Credit goes to self respecting indo american hindus who ensured fair and correct view of the 'hindu dharma' is presented to the students. We too must talk in terms of varna-jati-kula context and burry the word 'caste'.
Washington, D.C. (November 24, 2014) - In a landmark moment for the Hindu American community, the Texas State Board of Education voted late last week to adopt new textbooks that dramatically improve the way Hinduism is depicted.
Educators, several publishers, and other advocacy groups worked closely with HAF to make sure the representations of Hinduism were not steeped in the archaic and inaccurate "caste, cows, and karma" approach that has dominated textbook content for years. With 100 errors corrected, additional changes include:
· more balance in understanding the disputed origins of Hindu civilization
· inclusion of Hinduism and Hindus in contemporary world history and geography
· greater context in the explanation of caste, including the definition of terms such as varna and jati
· detailed explanation of terms such as karma and dharma
· reflection of the inherently pluralistic nature of Hinduism
One publisher, for example, wrote:
"In short, one has to live according to his or her dharma, which is defined as righteous action for spiritual advancement. Hindu teachings believe that all beings suffer, but that karma, the law of action and consequence, will govern the circumstances of future births. If a person lives well, she or he will be reborn in better circumstances and have an easier path to achieving moksha. However, karma is still based on one's choices, and Hindu teachings emphasize that having a better birth does not guarantee progress. The goal is to exhaust all of one's karma from previous lives in order to achieve moksha, or union with Brahman."
Balaji credited an engaged Hindu American community in Texas, including nearly 30 who volunteered to serve as textbook reviewers for the Texas Education Agency (three were ultimately selected), as well as the leadership of Bhutada and HAF Executive Council member, Dr. Rajiv Pandit of Fort Worth, who worked to get members of the Dallas-Fort Worth community engaged in the importance of the review.
HAF Applauds Textbook Publishers for Transformational Changes in Depiction of Hinduism in Texas | Hindu American Foundation (HAF)
Washington, D.C. (November 24, 2014) - In a landmark moment for the Hindu American community, the Texas State Board of Education voted late last week to adopt new textbooks that dramatically improve the way Hinduism is depicted.
Educators, several publishers, and other advocacy groups worked closely with HAF to make sure the representations of Hinduism were not steeped in the archaic and inaccurate "caste, cows, and karma" approach that has dominated textbook content for years. With 100 errors corrected, additional changes include:
· more balance in understanding the disputed origins of Hindu civilization
· inclusion of Hinduism and Hindus in contemporary world history and geography
· greater context in the explanation of caste, including the definition of terms such as varna and jati
· detailed explanation of terms such as karma and dharma
· reflection of the inherently pluralistic nature of Hinduism
One publisher, for example, wrote:
"In short, one has to live according to his or her dharma, which is defined as righteous action for spiritual advancement. Hindu teachings believe that all beings suffer, but that karma, the law of action and consequence, will govern the circumstances of future births. If a person lives well, she or he will be reborn in better circumstances and have an easier path to achieving moksha. However, karma is still based on one's choices, and Hindu teachings emphasize that having a better birth does not guarantee progress. The goal is to exhaust all of one's karma from previous lives in order to achieve moksha, or union with Brahman."
Balaji credited an engaged Hindu American community in Texas, including nearly 30 who volunteered to serve as textbook reviewers for the Texas Education Agency (three were ultimately selected), as well as the leadership of Bhutada and HAF Executive Council member, Dr. Rajiv Pandit of Fort Worth, who worked to get members of the Dallas-Fort Worth community engaged in the importance of the review.
HAF Applauds Textbook Publishers for Transformational Changes in Depiction of Hinduism in Texas | Hindu American Foundation (HAF)
