The Pluralism Project at Harvard University

Michele Verma

Columbia University
Hindu Religious Education: Two New Jersey Sites

Two Hindu Education Programs for Youth in New Jersey

This project is a continued study of a Hindu summer camp and Hindu "Sunday school" sponsored by two different Vedantic institutions in Central New Jersey founded by post-1965 immigrants from India. I propose to document and better understand what is at stake for various Hindu participants (parents, teachers and youth) who participate in activities sponsored by Arsha Bodha Center and Central New Jersey Chinmaya Mission. Additionally, I what to learn which values are articulated as centrally important by teachers, parents and students and how these values are negotiated, lived and communicated in settings outside of the Hindu educational institution. I propose to use the follow methods: a self-administered questionnaire, semi-formal face-to-face taped interviews, participant-observation and photography. This research will contribute to the study of formal institutional Hindu religious programs for youth and how these sites deal with various challenges of transmitting Hinduism to the next generation.

While formalized Hindu classes for youth are rather limited in number in India, they are extremely important resources for Hindu parents living in the United States who seek outside support in transmitting Hindu and Indian knowledge and practice to their children. Arsha Bodha Center in Somerset and Chinmaya Mission Central New Jersey (CNJ) Balavihar and Yuva Kendra in Monmouth Junction are two large and expanding Hindu youth education programs in New Jersey. The teachers from these centers aim to relate a Vedantic vision to youth in age appropriate ways. These teachers engage in cultural translation by presenting Hindu traditions and practices in forms that are compelling and culturally familiar to American born youth of Indian descent.

Dr. Charles Harrington is the faculty sponsor for this research.