The presentation will be 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14 in Room 105 in the Shouvlin Center on the Wittenberg University campus, 737 N. Fountain Ave. Admission is free.
Unity in diversity has been part of what Hindu followers have practiced for thousands of years according to Dr. Ravi Khanna, who will present with Neha Rekapalli.
RELATED: Springfield speaker series to open with nod to CultureFest
When members of the Hindu community greet others with the greeting namaste, it’s to reflect seeing divinity in everybody according to Khanna.
“The Hindu faith is not well known among many,” said Khanna. “In Hinduism, the basic concept is ‘Vasudaiva Kutumbakam,” the philosophy we believe in unity for everybody, that the whole world is one family, a theme that is reinforced in our scriptures.”
While the Hindu community may be small, even fewer in the area are among the Bahá’í community. St. Paris residents Johnie and Debbie Henderson will talk about the fundamentals, such as there being no clergy in the faith and all members are teachers.
Military veterans, the Hendersons came to Bahá’í in different ways. Johnie Henderson joined 40 years ago and Debbie Henderson converted when they married and they moved here in 2014 from North Carolina. As an interracial couple they are examples of diversity and unity in life and faith, according the couple.
“We believe God sent messengers to the world to bring different things,” Johnnie Henderson said. “Through love and peace, we better ourselves.”
He said though some beliefs vary by faith and we are all different, they see God as a Heavenly Father although nobody is alike, we work for the same goals.
Khanna and Henderson share similar thoughts.
“There are so many conflicts going on, our faith has an answer - accept everybody as they are and work on yourself,” Khanna said.
MORE: PIPE Ag wins first Springfield Hustles start-up business competition
Henderson said we may not see this type of unity in diversity in our lifetimes, but now is the time to start and pass it to the next generation to lay the groundwork if races work together.
The Global Education Speaker Series has monthly programs with the theme “Sharing Our Roots Growing Springfield Together” through June. All programs are free and the community is always invited.
For more information on the series, visit springfieldohio.gov.
About the Author