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SSangam III
rd
3 International
Conference &
Gathering of
the Elders
"Renaissance of the
Ancient Traditions and
Cultures: Challenges
and Solutions"
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Sanskriti
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International Centre for Cultural Studies,
Nikalas Tower, Central Bazar Road, Ramdaspeth, Nagpur (M.S.)-440001.
Tel. +91-712-2551187 M. No. +91-9422870842, +91-9822233255
e -mail : iccsbharat@gmail.com, vsp641952@gmail.com
ICCS Web Address : www.iccsus.org
International Centre for Cultural Studies,
Nagpur
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rd
3 International
Conference &
Gathering of
the Elders
anskriti
SSangam III
n Ediitorial Adviser
Dr Yashwant Pathak
n Editorial Board
Dr.Satish Modh
Ratan Sharda
Ankur Gupta
Ramesh Subramaniam
Sushma Pachpore
Vibha Mahajan
n Published by
International Center for Cultlural Studies (ICCS) USA Inc
3607 Haystack Lane, Bensalem, PA 19020
Tel / Fax : 215-639-8364, email iccsus@yahoo.com
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HYMNS OF UNITY
Vedic Mentra
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PASAAYDAAN : PRAYER FOR DIVINE GRACE
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Philosopher-Saint Jnaneshwara (12th Century A.D.) AD I TIONS
Je Khalaanchi Vyankati Saando May the evil minded, their wickedness shed,
Tayaa Satkarmi Rati Vaadho May their intellect turn to pious and good deeds instead
Bhootan Paraspare Pado. May all living beings themselves bonded
Maitra Jeevanche. By friendly ties of soul companionship
Duritaanche Timir Jaavo May the darkness of ignorant disappear,
Vishwaswadharmasoorye Paaho May the universe see the Sun of self consciousness
Jo Je Vaanccheel To Te Laaho May whatsoever aspirations of those be fulfilled,
Praanijaat. Of all living beings.
Varshat Sakalmangali
Ishwar Nishthaanchi Maandiyaali May shower all over the pious divine
Anawarat Bhoomandali May the work be full of saintly beings benign
Bhetatu Yaa Bhootan. May incessantly in the universe
Meet the living beings.
Chalaan Kalpataroonche Aarava
Chetanaa Chintaamaniche Gaava Moving groves of wish granting trees
Bolte Je Arnava Colonies of conscious wish fulfilling jewels
Peeyooshaache. These saints are, speaking oceans
Full of pious nectarly divine.
Chandrame Je Alaanchchana
Maartanda Je Taapheena Let all beings be completely satisfied and happy
Te Sarvaanhee Sadaa Sajjan. Fully contented in all the three worlds
Soyare Hotu. Engrossed and merged in devotion
Eternally of ultimate divine.
Kimbahu Sarvasukhee
Poorna Hovunee Tinhee Lokee And those who live by this scripture divine
Bhajijo Aadipurukhee Eternally guiding all living beings
Akhandita. Be victorious over seen unforeseen
In this world beyond.
Aani Granthopjeeviye
Visheshee Lokee Iye Here, said the Lord of the universe
Drushtaadrusht Vijaye This shall become thy grace divine
Hoaave Jee And with this blissful grace divine
Yetha Mhane Vishwesharaavo Jnandeva become ever joyous and happy benign.
Haa Hoyil Daanpasaavo
Yene Vare Jnanadevo
Sukhiyaa Jaala
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jk"Vªh; Lo;alsod la?k
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K. S. Sudarshan
Sarsanghchalak
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(K. S. Surdarsha)
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Message From Nana Apadu
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Mother Queen of Ghana AD I TIONS
Dear friends.....
Mother Nana, Queen and Chief Osei Boakye Yiadom II of Aburi Ghana,
sends her Blessings on this great conference and gathering of
Indigenous People's. Nana wishes to share some of her native practices.
Nana explains that Chiefs from Africa meet every 40 days. This falls on
a Wednesday or Sunday and is in honor of the Ancestors. The Chiefs
bring issues of their districts to the meeting, and every Chief gets to
speak. They follow a democratic process where decisions are made by
majority rule. At times, they will postpone decisions, to think and talk
matters over with others.
Chiefs judge cases for family members, communities, ethnic groups etc.
If the individuals cannot work it out, it goes before the Chief. The Chief
is the moderator, and there is reconciliation. The land cases take the
longest because all people must be allowed to speak.
Nana said, “Governments come and go, but Chiefs are forever.”
The circle in traditional society represents the unity between people; “we
are all one.”
People decorate their bodies with circle designs made of spices. Games
are played in a circle. Discussions work better in a circle because there is
less chance for hierarchy.
May we all learn from the native people's of the world and learn to live in
PEACE.
Dr. Nina Meyerhof, Pres.
Children of the Earth
UN NGO
26 Baycrest Drive
South Burlington, VT 05403
Ghana
802-862-1936
www.children-of-the-earth.org
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To Zachari of
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"peace one day" AD I TIONS
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Welcome Speech
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Most Respected His Excellency Prof Samdhong Rinpoche, Prime Minister
of Government of Tibet in Exile, Mananiya Pramilataiji Medhe, Pramukh
Sanchalika, Rashtra Sevika Samiti, Dr Radhye Shyam Dwivedi, President
ICCS US, Shri Virag Pachpore, President ICCS Nagpur, my relatives from
various indigenous countries and traditions world over and fellow citizens of
the Orange City,
I welcome you all at this august gathering of Elders of the Ancient Traditions
and Cultures of the world on the occasion of the 3rd International Conference
and Gathering of Elders organized by International Centre for Cultural
Studies (ICCS) US in association with ICCS Nagpur, World Congress of
Ethnic Religions and National Council of the Mayas, Xincas and Griffins of
Guatemala at Nagpur today.
As the festival of Basant Panchami, heralds the arrival of the Spring season,
which is regarded as very pleasant in Indian social milieu, this august
congregation of the elders of various ethnic traditions and indigenous
countries will also prove to be an epoch-making event heralding better
future for the humanity flanked by progress, prosperity and peaceful
coexistence.
Dear Relatives, the event ICCS is organizing under the banner of the World
Council of the Elders of Ancient Traditions and Cultures (WCEATC) at
Nagpur is a unique and historic one. Unique because such a gathering of
knowledgeable persons of various traditions and cultures has not taken
place in the recent past on any other platform; and historic in the sense that
this effort of the ICCS is going to prove to be a turning point for the humanity
in total and human beings in their totality.
The ICCS believes in everything that is positive in nature and equally
important is the belief of these traditions and cultures represented here by
your benign presence which respects each and every creation of the
Supreme Being, i.e. GOD. All our traditions are inclusive and not exclusive.
This inclusiveness, if elevated and raised to a certain desired height by our
efforts, will ward off all the sorrow, pain and distress humanity is confronted
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with in modern times due to lack of humane considerations for others, and
usher in an era of peace, love, brotherhood and progress.
The earlier two conferences organized by the ICCS at Mumbai in 2003 and
Jaipur in 2006 proved to be milestones in the long and hazardous journey of
achieving universal brotherhood and peace. Nevertheless, these
conferences generated a lot of awareness among the participants and their
fellow countrymen who could not attend the gatherings, about their own
traditions and cultures leading to a movement of seeking to learn and
expound the wisdom latent it these traditions. The Nagpur conference will
prove to be another important milestone in addressing the challenges
confronting the goals set by earlier two congregations and seek recourse to
their solutions in a most methodical and systematic way.
I am sure this is a very noble cause and deserves voluntary support and
assistance of all kinds from all those who believe in the divinity potent in
every creation of the Almighty.
I, on behalf of the Reception Committee and citizens of Nagpur, welcome
you all and assure you a better and fruitful stay in this historically famous
and culturally alive city of India that is Bharat. May the Almighty put sufficient
strength in our spine to stand erect and proclaim from the bottom of our
throbbing hearts that we stand united for the welfare of humanity in total and
human being in its totality.
Amen
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Welcome address
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their tactics have become more sophisticated and even pervert. The
details may be different but the story is the same from Far East to Far
West. Many ancient traditions have been wiped out and those that have
managed to survive are fearful about their future in their own native
land. This has been and still is the real challenge: how to keep the
ancient traditions and cultures alive with the changing life styles of the
modern times.
In this country, the land of one of the most, if not the most, ancient
culture, the story is little different. We have not only survived but we
have also managed to keep our ancient traditions and culture more or
less intact through the centuries while most others have become extinct.
It is mainly because of our unbroken tradition of the holistic way of life
deeply rooted in Dharma as the dynamic driving force behind all we do.
Peoples of different traditions and cultures have come here and have
merged with the existing culture of this land, and in the process, instead
of cutting the throats of each other, have learnt to live together in a true
spirit of accommodation, appreciation, care and concern for the other.
We call this country of ours Bharat Mata--Mother India-- and even a
lowly dust particle of this land is sacred to us. To us Bharat is not just a
piece of land or political entity but a living goddess with millions of
hands, feet, eyes, ears and minds and we consider it a privilege to serve
Her by serving the billion plus who inhabit this land. But this is not to
suggest that we have been 'holier than thou' and every one here is a
saintly person. No, the pursuit of power has polluted the minds here also
and the exploitation of others to serve selfish personal interests is
becoming rampant. This is a dangerous sign.
The predominant cultural tradition of this country has been the
intellectual-- Upanishadic or Brahminic-- tradition that has promoted
and nurtured a spirit of honest scientific enquiry into the nature of our
own being as humans, its relationship with the rest of the world, and the
life here and hereafter. We consider the human birth, a yearning for
liberation and the holy company as rare blessings. From times
immemorial to the present, a galaxy of dedicated immortal souls in this
country has worked tirelessly in selfless spirit to show us the right path.
They remind us that we are the immortal souls--amritasya putrah-- not
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merely a package of body, mind and intellect, and the purpose of this life
is much more than merely the pursuit of simple pleasures. Lest we
forget, they have left as their legacy, an enormous volume of literature
on every aspect of human experience, from highly spiritual to mundane,
that has guided us through the ages. These are our treasures--the
shruties, smrities and itihaas-- the exemplary epic stories of sons and
daughters of this land. It is not an accident that we are alive today as an
ancient culture. We have struggled very hard to preserve and protect our
cultural heritage. Our religious practices range from highly ritualistic
worship of gods of every name and form to the contemplation on the
unfathomable abstract without any name or form whose realization is
open to the experience of everyone, not just a chosen few. Throughout the
length and breadth of this country, you can still see millions of people
living a life the way our ancestors did centuries ago and yet we have
marched into the 21st century without much difficulty. We are the
products of a culture that looks upon not only the parents and teacher as
divine but also the guest who shows up unannounced. In this country, we
grow up listening to the cradle stories of mighty kings like Maharaja
Shibi who willingly offered every ounce of his flesh to protect a lowly
scared bird that came in his shelter, and Maharaja Rantidev who during
a famine, hungry himself for days together, joyfully offered not only his
but his wife and children's bread to total strangers so that they may live.
And what did he want in return: more power, opulence or the comforts of
heaven? No, none of that. He earnestly wished to be an instrument in the
hands of God to remove the suffering of others. Even now, with all the
imperfections, in this country, a person who has renounced every thing
material-- saint or a sannyasi (monk) with a kamandalu (begging bowl)
commands the highest respect, not the richest or the most powerful.
There is no country in the world, like India, where people with so many
differences-- language, philosophy, race, religion, caste, creed and
complexity of every kind imaginable, live so harmoniously as a
pluralistic society. Its not a small achievement that more than eighty
percent of the population of this country is still Hindu and lives without
conflict with millions who are not, despite the desperate attempts of our
adversaries who envy our peaceful coexistence. Perhaps, it is the deeply
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ingrained belief of our culture that inflicting pain and suffering to others
is the greatest sin that prevents us from retaliation with bombs and
rockets even at the strongest provocation, not that we don't have them or
don't know how to use them. Is this a weakness or strength? Time alone
will tell. India has changed and we are very rapidly deteriorating into a
materialistic society where selfish interests predominate over what is
good for the common man. In the name of 'free market economy' which
has another attractive name, globalization, the old value systems and
ideals are being trashed as archaic. Not that every thing that is old is
gold but then everything that glitters is also not gold. Some times the
trash packaged deceptively looks very attractive. How to keep the time
tested values intact and add some thing new of lasting value is the real
challenge. We are witnessing a paradigm shift as a new global culture
and, whether we like it or not, it is increasingly replacing the existing
way of life. But we should not be alarmed; change is a fact of life, a lot has
changed and is changing. The natural forces have been ordained to
usher a new area all the time. Just look, how far we have come from
Stone Age. The science and technology has contributed to comfortable
and healthy living, there is an universal quest for peace and prosperity,
the viewpoints and life styles unacceptable until recently are no longer
unacceptable in a civilized society, and the there is concern for global
warming and search for alternate energy sources is on a global scale.
These are healthy signs but we should be on guard.
We are very happy that you have come to this conference. It means a lot
to us. The theme of the conference and the place for deliberations
couldn't have been more appropriate in the world scenario of global
conflict of present times. It is about time that we seriously discuss the
cultural issues that confront us and come up with some tangible
solutions. We seek the blessings and guidance of the venerable elders
gathered here.
Once again, welcome relatives. Let us celebrate the family reunion.
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Pramila Medhe
Pramukh Sanchalika
It is really a matter of pride and honour for Nagpur, to host the third
International Conference of Elders in the ensuing new year. I am
confident that the conference will be a grand success to carry the
message of integral humanity as a glorious global parivar (family)
The Vedic Hindu Sanskriti basically believes that the whole universe is
the manifestation of one cosmic, supreme reality. As such, we are all
inter-related as the same eternal energy exists in all of us. In this world
of external diversities and differences, there is one inner common bond
which relates to and binds all of us. 'The theme of the first elders
conference brought a solace for the world humanity seeking peace and
prosperity, security and satisfaction.
This can be regarded as a first turning point in the human trend,
whirling in the state of competition and contradiction.
Naturally the second step evolved was to think beyond the artificial
bondage of materialism, sects and religions and to approach towards
spiritualism which does not entertain such differences. Bharat is the
origin of this noble concept of inner oneness but never claim its
monopoly. On the contrary, it is always thought that all the humanity
may be blessed to rise above the existing eccentric, self-centred,
philosophy and come forward to balance the apparently diverse
cultures.
In the course of time, it happens to be a pleasant surprise that the tender
bond of oneness and mutuality has caught the global attention and the
urge to trace and revive some relevant common traditions, is felt all over
the world. It is not that easy to accept any new idea or to leave an old one,
due to strong attachment.
This conference will definitely arrive at some acceptable, amicable
conclusions and trace some common ancient traditions world over, of
course duly modified in the present context. There are certain universal
concepts having eternal acceptance.
It may happen initially that deep-rooted traditionalism or a sort of
fundamentalism may not permit changes or be reluctant to give due
credit to the concerned principles of life. Yet the world is feeling a sort of
disgust towards excessive consumerism and seeking, same solutions on
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Editorial
Oh Ana Mamm an holl breiziz
Pediñ a reomp deoc'h Oh Douez Vras
Lakit e spered bugale Mab-Den
Un darn doujañs hag ul lodenn Garantez
Un darn furnezh hag ul lodenn Garantez
Un darn sklerijenn hag ul lodenn Garantez
O ! Ana Mother of all Breton peoples
We really pray you O! Great Goddess
Impart in mind of children of Human being
A share of respect and a part of Love
A share of wisdom and a part of Love
A share of light and a part of Love.
This ancient Druid prayer teaches us to share love (not wealth)) to share
an understanding - and the knowledge. In fact all ancient traditions as
reflected in their prayers give us the same noble teachings. The belief
that everything, the land, the air, the skies, and all living creatures
belong to God is the essence of the spirituality; that forms the basis of the
life of all indigenous cultures and the ancient traditions.
As Consumerism is spreading materialism is gripping humanity. Our
ancient value system is at stake. Permissiveness has become dominant.
Terrorism has become global. In the modern materialistic world, the
revival of this spirituality is of paramount importance..And this calls for
the revival, the renaissance of the ancient cultures and traditions
The subject of the Third Conference and Gathering of the Elders of
Ancient Traditions to be held at Nagpur India on 31st January to 5th
February 2009.is to consider the challenges in this task and find out the
solutions. This conference is being organised under the auspices of
ICCS (International Center for Cultural Studies USA Inc. ) in
Collaboration with World Congress of Ethnic Religions (wcer.org) and
The National Council of Elders Mayas, Xinca and Garifuna of
Guatemala. The conference will have Ceremonies, Paper presentations
and Workshops on related topics.
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This is the third step taken by the lovers of ancient traditions who have
resolved to protect those traditions from the onslaught of globalised
modernism that looks upon all ancient thoughts and things as
unscientific and hence outdated. The third conference in Nagpur, India,
from 31st Jan to 5th Feb 2009, has the theme “Renaissance of the
Ancient traditions: Challenges and Solutions”.
During the last three decades, scholars and lovers of anient indigenous
traditions have begun to look back in time to find roots within their own
history, in their own soil and ancestry. As in the case of the Druids, the
Romuva, the Maya slowly, a revival of ancient religious traditions is
taking place. They are Inspired by shamanistic and other religious
practices in various cultures (Native Americans, North Scandinavian
Samis, Siberian shamans, ancient Indian Vedic culture. Thus with the
help of academic research, archeological findings as well as practical
experience a spirit of renaissance is being generated,nay, it is rising.
Reviving a broken tradition is not a small thing to achieve. Many
questions arise, needing answers. Much has been lost more than most of
us would like. But more is also preserved than we first believed.
Nowadays, the Christian and Eurocentric bias within historical research
has diminished, and even if one can not be absolutely impartial, we can
be more objective and scientific in our outlook.
We congratulate the participants of this World Conference for giving an
enthusiastic response. We are publishing some of the papers in this first
volume of Sanskriti Sangam III. It will contribute a great deal to enhance
the spirit of Renaissance of ancient traditions.
Asatru Pray
Må vi vandra; i vördnad och värdighet
Må vi vandra; i mod och givmildhet
må vi vandra i Sed; på denna heliga Jord
på detta heliga land; som ligger Asar; och Alver nära;
May we all walk; in reverence and dignity
May we all walk; in courage and generosity
May we all; walk in a good way
On this sacred Earth; on this sacred land
Near the Gods; near the Spirits
Lata Dani
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Common Celtik
Esunertos and Lovania (Serj and Donaig Pineau) ............ 16
Challenges Before
The Indigenous Faith And Culture Donyipolo Faith- An Overview
Kaling Borang ............ 27
Vedic Mantrapuzpanjali
Prayer For The Universal Harmony And Peace
Dr. Pramod V. Pathak ........... 74
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The Unique Phenomenon
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Of Human Culture T TR
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Vladimir Shevtsov
Green Cross Belarus
Today all of is, either citizens of big cities or remote villages, of different
countries and continents, willingly or not, by acting or staying passive,
reacting or ignoring, by our deeds and thoughts answer to the challenges
of globalization. It rushes into our homes and cultures, reconstructs and
destroys them. We can clearly see not only technologies but as well
world-view and mass culture exported from developed countries to the
rest of the world. The new time doesn't follow the demands of people of
the world any more, it forms them.
IMPACT OF GLOBALIZATION
Globalization reduces distance and time, opens borders and gives birth
to new waves of migration. Millions of people, not only poor but as well
rich and highly educated, move from place to place, from villages to
cities, from cities to megalopolises, from one country to another, from the
“undeveloped” world to the civilized in search of unexplored
possibilities. As the result developing countries are swiftly loosing
human capital. They have less chance to develop either in economic or
social spheres. Developed countries as well don't gain much from
receiving cheap, though qualified labor force. Immigrants, especially
those coming from Eastern and Southern countries, do not assimilate,
but create their own subculture of uncertain routes. Europe faces these
acute problems nowadays. But the motion does not stop as both the new
and the old labor forces rapidly and easily move within the “developed”
world. An urbanized person often not only doesn't have his own home,
but as well can not imagine what that is. We can easily discover such
processes in our countries. The difference lies only in the place and time.
Consequently more and more people lose touch with the land. Without
any bonds to the land people blindly devastate one territory and easily
move to other. And if every particular plot of land doesn't have its owner,
soon there will be no flourishing places in the world. Any human
responsibility won't appear out of nothing. Inward responsibility is the
result of personal involvement, connection to the land and acceptance of
this motherland as the paramount value. Only being emotionally
connected to the personal little piece of land the person would really take
care of it and consequently of the whole world. Without the
understanding of this fact it is hard for a youth to find his place in life.
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Traditional Cultures and Religions
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in the Globalized World T TR
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Inija Trinkuniene
Institute for Social Research- Lithuania
The intensified global processes in the last decades force us to think
again and evaluate the role of ethnical traditions in the contemporary
world. There is more than one reason, which stimulates us to pay more
attention to traditional cultures. Those are the globalization challenge,
fundamentalism of the monotheistic religions and the necessity to solve
ecological problems all over world. We live in the world, where most
probably there is no and will not be the one-dimensional culture and
even one absolute truth, but the demand for values, which had and still
have traditional cultures, survive.
Traditional cultures do not have one name, they are described in
different ways when specificity, particularity and diverseness from
cultures, which represent the modern industrialized world, are stressed.
They are called “traditional”, “archaic”, “ethnical”, “grassroots”,
“natural”, “indigenous” and in other terms. In any case, they are being
connected with some place, locality or tradition and with roots, which go
deep into centuries. Those cultures were created and grew through
centuries and the anonymity, collectivism and sociality are common to
them. They are different in every country but they also have some
common features.
Ethnical culture is considered the basis of all higher social-cultural
systems. “It is the main cell of the world cultural processes of integration
and differentiation, it is characterized by special peculiarities of
mentality: “<…> speech of the local region, customs, myths, beliefs,
forms of art, systems of values and so on, which divide culture of one
community from the other analogical social-cultural organisms” (1).
Their contribution to the common contemporary culture in the different
countries of the world is different. Even the non-qualified eye could
notice that in India there is much more traditionalism and
manifestations of old cultures than in Europe. But the outlines of values
of the cultures mentioned above are scantily reflected in the
denominations. Only the interested persons and institutions successors
or organizations name the qualities of archaic cultures, which are
relevant today and which can serve the contemporary man not only as
cultural heritage but also as the spiritual experience.
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countries. And this potential is really great. These are the countries,
which confronted in their history with the religious violence, which could
not be separated from politics and economy. Authentic ethnical
traditions and cultures suffered, let alone religions. Search of lost
identities, which began at the end of the 20th century, can be named as
search, for which the dimension of cultural consciousness is
characteristic. When you evaluate the injustice done, you can
understand and realize the value of your own culture.
If we are looking for the common linkage of ethnical traditions, we can
confirm that it is found in theology and symbols. Symbol of fire and the
fire altar is considered to be one of the best uniting links. At the
conference of the Elders of the World's ethnical religions and the Worlds
old traditions and cultures, the rituals were performed according to any
tradition present in the conference, to which all those who wanted to
participate were invited. Every ritual was begun by making fire. It
appeared that fire is one of the central symbols, which unite ethnical
traditions:
“The central ritual within Asatru is the same as in Vedic,
Zoroastrian and Romuva tradition: the sacred fire ritual with
the sacrifice by the man and itself, a sacrifice by which he
extinguishes his ego to return to the Supreme Unity and this
unity can only be metaphysical, this is: divine” (10).
Cooperation for the contemporary European and World ethnical
movements is also useful for the fact that it is the immediate experience,
sight and possibility to compare and to recognize the lacking links in
your own tradition, which were lost because of the cultural unification
and globalization, which lasted for centuries. While comparing the
“ruins” of their own spiritual culture with the better preserved Indo-
European religions, representatives of the religion Asatru could better
understand and return to the real essence of their customs and
traditions”:
“Since the old Norse religion was re-instituted in the Low Countries, it
has taken some time to reintroduce traditional spirituality. That had no
chance to succeed if we hadn't been conscious of the close relationship
between the Norse, Celtic, Baltic, Ossetian, Roman, Greek, Parse and
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Written by - Esunertos and Lovania (Serj and Donaig Pineau)
Translated by - Iona (Catherine Dreau) ,
Representants of the Druidik Gathering of Brittany
From now , on the recognised notion of « Common Celtic » ,known for a
long period of time linked with Indo-European language, pre and
posthistorik ,was nourrished thanks to numerous philogist works such
as J.Zeuss'one.
In 1953, he published a monumental piece of work in Latin, « the
Grammatica Celtica »,creating at that time the basis of comparative
Grammar.Followed by Franz Bopp with « a comparative Grammar »
with the Sanskrit language.
In 1873, the french Adolph Pictet Brought a particular contribution to
the Western Languages family, by publishing his interesting piece of
work « de l'affinité des langues celtiques avec le sanskrit »(Celtic
languages affinity with Sanskrit).After he studied in Strasbourg and
Berlin,he taught Sanskrit in Tubingen .He was disposing of the first
Celtic Philology Chair in the Wilhems University of Berlin in 1901.
In this Brilliant troop of seekers who helped to constitute the first Indo
European studies, we would like to remain the name of a genious and
unfortunate precursory of the comparative before letter Philology,
named Guillaume Postel, he was a writer and an Orientalist.
From1540,he was conscious of the several existing links between some
Celtic languages as welsh and Britton.He didn't hesitate to link them
with Gallic Language and Oriental' ones as Sanskrit that he knew about.
Unfortunately, his piece of work suspected of heretic got blacklisted by
the Inquisition.
Imprisonned in Paris, he died in Jail in1581.
Despite of several hazard, the long road of Indo-European comparative
Linguistics had authorised remarkable advances yet,giving benefits to
languages kept in the background of the Said « Classical » civilisations as
Old German or Ancient Celtic ones.
Those languages had generously benefited of many others writers
researchs,carving themselves an unnegligeable seat in the so disperage
domain of Indo-European studies .
Thus, this Ancient Celtic hardly outgoing of childhood with the stocklist
of the « Gallic Language »written by Georges Dottin , Old student in the
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The exam of the ancient celtic roots ,as we will only mention two, are
sufficient revealers of a deep research of our own ancient lexicology.it
will allow to enrich our real knowledge ,not only a purely romantic of our
Druidism.Under this link, analogies in the domain of Myth and sacred
are always signaled between the Ancient Celtic language and Sanskrit.
It brought us back at the oldiest time of the indo-<european world.It is
introducing us in a real and authentic condition of the Celt protohistory.
A deeper comparison on the real etymologic principles of the applied
terms to designate as the material life objects, products of their
industries, and mostly the expressions of the social organisation, the
intellectual life , believes and sacred, allow us to throw on numerous and
sometimes dark questions some unexpected lights.
BITUS :
Those radicals joined with the materials brought from historical
sciences, archeology, or Irish'Ancient Litteratures constitute a large
revealing beam of what Celts were approaching in substance of
Knowledge.Such as their own vision of the World , that is to say a holly
heritage which belongs to us directly, and that we have a filial duty to
claim to benefit to our spiritual research.
A first exemple would help to motivate our assertion.It is the presence in
all Celtic idiom, of the name they use to designate the World , implied the
one we live in: the Earth,and also its Whole.
The Universe, it is to say the entirety of everything which does exist, the
Whole things perceived in space and time , we designate as 'Galaxy'.
The ancient celts were applying to this whole the term 'BITUS'-root word-
emanates in Britton'BED', in Ancient Welsh 'BIT', in Irish and Scottish
'BITH', words to have the same acceptance that the Gallic'one 'BITUS'.
This term was preserved in the Gallic name: 'BITURIGES',the Berry
(plural form of 'BITURIX'= King of the World).
It is there the most general sense of the Word.
Furthermore, this word reveals an other remarkable acceptance, closely
linked with it root,found again in Celtic adverb:inWelsh 'BYTH' (always,
again), in Irish 'BITH' (permanent,continually).
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When all 's said and done, this Druidik dogma kept the one carried by the
whole Pagan World of Indo-European.
We found this concept in the 'ATHARVA VEDA(X.8.39,40), as well as in
the German tradition of RAGNARÖK, and in the Gallic World.,through
Celtic litterature,illustrated by the Numismatic and Myths of Eternal
return.
This Cosmogonic dogma,shared by the whole Indo European
Prehistory,doesn't appear like a bad thing: because to find an
unchanging thing in the Universe, we would have to fly in the celestial
paradise of the nothingness religions.We would have to set aside
everything variable .Then, rejecting all matter, all energies,all
connection, any life,and, all of us,here and now what we are.
DEDMA:
Very early,under our average latitudes, from the observations of the Sun
and the Moon movements,human noticed the periodic return of movable
stars to the same location in relation to groups of fixed stars.This
movements wasn't liable to accidental and fortuitous events.
through centuries,this exemplary repetitive constancy allowed them to
give pace to their principal works.
The most philosophers of those observers established the Universal
Nature concept widely recognized within the Paleowestern populations
and Indo-European.
Between 1500 and 500 BC, the Veda World thought the idea of this
World Nature.
It was revealing the norms system and human duty linked with the
concept of cosmic power.
Under the Sanskrit philosophical term DHARMA, or DHAMMA in
Prakrit Pali, that for centuries huge works of doctrinal exegesis took
place in the World of Bharat.
In this perspective, the Ancient Celts didn't depart from this great idea
that man belongs to the Universe, and that he was indissociable from.
The sun was considered as the prototype of a Celestial great worker,
whose regularly move expressed the divine law and order of the Universe.
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It designate the life without which the Cosmic order couldn't exist, and
so life couldn't act without this cosmic order.
When, from this Universal significance we come to the individual
application, the Dedma was bringing each thing at its own place and was
playing his particular function in the Cosmic order, that is to say the
characteristic property of each entity.
Thus,in this point of view, this law was applied for the highest members
of the society like Druids or Kings as well as each individual, all
constituent part of the Universe, from the Humblelest to the highest.
The cycle of kings make us know, that if Gods or energies rest with
assuring the World equilibrium by the regular return of Cosmic
phenomenon,it got to Kings and men to help them in this task.
Any omission from them threaten the general equilibrium.
If the sovereign neglect or break the given rules everything turns bad in
the Universe.
When the Dedma is broken, the Dedma is destroying.
When the Dedma is asserted , the Dedma is protecting.
When the human social order is broken, everything turns wrong in
seasons as well as in the natural fecondity system.
When the Noble recomendation got violated we enter in a reign of
violence,disorder,which is always a time of penury. « Earths give no
more harvest, rivers give no more fish, forests no more crops of acorns ».
The disrespect of the Dedma touchs the Royal function , or the
community,it is there the upset of the natural phenomenon which is
serving as a warning.
When the disrespect is individual then physical or moral infirmities hit
the guilty 'ones.
This cosmic interdependence appears as the most positive in the Celtic
Universe.It made human responsible for their own destiny.The truth
eminent quality for Celts was conceived much as a notion of technic than
only a single morale value. It is , what was « coherent », « well adjusted »,
with the World value , in the common sense,something 'well thaught',
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Indigenous faith and culture in the World over have suffered a lot of erosion
and corrosion right from the time when might was the right and the
salvation was possible only through one master of the few. Because of
these colonial dominance through all possible means, some of the very
developed Indigenous faith and culture have been totally wiped off.
Some have amalgamated with the intruding faith & culture and are
having a mixed system of practice. Still few more which were not
touched by those forces during those times are limping today because of
more recent assaults on them by the so called major religion and culture
from across the seas and mountains.
TRADITIONS IN ARUNACHAL PRADESH
The Donyi polo faith & culture being practiced by the Tani group of
people inhabiting the central part of Arunachal Pradesh in the North
Eastern tip of India is one major example of the same in India. Like any
other indigenous faith. The Donyi polo faith is also practiced by a small
group of people who behave that their ancestor is Abu / Abo Tany the
first human on earth. This group is again sub divided into much smaller
fourteen (14) groups on the basis of a little variation in dialect and
cultural practices. These small groups are Padam, Milang, Panggi,
Kamkar, Karko, Minyong, Bori, Bokar, Raamo, Pailibo, Aashing, Galo,
Nyishi and Apatanis. Among them also there are more sub-divisions.
This division and sub-divisions coupled with lack of education and poor
economic conditions have made them so weak, that they have become
easy prey to the process of process of proselytization being carried on by
the Baptist Missionaries. As a result, there is increasing erosion in the
indigenous faith & culture of the people. The process is still on in
alarming degree and one war footing like that of electioneering.
“Healing Crusade” is being organized almost the year round in every
nook and corner with the assurance that every lame and blind, deaf &
dumb and all those suffering from cancer ,TB and paralysis would
recover if prayed in the name of Jesus by those who posses “Holy
Spirits”. No body questions as to why the missionaries are establishing
well equipped hospitals at all? The point of attraction is something else.
The people are allured by the promise of free education free medical aid
and those successful campaigners are paid handsomely depending on
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