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Alum Nikita Vardiparti leads Ganesh puja in celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi.
Photo Credit: Preeta Banerjee
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A reflection from the University Chaplaincy
Namaste dear Jumbos,
This past Friday, September 13th, the Tufts Hindu Chaplaincy celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi, a 10-day festival commemorating the birth of Lord Ganesha (also known as Ganapati), the elephant-headed deity who symbolizes prosperity, wisdom, and the removal of obstacles. Lord Ganesha is also revered as the sanctifier of new beginnings. The festival traditionally begins on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of Bhadrapada, the sixth month of the Hindu calendar, which usually falls in August or September. This year, Ganesh Chaturthi started on Saturday, September 7th, 2024.
The celebration often includes the installation of clay murtis (devotional portals of a deity’s Presence) of Lord Ganesha, both in private homes and on public pandals (temporary platforms). Rituals during the festival involve the chanting of Vedic hymns, singing of sacred songs, observing vrata (fasting), and reciting Sanskrit texts.
The festivities conclude with a public procession in which the murti is carried with music and group chanting to a nearby body of water, where it is immersed in a ritual called visarjana. As the clay murti dissolves in the water, it symbolizes Lord Ganesha’s return to his celestial abode.
At Tufts, members of our community participated in similar observances at Goddard Chapel. Students prepared and offered prasadam (blessed food), including kesari bath, which is believed to be one of Lord Ganesha's favorite dishes.
Our community also created a symbolic representation of the procession, using a mix of earth and water and returning our representation with water back to Mother Earth from which all things come. As the guardian of the Muladhara, or Root Chakra, Ganesha's symbolism and influence extend deep into the spiritual practices that connect us to our foundation and Mother Earth.
How have you honored your connection to Mother Earth over the past few days? Perhaps you've found moments of grounding by sitting under a tree or taking a peaceful walk with a friend.
As we face all of our new beginnings, I leave you with this sacred shloka (Sanskrit chant) to support our various endeavors:
वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ। निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा॥
Vakratunda mahakaaya suryakoti samaprabha
Nirvignam kurume deva sarva kaaryeshu sarvada
O the Lord with a curved trunk and with a magnificent body, whose radiance is that of millions of suns I bow to you Lord, such that all my endeavors, all the time, are without any obstacles.
Dhanyavaadah and best wishes,
Preeta Banerjee, Ph.D.
Hindu Chaplain
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First-Year Experience Field Trip to Chinatown
Saturday, September 28th from 2:00PM - 6:00PM
The University Chaplaincy, thanks to an Advancing Religious Pluralism grant from Interfaith America, is offering field trips throughout this academic year for first-year students, beginning with a visit to Chinatown with Diane O'Donoghue, Director of the Public Humanities at Tisch College for Civic Life. All of these trips will allow students to explore Boston's diverse religious and cultural history through free monthly site visits, dinners, and reflections alongside fellow first-years, student leaders, and chaplains. For more information about the exhibit, see this article about Endurance Streets on the Tisch College for Civic Life website. RSVP for the Chinatown site visit below and email elyse.nelson_winger@tufts.edu with any questions.
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A Time to Reflect: Bearing Witness to Our Shared Humanity in Turbulent Times
Join Tufts’ multifaith chaplains for campus-wide gatherings to remember, reflect, and honor our shared humanity in turbulent times. We know that so many are holding complex emotions. Join us as we make space, beyond words, to hold these deep cares, griefs and hopes. Turning to the rich symbols of clay and water, we will honor the unique and irreducible identities and experiences that make us who we are as a Tufts community.
Wednesday, September 25th, 2024
5:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Campus Green, Medford
Thursday, September 26th, 2024
12:15 PM - 12:45 PM
Jaharis Park, Boston Health Sciences Campus
Friday, September 27th, 2024
12:15 PM - 12:45 PM
Agnes Varis Campus Center lawn, Grafton Campus
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Tufts Interfaith Ambassador Meet & Greet
Sunday, September 29th, from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM on the Academic Quad by Goddard Chapel
The Interfaith Ambassador Team invites members of all Tufts' Religious and Philosophical Student Organizations (RPSO) for a Meet & Greet event. This event provides an opportunity for student leaders to meet one another and learn about each others' groups and plans for the year! Treats and refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP at your earliest convenience and plan on sending at least one board member as well as a member of your group. Of course, more are welcome to join! RSVP here
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Religious and Philosophical Events and Gatherings
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Our events and weekly gatherings are open to everyone in the Tufts community. You can find a calendar and descriptions of our regular events on our website. If you have an idea for a gathering or event, please contact the University Chaplaincy.
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JQUEST GIM
Wednesday, September 18th from 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Hillel.
Are you Jewish and queer? Join us for the Jewish Queer Students (JQUEST) GIM at Miner Hall Room 112. JQUEST serves the Jewish lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning student community. The committee coordinates meetings and events that speak to the experience of being both Jewish and Queer. Our social, cultural, and educational programs are designed to increase awareness of religion and sexuality and how they connect to each other. Committee members foster a community on campus that supports and enhances LGBTQ students’ lives in safe, comfortable, respectful, and inclusive ways. All activities are open to students of all sexual orientations and religious backgrounds. For more information, contact Sophie.Rice@tufts.edu.
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Otherwise Humanisms with Tisch Library and the Humanist Chaplaincy
Wednesdays, September 18th and 25th, from 12:00 PM-1:15 PM at Tisch Library in the Tower Gallery
Join Tisch Library and the Humanist Chaplaincy this month for "Otherwise Humanisms," a curated collection exploring humanist perspectives beyond Western modernity. Gathering next on September 18th, come engage in thoughtful conversations with Humanist Chaplain Anthony Cruz Pantojas every Wednesday from 12:00 to 1:15 p.m. at Tisch Library.
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Voices for Peace and Light
Rehearsals begin Thursday, September 12th at Goddard Chapel
All are welcome to sing with Voices for Peace and Light, the University Chaplaincy's interfaith, intergenerational choir. Membership is drawn from the greater Tufts community - students, faculty, staff, alum, and neighbors. We welcome experienced choral singers and people brand new to choral music. Rehearsals are Thursdays, 12:10 - 1:10 PM in Goddard Chapel. Please contact Music Director Suzie Cartreine at chaplaincymusic@tufts.edu for more information.
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True Colors Dinner and General Interest Meeting
Wednesday, September 18th, 6:00-7:00 PM, LGBT Center, 2nd Floor, 226 College Ave
True Colors is an interfaith gathering of students at the LGBT Center for community-building, conversation, crafts, and other relaxing activities. Our focus is on the intersection of queer and spiritual identities in whatever way you understand that. Join us for this general interest meeting with dinner and time to brainstorm ideas for the fall, hosted by Protestant Chaplain Dan Bell. Contact: Daniel.Bell@tufts.edu
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Challenging White Christian Nationalism: A Dinner and Discussion Series
Wednesdays, 7:30 - 8:30 PM., September 18th through November 6th, Austin Conference Room, Tisch Library
Join Protestant Chaplain Dan Bell as we reflect on Bible passages that challenge white Christian nationalism, guided by excerpts from Jim Wallis’ book The False White Gospel. Free book copies are available. A pizza dinner will be provided. All are welcome. Contact: Daniel.Bell@tufts.edu
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Weekly Talmud Chaburah with Rabbi Brawer
Fridays, starting September 20th, from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM, at Tufts Hillel
Join Rabbi Brawer on Friday mornings for Talmud study. This opportunity is for those who have studied Talmud previously and want to develop their Talmud study skills. We will be studying select passages of Agadah. Coffee & Cake served! Please contact naftali.brawer@tufts.edu with questions. More event offerings from Tufts Hillel can be found here.
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Apple Picking Trip with PSA
Saturday, September 21st, 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Honey Pot Hill Orchards, Stow, MA
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Humanist Chaplaincy Fall Book Club
Wednesday, October 2nd, 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM at the Interfaith Center
Join the Humanist Chaplaincy's Fall Book Club! This semester, we will delve into We of Little Faith: Why I Stopped Pretending To Believe (and Maybe You Should Too) by Kate Cohen.
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Mounting Risks to Wetlands: A Journalist's Perspective
Thursday, September 19th, 12:00 PM-1:00 PM in the Curtis Hall Multipurpose Room
For decades, environmentalists, homebuilders, energy companies and members of Congress have debated how the U.S. should regulate and protect wetlands. From bogs to saltmarshes to cypress swamps, wetlands help reduce damage from floods, shelter endangered species and filter pollutants to keep our drinking water safe. Last year, the Supreme Court ruled that a large swath of wetlands nationwide are not covered by the Clean Water Act, leaving over half the nation’s wetlands unprotected by the law. In this lecture, Miranda Willson will discuss what’s at stake as U.S. wetlands continue to be filled in for development, and how the high court ruling could accelerate what scientists view as an alarming trend of wetlands loss. She will also dive into a wetlands restoration debate in Louisiana on which she recently reported and explain how she covers water issues for an audience of lawmakers, scientists, oil industry executives, NGOs and many others.
This lecture is sponsored by Environmental Studies in collaboration with the Department of Biology and the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies.
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Upcoming Religious Celebrations and Observances
To see more upcoming religious holidays and festivals, including information about seeking religious accommodations at Tufts, please follow the link to the Tufts Multifaith Calendar.
Das Laxana Festival Sunday, September 8th – Tuesday, September 17th, 2024 Tradition: Jainism In the Paryusana Festival of Jain Digumbar Sect, this is 10-day festival that is considered to be a holy convocation. During these days, Jains impose some restraints on their daily activities by fasting, meditation and prayer. The last day of Paryusana is the most solemn occasion of forgiveness and the examination of one's own thoughts and feelings. On this day, Jains ask for forgiveness from their relatives and friends for any offense they may have committed by deed, word or thought. Observances may include limits to participation in academics or work and may include fasting.
Ghambar Paitishem Thursday, September 12th - Monday, September 16th, 2024 Tradition: Zoroastrian
Celebrates the creation of plants, the sowing of the winter crop, and the return of herds from pasture
Birth of Muhammad, Mawlid an-Nab Sunday, September 15th – Monday, September 16th, 2024 Tradition: Islam Milad an-Nabi, also known as Mawlid, is celebrated by Muslims as the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad.
Mabon
Sunday, September 22nd, 2024
Begins at sundown on the first day listed. Autumnal equinox and the second harvest festival, celebrating the equivalence of light and dark, the arrival of Autumn, and thanksgiving for the Earth's bounty.
Rosh Hashanah
Wednesday, October 2nd - Friday, October 4th, 2024
Tradition: Judaism
Begins at sundown on the first day listed. The Jewish New Year and the anniversary of the creation of humankind, Rosh Hashanah is the first of the Ten Days of Awe (also known as the Ten Days of Repentance) that conclude on Yom Kippur. It marks the beginning of the holiest time of the year for Jews. Observances may include limits to participation in academics or work.
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The University Chaplaincy is a dynamic hub supporting religious, spiritual, ethical, and cultural life for all members of the Tufts community. We provide spiritual care, support religious and philosophical communities, educate about spiritual and ethical issues in society and the world, and promote multifaith engagement.
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