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Akshar-Purushottam Darshan at the World Congress of Philosophy 2024, Rome, Italy

1 Aug 2024 to 8 Aug 2024

The session on Akṣara-Puruṣottama Darśana at the World Congress of Philosophy took place on the morning of Friday 2 August 2024

Sapienza University of Rome, the venue for the conference, is one of the oldest universities in the world and the largest in Europe

The session on Akṣara-Puruṣottama Darśana took place among the various buildings in the university's vast campus, specifically at the Faculty of Political Science, Sociology and Communication

Various literature related to Akṣara-Puruṣottama Darśana was on offer for attendees of the session

The round table session was chaired by Mahamahopadhyaya Bhadreshdas Swami

Bhadreshdas Swami began with a heartfelt eulogy to Professor S. R. Bhatt, Chairman of the Indian Council of Philosophical Research, who sadly passed away before being able to attend the conference

Bhadreshdas Swami went on to introduce the topic of ‘spiritual ecology’ as well as the various speakers

In turn, Professor Balaganapathi Devarakonda, Professor of Philosophy at Delhi University in India, introduced Bhadreshdas Swami

Professor Aksharananddas Swami presented a paper titled ‘Bridging Worlds, Reframing Dichotomies: The Ecological Relevance of the Bhagavad-Gītā’s Yajñas’

Aksharananddas Swami began by explaining how spiritual ecology explores the relationship between faith systems and ecology

Aksharananddas Swami provided a succinct overview of the history and significance of yajñas as expounded in the Bhagavad-Gītā

Aksharananddas Swami went on to propose an ecological framework through yajñas, emphasising selfless action and interconnectedness for environmental stewardship

Aksharananddas Swami also drew upon real-life examples of selfless action and environmental interconnectedness

Dr Paramvivekdas Swami presented on ‘Ahiṃsā (Non-Violence) and Ecological Ethics’

Paramvivekdas Swami firstly explained how ecological ethics offer the moral framework for addressing environmental issues

Paramvivekdas Swami went on to unpack the ethical principle of ahiṃsā in the context of Akṣara-Puruṣottama Darśana

Paramvivekdas Swami cited several Vedantic texts to uncover deeper meanings and practical applications of ahiṃsā

Paramvivekdas Swami demonstrated how key philosophical principles underlying the practice of ahiṃsā can provide a robust, sustainable framework for a more environmentally friendly way of life

Professor Balaganapathi Devarakonda’s paper was titled ‘Spirituality Meets Sustainability’

Professor Devarakonda drew upon several key Vedic passages elucidating Akṣara-Puruṣottama Darśana

Dr Paramtattvadas Swami’s paper, ‘Rethinking Nature according to Akṣara-Puruṣottama Darśana,’ began with a fundamental question

Paramtattvadas Swami drew upon seminal works of science to help situate the discussion of religion and ecology

Paramtattvadas Swami went on to provide a theological explanation of the process and purpose of creation and how it relates to nature

Paramtattvadas Swami unpacked the spiritual connection between Puruṣottama, creation, and humanity to underpin humanity's relationship with and responsibility towards nature

Tilak Parekh, a doctoral researcher from the University of Cambridge in the UK, presented a paper on mandirs and environmental consciousness

Tilak Parekh explained how places of worship, like the environmental crisis, can impact humans collectively as well as individually

Tilak Parekh went on to argue how places of worship can inspire and shape new actions by changing mindsets in people of faith

Tilak Parekh also drew upon the design and construction process of mandirs within BAPS as vehicles of raising environmental awareness

Tilak Parekh cited several examples of BAPS mandirs from around the world to substantiate his claims

Bhadreshdas Swami concluded the session with Vedic prayers