Smithsonian Class II – Hinduism and Vrindavan

It was lots better than the class taught the first week about Jerusalem. Then, Professor Jonathan Ray of Georgetown University showed little, if any, preparation and no art, with only a meager handout to share with the class of mostly senior adults.

Last Wednesday's class, "Hinduism: On the Earth and in the Heart" was led by a passionate professor, Graham Schweig from Christopher Newport University, whose love affair with all things of India was palpable and welcomed.

It was part of a series of five lectures, “Sacred Space and Spiritual Journeys,” offered by the Smithsonian Associates, each led by a different professor, at the Ripley Center on the Mall.

Music from India and low lights greeted students upon entry to the class, setting a pleasant stage for Dr. Schweig’s presentation about Vrindavan, "the most famous holy place of Krishna. " The talk focused on pilgrimages, not just to earthy places but the places in and of the heart which, Professor Schweig said, Hindus believe is the holiest place of all. And I believe he does, too.

"We all are humans whose tendency is to be a pilgrim in search of one's heart."

What we do in the 'outside world' affects our inside world and our own hearts. This generally is the basis for the Hindu faith, partially symbolized by the blue lotus flower which Hindus consider the most beautiful flower, and the peacock, both with circulating patterns and magnificent colors representing the outer world, the inner world, the innermost world and "the presence of the divine."

Professor Schweig showed many landscape photographs of India, and paintings and art of the divinity of Krishna and the Hindu faith. He described the creation of the word "Hindu": When the Persians invaded the area in the ninth century, they could not pronounce a river's name and gave it one they could pronounce: “Hindu.”

About 900 million people consider themselves Hindus, Professor Schweig said.

The remaining classes are about Islam: Mecca; Buddhism: Bodh Gaya, and Christianity: Bethlehem, Galilee, and Jerusalem.