Source

HOLLAND, February 7, 2005: On December 8th last year HPI reported the graduation of the first Dutch Hindu clerics. In this article reference was made to the website of the Dutch Hindu Cleric Academy (“source”). On the English pages of this website the content of the program of the academy is given.



In response to this article the academy received many positive reactions from all over the world. Among other things, the academy was asked whether it could be possible to establish such training programs in other countries too. Apparently, there is a need for this. Also because of this, the founder of the DHCA and some of the people who responded to the HPI article decided to establish a foundation with the purpose of organizing academies for training Hindu ministers where demanded. These academies will be set up in accordance with the model of the Dutch Hindu Cleric Academy, with adjustments to local situations. From the registered office (France) the foundation will support the associated academies in establishing and developing their academy. This support will among other things concern the implementation of the set up scenario, the introduction of the curriculum of the training as well as many other organizational matters.



Here is a proposed profile of the future Hindu minister: The Hindu minister has to be a combination of priest, preacher, religious teacher and psychological counsellor. So he has to be trained in the ritual worship, has to be able to preach, that is, deliver a talk about a subject in Hinduism to a group of Hindus. He also has to be able to represent Hinduism in the local community to non-Hindus. He has to be able to teach Hinduism, that is, take a youth or adult through all the basics of their religion. And finally, he has to be a psychological counsellor. That means a marriage counsellor, or youth counsellor, or someone who can visit the elderly and improve their lives.



With respect to existing Hindu organizations anywhere in the world, they can send their future spiritual executives to the academy too (if needed), or adopt the program of the WHMA themselves.



In order to realize its ambitious plan, the WHMA has a need for the following support: 1. competent (i.e. spiritual, intelligent and practical) men and women who are willing and able to set up local branches of the WHMA (as specified, existing organizations can respond, too); 2. some experienced managers inspired by the Hindu dharma, with excellent communicative and social skills, to participate in the steering committee that will develop and support the whole project; 3. Donors to support the WHMA.



All HPI readers who are sympathetic towards this WHMA initiative are requested to contact nohg.hans@wanadoo.fr .

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