Swami Nikhilanand

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Swami Nikhilanand is a prominent (Kulkarni, 2010),[1] Canadian born Hindu Spiritual Leader (Dutt, 2010).[2][3] He is the spiritual teacher [4] at Radha Madhav Dham (née Barsana Dham [3][4][5][6][7]) one of the largest Hindu Temple complexes in the Western Hemisphere,[8] and the largest in North America.[9][10][11]

A sanyasi and disciple of Jagadguru Kripalu Ji Maharaj [12][13] with his spiritual teacher's blessings, Swami Nikhilanand regularly delivers speeches, workshops (Pais, 2006) [14] and large family camps throughout the United States (Dutt, 2010). The main aim of his organization, JKP Radha Madhav Dham, is to teach the knowledge of the Hindu scriptures and to teach the practical devotion to God (bhakti yoga) (Sharma, 2004).[15]

Biography

Born in Canada and raised a Christian, Swami Nikhilanand is one of many Westerners who has turned to Hinduism in search of answers to spiritual questions (Thomases, 2006).[16]

Swami Nikhilanand was an outdoor education instructor and wilderness guide working on Vancouver Island in Canada for eight years after high school. He earned enough to work just eight months a year and spend the rest traveling, learning about spiritual matters that had drawn him since childhood. He adopted Hinduism in the Radha Madhav Dham Ashram in Austin, Texas — all before he had traveled to the Indian subcontinent. In 2000, he went to India to meet Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj, and entered the ashram. Under the guidance of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj, he studied Sanskrit scriptures, meditation and devotional music (Pais, 2006) and was eventually given Sanyasa, or the rank of spiritual teacher and ascetic (Thomases, 2006).

Essentials of Hinduism Camps

Swami Nikhilanand spends many months every year traveling to cities around America giving week long "Essentials of Gita" Family Camps which are attended by hundreds of people (Dutt, 2010). The events include speeches, classes, meditation and Sanskrit verses (Arredondo, 2003).[17]

Recent Engagements

Swami Nikhilanand was one of the presiding spiritual leaders of the 6th Annual Gita conference in New York in 2008, which brought together eminent scholars and religious leaders from around the world.[18] He was also one of the presiding members of the Hindu Mandir Executive Conference in 2010 (Kulkarni, 2010),[19] where he delivered an Inaugural Speech[20] and which brought together 90 major Hindu temples and organizations from throughout North America.[21] In 2010, he was invited by Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (World Hindu Council), Gujarati Samaj of Greater Houston and Hindus of Greater Houston to be the "chief guest" at the National Makar Sankranti day festivities at George Bush Park in Houston and to inaugurate the Mass Surya Namaskara Yagya at the park (Rao, 2010).[22] In 2011, Swami Nikhilanand was invited to represent the Hindu religion and give an inaugural address at First Hindu-Jewish-Solidarity-Day in Houston, which was organized by Bridge Houston and Hindus of Greater Houston to bring together influential leaders from both religions.[3][23]

In 2006, Hamilton College published a scholarly paper in its journal Insights called "Following the Swami: Diaspora, Dialogue, and the Creation of a Hindu Identity in a Queens Community", which documented Swami Nikhilanand's teaching in New York (Thomases, 2006). He is also a regular, "special guest" speaker at the Hindu Students Council,[24] and other Hindu groups such as Hindus of Greater Houston,[25] American Telugu Association,[26] World Hindu Council (VHP America)[27] and to Bhutanese Hindu groups.[28] He regularly speaks at special events at American Hindu temples, such as the anniversary celebration of New York Kali Mandir.[29] He has been interviewed on several popular TV and radio shows, including ITV Gold and on Radio Salaam Namaste and according to his website, his lecture series called "Essence of the Gita" was broadcast on channel 67 and RCN in New York.[4]

His writings have been published in magazines like Hinduism Today.[30]

External links

References

  1. ↑ Kulkarni, B. 2010. Fifth Annual Hindu Mandir Executives’ Conference held in Houston. India Tribune.
  2. ↑ Dutt, E. 2010. "The Essential Gita - Vaishnav center in New Hyde Park, N.Y. makes Gita accessible to young people". Desi Talk (Cover Story).
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Giri, Kalyani. Jan 17, 2011. Building Bridges Between World Cultures. The Times of India .
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 http://www.barsanadham.org/e-list/enews/pdf/newsletter63-highres.pdf
  5. ↑ http://www.vhp-america.org/press/pr_2010-10-27.htm
  6. ↑ "Weekend Course Based on Hinduism". Salaam Namaste Magazine, Vol 1, Issue 7. 2009.
  7. ↑ http://hphotos-ash2.fbcdn.net/131408_494274068231_270870483231_5953066_4584618_o.jpg
  8. ↑ "Vedic Foundation Inaugurated at Barsana Dham, Austin". retrieved from: http://hua.edu/media/mediasupportfiles/newsletters_brochures/HU-Newsletter-7-03.pdf
  9. ↑ Ciment, J. 2001. Encyclopedia of American Immigration. Michigan: M.E. Sharpe.
  10. ↑ Hylton, H. & Rosie, C. 2006. Insiders' Guide to Austin. The Globe Pequot Press Inc. '+Guide+to+Austin%22+%22barsana+dham%22&hl=en&ei=kUOdTbSHN8iwhQf1m-yKAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCsQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false
  11. ↑ Mugno, M. & Rafferty, R.R. 1998. Texas Monthly Guidebook to Texas. Gulf Pub. Co.
  12. ↑ "Large attendance at Gita class". April 10–16, 2010. The South Asian Times.
  13. ↑ "What's up in the Mid-Hudson", Sep 13, 2004. The Poughkeepsie Journal, pg. B.3.
  14. ↑ Pais, A.J. February 24, 2006. "Giving it up all up". India Abroad.
  15. ↑ Sharma, N. 2004. "Swami Nikhilanand Talks About The Devotional Philosophy Of The Gita And Upnishads". Lokavani, Retrieved from: http://www.lokvani.com/lokvani/article.php?article_id=1513
  16. ↑ Thomases, D. 2006. Following the Swami: Diaspora, Dialogue, and the Creation of a Hindu Identity in a Queens Community. Insights Journal, 1(1).
  17. ↑ Arredondo, M. March 1, 2003. "In the Community". Austin American-Statesman.
  18. ↑ "6th Global Gita Conference". 2008. Retrieved from: http://www.dattapeetham.com/india/tours/2008/usa2008/gita_conference_2008/gita_conference_2008.html
  19. ↑ Kulkarni, B. 2010. Fifth Annual Hindu Mandir Executives’ Conference held in Houston. India Tribune.
  20. ↑ "Inaugural Address: All Religions are Not the Same", retrieved from: http://hmec.vhp-america.org/2010/11/session-1-inaugural-session/15/
  21. ↑ "HSC Attends the Fifth Annual Hindu Mandir Executive Conference", 2010. Retrieved from: http://hindustudentscouncil.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=298:hsc-attends-the-fifth-annual-hindu-mandir-executive-conference&catid=37&Itemid=98
  22. ↑ Rao, January 22, 2010. "Thousands Celebrate Makar Sankranti At Bush Park". Indo American News.
  23. ↑ Duke, M.C. Jan 13th 2011. Local event promotes Hindu-Jewish solidarity. Jewish Herald-Voice.
  24. ↑ Special Guest Speaker: Swami Nikhilanand". Friday, April 17, 2009. Retrieved from: http://studentorgs.utexas.edu/hsc/subpages/2009_04_01_archive.html
  25. ↑ "Gita Essentials Program". N.D. Retrieved from: http://hindusofhouston.org/pastevent/42-past-events-listing/134-gita-essentials-program
  26. ↑ The 10th ATA Conference & Youth Convention. Retrieved from: http://www.nationwidesignings.com/images/up/2008_Q1_Pages_54_72.pdf
  27. ↑ [VHPA (VISHWA HINDU PARISHAD OF AMERICA) CAMP September 1st 2010. ICC NEWSLETTER, 1(4).
  28. ↑ http://www.bhutanonlinenews.net/2010/12/welcome-to-swami-nikhilanand-prabachan.html
  29. ↑ http://www.nykalimandir.net/gallery/anniversary.html
  30. ↑ Nikhilanand, S. 2011. All Religions Are Not the Same. Hinduism Today
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