Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Rteacher]

...The fire sacrifice is part of a traditional Vedic wedding ceremony. I thought I'd share this because it relates to the role of universities in promoting cultural awareness. It's also a state university, the University of Florida, which over the last thirty years has allowed - and benefited from - a free vegetarian lunch program provided by local Krishna devotees on the campus "Plaza". The Krishnas have also officially taken part in the Gators' "Homecoming Parade" the last few years...
The following link is from the school newspaper:
http://www.alligator.org/pt2/051024festival.php


Tim Hussin / Alligator Staff
Veda Sara (left), the priest of the wedding, chants in Sanskrit as the celestial fire flares. During the ceremony, the bride and groom sat behind the fire, which represents the presence of God.

Hare Krishna wedding ceremony attracts hundreds
WEDDING FEAST WELCOMED ALL TO WATCH AND PARTICIPATE IN KRISHNA TRADITION
Posted October 25, 2005

Dousing the fire with purified butter, a priest chanted in Sanskrit as the oils fueled the celestial flame.

The fluid motion of the priest's arms implored the lord to watch over this most popular ceremony of the Hare Krishna religion - a wedding.

Friends and family, as well as devoted Krishna lunch patrons and two religion classes, helped celebrate the wedding of Andy Hunter and Meryl Strauss on Friday on the Plaza of the Americas.

A special feast in the wedding party's honor, including fried vegetables, cheesecake and a variety of other dishes, attracted 634 people to the cultural event.

After being legally married, Hunter, 24, a Hare Krishna follower, and Strauss, 20, president of Bhakti Yoga Club and UF student, participated in the ancient ceremony for the annual festival put on by the Hare Krishnas.

The bride and groom were showered with flower petals as they ascended steps leading to a stage covered with hanging garlands and white cloth. They took a seat behind an arrangement of bricks surrounded with fruit and incense - where the fire would be lit - to begin the ceremony.

"This ancient ceremony being performed here is a sacred act that is available for human beings," said Rtadhvaja Swami, director of the Hare Krishna Student Center.

The ceremony, based on 5,000 years of tradition, began with welcoming the Lord into brass pots and lighting the fire, inviting the presence of God to witness the rest of the wedding and ensure a long married life for the couple.

Vedasara Das, director of the Krishna lunch program at Georgia Tech and the priest who performed the wedding, spent 20 years of his youth at a school in western India to learn the philosophy and procedure of ceremonies in the Hare Krishna tradition.

Throughout the wedding, he sprinkled grains, black and white sesame seeds, barley and purified butter onto the fire.

"They signify auspicious grains that are accepted by the gods," Vedasara said.

Savyasaci Das, director of UF's Krishna lunch program, said the university was very cooperative during the five weeks it took to get the fire and festival approved by officials.

"It's not a barbecue or a bonfire," Savyasaci said. "It's a ceremonial fire in a contained area."

Savyasaci said the ceremony typically lasts for three days in India, but for timing purposes, they shortened it to lunchtime so it would be open to the university.

Chris Kovachev, a junior English major who attends Krishna lunch five days a week, said Hunter and Strauss' wedding in the plaza was a fitting way to celebrate their marriage.

"They spend so much time at the university that it's only fitting that they crown their relationship here," he said.

The Bhakti Yoga Club and the families of the bride and groom funded the wedding.

"That's what student clubs are for - to provide venues for students to have different cultural and ethnic experiences," Swami said. "Most of these students have never seen an ancient ceremony like this."

Mirna Amaya, a senior pre-med student, said the wedding was beautiful.

"For those of us that don't know much about the religion, I think it was a very nice cultural experience," she said.

[Ya-ta Boy]

[Pligganease]

Florida is great. You want to talk about multi-culturalism, that's the spot.

Every ethicity you can think of, thongs, Disney, Mons Venus, Key West...

God Bless America!

[Rteacher]

It's true that other Asian cultures, especially Chinese, are very ancient. According to Vaishnava Vedic literatures, the (more-or-less) 5000 years ago date is significant because it marked the onset of the present age - at which time writing was necessitated. In the previous ages, it was not necessary to write or compile anything because all humans had virtually perfect memories - and much longer lifespans. In the last period (according to Vedic cosmic time calculation) humans on earth lived for a duration of 1000 years (corresponding to the Biblical time of Abraham)

Moreover, about 5000 years ago Vedic culture, originating in India, was spread to other regions. And whoever was the emperor of Hastinapur effectively ruled the world. Some Vedic literatures (in the broad sense of the term) such as the Ramayana detail historical accounts occuring millions of years ago in previous ages...

[Rteacher]

Yeah, "Pligganease," Florida - and the USA - are great in many respects, and all the places you mention bring back memories - even the "Mons Venus" strip joint in Tampa where I once did fund-raising dressed as Santa Clause for a Hare Krishna "Food-for-Life" program I was running for the homeless when I lived in Hillsborough county. I also did a program in Key West, giving out vegetarian food with a few other Krishna devotees at Mallory Square's "Sunset Pier" every evening for several months (back around 1980...) And for more than a year I was the head (and sometimes only) cook for the university "Plaza" program in Gainesville...It's really sad that so many folks are having such a rough time there now...

[Pligganease]

[Rteacher]

Well, back at ya', I guess (I can handle insults a lot better than praise...) In the immortal (or amoral) words of Wayne (and/or Garth...) I'M NOT WORTHY! I'M NOT WORTHY!

[wannago]

Whatever happened to separation of church and state? Or is that only for the evil Christians?

[Rteacher]

There are several Student Government funded Christian organizations at UF, including "Baptist Collegiate Ministries", "Campus Crusade for Christ", "Fellowship of Christian Athletes", and "Graduate Christian Fellowship". There is also an "Islam on Campus" group and "Atheist and Agnostic Student Association". I think that any (officially qualified) student club can apply for funding for specific on-campus cultural events ... Apparently, it took a while for the "Bhakti Yoga Club" to be granted approval for the traditional Vedic wedding ceremony complete with sacrificial fire. I'm sure that widespread student support for the "Krishnas" generated by their longstanding free vegetarian lunch program factored in the positive result.

[Rteacher]

I contacted Rtadvaja Swami, and he informed me that the Gainesville campus vegetarian lunch program served 2540 meals last week and is getting bigger and bigger. (What the heck am I doing in Korea?...)
Here's a nice painting of Krishna - the all-attractive Original Person: