Aneesh Batchu, Pranav Varshney & Dr. Sudhir Brahmbhatt
ST LOUIS: As human beings, we all are one. This message has been spread throughout the world in many different forms, including religion. On March 31, Bal Vihar’s youth groups of ages 13 and 14 years from the Center for Indian Cultural Education of St. Louis visited the Baha’i Faith Center located in Webster Grove to learn about the Baha’i faith and shared the ideals of the Hindu Faith.
They were all amazed at a lot of similarity between two faiths
In Bahai faith, it is believed that there is one God, who sends many different prophets down to the world, including Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of their faith. Both Hindus and Baha’is believe in one god who has many different versions.
In Hindu belief, it is thought to be the Dashavatara of Lord Vishnu, while in the Baha’i faith, they are known as prophets. Both faiths use a lunar calendar for religious events. Fasting is another similarity between both faiths.
In Hinduism, fasting leads to one becoming closer to reaching moksha, the ultimate goal in life. In the Baha’i faith, after one reaches the age of spiritual maturity at 15, they fast for 19 days in a year from sunrise to sunset is very similar to the style of fasting done by Hindus.
As Center for Indian Cultural Education – Bal Vihar of St. Louis nears completion of 26 successful years, the popularity has grown with over 370 students now attending classes every other Sunday. Classes are focused on overall development that includes singing bhajans and practising yoga besides a regular curriculum that includes teachings on India, its states, history, culture, world religions and more. This non-profit organization, since its inception in 1992, has been serving the metro St. Louis Indian community.
The primary focus of this organization is to provide Indian cultural education to students aged five to 18, its application and integration with the global multicultural and multifaceted society. They are also taught discipline, tolerance and devotion in their daily routine. The ultimate goal is “to throw the light of cultural knowledge on every child, to make every child an outstanding citizen and to spread the song of peace and harmony around the world”.
