Alok Kalia Hinduism & Unitarian Universalism Workshop

Hinduism is among the most ancient of all living religions. Its authority derives from no single book, and it embraces many paths to truth. Its greeting of “namaste” — hands pressed together, palms touching, head slightly bowed — honors the divinity within each of us that connects us to one another and to the universe. Hinduism’s core ideas profoundly shaped Ralph Waldo Emerson’s philosophy and, through the Hindu principle of ahimsa (non-harm), inspired Mahatma Gandhi’s doctrine of nonviolent resistance — which in turn became a cornerstone of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s civil rights movement.

In this workshop, Dr. Kalia will trace the development of Hinduism over five thousand years, explore its key concepts including karma and dharma, and examine how Hinduism and Unitarianism became richly intertwined two centuries ago.