The Pluralism Project at Harvard University

Description

The Vedanta Society of Arkansas gathers monthly for puja, bhajans, and potluck dinners. Each month a member volunteers his or her home for the ceremony since there is no permanent center of worship. The floor of the entry room will be draped with white sheets leading to an altar in the front of the room. The altar is surrounded by fresh slices of fruit, mainly coconut, banana, and apple. Burning incense, brilliant daisies, and scented candles provide a serene atmosphere that reflects the prevailing spirit of the group. Members of the association dress in traditional clothing; they wait for the leader to open worship around the three principle figures of Hindu worship-Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu. Bhajans and Shlokas follow the ceremony, led by the Indian members of all ages. The ethnic composition of the center consists mainly of people of Western Indian descent, however anyone is welcome to attend.

The Vedanta Society has hopes of expanding in the near future, and is making efforts to attract people of Northwest Arkansas to be affiliated with the center. Fifty families attend monthly pujas, on average, however many others are members of the Vedanta Society of America as well as "Friends of India," which is a community social group of Arkansas' citizens of Indian descent. They meet quarterly for picnics, music, and fellowship.