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The Vision
To uphold the universal truths of Sanatana Dharma in one’s spiritual journey.
Our Mission
Hindu Life works to bridge the knowledge of Sanathan Dharma (Eternal Truths) with the Secular Education students will receive in their academic pursuits. Hindu Life will help individuals find meaning and connection to the Hindu Faith through worship services, study of scriptures, discussion groups, celebration of festivals, practices of yoga and meditation. Our interest is to help students develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of Hinduism while engaging in various Hindu Faith activities.
About Us
We are a Hindu community of spiritual seekers exploring religion and spirituality through weekly satsangs, practices of meditation and yoga, as well as the celebration of festivals. We offer space and occasions for students to engage in faith traditions, find socio-emotional support among community leaders, and strengthen their connections to Hindu culture on campus as well as in the larger community.
History
Hindu Life started in 2011 with its first chaplain, Usha Raj. She created opportunities for students to meet and discuss the foundational practices of Hinduism, celebrate festivals, and delve into the principles of Sanathana Dharma. In 2012, Dr. Madhu Sharma expanded the programming to include interfaith celebrations, weekly Satsangs, and special meet-ups for Hindu students on Campus. Since 2020, Priya Amaresh has seen exceptional growth on campus of both international and domestic Hindu students and has been excited to offer more programming for Hindu students to include a variety of interests such as yoga and meditation, discourses led by respected Hindu scholars, retreats to religious centers, community service projects, and the Hindu Hospitality program.
Message from Chaplain
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Namaste Duke Friends!
My name is Priya Amaresh, and I am honored to serve as the Hindu Chaplain at Duke University, an esteemed spiritual institution where all cultures and faith traditions are welcomed and embraced. Religion and spirituality has always been an important part of my life, and having been an educator for over 20 years, this role as a Hindu Spiritual Mentor for University students integrates two wonderful aspects of my life.
Graduating from the University of Michigan, I earned my Bachelor’s and Master's degree in the field of Education and Curriculum development. It was a pleasantly warm move coming to Durham, North Carolina where I was able to establish my teaching career in elementary and middle school classrooms. It was during certain teachable moments, when I recognized how students liked to process knowledge with very existential questions. The questions that made us all wonder what is the purpose of anything that we do, why do we have the interactions that we have, and where do we see ourselves in the future. I realized the foundations of an individual’s spiritual journey can begin to unfold, as early as childhood and pre-teens.
I was fortunate to grow up in a spiritually and culturally rich home where Indian traditions were ingrained in me. With very few Hindu Americans growing up in the early 80s, our Hindu practices were very unique. We were hesitant to showcase our traditions outwardly, in the predominantly white neighborhoods and schools that we belonged to, unsure of how it would be received. Growing up we were Indian at home, and American at school. It was the generation that was navigating a way to experience the 2 cultures and embrace the best of both worlds.
Fortunately, stalwart Gurus, such as Swami Chinmayananda, arrived from India to guide us and to ensure that our communities carried on Hindu faith traditions with devotion and dedication. With Swamiji’s teachings and blessings, in the 1980’s my parents, along with the small community of Hindus in Flint, Michigan built the 2nd Hindu Mandir in the US, Paschima Kasi Sri Viswanatha Temple. Now, there are hundreds of Mandirs all around the country creating beautiful places of worship for Hindu practitioners.
We are pleased to have a Mandir even at Duke University, where Hindu-affiliated students are welcome to come and visit anytime, to learn, socialize and practice their sadhana (their method of worship). Whether students get a chance to visit the Mandir regularly, or not, I encourage them to spend a few moments in reflection and gratitude of that Divine power that gives us the energy and mindset to pursue the important things in life.
I am available to students to discuss Hindu religion, share cultural practices, and support their socio-emotional needs. My interest is to strengthen students' ties to their Hindu roots, which is rich and ancient, and has withstood the test of time due to its unshakeable pillars of Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. As a spiritual mentor, I hope to remind students that by adhering to the four Universal pursuits of righteousness, dedicated work, balanced pleasures, and liberation will help us to lead a fulfilling and virtuous life.
Priya Amaresh
Duke University Hindu Chaplain