University of Nevada-Reno holds unique one-of-a-kind-in-the-world Baccalaureate Service
Unique, one of a kind baccalaureate service in the world, was held at University of Nevada-Reno (UNR) on April 11 evening.
“Third Annual Hindu Baccalaureate Service of UNR (Dikshant Utsav)” blessed the graduating class in the traditional Hindu style according to ancient scriptures, complete with applying tilak (religious mark) on the foreheads of graduates, participatory reading of Gayatri Mantra in Sanskrit, and kirtan (sacred chant). In addition, it also included blessings by Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish, Baha’i, and Confucian representatives who read prayers in Arabic, Pali, Hebrew, Persian, besides English.
Organized by Indo-American leader Rajan Zed in collaboration with Indian Student Organization and South Asian Association of UNR, it started with lighting traditional lamp before the statue of goddess Saraswati, patron of learning and the arts, and included blessing of the upcoming graduates with wisdom from Vedas, Upanishads and Bhagavad-Gita—all ancient Hindu scriptures, by well-known Hindu monk Swami Vedananda from California. Prominent musician Jim Eaglesmith chanted kirtan number “Sita-Ram” and the audience followed him on the chant.
Special certificates were given to graduates on the occasion with the parting advice as –satyam vada (speak the truth), dharma chara (practice righteousness), matrudevo bhava (treat your mother with great respect), pitrudevo bhava (treat your father with great respect), etc.
Besides Vedananda, those who blessed the graduating class included Catholic Pastor Charles T. Durante, Presbyterian Pastor Bruce Taylor, Bruce Brinkerhoff of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Muslim Imam Abdulrahim Barghouthi, Buddhist Priest Phil Bryan, Jewish Rabbi Elizabeth Beyer, Baha’i Roya Galata, Confucian Shih Fan Chu, Nevada Clergy Association president Gene Savoy Jr., Nevada Solicitor General Charles Wayne Howle, Sparks Mayor Geno R. Martini, Judge Jim Van Winkle, and Chair UNR Faculty Senate Elliott Parker. Reno Nevada Institute of Religion delivered a Quartet (My Heavenly Father loves me) led by Mark Lorentzen.
United States (US) Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, US Congressman Dean Heller, Supreme Court of Nevada Associate Chief Justice James W. Hardesty, and Reno Mayor Robert A. Cashell Sr. sent congratulatory messages on the occasion.
Rajan Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, speaking on the occasion, said that the purpose of this baccalaureate service was to root the graduating class in divine spiritual and cultural tradition so that they had a spiritually meaningful life in addition to material success.
Education in Hindu tradition has been deep rooted; Zed says and adds that after many important universities in ancient India, like Taxila, Nalanda, Sarnath, Amaravati, Banaras, Kanchi and Ujjain; great Indian universities also flourished in medieval period, like Odantapura (745 AD), Vikramasila (810 AD), Somapura (480 AD), Jagaddala (1090 AD).
Baccalaureate service basically means service where a sermon is delivered to the graduating class. In use since at least the eighth century, origins of the baccalaureate service point to an Oxford University statute of 1432, which required each bachelor to deliver a sermon in Latin as part of the academic exercise.
The flagship institution of the state established in 1864, UNR is one of the top 120 universities in America for funded research, which spans issues relating to the environment, renewable energy resources, the life sciences and plasma physics. The University competes in 19 men's and women’s sports. Dr. Milton D. Glick is the President.
Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.
Details of the picture attached: Religious, political, and educational leaders with some of the graduating students at the “Third Annual Hindu Baccalaureate Service of University of Nevada-Reno”.
Picture by: ML Bates