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OUR CHARITABLE MISSION

The New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir, Inc. collaborates with the Guyana Central Arya Samaj and the Berbice Central Arya Samaj in social, charitable and humanitarian work to children in orphanages.
by Pandit Suresh N. Sugrim

The New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir, Inc. in collaboration with the Guyana Central Arya Samaj and the Bercice Central Arya Samaj held many charitable programs last year in their outreach and charitable programs for the less fortunate children in orphanages in Guyana.

Such social and charitable works are the basic hallmarks of Hinduism and the Arya Samaj movement. Unlike the common perceptions that Hinduism is based on rituals and only seek to spread spirituality, the teachings of Hinduism is based on the principle of sewa or service to humanity.

However, with the establishment of the Arya Samaj, a Hindu reformed movement which was established in 1785 by Maharishi Swami Dayanand Saraswati, such service is dedicated to the human race, especially the unfortunate and downtrodden. These will include the orphans, people in poverty, battered women and children, and so on irrespective of race and ethnic origin.

In laying the foundations of the Arya Samaj, Rishi Dayanand states from the Sixth to the Ninth Principles as follows:

SHASHTH NIYAM - SIXTH PRINCIPLE

Sansaar kaa upa-kaar karnaa is samaaj kaa mukhya ud-deshya hai
Arthaat shaareerik, aatmik, owr saamaajik unnati karnaa

To do good to the whole world is the main object of this Samaj,
i.e., to improve the the physical, spiritual, and social status
of human experience.

SAPTAM NIYAM - SEVENTH PRINCIPLE

Sab se preeti-poorvak, dharmaa’nusaar,
Yathaa-yogya bart-naa chaahiye

All people should be treated with love, fairness
and due regard for their merit.

ASHTAM NIYAM – EIGHT PRINCIPLE

Avidyaa kaa naash, owr vidya kee vriddhi karnee chaahiye

One should always promote knowledge and dispel ignorance.

NAVAM NIYAM –NINTH PRINCIPLE

Pratyek ko apnee hee unnati me santusht na rehnaa chaahiye
Kintu sab-kee unnati me apnee unnati samajh-nee chaahiye

No-one should remain content with his/her own prosperity. Individual prosperity should be considered in the prosperity of all.

These social values have brought out the compassion, mercy, love and tolerance that Hinduism represents in its true nature.It is hoped that this shift from the perception of a ritual-based practice that Hinduism and the Arya Samaj can be seen and appreciated as socially conscious institutions that are economic pains and discrimination.From the teachings of our Vedic Scriptures, Hindus have the concept of human co-existence or VASUNDHARA PARIWARA meaning that the whole world is our family.We Hindus are born with a mission; and we have been living for our mission since “Vedic Times". "Krinvanto Vishwam Aryam” is our mission that is “Let us make the world ideal and noble”. The word “Arya” does not have any racial relevance. Arya is not at all a race or religion; it means a person who is noble, civilized and cultured.

Hinduism teaches us of Kartavya or our basic duties, which include:
• Duty to one self;
• Duty towards others;
• Duty to God.

In as much as duty to God is essential in any society, there is the very important need for us as human beings to take care of our body and soul. In this respect, a true Hindu will ensure that the body is healthy and fit to retain the life-force (soul) that is in it. By so doing, one is able to serve society better since good living promotes health, wealth, morality, and righteousness.

Hinduism also teaches us to interact with others with love, benevolence, justice, mercy, compassion, and righteousness. This therefore becomes our duties to others. It is only when we serve humanity in this manner can we truly serve God.

These are some of the ideals of Hinduism and the Arya Samaj that has prompted the New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir, Inc. The Guyana Central Arya Samaj, and The Berbice Central Arya Samaj to care and share in a very humble way this year, to contribute to the lessening of human sufferings in our society by entertaining and treating the children in Canaan and Camal Children Homes in the Albion and Port Mourant areas. Unfortunate as they are socially, they are children of God spiritually.

Bachche man ke sachche, saare jag kee aakh ke tare
Ye wo nanhe phool hai jo bhagawaan ko lagte pyaare

Children are by nature truthful and honest.
They are dear to everyone. They are the flowers that God likes.

These sister organizations of the Arya Samaj look ahead to that time when, with their limited resources, they can make a greater contribution to the lessening of human sufferings in our world.