UtsavSeva: How Indian-Americans can serve local communities, country during Diwali

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Diwali is a joyous festival of lights, celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists (Dharmic traditions) and the festive spirit expressed by those of “any, all and no faith.” Though celebrated for different reasons, it has evolved from a pan-Indian festivity uniting multicultural diversity with worldwide cultures.

The very foundation of Indian civilization is based on the pluralistic acceptance embodied in the ancient Vedic scriptures; the oft used perennial Vedic saying: “Ekam Sat Vipra, Bahudha Vadanti,” meaning, “The Truth is One. The Realized Ones describe the One Truth in several ways.” Acceptance of this edict gives citizens space to express their differences while finding a common ground. And, closer to home, Diwali shares a special connection with American values as it exemplifies the ideals of “E. Pluribus Unum,” or, “out of many, one.”

The strength of the Dharmic culture is the multitude of ways in which the Puranic (ancient traditional) stories and epics are brought to life through colorful festivals and selfless service (seva). These stories and epics bring to surface the deep philosophical truths of the ancient Hindu scriptures, known as the Vedas. The Festivals often express the common Vedic tenets of Hinduism, and of other Dharmic cultures, making them accessible to people from all walks of life.

Festivals form a lifeline that binds the Hindu and Dharmic cultures to family, the community and to the country where they reside. Festivals connect and bring people together in camaraderie and service. Hindu festivals also reflect and sustain the underlying pluralistic values for diverse people to co-exist harmoniously.

Hinduism is the contemporary word used for the monotheistic “Sanatana Dharma” or Eternal Order. The joy and peace in human life is based on observance of this eternal order. In the Hindu approach, an integration of spirit, mind and body is emphasized for pursuit of happiness (ananda). Festivals play a very important role in Hinduism as they manifest this integration.

A festival is a joyful synthesis and expression of spirituality, religion, philosophy, culture, service and social values. The spiritual aspect is founded on the human instincts of joy and happiness. The philosophical aspect is grounded in the struggle between the forces of good and evil with the ultimate triumph of the former. This struggle and ensuing victory of good is to be celebrated and used as a reminder to us, and future generations, that selfless service and giving are an interwoven part of the traditions.

“Service which is given without consideration of anything in return, at the right place and time to one that is qualified, with the feeling that it is one’s duty, is regarded as the nature of goodness.” (Bhagavad Gita 17.20)

In bringing together people of all Indic traditions — Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists and others — the celebrations of the different aspect of Diwali create an interlocked mosaic.

For Hindus themselves, the festivities of Diwali are celebrated by many stories. Universally the celebration is the triumph of Good (Lord Rama or Lord Krishna) over Evil (Ravana, Narakasura, etc.).

Most of Northern India celebrates the homecoming of King Rama of Ayodhya after a 14-year exile in the forest with his wife Sita and brother Laxman. The people of Ayodhya (metaphorically translates to a place of no war) welcomed the trio by lighting rows (avali) of lamps (deepa), hence the name of the festival, Deepavali, or Diwali. The celebration of the victorious return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after killing the demon Ravana signifies the spiritual fulfillment of the journey (of life) after destroying the evil forces (asuras — negative tendencies) and strengthening the divine (divya) forces within.

Southern India honors this as the day Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura. Krishna accompanied his wife, Sathyabhama, in battle. Together they subdued King Narakasura and freed the prisoners who were mostly women. Diwali celebrations in the North also honor Krishna who protected the people of Gokula from torrential rains under the Govardhan mountain.

In western India the celebration is in honor of the day King Bali who gave away his kingdom and went to rule the nether-world as ordered by Vishnu.

For Jains, Diwali has an added significance. Lord Mahavira attained the Eternal Bliss of Nirvana. His lifewas transformed into a spiritual journey of self penance and sacrifice. Subhe Morning il.

The Sikhs have always celebrated Diwali. Its significance increased when, on this day the Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind, was freed from captivity of the Mughal Emperor Jehangir, along with 52 Hindu Kings (political prisoners).

Buddhists in India and Nepal honor Emperor Ashoka who, on this day, took to Ahimsa (non-violence), a key Vedic principle which became an integral part of Buddha’s teachings. King Ashoka sent his emissaries to many part of Asia and they spread Buddha’s teachings.

Goddess Lakshmi, (from the Sanskrit word “lakshye” which means “aim”) is invoked for blessings to restart our worldly and spiritual accounting. Prayers of thankfulness, (Lakshmi Puja), are offered for future prosperity by people of all faiths. Lakshmi Puja is another common factor in Diwali celebrations which binds the people of the Indian subcontinent and now globally.

Diwali traditionally marks the beginning of the New Year for Hindu businesses and the last harvest of the year before winter. Many close their books and open new accounts with prayers for success and prosperity. Symbolically it is a new start — forgive and forget — in all aspects of life including relationships with family and friends. It is the time for community and family celebration with prayers through puja, of togetherness, of sharing all resources, of food and gifts.

Today, Diwali is enjoyed by most Indians, regardless of faith, and by people of Dharmic faiths globally. Everyone celebrates it through festive fireworks, lights, flowers, sharing of sweets and worship as is customary for each religious and/or non-religious group. No house is too big or too small for illumination. Artisans of all faiths, including Muslims and Christians, participate in making the lamps, fireworks and sweets.

Deepavali literally means a row (avali) of lights (deepa) or Diwali. While the story behind Diwali varies from region to region, the essence is the same: to rejoice in the Inner Light and understand the underlying reality of all things. The spiritual meaning of Diwali is “the awareness of the inner light.” At the heart, Hindu philosophy emphasizes the presence of that which is pure, infinite and eternal, which is something beyond the physical and the mind. Diwali is the celebration of the awakening and awareness of the Inner Light.

Although it is not seen externally, this Inner Light outshines all darkness, removes all obstacles and dispels all ignorance; it awakens the individual to one’s true nature, not as the body, but as the unchanging, infinite and transcendent reality. As this budding inner realization flowers then there is universal compassion, love, and the awareness of the oneness of all things. — The Sat (Truth), Chit (Consciousness) and Ananda (Inner Joy). For Hindus, this is the goal of life.

Festivals are also a time to donate and help those in need. In the United States, the community is enhancing sustainable civic engagement (seva) to serve by connecting with America through the spirit of Hindu/Dharmic festivals and the cultural heritage. DhanSeva is community service during the month of November, while celebrating the festival of Diwali. It is giving resources of any kind — material or spiritual or physical, whatever one can give

Seva during Diwali means bringing in light, especially in the life of those less fortunate than us. There are many ways to serve. We can offer financial help and education; share knowledge; identify ways to promote economic empowerment; hold health camps; provide guidance in yoga; replenish local food banks for Thanksgiving; donate books, computers or equipment to local schools and libraries; serve the Veterans, etc.

Diwali unifies every religion, every home and every heart, and India transcends into a land of myriad lamps. Here in America, we are continuing this celebration marking it as a unifying pluralistic festival advancing community service. We hope Hindu and Dharmic traditions of Diwali and America’s commitment to service will illuminate innovative and empowering resources, both financial and spiritual and spur the distribution and sharing of common values of pluralism and collaboration.

We hope as you celebrate and share the message of Diwali, the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance, with your friends, family and neighbors, you will be inspired to help those who need. You will bring UtsavSeva to action!

We wish you a very Happy Diwali and a New Year filled with health, happiness, peace, prosperity and seva this festive utsav. With grateful hearts we thank you for your support and blessings.

Guide To UtsavSeva (Festivals Of Service): Invoking Spiritual Hindu & Dharma Values through Community Service, A Transformative Interfaith Values Based Approach to Service

What Is UtsavSeva And What Does It Aim To Achieve?

• HASC festival theme based initiative for temples, college campuses and community centers across the country
• Utsav = festival, Seva = Service
• Dharmic (Buddhist, Hindu, Jain and Sikh) festivals are celebrated based on a lunar calendar; Date will vary annually
• A strategic initiative to encourage people of all Dharmic and Hindu sampradayas (congregations) and eastern traditions to perform “UtsavSeva”, as appropriate.
• It aims to maintain the spirit of the many Utsavs and their values based Seva roots.

Why Relate Festivals With Service?

• Seva is a cornerstone of the Dharmic (Buddhists, Hindu, Sikhs, Jains and other Eastern faiths) philosophy of Karma Yoga, as described in sacred texts Open Hearts + Helping Hands = The Dharmic Way (Buddhism)
  “Nara Seva, Narayan Seva” – Service to Humanity is Service to God (Hinduism)
  “Parasparoo Jivanam” – Live and Help Live (Jainism)
  Through selfless service, eternal peace is obtained (Sikhism)
• Every Utsav offers us an opportunity to offer service to those among us who are in need.
• Utsavs play an important role in expressing the spiritual significance in celebratory ways while bringing people together.
• Dharmic culture encourage service during holy days/festival days.
• The strength of the culture is the many ways in which the Puranic (ancient traditional) stories and epics are brought to life through festivals.
• UtsavSeva is community service augmenting the spirit of Dharmic festivals through seva events organized during every festive occasion and cultural heritage.

Who Should Participate In UtsavSeva?

• Communities, whether secular or faith based cultural associations and organizations, homes, schools, temples, ashrams, spiritual centers, yoga ashram and studios to take the lead in organizing seva events invoking the spirit of the festivals.
• HASC has developed theme based seva resources/toolkits to bring awareness of the festivals, contemporary relevance in our life and ways to learn and inspire each other.

What Makes UtsavSeva Unique?

• UtsavSeva is designed keeping in mind service projects that aim to celebrate the broader messages from festivals celebrated across religious lines and national days of service in the United States.
• For example, in December, people of eastern tradition do not have a festival, however HASC suggests SarvaDharmaSeva – Interfaith service – in which the Dharmic people continue to foster respect and understanding.

How Do You Put UtsavSeva Into Action?

• Take the underlying meaning of the festival to provide values based service with positive impact.
• Example: Holi is a celebration with color representing equality and joy. These values can be highlighted through different forms of seva.
• Example: Navaratri is a celebration to honor the many aspects of feminine strength. Highlight these values during the celebrations via dialogues, sharing stories, or helping women’s organizations.
• Example: Diwali celebrates removal of ignorance with the light of knowledge, triumph of goodness over evil and honoring Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and resources. DhanSeva amplifies the message of resource empowerment to do seva projects, which promotes these values through education, economic help job fairs, and hunger – canned/boxed food to replenish local food banks for Thanksgiving, etc.

Who Developed UtsavSeva?

• Our ancient rishis (seers) incorporated charity (daanam) in each of the festivals and encouraged the community to serve; Seva is an intrinsic part of our Sadhana (spiritual practice).
• HASC’s year round, contemporary Dharmic interfaith UtsavSeva is a new concept which was conceived by Anju Bhargava and developed with HASC’s many volunteers.

It is a living framework and is constantly being improved upon to include lessons learnt from its volunteers and the community. We welcome your suggestions to improve and expand this initiative!

(Anju Bhargava, an ordained Hindu priest, is a Business Transformation executive and founder of Hindu American Seva Communities (www.hinduamericanseva.org). She was on President Barack Obama’s Inaugural Advisory Council on Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and the Department of Homeland Security Advisory Council.)