Hindu University of America Encourages Faith Through Education
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Educating Hindu families and young people is essential to preserving cultural and religious traditions among the growing Indian diaspora in the United States, speakers said at HUA Samvāda 2026 hosted by the Hindu University of America (HUA).
Students, educators, and community leaders discussed how a deeper study of Hindu philosophy and traditions can help practitioners move beyond ritual observance toward a more informed understanding and confident articulation of their faith.
The event featured a keynote address by Hindu University of America President Kalyan Viswanathan and a panel discussion titled “From Practice to Understanding to Articulation: How HUA Nurtures Confident Hindus.”
The panel, moderated by Dr. Archana Shyamsunder, included HUA students Muktha Tyagarajan, Aparna Dave, and Varadarajan Atur.
Shyamsunder said many Hindus engage in rituals and devotional practices without always understanding their deeper significance.
“HUA gives students the opportunity to study our knowledge and traditions in a serious and authentic way,” she said, adding that the university helps students understand “the why behind our practices.”
Tyagarajan, who has completed nearly 20 courses at HUA, said the university gave her an opportunity to revisit long-held beliefs and ask questions she had never explored before.
Aparna Dave, a Maryland-based immigration attorney and HUA student, said her studies revealed dimensions of Hindu thought she had not previously encountered and helped her better understand her roots.
A major theme throughout the evening was the challenge of passing Hindu knowledge to younger generations growing up in the United States.
Dave said many second-generation Indian-American children seek explanations rather than instructions.
“Unless we ourselves get educated and we understand what Hinduism is, it’s no way we can enlighten the second generation,” she said.
Viswanathan said Hindus remain underrepresented in humanities and social science disciplines and called for greater participation in academic and cultural institutions. He said HUA aims to prepare future educators, scholars, community leaders, and advocates who can engage confidently with questions about Hindu traditions and civilization. He also announced that the university had submitted its application for accreditation to the Higher Learning Commission.
During the discussion, Tyagarajan defined a “confident Hindu” as someone who possesses both knowledge and conviction.
“A confident Hindu knows dharma, has the clarity of vision of what he or she should do, and the integrity to follow through on it,” she said. (IANS)
