Please visit the website http://www.hindu-international.org Parents are requested to participate in the ongoing endeavour to promote a correct representation of Hindu dharma in the curriculum in use in US schools. Our World's Story, by Harcourt Brace & Company is a textbook used in some schools in USA, for example, Fairfax County Public School, VA - 5th grade Social Studies Curriculum. There are many distortions in this textbook which covers the story of India in 7 pages. A sampler follows; presented as an issue and a response: Issue (Reference: Our World's Story Page 176) [quote]Hinduism The ideas of the Aryans can be seen in present-day Indian culture and beliefs. For example, the Aryans brought their language, Sanskrit, to India. Many Indian languages of today are based on Sanskrit. The Aryans believed that Sansrit was a holy language, the language spoken by the gods. The Aryans' holiest books, the Vedas (VAY.duhz), are written in Sanskrit. These four books of sacred writings describe the Aryan religion. A main belief of the Aryan religion was that people live many lives until they reach spiritual prefection. This belief that the soul lives on after death and returns to life in a new body is called reincarnation. The Aryan thought that those who obeyed the teachings of Vedas would be reborn into higher social positions. Those who did not obey them would return as lower life-forms. The Aryan religion developed into the religion of Hinduism. Hinduism is one of the oldest religions still practiced today. [unquote] Response (Based on Reference: Explaining Hindu dharma - A Guide for Teachers Pages 8 and 9) The Word 'Hindu' History is mostly guessing, the rest is prejudice. (WILL DURANT) The word 'Hindu' has its origin in Sanskrit literature. In the Rig Veda, India was referred to as the country of 'Sapta Sindhu', i.e. the country of seven great rivers. The word 'Sindhu' referes to rivers and sea and not merely to the specific river called the Sindhu (Indus), now in Pakistan. In Vedic Sanskrit, according to ancient dictionaries, 'sa' was pronounces as 'ha'. Thus Sapta Sindhu' was pronounced as 'Hapta Hindu'; similarly 'Saraswati' was pronounces as 'Haravyati' or 'Harahwati'. This is how the work 'Hindu' came into being. The ancient Persians also referred to India as 'Hapta Hind', as recorded in their ancient classic 'Bem Riyadh'. That is why some scholars came to believe that the word 'Hindu' has its origin in Persia. The Greeks who invaded India under Alexander the Great, dropped the 'H' completely and used the name Indoos or Indus which later led to the formation of the word 'India'. Some parents of children studying in US schools are concerned at the wrong notions being taught to young, impressionable minds. Parents participation is the key for success in bringing any change in the text books used in various grades in the schools all across USA. Talk and check your child's text book for material covering India and Hindu Dharma. If the textbook contains factual inaccuracies, distortions, disjointed and out of context generalizations, individual opinions, then approach the school teacher and the principal. Be properly prepared with the material to refute the factual inaccuracies. During the meeting with the school principal, ask for a meeting with the School Board's curriculum committee. Thanks and regards. Kalyanaraman ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Make a clean sweep of pop-up ads. Yahoo! Companion Toolbar. Now with Pop-Up Blocker. Get it for free! http://us.click.yahoo.com/L5YrjA/eSIIAA/yQLSAA/VkWolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SriRangaSri/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: SriRangaSri-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
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