Hinduism And America – How Hindu Dharma is Transforming the West

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

This book captures the sense and sequence of how Hindu ideas landed in America, how they were received, processed, adopted, adapted, and absorbed into everyday American life. It is as much a story of the dissemination of these ideas as it is of the legions of swamis and gurus who brought them here. Further, it is also a story of the trials and tribulations of the ordinary Hindus who migrated here in search of better lives for themselves. As they slowly integrated themselves into the professional and social fabric of their adopted land, they imparted their own special textures and colors to it, thereby transforming it in ways unimagined!

A story this complex needs to be told from a number of different perspectives. Undoubtedly, a big part of the narrative must revolve around the lives and times of the carly pioneers-the swamis, yogis and gurus who led the spiritual side of this transformation. Likewise, it must do justice to the living history of the ordinary Hindu Americans and their outsized contributions to the ongoing transformation of America. However, the telling of this story would be utterly incomplete without some description of their core values and beliefs, their social structure-in short, the cultural capital that makes them tick.

Covering the 250-year-old journey of Hindu thought to America, this coffee-table book tells the story of Hinduism and America in all these aspects, in a rich tapestry of images and information.

DR. JAI BANSAL is a scientist, author and philanthropist with a keen interest in Indian history and in exploring the contributions of the Hindu civilization to the world He Currently serves as the Vice President of Education for the World Hindu Council of America, as well as a member of its Executive Board and the Governing Council.

Dr. Bansal retired in 2014 as the Chief Scientific Officer and Global Technology Development Advisor of a global petrochemical company, after a distinguished career spanning 38 years. From 2014 to 2018, he served as advisor to the Argonne National Laboratory, Chicago, and the US Deparument of Energy.

Dr Bansal holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Waterloo, Canada and a B.Sc. (Distinction) in Chemical Engineering from Punjab University. He has published widely and holds over two dozen scientific patents.

MR. KALYAN VISWANATHAN is currently serving us the President of Hindu University of America and guiding its renewal and revitalization. He was a longtime student of Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati of Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, established the Advaita Vedanta Sampradaya and was associated with his work for over 20, plus years. Prior to his involvement with Hindu University of America, Kalyan was a Global Practice Head for one of India's largest IT Services Company, with a 20-plus year tmck record. He holds a Master's Degree in Computer Science and a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from BITS, Pilani. He is also working on his Doctoral degree in Hindu Studies, currently, with a scholarly focus on the intersection of Hindu and Western thought, the recovery of Hindu epistemology and its relevance and value for humanity.

I wrote in American Veda that the transmission of LIndia's spiritual treasures to America would prove to be one of the most significant phenomena in the history of the nation. Now, almost ten years since that book was published, I feel that even more strongly.

For about two hundred years, Vedic wisdom has flowed into America through a variety of sources: the gurus, swamis and yogacharyas, beginning with Swami Vivekananda; English translations of sacred texts; and prominent Western scholars, scientists, artists and religious leaders. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 opened the door to another important stream of influence: American citizens of Indian descent who live Hindu Dharma from birth.

In many ways, Hindu Americans recapitulated the experience of the East European Jews and the Irish and Italian Catholics more than a century ago. Those new immigrants were welcomed by many, but were also forced to endure discrimination, racism, religious bigotry, ignorance, and irrational fear. Over time, however, most of the stereotypes were erased, the misconceptions were corrected, and the newcomers adapted, assimilated, succeeded, contributed, and became vibrant threads in the national fabric.

**Contents and Sample Pages**