Ayush and Viraja Homas: Ceremonies and Program

May 17-18, 2008

at the

Sambodh Center for Human Excellence

6363 N. 24^th Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49004

                                                                                                                                      

 

                                                                                                                  

 

 

In the Vedic Tradition, The Sambodh Society, Inc, has set apart this special two-day event

to celebrate the Ayush and Viraj Homas, Long-Life Rituals, in order to foster and recognize the following:

· Respect for and sanctify of old age in two stages-Vanaprastha (above 60 years of age) and Sannyastha (above 75    years of age) leading to a calm Self-abiding mind (chitta shuddhi), and spiritual liberation or freedom from worldly preoccupations - what Hindus know as moksha.

· Community Initiation into certain basic life-stage rituals, rites and ceremonies that are performed in respect of society’s and family elders in such a way that strengthens their connectivity to Spirit as they enter and cope with these major passages in life’s cycle.

· Community and family values, celebrated in this way, assist each generation in upholding the virtues and integrity of the family, the roles of women and men whose committed lives assist in preserving generations of family and community values.

· And, for those who participate and volunteer, occasions, such as this, instill the spirit of selfless service (seva) and to highlight its importance in spiritual progress.

A Weekend of Recognition and Appreciation for Grand Parents, Parents and Family Life.

Program: Saturday, May 17

       9:00 a.m.                        Ayush and Viraj Homa rituals and their explanations (includes a 15-minute break)

       12:00 Noon                   Vegetarian Lunch

1:00 p.m.                        Musical Performance

Seminar on Family and Community Values 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Swami Bodhananda Saraswati, Sambodh Spiritual Director, Presiding

       1:30 p.m.                        "Desireless Action (Nishkama Karma): The Hindu Spiritual Ideal”

                                                 Speaker: Dr. Gopal Singh

       2:00 p.m.                      “Four Goals of Life (Purushartha-s) and their Application in Life”

                                                  Speaker: Dr. Sunder Hattangadi

        2:30 p.m.                     “Sharing of Wisdom” – Offered by our Elders to the Younger Generations

                                                 “Reflections on Family Life and Appreciation of Parents” by their Family Members

                                                 Facilitator:  Nancy Hayes; and Moderator: Cybelle Shattuck

      3:00 p. m.                     “Rituals, Rites and Mantras: Their Significance in Modern Life”  - Sree Aswath                         

      3:30 p.m.                       Sacred Dance Performance

Program: Sunday, May 18

       9:00 a. m.                      Group Meditation for all  Homa Participants and their Families

      9:30 a. m.                     “Secret of Happiness- the Vedantic Perspective”

                                              Swami Bodhananda Saraswati

       10:30 a.m.                      Break

10:45 a.m.                      "’TAT TVAM ASI’ - Reflections on and Experiences of the Mahavakyas”

                                               A Dialogue between Swami Bodhananda and Sree Aswath

       12:30 p.m.—1:30 p.m.   Closing Meditation, Mantras and Vegetarian Lunch