Śubha Dīpāvalī! from Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA
Abhimanyu
Śubha Dīpāvalī!
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA Inc. (“HSS”) would like to wish our family and friends a joyous and prosperous Dīpāvalī.
Although we celebrate Dīpāvalī, or the “Festival of Lights,” by lighting lamps throughout our homes, these lamps merely symbolize the holiday’s essence: accepting the light of knowledge into our minds to remove the darkness of ignorance. This simple Dhārmik aspiration forms the kernel of wisdom from which all the religions of Bhāratīya civilization, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, have blossomed. Accordingly, Dīpāvalī reminds us of the lives’ long journey to bring this aspiration of enlightenment to full fruition.
As part this journey toward the light of knowledge, we must actively cultivate our sevā bhāva, or the spirit of service. To cultivate this spirit, HSS has organized food drives in cooperation with other local charities at various locations nationwide.
Lighting the White House dīyā at this year’s Diwali Event on October 14, President Obama aptly noted this spiritual aspect of Dīpāvalī:
“This coming Saturday, Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists, here in America and around the world, will celebrate this holiday by lighting Diyas, or lamps, which symbolize the victory of light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. And while this is a time of rejoicing, it’s also a time for reflection, when we remember those who are less fortunate and renew our commitment to reach out to those in need.”
Again, Śubha Dīpāvalī to everyone!-------------
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) USA is a voluntary, non-profit, social and cultural organization. Sangh, as the organization is popularly known, aims to organize the Hindu community in order to preserve, practice and promote Hindu ideals and values.
Sangh is inspired by the idea that the whole world is one family and conducts activities across the United States in order to spread this message widely. Sangh in the United States started in 1989 and today has over 100 weekly meeting centers (shakhas) across the country.