09-04-2006, 08:15 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>The 2006 VFA Conference Report</b>
  This year's conference for the Vedic Friends Association, held August 26-28 at Swami Dayananda Sarasvati's Arsha Vidya Gokulam Ashrama in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania. This is always a wonderful place to stay and visit for the few days we are there.
  Swami Dayananda Sarasvati started the sessions with an address to the Vedic Friends Association. This was about how the VFA could play an important part in helping spread the awareness of Vedic culture throughout the world, and gather more âFriendsâ of Vedic Culture. It was most insightful and also filled with understanding of how things could be accomplished.
  Although the number of guests was small, everyone agreed this was the best conference yet due to the fact that the presentations were all of a high caliber. They were most interesting and also had many insights and useful comments to give on the potential of Vedic knowledge in today's world.
  Other guests and presentations included:
2. Michael Cremo, (Drutakarma) , gave a presentation on his book Human Devolution.
3. Ved Prakash, presentation on "Physics and Vedanta" and "Questions and Answers for Vedic Astrology".
4. Vrindavana Parker, presentation on "Anti-Hindu bias in Media and Academia", And "Indian Historical Paradoxes".
5. Professor Arganis from Mexicomade a presentation on First Historical Evidences on Krishna.
6. Kambhampati S. Sastry gave a presentation on "Dharma and Good Governance".
7. Niranjan Shah gave a presentation on "How India Became the Mother of Civilizations" .
8. Sarjerao Deshmukh gave a presentation on his book "Ramayana A Fact or Fiction".
9. Stephen Knapp presented on "Vedic Culture: As Relevant Today as Ever".
10. S Rao Allada made a presentation on "Gita Vision of Varnas: A Foundation for Achievement, Excellence and Character".
11. Jacqueline Jacquese made a presentation on her views of how Vedic culture and her experiences in India have impressed and helped her in many ways.
12. Mrs. Niranjan Shah also started each morning with the singing of Vedic prayers.
  Other guests included friends associated with the ashrama, whose assistance and contributions are always welcome. Others wanted to attend the conference but were not able to get visas in time from India, or had other personal matters that needed attention.
  Presentations went on for two days. Some of these presentations will also be sent out through the monthly VFA Journal.
  The third day was dedicated to discussing accomplishments of the VFA over the past year, and strategies for expanding the work and membership of the VFA.
  Under the direction of its president, Stephen Knapp, the VFA has now accomplished the writing and publishing of its first compilation from contributions from its team of writers who wanted to participate. This is the book "Vedic Culture: The Difference it can Make in Your Life". It has also produce its first study course, called "The Vedic Ambassador Study Course" after which a person can get a certificate and membership card for the study he or she has undergone in their dedication to the Vedic culture. This is based on the book that was produced by Stephen Knapp called, "The Power of the Dharma: An Introduction to Hinduism and Vedic Culture".
  It was also decided that due to the changing needs and directions of the VFA, a new department would be effective for the ongoing growth of the VFA. This new department is the Promotion Department, and Vrindavana Parker would be the new head of this area. He will work closely with Jeffrey Armstrong, who is the chief spokesperson for the VFA Public Afffairs. Vrindavana gave an outstanding presentation on areas of needed promotion and media affects. He is surely the most qualified to take on this position.
  The VFA team also worked on improving and honing its purpose and how to describe that in its website and literature. Progress and discussions were all quite productive. Plans and strategies for the VFA were developed for the next year, and everyone was quite pleased with the overall accomplishments of the meetings.
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  This year's conference for the Vedic Friends Association, held August 26-28 at Swami Dayananda Sarasvati's Arsha Vidya Gokulam Ashrama in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania. This is always a wonderful place to stay and visit for the few days we are there.
  Swami Dayananda Sarasvati started the sessions with an address to the Vedic Friends Association. This was about how the VFA could play an important part in helping spread the awareness of Vedic culture throughout the world, and gather more âFriendsâ of Vedic Culture. It was most insightful and also filled with understanding of how things could be accomplished.
  Although the number of guests was small, everyone agreed this was the best conference yet due to the fact that the presentations were all of a high caliber. They were most interesting and also had many insights and useful comments to give on the potential of Vedic knowledge in today's world.
  Other guests and presentations included:
2. Michael Cremo, (Drutakarma) , gave a presentation on his book Human Devolution.
3. Ved Prakash, presentation on "Physics and Vedanta" and "Questions and Answers for Vedic Astrology".
4. Vrindavana Parker, presentation on "Anti-Hindu bias in Media and Academia", And "Indian Historical Paradoxes".
5. Professor Arganis from Mexicomade a presentation on First Historical Evidences on Krishna.
6. Kambhampati S. Sastry gave a presentation on "Dharma and Good Governance".
7. Niranjan Shah gave a presentation on "How India Became the Mother of Civilizations" .
8. Sarjerao Deshmukh gave a presentation on his book "Ramayana A Fact or Fiction".
9. Stephen Knapp presented on "Vedic Culture: As Relevant Today as Ever".
10. S Rao Allada made a presentation on "Gita Vision of Varnas: A Foundation for Achievement, Excellence and Character".
11. Jacqueline Jacquese made a presentation on her views of how Vedic culture and her experiences in India have impressed and helped her in many ways.
12. Mrs. Niranjan Shah also started each morning with the singing of Vedic prayers.
  Other guests included friends associated with the ashrama, whose assistance and contributions are always welcome. Others wanted to attend the conference but were not able to get visas in time from India, or had other personal matters that needed attention.
  Presentations went on for two days. Some of these presentations will also be sent out through the monthly VFA Journal.
  The third day was dedicated to discussing accomplishments of the VFA over the past year, and strategies for expanding the work and membership of the VFA.
  Under the direction of its president, Stephen Knapp, the VFA has now accomplished the writing and publishing of its first compilation from contributions from its team of writers who wanted to participate. This is the book "Vedic Culture: The Difference it can Make in Your Life". It has also produce its first study course, called "The Vedic Ambassador Study Course" after which a person can get a certificate and membership card for the study he or she has undergone in their dedication to the Vedic culture. This is based on the book that was produced by Stephen Knapp called, "The Power of the Dharma: An Introduction to Hinduism and Vedic Culture".
  It was also decided that due to the changing needs and directions of the VFA, a new department would be effective for the ongoing growth of the VFA. This new department is the Promotion Department, and Vrindavana Parker would be the new head of this area. He will work closely with Jeffrey Armstrong, who is the chief spokesperson for the VFA Public Afffairs. Vrindavana gave an outstanding presentation on areas of needed promotion and media affects. He is surely the most qualified to take on this position.
  The VFA team also worked on improving and honing its purpose and how to describe that in its website and literature. Progress and discussions were all quite productive. Plans and strategies for the VFA were developed for the next year, and everyone was quite pleased with the overall accomplishments of the meetings.
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