Date : 05-06 Feb '07

The First Hindu-Jewish leadership summit

Hindu-Jewish Leadership Summit an initiative of the World Council of Religious Leaders was arranged in cooperation with ‘All India Movement for Seva’ at New Delhi , February 5-6, 2007. In this dialogue the delegation of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel convened with major religious leader of Hindu Dharma.

The World Council of Religious Leaders (WCORL) recognises the significance of the shared values and views of the two oldest religious traditions in the world. It was arranged to initiate dialogues between these two great traditions, in order to bring their collective wisdom for actively promoting harmony in this critical time.

                      

It is the matter of honour for Gurukul family and Shree Swaminarayan Sampraday that Sadguru Shastri Shree Madhavpriyadasji Swami was cordially invited to take active part in this summit. During discussions, Pujya Swamiji indicated the characteristics of forbearing & generosity of Hinduism towards other religions.

                       

                      

In this summit, learned Hindu religious leaders entered into open dialogue with learned Jewish Rabbis from Israel and other countries. Here they learnt from each other, sharing knowledge of their respective religious and spiritual heritages and planned to work together to find effective ways to promote religious harmony.

There many similarities between both the traditions. Both of them believe in one supreme God, unity in diversity, pious & moral life, family values etc. Both of them have noble intentions behind religious rituals and never ever encourage others to change their religion. 

                      

                      

This is the first in a series launched from WCORL to engage the World’s Religious Leaders from every major religion and an effort to build greater understanding and cooperation amongst our religious tradition. The entire programme was strictly non-political and this series will extend to other such initiatives amongst the major religions to promote religious harmony. 

Jewish Delegation

Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger (Chief Rabbi, Israel)
Mr. Oded Wiener (Israel Director General, Chief Rabbinate, Israel), Chief Rabbi David Rosen, Israel , President,
International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Consutation (IJCIC); International Director of Interreligious Affairs, American Jewish Committee (AJC)
Rabbi Professor Daniel Sperber, Israel, Professor of Talmud and Jewish Studies at Bar Ilan University
Rabbi Dr. Israel Singer, USA, Chairman, International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Consultation (IJCIC); Chairman, Policy Council of the World Jewish Congress
Rabbi Moshe Garelik, USA, Director of the Rabbinical Centre of Europe
Chief Rabbi Albert Guigui, Belgium, Chief Rabbi of Belgium
Chief Rabbi Isak Haleve, Turkey, Chief Rabbi of Turkey
 

Hindu Delegation

HH Shree Swami Balagangadharanath, Sri Adi Chunchungiri Math
HH Murali Manohar sharan, Minbarka Mevad Mahamandaleswar
HH Shastri Madhavpriyadasji Swami, Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul, Rajkot
HH Swami Satchitananda Sarasvati, Sharada Lakshmi Narsimha Pitham
HH Shree Vidyaranya Bharati, Sri Hampi Virupaksha Vidyaranya Mahasamstahanam
HH Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Acharya,Arsha Vidya Pitham
HH Swami Paramatmananda Saraswati, Arsha Vidya Pitham, Rajkot
HH Swami Viditatmanand Saraswati, Arsha Vidya Pitham, Ahmedabad
HH Swami Chidanandaji, Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh

Third Vishwa Hindu Sammelan    February 11- 12-13,  2007

The Third Vishwa Hindu Sammelan was held at the holy place Prayagraj, Allhabad during 11, 12, 13 February’ 2007. The Sammelan was organised by Vishwa Hindu Parishad, in the holy presence of Hindu Dharma leaders of entire country. Millions of Hindu followers were present in this Maha-sammelan. 

In spite of bad climate of un-seasonal rain and severe cold the followers of Hindu religion have participated in great number. Local people have rendered the great hospitality and managed for shelter and food for millions of participants.

Along with spiritual leaders, Shree Ashokji Singhal (VHP), Shree Sudarshanji (RSS), Shree Pravinbhai Togadiya (VHP) also graced the occasion and addressed the Sammelan. 

From Gujarat, Sadguru Shastri Shree Madhavpriyadasji Swami was also invited to participate in this Sammelan. In his message Pujya Swamiji said, “We have diversities in language, clothes and many other things but we have unity in our soul just as a single trunk of a tree which holds several branches. It is like a garden of various kinds of flowers and a confluence (Sangam) of various holy rivers. Despite such unhealthy condition of weather, shelter and food, your presence in great number deserves appreciation and praise.” 

HH Dayanand Saraswati (Founder - Arsha Vidya Mandir) and other Dharm-acharyas conducted discourses on relevant topics and encouraged the participants. 

HH Satyamitrananadaji (Bharat Mandir, Rushikesh), HH Vishweshtirthi, HH Dharmendraji Maharaj, HH Sankaracharyaji (from Jyotishpith, Hampi & Kanchi Koti) and other Dharmacharyas were present in this Sammelan.