings. The ethos, culture and policies of the proposed university are to be based upon the Vedic perennial Philosophy and learning or wisdom, with an important emphasis upon individual inquiry and expansion to inspire the unique integration of ancient thought and guidance with today's needs.
Apart from traditional curricula, there is to be a prioritization on tackling and managing today's educational, health and environmental challenges. Also there is an planned emphasis on individual health education and awareness, along with vocational training, thereby allowing the encouragement of the fulfillment of the individual's fullest potential in life. In addition, planned topics include:
Key issues and matters such as the concerns over the climate will be addressed by experts to enable the Vedic University to be recognized as a place of open scholarship, learning and best practice, an inspiration for action to serve humanity. Knowledge that is state of the art and innovative coupled with traditional understanding or wisdom - and the valuable concepts of dharma, seva, humility and integrity - can create a key faculty of wise visionaries, teachers. In turn, they can act as instruments of positive activism that can be called upon to solve issues globally in a universal manner that is dedicated to the finest examples in the world and humanity.
The emphasis in health acknowledges that all success flows from a healthy mind and body. The Patanjali system is preferred to provide a platform for inspirational activity and understanding through such tools as meditation, contemplation, and yoga to achieve life balance. The syllabus includes here robust or vigorous standards following the philosophical and Sanskrit traditions and appropriate certification for the various courses and degrees, allowing not only individual advancement but also ambassadors for the university and an ongoing legacy for humanity.
We are already in touch with key individuals and institutions to enable full collaboration and inspired leadership and we very much welcome the opportunity to develop this further. Any relevant additional documentation can be presented as and when needed.
The concept of the Vedic University was inspired by Swamiji and many of the activities are dedicated to the
transcription and the publication of authentic Teachings and knowledge in the original Sanskrit. They are based upon the traditional Vedantic universal philosophy that embraces an understanding of Sanskrit, the Vedic texts, respect for nature and the environment, the Ayurvedic health tradition, meditation and yoga as part of everyday life. The activities of the University include educational research and training, the publication of unique educational materials, discourses, seminars, courses on traditional educational curricula including medicine, as well as health, yoga, stress management, philosophy and spiritual awareness, education and responsibility for self with emphasis on a proactive and preventive approach.
The overall intention in India is the twinning of this project with the international activities of the Foundation in the USA and Europe where the priorities are education and health, as well as environmental awareness that can serve as a profound legacy for present and future generations. A world class university that includes a medical faculty and with research capability would be established. This would attract professors, experts, teachers and leaders in their respective fields, to educate and teach beyond the usual recognized courses. Groundbreaking areas that are the need of the time, priority topics with educational and practical life implications for the world as a whole would be taught. This would enable recognition along with such institutions as Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, MIT etc listed in the World's University Rankings. The ethos, culture and policies of the proposed university are to be based upon the Vedic perennial Philosophy and learning or wisdom, with an important emphasis upon individual inquiry and expansion to inspire the unique integration of ancient thought and guidance with today's needs.
Apart from traditional curricula, there is to be a prioritization on tackling and managing today's educational, health and environmental challenges. Also there is an planned emphasis on individual health education and awareness, along with vocational training, thereby allowing the encouragement of the fulfillment of the individual's fullest potential in life. In addition, planned topics include:
- relevant environmental and energy issues, including strategies that highlight sustainability;
- future population planning needs in terms of individual livelihood and collective progress in general;
- and well-being to enable a more enlightened and peaceful lifestyle to enhance the quality of life,
Key issues and matters such as the concerns over the climate will be addressed by experts to enable the Vedic University to be recognized as a place of open scholarship, learning and best practice, an inspiration for action to serve humanity. Knowledge that is state of the art and innovative coupled with traditional understanding or wisdom - and the valuable concepts of dharma, seva, humility and integrity - can create a key faculty of wise visionaries, teachers. In turn, they can act as instruments of positive activism that can be called upon to solve issues globally in a universal manner that is dedicated to the finest examples in the world and humanity.
The emphasis in health acknowledges that all success flows from a healthy mind and body. The Patanjali system is preferred to provide a platform for inspirational activity and understanding through such tools as meditation, contemplation, and yoga to achieve life balance. The syllabus includes here robust or vigorous standards following the philosophical and Sanskrit traditions and appropriate certification for the various courses and degrees, allowing not only individual advancement but also ambassadors for the university and an ongoing legacy for humanity.
We are already in touch with key individuals and institutions to enable full collaboration and inspired leadership and we very much welcome the opportunity to develop this further. Any relevant additional documentation can be presented as and when needed.
Selected Vedic Courses
Ayurveda:
Balancing the Body, Health, and Life Focus
Purna Health Management System:
Establish a Life Management System or Framework to Support your Health, Mind, Emotions, and Spiritual Path
Ashtanga Yoga:
Implementing the Eight Limbs of Yoga into Your Everyday Life
Dhyana Yoga:
Mastering the Meditative Technique
Karma Yoga:
Path to Realization Through Selfless Service or Seva
Bhakti Yoga:
Devotional Path to God-Realization
Jñāna (Gyana) Yoga:
Learning the Spiritual Path of Contemplation
Mantra Yoga:
Harnessing the Power of Spoken Word (Sound) to Effect Change in One's Life
Learning Sanskrit:
Dive Deeper into the Divine Language, Learning the Tools to Uncover Your True Nature
Samaveda:
Learn the Vedas through Song and Chant
Environmental Management and Sustainability:
Discover the Part We Play in Maintaining the Balance of the Environment
Social Responsibility:
Realize the Power You Have to Effect a Change in the Social Paradigm
Applications of Loving Kindness:
Learn Ways to Practical Ways to Apply Loving-Kindness for Social, Environmental, and Self Change
Dance as Worship:
Learn Indian Classical Dance, an Art Form Originally Developed as a System of Connecting with the Divine
Kirtanam:
Music, Sounds, and Singing of Mantras to Awaken the Heart and Soul
Music Lessons:
Learn How to Play Mridangam, Tabla, Harmonium, Sitar, Sarod, Sing, etc, in the Context of Connecting to the Divine
Balancing the Body, Health, and Life Focus
Purna Health Management System:
Establish a Life Management System or Framework to Support your Health, Mind, Emotions, and Spiritual Path
Ashtanga Yoga:
Implementing the Eight Limbs of Yoga into Your Everyday Life
Dhyana Yoga:
Mastering the Meditative Technique
Karma Yoga:
Path to Realization Through Selfless Service or Seva
Bhakti Yoga:
Devotional Path to God-Realization
Jñāna (Gyana) Yoga:
Learning the Spiritual Path of Contemplation
Mantra Yoga:
Harnessing the Power of Spoken Word (Sound) to Effect Change in One's Life
Learning Sanskrit:
Dive Deeper into the Divine Language, Learning the Tools to Uncover Your True Nature
Samaveda:
Learn the Vedas through Song and Chant
Environmental Management and Sustainability:
Discover the Part We Play in Maintaining the Balance of the Environment
Social Responsibility:
Realize the Power You Have to Effect a Change in the Social Paradigm
Applications of Loving Kindness:
Learn Ways to Practical Ways to Apply Loving-Kindness for Social, Environmental, and Self Change
Dance as Worship:
Learn Indian Classical Dance, an Art Form Originally Developed as a System of Connecting with the Divine
Kirtanam:
Music, Sounds, and Singing of Mantras to Awaken the Heart and Soul
Music Lessons:
Learn How to Play Mridangam, Tabla, Harmonium, Sitar, Sarod, Sing, etc, in the Context of Connecting to the Divine