Springfield Hindu community plans prayer event for peace

Credit: HANDOUT

Credit: HANDOUT

Springfield Hindu community members will combine with the Hindu Temple of Dayton this weekend in using spiritual means to promote positive feelings during overwhelming times.

The livestream program “Vedic Prayers & Meditation for Peace, Healing & Welfare for All” will be 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27 through Zoom. The program is open to everyone and RSVPs are requested.

With several previous community events organized by the Springfield Hindu members, Dr. Ravi Khanna found this another opportunity to continue bringing positivity locally along with the larger Dayton area.

“There is so much going on. People are anxious with the pandemic, job losses, hunger, homelessness. We will be chanting for peace through prayer, for healing and to show unity to the community,” he said.

According to Khanna, the chants will have meaning behind them, for things such as peace, healing, health and wellness and apply to everybody. The program will also include the meaning of the chants, and there will be a question-and-answer session also.

The prayers will be done in Vedic, an ancient Sanskrit language that was part of early Hindu culture. Khanna added that participants need not have any Hindu affiliation or let that be a deterrent from joining.

“Hindus are very inclusive,” he said. “This will be more spiritual than religious, focusing on well-being for all.”

To RSVP for the event, go to https://daytontemple.com/RSVP or for more information, call Khanna at 937-206-1487 or 937-399-7537.

The Springfield Hindu community continues contributing to local needs, raising $7,000 and splitting it between Family Needs, Inc. and Interfaith Hospitality Network earlier this month. They will continue to help the needy and explore more donor opportunities.

In the planning stage for this summer is another yoga camp, following a similar event in June 2019 in downtown Springfield. Khanna uses the Hindu term vasudhaiva kutumbakam, which translates to “We consider the world as one family” to sum up the intentions.

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