In a historic gathering of the leaders of the Faiths that developed in India, namely Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, Sikh and Parsi (Zoroastrian), the Council of Dharmic Faiths was launched at the House of Commons on 16th MAY. The function was sponsored by Stephen Hammond MP (Conservative) and supported by Gareth Thomas MP (labour) and John Hemmings MP (Liberal-Democrat) and organised by the Chair Dr Natubhai Shah and the Executive Board of the Council.
 

In the welcoming speech, Mr Stephen Hammond appreciated the contribution of British Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, Sikh and Zoroastrian communities for the peaceful settlement, various services of the UK, businesses and professions and congratulated the leaders for this initiative. The Council was launched by lighting the lamps by Yann Lovelock (Buddhist), Anil Bhanot (Hindu), Dr Natubhai Shah (Jain), Bhaisaheb Mohinder Singh (Sikh), Dorab Mistry (Zoroastrian) and all the three MPs and Jayshree Kundu (Indian High Commission) in presence of more than 100 guests. It was followed by devotional dances by Anusha Subhramanyam and her Group.

 

The Chair Dr Natubhai Shah spoke on similar culture background of the Dharmic Faiths that developed in India and explained the meaning of Dharma that involves the individual’s duties and functions, physical and spiritual, a way of life, thought and action, unlimited in scope. It implies love, compassion and equal attitude with purity of mind and heart for the wellbeing of all life and the divine conduct or sacred law for individuals, family, society, institutions or Governments. The Abrahamic faiths have been established in UK for a long time; public has knowledge about them. But as the Dharmic Faiths are many a times misunderstood by the general public, the Council aims to advance their awareness and their values   on the issues of public domain to the Government, Local authorities, Academic, Faith and other institutions of influence.  Their activities will have clear public benefit and will help to promote religious literacy and the knowledge about their contribution, maybe cultural, economic, academic, professional, business, human resources or philanthropic in this country.

The Council of Dharmic Faiths has been established with the solemn aim of encouraging friendship, goodwill, respect, equality and understanding of Dharmic Faiths and their communities of more than 1.6 million people in UK with other faith communities. The Council will promote the quality of life for the Dharmic Faith communities in UK by advancement of education and training, promotion of good health and social welfare, advocacy, recreational activities and create a mechanism to preserve their cultural and religious interests in UK.