Tulsi Gabbard said that in this chaotic period, one can find strength and peace in the Bhagavad Gita.
Washington:
The very first American Hindu lawmaker Tulsi Gabbard said that in this chaotic period, one can find certainty, strength and peace in Bhagavad Gita.
In her message in a virtual opening address, the 39-year-old member for Hawaii said it was a chaotic time and that no one could say for sure what it would look like tomorrow.
“… but we find certainty, strength and peace in the practice of Bhakti Yoga and Karma Yoga which is taught to us by Krishna in Bhagavad Gita,” said Tulsi Gabbard at the ‘2020 Class for Students Hindus ”.
His speech came amid protests in the United States against the murder of the African American George Floyd by a white police officer in Minneapolis.
The country has been swept apart by demonstrations since the death of George Floyd in detention on May 25, with thousands of people lobbying for changes to law enforcement practices.
The very first virtual Hindu debut was hosted by the Hindu Student Council on June 7, which drew thousands of viewers on Facebook and YouTube Live, all united in solidarity during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
According to Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, the contagion has infected more than 76 million people and killed more than 4 25,000 worldwide. The United States is the most affected country with more than 2.04 million cases and more than 1,14,000 deaths.
COVID-19, which originated in the city of Wuhan in China in December of last year, also hit the world economy, with the International Monetary Fund saying the world economy is expected to experience a “severe recession”.
Scientists are racing against the clock to find a vaccine or medication for its treatment.
Hundreds of graduates from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, India and Australia were on hand to commemorate their degrees in a unique way – celebrating their common Hindu values.
Professor Subhash Kak was the Grand Marshal of the ceremony.
“As you think about this new chapter in your life, ask yourself what is my purpose in life? It is a profound question that if you can now recognize that your purpose is to serve God and the children of God, by practicing Karma Yoga, then you can lead a truly successful life, “said Tulsi Gabbard.
“Success is not defined by temporary material things, trinkets, glittering objects or achievements – but a deeply successful and happy life centered on service,” she added.
The Iraq war veteran ended his presidential campaign in March and offered his full support to former Vice President Joe Biden, 77, who is ready to challenge Republican President Donald Trump, 73, during November elections.
The opening address focused heavily on themes from the Bhagavad Gita, a timeless historical text that many Hindus consider their moral framework.
Professor Kak, regent professor at Oklahoma State University and recipient of Padma Shri 2019, read the names of the graduate students.
“I urge you – graduate students – to be leaders of the new world where education is less the spirit of a ship to be filled with information (usually forgotten after the end of the semester), and more of a flame which is lit as envisioned by our Vedic sages, “he said.
Student speakers came from many university campuses, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Princeton and Stanford.
The program included Hindu prayer offerings, the recitation of a traditional Upanishad graduation message, and a symbolic graduation ceremony for high school and college graduates.
Founded in 1990, the Hindu Students Council is the largest Pan-Hindu youth organization in North America.
