 Hindu Mandir Executive Conference September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD 1 The Mandirs & CHALENGES of Pluralism-A Plus for Mandirs TEJ TANDEN OM TEMPLE, INC September 11-13, 2009

 Hindu Mandir Executive Conference September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD 2 Introduction/Problem Statement 1. What is Pluralism? 2. Why is it a PLUS? 1. What: Look in your pocket for a coin or a $ bill. It has a statement: “E PLURIBUS UNUM”, source, the Great seal of the United States. It means “FROM MANY ONE” In other words – Unity in diversity Here HINDUS, CHRISTIANS, JEWS, MUSLIMS, BUDDHISTS, BHAIS, BLACKS, WHITES etc. ARE ALL “AMERICANS” FIRST And that is the American Base of Pluralism. Live with your beliefs and let others Live with theirs. D participation

 Hindu Mandir Executive Conference September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD 3 US Guarantees vs. Local Agendas This statement has far greater meaning, in its impact on the US Government, and the rights of its citizens. U.S. Legislature cannot pass any Law for creation of religion. If it does, Supreme Court can nullify it. Every citizen’s right to his/her religion is protected. Federal, State and Local governments must treat all religions alike. But at local Level: This part is often violated by the Local governments, departments, committees, employees, against minorities. Artificial barriers are created, to delay decisions. Plans are connived to delay, derail, deny the rights.

 Hindu Mandir Executive Conference September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD 4 Om Temple Experience: Plus-side Human prejudices permeate into execution of responsibility. Om Temple experienced it over 10 yrs. The plus side of these problems: Learning Involvement in the IF’, & social organizations Exist in many towns and cities. V. Imp. to Join IF’s. Om Temple is members of three adjoining IF’s. We set up IF panels of discourse on religious issues. Participated in religious activities of Churches. Got a good glimpse of other faith systems. Their weakness, strength and vulnerability. Found. A great opportunity, a mission for H-Temples.

 Hindu Mandir Executive Conference September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD 5 The Opportunity For Temples Where do we stand : “On familiar grounds” Vedic Philosophy permeates throughout the world. In their languages, grammar, customs, cultures, S. Knapp’s Proof of Vedic Culture’s Global Existence Note, Ch, Ju, Islam believe “GOD is O-P.P.S”. Yet none can give a rational answer – WHY Early teachings of Ch close to Hinduism & Buddhism. They got changed after Ch’s Crucifiction. HOW Evidence proves that Christ spent his formative 18 years - age 13 to 31 in India & Tibet. He Studied SD & Buddhism. That is WHY In the answer to Why and How Lies the Opportunity.

 Hindu Mandir Executive Conference September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD 6 The Opportunity For Temples He could spend only short two years in teaching. He got caught in a great turmoil, and was crucified. Saved by friends, moved away from Roman Empire, into Kashmir, where he stayed for the rest of his life. His partial teachings got distorted after his departure. The monistic philosophy of SD that Ch taught became monotheistic 200 yrs later in NEW Testmnt. God & Christ confined to Heaven. Human left on earth Clergy controlling traffic for a fee. That is HOW By the time it came to Islam it became worse, a militaristic system of deadly clergy controlling all.

 Hindu Mandir Executive Conference September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD 7 Ch: Chaos Danger = Opportunity The exclusionary militaristic religions, artificially distancing God and Humans – sinned before born, are primarily responsible for creating terrorism and insecurity in the world. The Scientific Concepts of the world have rendered the basis of their religions on shaky and questionable grounds. Best times for Hindus, to step up to the stage, participate & communicate, via dialog and debates, A. Explain meaning of O-PPS of God. B. No base for distance between Humans & God. C. How O-PPS applies to Murti-Puja. One Family “through Monistic Singularity”

 Hindu Mandir Executive Conference September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD OUTLINE for PREPARATION - Our young are already scientifically oriented Guide them to understand S in SD, via Participation of Families, Temples, in Lectures, Discussions, Debates etc. via S & SD Scholarship Programs. Adults to involve in IF- & Build Pluralism Networks. Help others to remove the distance between GOD & HUMANS. All born free of sins. Peace and Prosperity WILL FOLLOW 8

 Hindu Mandir Executive Conference September 11-13, 2009, Linthicum, MD OUTLINE for ACTION - NEW PLURALISM of SANATAN DHARMA First we need to educate ourselves. Set the stage 1. Study & Learn the meaning of OPPS GOD - 2. Use the Concept of Monistic Singularity to 3. Remove the artificial distance “God-Human” 4. Help the country to be “From MANY ONE” 5. Our enlightened young, via Discourses and Debates, will prove the errors of other systems, their use of flawed and distorted versions of SD, and thus save their “Dharma”. “ THE GYAN Science OF SD WILL BE THE STRENGTH of HINDUS ” 9