Spiritual workshops

Hindu Idol

1. ‘Realise God’ - But where is God? How can we know Him? How does He look?
2. What are Gods appearances, His attributes, that we may meditate on Him and realise Him?
3. ‘Idol worship’ is completely frowned upon by many faiths. Why don’t Hindus just accept this and stop it?
4. Some Hindus believe that all these figures are just representations of the One God which is Brahman and is beyond human qualities. Yet, Lord Rama and Lord Krishna take on human qualities that some believe will be in heaven and thus they are worshipped in their described form from the scriptures. What is the real concept of Hindu heaven? Is it living with the Idols?

Hindus cheat their way to Moksha

1. What is the point in rituals that Hindus perform and get so much exposure for? Isn’t virtue more important?
2. Why should I conduct rituals I don’t even know the meaning of?
3. To be a good Hindu I must renounce all pleasure, is this true? Is there another way?
4. Hindu rituals are too vast, too intimidating.
5. All these fires are lit up and people throw things in them at weddings and special occasions. What does it all mean?
6. Surely, there are different paths in which people do different rituals?
7. If I do a few rituals and live a bad life, will I still be okay to gain Moksha (liberation from this world)?

The Mahabharat & Ramayan: Irrelevant Myths?

1. Did the Mahabharata actually happen? Or is it a myth?
2. Scientific evidence suggests the Ramayana could not have physically occurred?
3. Do these scriptures teach any good values anyway?
4. Some of these Hindu stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata seem like a fantasy story like ‘Lord of the Rings’. What is the real significance behind some of these epics?
5. Are they historical accounts? They seem too far-fetched.

Caste Shadows

1. What do the scriptures say?

2. What is the general message from religious scriptures?

3. Is Caste Predestined? Or is it on what you desire you have deserved?

4. Why do some people say caste is inherently a Hindu problem?

5. How do we deal with the caste now?

6. I’m a Lohana you are a Patel, I’m a Brahmin priest and you are lower than me.

7. How did this ‘caste’ problem come about?

8. Is it inherently a Hindu problem?

9. How did Hindu comes to be like this?

BollyDharma

1. What is leading us to water down Hindu Dharma?
2. Has Navratri lost its true, spiritual, religious meaning?
3. What about the impact of Bollywood? What is it teaching to the millions of Hindus around the world?
4. Being Hindu seems to be about being a Bollywood superstar!
5. ‘Bollywood has led us to glamorise our Hindu Dharma and this is wrong’- debate based
6. Dressing up at festivals and looking good all seems fine – but what about the real meaning behind these festivals? Do they need to be known?

Stuck in a kitchen?

1. Are women equal to men? What do our scriptures say and is it relevant to modern day society?
2. Is the role of women ignored in Hindu Dharma?
3. What are the roles of women today?
4. Hindu women are supposed to stay at home, cook, clean and look after the husband and kids. Have Hindu women always had this fate? Do they now?
5. What has been the fate of women in the Hindu scriptures?

I want to be Brown

1. Why do have so little political representation? Is it affecting us to the extent that we need to get involved? Or are our current politicians doing a ‘good job’?
2. Is it no surprise then that the Dharma we hold so close to us is subject to frequent slanderous attacks?
3. How can I become a politician?
4. Why is it important for Hindus to enter into the political arena?
5. What Examples of where being in a position in politics makes a huge difference?
6. Why do Hindus have a problem being united?

BNP: Our Future?

1. Are we using our democratic vote correctly?
2. Are we making our voice heard in the first place?
3. Are we the reason why the BNP has increased in power?
4. What can we do to protect the freedom our ancestors fought for?
5. What does the political advancements of BNP mean for Hindus?
6. Is it really the case that Hindus are discriminated against because of lack of understanding or are organisations making a fuss out of nothing?
7. Why is one of the largest tax paying ethnic minorities ignored by politicians?

Stand up, Speak up

1. Why do we not have one, single unifying voice for Hindus?
2. Do we care about the denigration of our fellow Hindus around the world? Is it our job to help them and protect them?
3. Is it about time we started standing up for who we are?
4. What do all Hindus have in common?
5. Where are Hindus being discriminated against?
6. What can I do to help Hindus on a global scale?
7. Why are Hindus so under represented?

Date:

Saturday, 21st November 2009

Time:

09:00 - 18:00

Venue:

City University, Northampton Square, London, EC1V

Cost:

Free! (£5 Deposit Required - will be returned when you attend on the day)

8:30 - 9:45

Registration

9:45 - 10:00

Svaagatam

10:00 - 10:45

Lecture 1 - Spirituality

10:50 - 12:00

Workshop 1

12:05 - 12:40

Lecture 2 - Samaj

12:50 - 13:50

Lunch & Exhibitions

14:00 - 15:10

Workshop 2

15:15 - 16:25

Workshop 3

16:30 - 17:05

Lecture 3 - Politics

17:15 - 17:45

Question Time

17:45 - 18:00

Closing Comments

Email:

hindutimes@nhsf.org.uk

Telephone:

07092377304

Address:

P.O. Box 40616, London, W9 1WS